5 Secret Traits to Make a Better Leader

by Ron Edmondson When I first became a leader, I had no clue what I was doing. I was a high school student and had just been elected student body president. I had served as class president and in a few other positions, but there didnt seem to be a lot of responsibility that stretched me at that point. As president of the study body, now a senior, I quickly realized lots of students and teachers were looking to me for leadership. We were in the second year of a new school, and most of the students were forced to leave their previous school to attend this one. Some went willingly, but many were reluctantly bused to a school absent of many of their friends. In my first year at the school, as a junior, I was one of the reluctant students. In my new position, I knew firsthand the need, as well as the challenge, to encourage the morale and build momentum in this new school.

Thankfully, I had a seasoned leader for a principal. Mr. Huggins was a retired Army colonel who loved seeing students succeed. He became my mentor and my biggest supporter. Through his leadership of me, I learned a few secrets, which helped me as I entered the business world, led in the corporate world, and later as I led my own businesses. Even today in ministry, these same secrets have made me a better leader. Ive gotten lots of practice with them, and they are more comfortable to me now, but they are still pillars of my understanding of what good and effective leadership looks like. Here are 5 secret traits to make you a better leader:

1. Let go

The more you learn to delegate the better your leadership will appear to others. When you let go and let others lead, it will actually look like youre doing more because your team will be expanding the vision far beyond your individual capacity. Good leadership involves empowering people to carry out the vision.

2. Give up

You cant control every outcome. Have you learned that secret yet?
1

Some things are going to happen beyond your ability to guide them. Leaders who attempt to control stifle their teams creativity, frustrate others on the team, and limit the growth and future success of the organization.

3. Dont know

If you dont have all the answers, people will be more willing to help you find the answers. If you try to bluff your way through leadership, pretending you dont need input from others, your ignorance will quickly be discovered, youll be dismissed as a respected leader, and youll close yourself off from gaining wisdom from others. The best leaders I know are always learning something newmany times from the people they lead.

4. Waste time

Great leaders have learned that spending time that other leaders may feel is unproductive usually ends up being among the most productive use of their time. Spend time investing in people in ways that may or may not produce immediate results, and over time, youll find your team to be more satisfied and more productive in their work.

5. Bounce off

The more you deflect attention from yourself to others, the more people will respect you. People follow confidence in a leader far more passionately than they follow arrogance. You can be confident without demanding all the attention or without receiving credit for every success of the team. Great leaders know that without the input and investment of others, they would never accomplish their goals. They remain appreciative of others and consistently share the spotlight. What secret traits have you learned that make one a better leader? Share this: Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he's been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years. More from Ron Edmondson or visit Ron at www.ronedmondson.com/ Copyright 2012 ChurchLeaders.com
2

8 Ways to Finish a Job Well by Ron Edmondson 3 Comments Everyone loves a happy ending. If you follow this blog, you know Im in a season of transition from one church to another. Recently, someone on the search team from the new church asked me to reflect on how best to finish well. I dont know that Im the right one to do that. Although I have had some experience ending, Im not sure how well Ive always done. I do believe, however, that the way one exits a position says a lot about their leadership as they enter something new. Being strategic-minded as I am, I do have an exit strategy. I know it is easier to follow a leader who finishes well than one who leaves abruptly or under duress, so I want to be intentional about the way I leave. Im leaving a church I planted and on good terms going to something I believe God is calling Cheryl and me to do, so I certainly want to help a church we still dearly love in the transition. Don't Miss Leaving Your Church Job or You're the Church Being Left Leaving a Ministry Well: 6 Principles Six Ways You Can Make The Next Guys Job Easier 8 Ways to Know It's Time to Quit Here, in my opinion, are 8 ways to finish well: Give ample time for goodbyes This advice was given to me by several mentors. They said that if people have enough time to process my leaving, they would more easily adjust after Im gone. I will have given the staff almost three months' notice and the church two months. Its been interesting lately to see people who are surprised when Im still around. I guess this part of the strategy is working. Slow decision-making Ive tried to make fewer decisions that have lasting implications. When my opinion on a decision is needed or warranted, Ive made certain I included other staff members in the conversation or made them aware of all the pertinent facts of the issue. Give access to key leadership We have had lots of invitations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We love all the people of Grace but simply cant accommodate all the requests we have received. We are saying goodbye to family members also, so our time is limited. I have especially tried to make myself available to key influencers within the church, including staff, elders, core members, and volunteer leadership. Ive been even more diligent in prioritizing my time. 3

Answer questions Transition of any kind raises questions, but especially when it doesnt make immediate sense to people. I expected the Why questions, and I answered them as best as I could. Sometimes, it has seemed I am answering the same question over and over again, even for the same people. Thats okay. I know this was part of the process to assist people in the dealing with the transition. Hand off tasks Im a huge proponent of delegating, but there were certain responsibilities that I specifically handled. Ive tried to shift these responsibilities to others on staff or help them to disappear altogether if needed. A few projects I was especially passionate about may not happen now, but I also know that new and exciting projects will appear as others receive more leadership responsibility. Share information As with any position, I hold information others dont have. Ive tried over the last few months (and will continue) to share things with others on the staff on a need-to-know basis. As I clean out my desk and files, Im passing along pertinent information to other staff members. Validate leadership I believe in the leadership that remains in place at Grace. If I didnt, I would never have been open to leaving a church so dear to me. I have taken every opportunity presented (and created some on my own) to express my support for the staff and my confidence in the future of Grace. I truly believe my leaving creates opportunities for new momentum shifts and positive energy. Ive expressed that sentiment repeatedly. Remain accessible I hope to maintain the close fellowship I have with the Grace staff, and I will remain open to assist them any way that I can. I am willing to invest in Grace going forwardnot just for a yearbut for a lifetime, as requested. Grace will always hold a special place in my heart. In a practical sense, I plan to keep my Grace e-mail account active for many months after my departuremaybe as long as a year. I realize there may be future attempts from people to connect with me who may not keep up with the church on a regular basis. Its hard to leave a church God allowed to begin in your living room, especially when things are going so incredibly well. Transition is tough. I want the church I love to continue to thrive, so finishing well is critically important to me. I cant determine the way people will react to my leaving. I can determine what I do to leave graciously and how I respond to their reaction.

