Dave Schmidgall, one of our proteges, send me a link to a great article put out by Harvard Business Review. One stat really struck me. The article wraps around a survey question asked of tens of thousands of employees: "What do you look for and admire in a leader?" The number response? Honesty. Number two? 72% said they wanted a leader who was forward-looking.
Can I interject? One of the common problems I see in many churches is frustration in second-chair leaders over the lack of vision in first-chair leaders. If the lead pastor isn't forward-looking enough, it breeds frustration like rabbits. A leader's vision needs to be big enough to unleash and empower the people around him to pursue their visions. To put it another way, if a leader isn't forward-looking the organization they lead will expend tremendous amounts of sideways energy.
Now here is the stat that struck me. Researchers who study the work activities of executive leaders estimate that only 3% of their time is allocated to forward-looking endeavors.
Honestly, I'm not sure what that % is for me. But I know it's a lot higher than 3%. One practical thing that has really helped me allocate time for forward-looking is scheduling my week around meeting days and focus days. I have very little creative margin on meeting days (Tuesdays and Thursdays). But that buys back focus days (Mondays and Fridays) where I have margin to dream and plan and pray and imagine and think.
3% doesn't cut it for kingdom leaders. I'm not sure exactly what that % should be. But I'm convinced it's the key to the kingdom advancing!
Can I interject? One of the common problems I see in many churches is frustration in second-chair leaders over the lack of vision in first-chair leaders. If the lead pastor isn't forward-looking enough, it breeds frustration like rabbits. A leader's vision needs to be big enough to unleash and empower the people around him to pursue their visions. To put it another way, if a leader isn't forward-looking the organization they lead will expend tremendous amounts of sideways energy.
Now here is the stat that struck me. Researchers who study the work activities of executive leaders estimate that only 3% of their time is allocated to forward-looking endeavors.
Honestly, I'm not sure what that % is for me. But I know it's a lot higher than 3%. One practical thing that has really helped me allocate time for forward-looking is scheduling my week around meeting days and focus days. I have very little creative margin on meeting days (Tuesdays and Thursdays). But that buys back focus days (Mondays and Fridays) where I have margin to dream and plan and pray and imagine and think.
3% doesn't cut it for kingdom leaders. I'm not sure exactly what that % should be. But I'm convinced it's the key to the kingdom advancing!
13 Comments:
Thanks for this post Mark. I know I often get so tied up in the every day things that I lose sight of looking forward. I know that has to change. My question: do you take a day off? Also, may I ask: what do you do on your focus days? Do you take off out of the office or do you shut the door? Do you spend it by yourself or with your staff? Appreciate any help/direction/advice you can give. Thanks
Thanks for passing this on. I'm in a "second chair" and feel like I'm burning myself out going sideways.
Trying to Honor Leadership, but Dissatisfied with the Status Quo,
It's so true that many second chair leaders are chomping at the bit to move forward. The challenge I see is this: if you are serving under a leader, it is your responsibility to help him/her fulfill God's call. If they aren't allocating time to think and dream, help facilitate that. In short, do your job with excellence and fervor to allow them time to stop an sit. Remind them to imagine. Dream with them.
man i need to get better at marking out those days to be creative. how do you stay so consistent?
Hey I read about you in The New Rules of Marketing & PR. Looks like you have a great message for up all.
Mark,
My brother from another mother - dude I wanted to ask you something -
in your interview you did with "The Leadership Blog'
some time ago they asked you -
"What books have changed your life?+
And you answered:
"I'm a book-a-holic. On my blog (http://www.markbatterson.com/) I've got a recommended list of 100 of my favorite books in a variety of categories."
(see: http://leadershipblog.blogspot.com/2005/09/leadership-blog-interview-mark.html)
I tried to find this list of books in your blog archives but I cannot find it for the life of me?
can you post a link where I can find this list of books you recommend ?
I'm dying to get my hands on it.
Thanks.
Bill,
I close my door a lot :) And if I really need some perspective I'll get out of the office. Also, early mornings are really quiet and I'm able to think!
Wednesday is my day off :)
Mark
I used to have a list of 100 books but I started getting grief for some of the books I listed :) Long story. So I pulled the list. Felt like I needed to give too many disclaimers.
Mark
theoquest: i feel ya.
Sam Mahlstadt: very well said, i completely agree.
I agree 100%
Theoquest...I can so relate...keep praying!
Can I offer a different view? The role of the shepherd/pastor is to feed the flock and keep it safe. The vision required is to find the next green field to sustain the sheep.
IMHO, what is missing vision wise in the church is the operation of the gift of apostle and prophet. These are the visionary gifts for the church. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, which are tied into Jesus as the cornerstone.
It is their gifting and responsibility to see the vision of the kingdom, then transfer this to the shepherds. Then, they are to lay the foundational paths for the shepherds to lead the flock along, towards the vision that has been cast.
These giftings working in tandem with the local shepherds will result in not only a healthy protected flock/assembly; they will be a progressive group, steadily advancing the Kingdom in their respective locations.
Just a thought
www.martinschmaltz.com
www.martinschmaltz.blogspot.com
Great to read this! I left a missionary-sending agency 9 years ago because the first-chair leader had little or no vision and I, as second-chair, felt like I was running in place. Nice to know I wasn't crazy. Sad to know this is so common.
Thank you so much for this post. In the five minutes since reading it I have been infused with energy and hope. What a simple yet profound strategy. It structures free thinking!!
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