Category: Leadership

Good leaders learn from the past. They don’t yearn for it.

Have you ever winced as you’ve listened to respected and successful leaders reminisce about past events … over and over again? There’s nothing wrong with the stories; context guides us. It’s probably more about the proportion of recalling the past compared to living in the present and leaning into the future.

Two recent experiences have prompted me to reflect on why I shouldn’t long for the past. First, Ann and I are reading through the Bible this year. God gives several negative examples of people who longed for what used to be. The primary example was the nation of Israel, whom God had freed from slavery under harsh Egyptian rule. Even though God miraculously guided them and provided for them, some leaders continually longed for the certainty of Egypt rather than the promising – but uncertain – future God had freed them to seize. The desire to choose slavery over freedom seems ridiculous, which is precisely the Biblical author’s intent.

Second, our organization shifted email systems from Exchange to Google Apps two weeks ago. Like you, I’m constantly under the email pile and had developed my own systems and shortcuts to speed up my daily workflow. Google’s approach to labeling and archiving email is very different than Outlook’s. I’ve been frustrated as I’ve attempted to use my decade-old habits to process email quickly. I’ve gotten lost in the new menus. My fingers don’t naturally land on the correct keys for shortcuts.  I’ve accidentally deleted a few messages I meant to archive. It’s taking much more effort on the front end to learn the new system.

To get around this awkwardness, I kept my old Outlook client open for a few days. Even though it felt more comfortable, in the end it just doubled my time and tempted me to yearn for an inferior system. Yesterday I decided to “burn the ships.” I disconnected all old pathways to email, calendar and contacts. I’m all in now. Still learning, all in, and not looking back.

Where do you find your heart longing to return to the false safety of the past?

If you’re a leader, we need you to act.

Of course, action can assume many forms. But consistent inaction from you ultimately leads us to wonder if you’re really there; if you really care. Inaction breeds distrust. Action requires faith and builds trust. If you’re stuck, if you’re deciding, if you’re overwhelmed, just let us know. We may feel the same way. Invite us into the chaos and share the leadership load.  That’s why we’re here. Prolonged inaction kills morale, squanders resources, and places our mission at risk.

Help us see what you see. Maybe there are some really good reasons you’re choosing to wait. Waiting doesn’t necessarily equal inaction. Your choice to wait could be flowing from reflection or a nudge from the Spirit of God.  We need you to think and we need you to pray. Just let us know what’s going on inside your head and your heart.

Action can include more research, another phone call, some robust team interaction, intentional neglect or a call to fast and pray. We’ll support you. Or maybe we’ll challenge your position with the intent of getting to the best course of action. But whatever you do, please, don’t leave us hanging.

You’re a leader and we need you to act.

What regularly causes you to avoid taking action?

If you’re a leader, we need you to take time to pray.

We don’t want you to be frantic. We are counting on you to be full of faith and live out your convictions. We need you to think, then lead with a heart filled with courage.

Recently I was on a long trip that happened to come on the heels of another very full week. While skyping with my wife, I told her that I felt thin. ‘Thin’ describes the feeling I get when I realize I’m just skimming across the surface of people’s issues, not really being present or digging deeper. Compassion for people gives way to cynicism about problems. It’s a signal to me that I need to slow down, pray, and invite the Spirit of the living Christ to support the gravity of life’s daily drama.

When you are hurried and rushed, you become a frantic leader. We need you to be a prayerful leader, not just a productive leader. The truth – as you well know – is that the only way to bear fruit is to abide in Jesus. Apart from him you can do nothing.

In addition to regular daily prayer times, I try to make a habit of taking one early morning each week to rise one hour earlier. I keep a running list of the craziest problems I face and pour my heart out to God. On those weeks I don’t feel thin; rather I feel grounded, lighter, and eager to play my role in God’s story.

How do you cultivate the practice of prayerful leadership?