The ultimate goal for me is to defy the title of this post. Ill never really be finished as long as my heart remains with the church. Even if only through prayer and continued friendship, my intentionality towards Grace will remain for a lifetime. What suggestions do you have for finishing well? Share this: Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on evernote More Sharing Services Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a selfemployed business owner, and he's been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years. More from Ron Edmondson or visit Ron at www.ronedmondson.com/ Copyright 2012 ChurchLeaders.com Leaving a Ministry Well: 6 Principles by Dan Scott Just yesterday I officially finished up a job Id loved for the past eight years. When Jenna and I realized that God was moving us into a new chapter, we made a conscious decision that we would leave well. The church had been so good to us, the least I could do was exit gracefully. The following ideas are in no way exhaustive, but throughout the six weeks of my transition out, I learned six principles of leaving that are worth sharing. So without further narration, here you go. Communicate expectations: Depending on the size of the ministry youre leaving, youll have a number of people that need to be in the know about your exit transition. Once the word is out and youre ready to give your notice, work out the details of your departure. Communicate how you will spend your last few days in the office. Will you take PTO or cash it out? Will you work right up until the end, or will you hand off projects and responsibilities gradually? Be open and honest. How these conversations go will have a huge impact on how you leave your job. Transition plan: As part of those conversations mentioned above, work out who could do what as and when you leave. You probably know current staff members or volunteers who could help share the load of responsibilities that you will leave behind. Help the team youre leaving work out the plan for when your gone. Dont leave anyone without a net. Prepare to be replaced: As youre leaving, remember that only you really know how to do your job. Sure several people could actually do your job, but if youve been at your job for any length of time most likely you do certain tasks without even thinking about the process. Take a day to write out Daily Operating Procedures (DOP) for the different aspects of your job. How do you rewrite curriculum? What information do you include in your weekly volunteer and parent communications? 5

How do you staff holidays or summer volunteer schedules? Work like youre not leaving: Dont give up. Stay committed to the tasks at hand. Soon enough your mind will wander and youll want to throw in the towel, but remember why youre doing this ministry in the first place. Your job isnt about you or the church; its about God and what hes doing through you. Dont let HIM down. Tie up loose ends: If at all possible, finish the tasks that you started. Obviously some of your job is more long term, and you will have to leave the details to your successor. Even so, take those projects as far as you can and leave them in trusted hands with clear DOPs for how to continue the work. Leaving well means finishing the race set before you. Write those last few scripts, call that parent back, and write that incident report. And really, clean out your desk! Get Out of the Way: This last one was the hardest for me. I like knowing whats happening. I enjoy being part of discussions and future planning. Yet at some point, I realized that I wasnt being included in meetings. Plans were being made without my input. While I could get upset or angry about this, I realized that this was part of the leaving process. Everyone had to move forward as much as I needed to move away. Your church will post for your job, and your co-workers will talk about your replacement. They will plan events and write curriculum without your ideas. Becoming upset will only make this worse, rather pray for the transition and the future planning. Ask God to give you a peace and allow the ministry to thrive in your absence. These ideas are not rocket science, but then again Im not a rocket scientist. These are a few common sense ideas that I needed to learn. Id love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever left a ministry? What did you learn that you would add to this list? Id love to hear your thoughts! Share this: Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on evernote More Sharing Services Dan Scott serves as the elementary director at Ada Bible Church, which is outside of Grand Rapids, MI. He establishes the vision for programming including curriculum, volunteer care, and environment. Dan enjoys sharing ideas and encouragement from his life and ministry. He has a busy speaking and writing schedule and was recently named one of Children's Ministry Magazines' 20 leaders to watch. Dan and his wife Jenna have four kids: Liam, Ellison, Addison, and Taye. Don Miller: Why Character Trumps Reputation by Donald Miller John Wooden said, Your reputation is who people think you are; your character is who you really are. So what would it look like for us to have great character in 2012 and stop working on our reputation? Who really cares what people think? 6

I learned this lesson several years ago. I ran into a person who worked endlessly on their reputation but had terrible character. When their character was revealed (which happens in intimacy), they were a complete let down. The truth is they wouldnt have been a let down at all if they had been themselves. People dont judge who we are; they judge who weve led them to believe we are. The more time and effort we put into making ourselves look great, the longer and harder the fall when the truth comes out. And eventually, the truth comes out. Don't Miss Leadership Character: Ambition Vs. Arrogance 2 Keys to Cultivating Character Character Trumps Competence 5 High Costs of Character What I took from that relationship was difficult, but its something we have to face in our early twenties, usually, and that is that theres a difference between our reputation and our character. Since then, Ive decided not to work very hard on my reputation. Or at least I hope thats true. I air most of my dirty laundry, so nobody will judge me. People only judge those who claim to be better than others, more holy, more righteous, more moral. When Im ethical, I just look good. When somebody who works on their reputation isnt ethical, they find themselves in social court. Working on our reputation is just a dumb move. Here are some other reasons to have good character and not worry about our reputations: 1. God rewards character, not reputation. To care about your reputation means you care more about public opinion than the opinion of God. I notice that some of my friends who work endlessly on their reputations never really advance in life, love, or their careers. People who work on their reputation have their reward in full, meaning that God has no interest in rewarding them, but they will get people to be impressed by them, and thats about all they are going to get. This is the essence of worldliness even though it is wearing religious clothes. The worldly person gets their pleasure and redemption and religion from the world; a person who knows God doesnt work for a human audience. Who cares what they think, honestly? Just do the right thing because its the right thing and let God reward you. 2. If you present yourself as better than you are, you cant have intimacy. People who lie about who they really are are socially bankrupt, lonely, and have a string of bad relationships. Why? Because they cant let people know them. They are too busy trying to win in some kind of game. Screw the game. Make friends. Settle for being medium great. Youre heart will thank you. 3. Tell the truth. Theres nothing more healing than living in the truth and presenting yourself as who you really are. Its easier to sleep at night. 4. When you work on your character, youre working on the stuff that happens when nobody is looking.

This is infinitely more difficult than misleading and deceiving people. But its the stuff that really sets you apart. Its the stuff God rewards. What would your life look like if you stopped working on your reputation and started working on your character? Share this: Dons most recent book is called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and its about how the elements of a great story can help us understand the elements of a great life. That book also hit the New York Times Bestsellers List, and inspired corporations to work with Don to improve employee engagement in their corporate vision, and customer understanding of the corporations overall narrative. Don has appeared on a diversity of television programs including NPRs Tavis Smiley and Fox News The Strategy Room and has spoken for a variety of venues including the Veritas Forum at Harvard and national corporate conferences for brands such as Chic-fil-a. Don lives and works in Portland, Oregon. More from Donald Miller or visit Donald at donmilleris.com 2 Keys to Cultivating Character by Stephen Blandino Youve probably heard it said that 90% of an iceberg is below the surface of the water. Character is the same way. It may not always be seen, but it reveals itself when you bump into it. Unfortunately, some leaders have very little below the surface because theyre enamored by doing more than being. Ruth Barton captured it best when she said, We set young leaders up for a fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be. So how do you develop character that will sustain your life and leadership for the long haul? What does it take to build your life below the surface? Let me suggest that character is formed in LORDSHIP and HARDSHIP. Lordship asks the question, Who owns you? In our Americanized version of Christianity, we too often look at Christ as nothing more than an addition to our overly complicated lives. Addition Christianity is nothing more than accepting Gods grace so that we can add eternal life to the mix. Jesus becomes nothing more than an add-on to our lives, like a job, school, car, sports, or television. But this type of Christianity doesnt form Christlike character within us. Christ wants to own your life. It only makes sense considering Hes already paid for you. And when He owns you, His character is formed in you. Why? Because you always take on the character of what owns you. That means if I want Christlike character to be formed within me, somebody besides me must own me. When Christs Lordship is truly at work in your life, there is no question who the owner is. Thats when Addition Christianity is replaced with Ownership Christianity. Hardship asks, How do you perceive and respond to tough times? As much as we hate to admit it, our character rarely grows during the good times. Its the hardships of life that God uses to form us, mold us, and shape us. And while the tough times may not come from God, He certainly doesnt waste them either. Hardship is a two-sided coinit reveals our character and refines our characterif we let it. I think Joni Eareckson Tada, who at the age of 17 was crippled in a diving accident, understands the value of hardship best. In an interview with Larry King, when she was asked where God was in the events of September 11, Joni responded: After 35 years living as a quadriplegic, I learned that God permits what he hates in order to accomplish those things that he loves. She went on to say, Sometimes, the reasons for what he allows are hidden from our sight, but what we do know is that he loves to redeem and reclaim and rescue and 8

save those who turn to him in need. You see, I need him now more than I did the day of my accident, and maybe thats not such a bad thing. Most of us wont have to personally endure hardship like Joni Eareckson Tadas accident or the horrific events of September 11th, but if you choose to walk the road of character development, you will experience hardship. Character formation isnt easy. It requires surrender to Christs Lordship and suffering through hardship. But in the end, the beauty of Christs character is formed within us. Question: How is God shaping your character? Is there a part of you that needs to be surrendered to His Lordship? Is there a hardship He wants to use to refine your character? Share this: Stephen Blandino is the Executive Pastor at Christ Church in Ft. Worth, Texas where he oversees staff, small groups, adult discipleship, and leadership development. His experience includes being the Vice President of a leadership development organization where he provided oversight to product development and conducted more than 100 leadership conferences and trained over 13,000 leaders across the United States and in Japan. Stephen has written 8 small group curriculums and has a book on personal growth coming out later in 2011. You can learn more about Stephen at www.stephenblandino.com More from Stephen Blandino or visit Stephen at www.stephenblandino.com 7 Requirements to Be a Leader Today by Ron Edmondson 5 Comments To be a leader today requires more than knowledge Especially today. Here are 7 requirements to be a great leader today: You have to be adaptable. Things change fast these days. Real fast. You must lead a team that responds accordingly. You have to be moldable. You must personally change fast too or youll be left behind. (This doesnt mean you have to change your values, beliefs or convictions. In fact, that will work against you these days. People would rather be on your team and disagree with you somedifference of opinion is more acceptable todaythan for people to think you are whimsical in what you claim to believe. This is actually one culture change that can be a benefit for the Christian leader.) You have to embrace a team approach. There are no Lone Rangers today. (By the way, he wasnt alone either. If I had a helper like Tonto and a horse like Silver, Id have myself a winning team.) You have to consider social responsibility. 9

People want their individual work to make a difference. They also want the place where they spend their time, whether paid or volunteer, to make a difference. You have to think bigger than today. Tomorrow is coming quicker than ever before, and people are looking for leaders who can provide competent direction and consistent encouragement. You have to be willing to serve others. People will no longer follow an autocratic leader. They are less loyal than ever. If you want to remain their leader, you must prove you care for them personally. Trust is more important than having all the answers. You have to allow others to receive credit and assume authority. Its what attracts leaders to your team these days. They want to feel they are playing a part in the teams success. Its whats required in leadership today. I realize this brings some unique challenges for spiritual leaders. We have a message and faith that is unwavering and needs to stay that way. I certainly dont intend to change my message. As Christian leaders, though, we must understand the context of culture in which we find ourselves. The way we lead, motivate and recruit people has changed. If we dont recognize that, we will be less successful in accomplishing our God-given assignments. Thankfully, and I know I need this where we are weak He is strong. 4 Words of Advice for a Newbie Leaderby Ron Edmondson 2 Comments Whether you know one or you are one, these words of advice will be helpful to anyone new to their leadership position. I am consistently asked about the beginning days of a leadership position. In my opinion, the opening days of any job are some of the most important. Apparently others think so also. Recently someone direct messaged me on Twitter to ask, What words of advice do you have for a newbie leader? Im beginning my first pastoring role after years in student ministry. Now, as a newbie myself, I speak with more passion, and perhaps even more authority on the subject. I messaged him back and said Learn the people firstgo slow to changethink intentional in all you dopace yourself. That was Twitter, so I assume I should explain a little further. Here are 4 words of advice for the newbie leader: Never use the word newbie again. (Just kidding. Thats not one of the four. But, seriously, is there a better word). :) The real 4: Learn the people first - Relational leadership is always most effective, but especially for a new leader. They need to learn to trust you. They need an opportunity to feel you are committed and connected to them. They want assurance you have the best interest at heart for them and the church or organization theyve loved probably longer than you have. 10

Go slow to change The older the church or organization, the more important it will be that you take time to implement change. Know the key players, communicate, communicate, communicate, and help people understand why the change is needed. All change is resisted, but fast change is most powerfully rejected. This doesnt mean dont change. Most likely theyll expect and even want some change, but be smart about it. Listen and learn the things you can change immediately and things where youll need to move more slowly. That process takes time to do well. Think intentionally in all you do The more you can strategically plan your moves, the more you can help steer them to a positive outcome. In every area of your leadership, take time to think through the best way to handle the situation. Get input from key people. Plan your approach. Prioritize. Strategize. Youll have plenty of surprises along the way, but if youre intentional in the decisions you have control over, youll be better prepared to handle the unexpected. Pace your leadership for the long-term You wont often know the length of your tenure as leader, but you should script yourself to be there for the long haul. That means you shouldnt try to accomplish everything in the beginning. Spread some of your enthusiasm and energy over the first year or more. It will keep momentum going longer, keep you from burning out and the church or organization from wearing out. Also, think for the church or organization beyond even you. How can things keep building, healthy, vibrant and growing for the years ahead? When you set worthy visions and goals that carry people forward, help them dream and give them hope, they will want to follow your leadership.

Top 5 Dangers That Disqualify a Church Leader

by Ron Edmondson

When the leadership of a minister is injured by any of these, whether they can be restored or not, the effectiveness of the ministry is jeopardized.

I was recently asked the question: What are the dangers that disqualify church leaders from leadership in the church? Great question. The one who asked the question had a purpose. Thankfully, it was that this young church leader wanted to avoid them if possible. I love the intentionality. I had to think back over my years in church leadership and some of the situations Ive seen that derailed a ministry leaders ability to lead.

11

While the term disqualify may not always fitI may even prefer the word sidetrack because I believe Gods grace can restoreeven those in ministry, certainly each of these can keep a leader from leading at full capacity. I chose, based on the question I received, to stick with the term disqualify. As strong as the word is, there certainly are times that is the case. When the leadership of a minister is injured by any of these, whether they can be restored or not, the effectiveness of the ministry is jeopardized. These are the type of dangers that, if the leader doesnt seek help, improve as a leader or renew their passion for ministry, he or she may never be completely effective in ministry, and may even lose their position in ministry. Here are 5 dangers that disqualify a church leader:

Immorality Dishonesty

Immorality has destroyed many great leaders. Dont let it happen to you. When you lose the ability to be trusted, you distance yourself from people who are willing to follow. Dont let it happen to you.

Halfheartedness Laziness

If you arent willing to give your best, pretty soon youll have nothing worth following. Dont let it happen to you. Ministers who take advantage of flexible work schedules or less structured accountability to work less are eventually discovered. Dont let it happen to you.

Complacency

When you dont care, neither will the people youre trying to lead. Dont let it happen to you. God can restore. He does restore. I believe you can move forward after any of these dangers. The more you protect yourself from these dangers, however, the stronger and longer your tenure in ministry will be. What dangers would you add that disqualify a church leader?

7 Things Every Leader Must Quit Now

by Ron Edmondson 5 Comments

I work with a lot of hurting leaders, mostly who lead within our churches. My most recent Ministers Health Survey revealed there are some genuine concerns among our churchs leadership. Ive often wished I could say something to every leader. There are some things Ive learned the hard way. I often share things leadership should do, but today I thought it wise to share some things not to do. Here are seven things every leader needs to quit:

Measuring success compared to anothers success

12

Your leadership will not be like someone elses leadership. Its not designed to be. Youll likely be successful in ways other leaders

arent. Some of those may be visible and measurable, but some may not be. The goal should be to be the best leader you can be and measure your success by your obedience to being the leader God has designed you to be.

Don't Miss

Stop with the Empty Christian Clichs Stop It! The Problem with Quick-Fix Discipleship 7 Things Leaders Should Never Apologize For 7 Things Pastors Should Never Say

Pretending to have all the answers

Theres an unfair expectation many leaders face to be the person with the answer in every situation. Seriously, hows that working for you? The sooner you admit you dont have all the answers, the quicker your team will be willing to fill in your gaps.

Trying to be popular

If you want to be popular, be a celebrity. If you want to be a leader, be willing to do the hard tasks to take people where they need (and probably want to go) but may be resistant to along the way. Leadership can be lonely at times. Be prepared.

Leading alone

Just because leadership can be lonely doesnt mean you have to lead alone. Good leaders surround themselves with people who care, people who can hold them accountable and sharpen their character and their faith. If you have a tendency to separate yourself from others, stop now and reach out to someone. Take a bold risk of being vulnerable and release some of the weight of responsibility you feel.

Acting like it doesnt hurt

When people you trust betray you it hurts. When people rebel against your leadership it hurts. On days where it seems you have more enemies than friends it hurts. Dont pretend it doesnt. You wont lead well if youre a crybaby, but you should have some outlets where you can share your pain.

Trying to control every outcome

Three reasons not to: 1) It doesnt work. 2) It limits others. 3) Its not right. Leadership is not about control. Its about relational influence.
13

When you control others, you limit people to your abilities. When you empower people, you limit people to their combined abilities as a team and theres strength in numbers.

Ignoring the warning signs of burnout

At some point in your leadership, if you really are leading through the deep waters of change, relational differences or simply the stress of wearing the leader hat, youll face burnout. When you start to have more negative thoughts than positive thoughts, when the pressure of leadership is unbearable for a long period of time or when your leadership starts to negatively impact your physical or emotional health or your relationships, its time to seek help. Be honest: Which of these do you most need to quit? What else would you advise leaders to quit?
Lead Better Every Day

Find Your Ministry Features Videos Free Downloads Fresh News

Trending: Must-Watch Videos Reaching America Christian Accountability Virtual Choir Facebook Follow Us
Home Pastors Pastor How To's

How to Become a Trusted Leader

by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment

14

Do you want to be a trusted leader? Let people learn to trust you.

People follow people they trust. Do you want to be a trusted leader? Let people learn to trust you. Ive found trust develops over time and experience, as we witness trustworthy behavior. Honestly, its a delicate balance, because while the leader needs to be strong, independent and confident, a trusted leader must be approachable, inclusive and humble. Here are 7 ways to gain and keep trust as a leader:

Always display confidence but never cockiness.

People will trust a competent leader, but one who is arrogant will be dismissed quickly.

Always follow through, so dont over-commit.

When a leader does what he or she says they will, people gain trust. When the leader always bails on responsibility, people begin to doubt everything the leader says.

Always put trust in others, so theyll put trust in you.

Trust is a mutually exclusive commodity. People wont extend you trust they dont feel they receive from you.

Always extend grace, but be firm in some non-negotiables.

(I wrote mine HERE.) We need to allow people the freedom make their own way, including the freedom to fail, make mistakes and be assured we will forgive them if needed. We should have, however, some standards that are not open to discussion. Those should usually be issues of character, vision or values.

Always try to be knowledgeable and aware by constantly learning, but realize you dont know everything and youll know far more with a team.
People trust a teachable leader. They are leery of a leader who knows it all or pretends they do.

Always exhibit humility, but take great pride in your work. Always value people more than you value progress.

A humble but diligent and effective leader is a trusted leader. Its as simple as that. This is especially difficult for driven leaders, but people trust people who care for them. What other ways would you add to gain and keep trust as a leader?

Ministry Emergency: 4 People That Need Quick Attention

by Ron Edmondson
15

Responsiveness is extremely important in leadership and organizational health. Its one of the non-negotiables for teams I lead. (I wrote about those non-negotiables HERE.) Being responsive shows that a leader cares for others, recognizes their value, and is disciplined enough to follow through. There are times, however, when I believe responsiveness is not only the wise or right thing to do but is critical in terms of protecting the relationship. If you are leading in a church or a business, these individuals demand a timely response if there is any hope of keeping them. Here are 4 times when responsiveness is critical:

Busy leaders

If the President of the United States ever calls you, it would be best not to say, Im busy right now, Ill call you back. Some people simply live busier lives than others. They arent better than others, just busier. They arent more important, but they often carry more responsibility. If they extend you time, they expect a timely response.

First timers

Whether a new customer or first time visitor to the church, these people dont trust you yet. If you let them down early, youll never connect with them.

Injured or hurting people

Broken people are more skeptical of trusting others. Theyve received disappointment in life, usually from other people. Unresponsiveness now is received as further rejection.

People in crisis mode

In the moment of crisis, people understandably become incredibly dependent, perhaps even somewhat self-centered. Unresponsiveness is akin to uncaring for them. Let me be clear, Im not suggesting you can solve the persons concerns immediately or that you have to drop everything else to respond. What I am contending is that with these type scenarios, responsiveness becomes even more important to protect the relationship. It could be as simple as a message that says, Ill get back with you soon, which is not a bad practice with everyone. (Just make sure you keep your commitment!) It might be that you quickly refer them elsewhere for assistance. You could even delegate the response to someone else on your team. With these specific groups of people, the key is that some response comes in a timely fashion if the relationship is valued enough to protect. Share this:
16

Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he's been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years. More from Ron Edmondson or visit Ron www.ronedmondson.com/

One Secret to Long-Term Leadership Success

by Ron Edmondson

If I could give one piece of advice to leaders who want long-term success, it would be this:

Learn the people.

I know. It sounds too simple, but until you learn how the people you are trying to lead think, what the people value, the differences among the people, how situations impact the people, and the way the people are likely to respond to situationsyou cant lead them successfully.

Learn people and you can successfully lead people.

Try it. It will work in any setting. In the church. In business. In the home. New to a church or organization? This is your key to beginning well. Long-timer in a church or organization? This is what will improve your leadership. Make it last. Of course, youll have to respond according to what youre learning, but this is where you start. This is what gives you the tools you need. This is what can help shape your leadership. This is the gold information of leading people.

Learn the people and you can learn how to lead people.
How are you learning the people you are attempting to lead? What advice would you give to leaders who want long-term success?

7 Things Leaders Should Say All the Time

by Ron Edmondson
17

Recently, I shared 7 questions every leader should use often. It opened some good discussion around the post. It also made me think there was a similar set of 7 phrases leaders should consider using frequently. These are not questions, but statements. One of the goals of a leader should be to encourage, strengthen, and challenge a team to continually improve. Almost as a cheerleader rousing the crowd at a game, the leader uses his or her influence to bring out the best in others. How do leaders do that? One way is by the questions and statements we make as leaders. This post is an extension of that thought.

Here are 7 phrases leaders should memorize and use often:

I believe in you. You are an asset to this team. Let me know how I can help you. You are doing a great job. I need your help. I want to help you reach your personal goals. You are making a difference here. You may not be able to use these phrases every day. You shouldnt overuse them. They need to be genuine, heartfelt, and honest. That may not even happen every week. But as often as you can, slip a few of these into your memory bank and pull them out where appropriate. It will help you build a better team. What phrases would you add? Share this: Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he's been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years. More from Ron Edmondson or visit www.ronedmondson.com/

8 Most Dangerous Leadership Traits

by Ron Edmondson

There are no perfect leadersexcept for Jesus. For the rest of us, we each have room for improvement. Most of us live with flaws in
18

our leadership. Good leaders learn to surround themselves with people who can supplement their weaknesses. There are, however, some leadership traits which a leader can never delegate away. If the leader cant work through them, in my opinion, his or her leadership will be crippled. With these traits, the best the leader has to offer will never fully materialize. These leadership traits will eventually wreck a leaders success. Here are 8 dangerous leadership traits:

Immoral character

If the leaders character is flawed, the leadership will be flawed. A leader can never escape the quality of his or her heart.

Assuming everyones support

Leaders seldom hear the complete story unless they pursue it. Environments have to be created that produce transparency and honesty. Even in the healthiest organizations, there will always be things a leader doesnt know.

Assuming everyone understands

In my experience, most leaders think they are communicating effectively. Whats clear to them they assume is clear to others. Its usually not as clear as the leader thinks. Good leaders ask lots of questions to identify the level of clarity.

Continually avoiding conflict

Conflict never, ever, ever, goes away. Ever. Unresolved conflict damages the strength and integrity of organizational health. It may get ignored, overlooked, or stifled, but until conflict is dealt with, it continues to stir strife in an organization.

Pretending to have all the answers

The less a leader listens to others, the less willing others will desire to help the leader succeed. Arrogant leaders never attract the best from people. Great leaders invite input, knowing that with more people involved, decisions will be stronger and more buy-in will be achieved.

Allowing friendship to derail progress

Great leaders value relationships and recognize friendships with others as an important part of their personal well-being. At the same time, some leaders fail to separate their friendships from their callings as leaders. They confuse loyalty as a friend from their responsibility as a leader. A leader cannot allow personal friendships to negatively alter the course to success.

Refusing to let go of control

When the leader doesnt delegate, he or she stifles the growth of the organization. Healthy delegation involves releasing authority
19

over a project. If a leader continually maintains the right to control, the organization will be limited to his or her abilities rather than the strength of the team.

Living in the past

Unless youre a teacher of history, the leaders primary focus needs to be on the future. Leadership is about moving things forward. That requires progressive thinking, welcoming change, and refusing to let past failures determine future success. Be honest, of which of these are you most guilty? As difficult as it may be, until you push through them and improve in that area, youll never experience the leadership success you desire. What examples would you add to my list of things you can change and things you cant?

7 Statements Every Leader Needs to Use Often

by Ron Edmondson 2 Comments

Recently, I shared 7 questions every leader should use often. It opened some good discussion around the post. It also made me think there was a similar set of 7 phrases leaders should consider using frequently. These are not questions, but statements. One of the goals of a leader should be to encourage, strengthen and challenge a team to continually improve. Almost as a cheerleader rousing the crowd at a game, the leader uses his or her influence to bring out the best in others. How do leaders do that? One way is by the questions and statements we make as leaders. This post is an extension of that thought.

Here are 7 phrases leaders should memorize and use often:

I believe in you. You are an asset to this team. Let me know how I can help you. You are doing a great job. I need your help. I want to help you reach your personal goals. You are making a difference here. You may not be able to use these phrases every day. You shouldnt overuse them. They need to be genuine, heartfelt and honest. That may not even happen every week. But, as often as you can, slip a
20

few of these into your memory bank and pull them out where appropriate. It will help you build a better team.

7 Ways to Improve As Pastors

by Ron Edmondson 5 Comments

This week I start a new journey. Im in a good place in life for this change. Im old enough to have learned a few things but also old enough to know I have so much I need to learn. As I do with the start of a new year, only on a larger scale, I view transitions as an opportunity to make significant improvements in how I lead. I get a fresh start. There are a few things I want to do differently. Here are 7 areas I want to improve in my new ministry position:

Celebrate more
I believe in celebrating. I would advise other leaders to do so. Occasionally, I take my own advice. Sometimes, however, I get distracted by the next opportunity and fail to adequately celebrate along the way. I want to do better.

Pray more fervently

21

I believe in prayer. I want to be a person of prayer. I surround myself with prayer warriors. This time, I want to discipline myself to pray even more and see my ministry defined my prayers and the prayers of the church Ive been asked to lead.

Stress less
Some would say I dont stress at all. I tend to be fairly eventempered. But that false appearance is only because Im good at hiding my impatience at times. (Cheryl sees it unfortunately.) This time, I want to trust more and stress less. After all, God is in charge, not me.

Be more disciplined
Again, people would think Im fairly disciplined, and in many, ways I am. Im not sure, however, if Im always disciplined in the right areas. Maybe I should have titled this one prioritize better. Either way, I want my life defined more by where I want to end up someday. The best way to do that is to live that way now.

Take bigger risks

That seems strange coming from a church planter, former small business owner, entrepreneur, and in light of the risk some believe Im taking now.
22

Looking back, however, over business ventures and the last two plants, which were both phenomenally successful, there were a few things I wish Id done differently. I wish Id acted sooner when I sensed God leading. I wish I had waited longer when I didnt necessarily sense God leading. It would have required acting contrary to popular opinion more than I did, but as Ill continue to believe and teach, Gods way isnt always easiest, but its always best.

Satisfy fewer
Im actually pretty good at this. Its one of the signatures of my ministry and people continually say its what attracts them to my leadership. I am who I am. I dont usually try to pretend otherwise. People typically say Im real. Its not that I dont want to be liked. I feel the pressure to please everyone that all pastors feel. Ultimately, I want to honor Christ and keep the respect of my family. Beyond that, its okay if Im not popular as long as Im being obedient. When I try to satisfy people, I only make less of the will of God and more of the will of man. That seems counterproductive to my calling.

Rest better

23

Perhaps my biggest weakness is that Im always doing something. I do protect my Sabbath, but I dont always take time during the week or for periodic seasons to simply rest. Im a doer. I want to be productive. Im usually busy from early morning until late at night. I will probably never rest by doing nothing. The sound of that drives me crazy, but I do want to take more time to do what I want to do to rest. Read a book. Take a long walk. Maybe even play a round of golf. (Oh no, lets not get crazy. :) ) I realize I could have changed all of these without changing churches, but Im simply being obedient todayand it affords me a unique opportunity. I can change some things about who I am and how I lead. Lets do it! If you could do things differently in your ministry, what is one thing you would improve upon? Perhaps you can do that nowwith or without a change of position.

20 Tweets to Great Leadership

by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment

24

Someone emailed me recently and asked me for my top 20 leadership tips. They were doing a presentation on leadership and were asked to share 20 aspects of great leadership. The added catch. They needed something short they could expand upon, so they suggested I share them in Twitter length.

Didnt they know Im the guy who only has 7 points in most posts?

Im always up for a challenge though, so I wrote down the question and pondered it for a couple weeks. I added a few at a time. Then I sat down to compile the list.

Here are my top 20 leadership tips in Twitter length:

Build people People are your greatest asset as a leader.

Grow personally You cant take people where you arent going.

Direction matters Youll likely end up where you pointed yourself.

Surrender methodology Care more about accomplishing a worthy vision than how you do.
25

Empower people Give people real responsibility and real authority.

Keep learning When you stop learningyou stop.

Renew your passion often Keep reminding yourself why you do what you do.

Learn to rest So you can always do your best.

Value the word No You can only do what you can do. Trying to do more lowers efficiency.

Prioritize each day Make every moment count.

Let failure build you Its the best way to gain experience.

Be honest with yourself and others What you hide will often trip you fastest.

Know your weaknesses Everyone else already does.

Listen more than you speak Youll learn more and make others feel valued.

26

Serving others brings joy Giving back is the greatest vehicle to fulfillment in life.

Humility is attractive People love realness and want to be around people who are.

Be intentional Nothing really great happens without it.

Reject apathy Youll be tempted to settle for mediocrity. Dont do it.

Protect character More than you try to protect your reputation. Do this one and youll gain the other.

Applaud others Louder than you toot your own horn.

Feel free to Tweet one or two of themtheyre Twitter length.

7 Questions Leaders Should Use Often

by Ron Edmondson

27

Questions are a powerful tool for every leader. The greatest leaders I know ask lots of questions. Whenever I consult with leaders, one of the first things I do is analyze what questions the leader is asking.

Here are 7 questions leaders should memorize and use often:

How can we improve as a team? Will you help me? How can I help you? Do you understand what Im asking? Do you have what you need? What do you think we should do? Whats next? What questions would you add?

5 Ways Introverts Can Break Out

by Ron Edmondson

I am frequently confused for an extrovert. On Sundays and other important days of ministry, I can perform as an extrovert. I assure you, its not the real me! Im an introvert. Ive written extensively about it here. You might read:

True Confession: Life As an Introvert Dont Quit the Ministry Because Youre an Introvert

28

7 Ways Extroverts Can Help Introverts 7 Pitfalls of Being an Introverted Pastor 7 Ways I Work with Introversion to Protect My Ministry Its not that Im fake in those incidents. I love people. I love connecting. I genuinely want to engage with others. It simply doesnt come natural to me. As a result of my ability to appear extroverted, a question I receive frequently is: How do you do it? How do I appear so extroverted when I am so introverted? (I almost max out that preference on the Myers Briggs.) How do I perform on Sundaysand other days of the week? Recently, I went through a week of interviews for my new ministry assignment. I was expected to meet and engage at several affairs each day. I was exhausted, but I kept going. Ive never been so extroverted for a week. How did I do that?
Here are 5 ways I break away from my introversion to perform as an extrovert:

Prepare mentally
I have to prep myself before Sunday, for example, that I have a job to do, people are expecting me to engage with them, that its not going to be easy, but that I can do all things through Christ
29

who gives me strength. Its a mental exercise before any event where I need to be outgoing.

Act purposeful
I remind myself that there is a reason to be extroverted on some occasions. Often, people are waiting on me to engage them. To be a Kingdom builder, I have to converse with others, even when its uncomfortable. The reason I am willing to act outside my comfort zone is that I love people more than I love my individual preference or comfort. I have to be purposeful.

Discipline myself
At some point, I just do it. I simply have to make myself do what I may not want to do. Work the room. Make the initial approach for a new relationship. Talk! Engage! Connect! Do it!

Practice
It gets easier with time. It really does.

Reward myself
After an extremely extroverted occasionI crash heartily. Sunday afternoon naps are the deepest sleeping I ever have. Plus, my family understands if Im quieter than normal at Sunday lunch.
Share this:

30

7 Must-Know Tips for Young Leaders

by Ron Edmondson

I love working with younger leaders. It keeps me young, and it helps to know Im investing in something and someone who will likely last beyond my lifetime. I want to share some things Ive learned from experience. Some of it hard experiences. Heres a random list of practical advice for young leaders. If you can learn and practice these early in your career, it will help you avoid having to learn them by experience.

1. Never attend a meeting without some way to take notes

It helps you remember, but it also communicates you care about what is being discussed. If you take notes on your electronic device (phone), be sure to tell people thats what you are doing.

2. Respect your elders

The fact is you may not always feel respected by them, but thats their fault, not yours. Showing respect to people older than you now will ensure you receive natural respect from others when youre the elder in the relationship.

31

3. Learn all you can from everyone you meet

This includes the awkward, even difficult, people that you encounter. (You may actually learn more from them if youre willing.)

4. Keep a resume handy and keep revising it

You may never use a resume again in todays work world, but the discipline of gathering your experience as you gain it forces you to think through your worth to a future employer. Youll likely be asked to defend this someday and need to be prepared.

5. Never burn a bridge

Youll be surprised how many times relationships come back around. Dont be caught by surprise.

6. Be an encourager in the organization

Encouragers win the approval of others and are rewarded because they are liked. Be a genuinely positive influence on your team.

7. Never underestimate a connection

When someone introduces you to someone, consider it a high compliment. Follow through on the opportunity to know someone new. Youll be surprised how often these relationships will work for good.

32

Drop the defensiveness--young people often get defensive when a person with more experience shares something they do not yet know. This is especially true when being corrected by a leader. Remember, you dont know what you dont yet know. Its okay. Learn from your mistakes. Grow from your correction. Be patient with those who are trying to teach you. Get the chip off your shoulder and allow feedback to make you better. Over time, youll win over those who see you as inexperienced. There are 7 random suggestions. Elders, what other suggestions would you advise?

7 Ways to Protect Your Family Life in Ministry

by Ron Edmondson 10 Comments

If a pastor is not careful, the weight of everyone elses problems will take precedence over the issues and concerns of his immediate family. I see it frequently among pastors I encounter. There have been seasons of my ministry where this is the case, especially on abnormally stressful days. I decided years ago when I was a small business owner, serving in an elected office, and on dozens of non-profit boards that my
33

busyness would never detract from my family life on a long-term basis. Here are 7 ways I attempt to protect my family from the stress of ministry:

Down time.
Saturday for me is a protected day. I normally work 6 long (up to 10 hours and more) days a week. (Im wired to work, and to take a true Sabbath, according to Exodus 16:26 at least, it seems one would have to work 6 daysjust sayingHa!) This also means I agree to do fewer weddings or attend other social events on Saturdays. There are only a few Saturdays a year that I allow this part of my calendar to be interrupted. Pastors, it doesnt have to be Saturday for you, but there should be at least one day in your week like this. If you are wired for twotake two!

Cheryl and the boys trump everything on my calendar.

I always interrupt meetings for their phone calls. If they are on my schedule for something we have planned together, it takes precedence over everything and everyone else.
34

There are always emergencies, but this is extremely rare for meextremely!

Scheduled time with my family.

If Im going to protect time with my family then they must be a part of my calendar. Ive been told this seemed cold and calculated, and maybe it is, but when the boys were young and into activities with school, those times went on my calendar as appointments first. I was at every ballgame and most practices, unless I was out of town, because it was protected by my calendar. It was easy for me to decline other offers because my schedule was already planned.

I dont work many nights.

Now its just a habit and my boys are grown, but when my boys were young, I also wrote on my schedule nights at home. The bottom line is that Im a professional. You wouldnt want my time if I werent. Have you ever tried to meet with your attorney or banker at night? Of course, there are exceptions, but as a rule, I work 6 full daytime hours a week, and thats enough.

Im not everyones pastor.

35

This is hard for members of my extended family or friends to understand sometimes, but I pastor a large church so if someone is in a church elsewhere, Im not their pastor, simply their brother, son, or friend. Obviously, if someone doesnt have a church at all then this is a different story, especially since our church is designed to reach unchurched people.

I delegate well.
We have a great staff. If something is better for them to do, I let them do it. Not every event requires me to be there, nor my wife. I try to support the activities of the church as much as possible but not to the detriment of my family. I realize smaller church pastors struggle here, but part of your leading may be to raise up and trust volunteer people and entrust them with responsibilities. It also may be to lead people to understand that your family remaining strong is just as important as other families in the church and that part of having a healthy church is having a healthy pastor and family.

I try to stay spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy.

36

Its hard to lead my family well and engage them when Im always stressed by ministry. This is a constant battle and requires great cooperation and understanding by my family, but I recognize it as a value worth striving to attain. Pastors, I hear from youand sometimes your spouseoften. Some of you are drowning in your ministry, and your family is suffering. Many are going to say they have no staff or a small staff, but I would challenge you that I encourage this same approach to ministry for every person on our staff. I would expect no less of a commitment to their family than I have to mine. Ask yourself this question: How healthy is your family? What are you doing to protect them? Help me help other pastorsShare how you protect your family.

7 Impractical (but Priceless) Leadership Principles

by Ron Edmondson 5 Comments

I talk to pastors frequently who find themselves in a difficult situation. Many times, they know the right thing to do, but they cant bring themselves to do it.
37

Often, the advice I give is simply received with a reply such as, I know its probably the right thing to do, but it seems like it would be easier just to _____. I understand. Honestly, good leadership isnt always practical. Seriously. Think about it. Sometimes, it would be easier just to take the most efficient way. Its less controversial. It allows the leader more control. It happens quicker. Ive learned, however, that the most practical way isnt always the most prudent way.

Don't Miss

10 Leadership Principles from Soul Surfer 5 Principles I Learned From the Best Leader I Know 4 Leadership Insights from Bill Hybels Why Great Leadership Comes with a Price

Let me explain. Here are 7 impractical leadership principles I practice:

1. I dont meet alone with the opposite sex

Unless there is someone else in the office, I dont meet with females alone. I dont meet with them for lunch or coffee, except in
38

extreme situations. I know, its not practical, but it not only protects the integrity of my marriage and ministry, it protects the perception of my marriage and ministry. Which is almost as important.

2. I dont make major decisions alone even if I have the authority

I always invite a team of people, many wiser than me, to help me discern major decisions. I realize it slows down the process. Sometimes, it even kills my plans, but it has protected me over and over from making foolish decisions.

3. I try to kill my own ideas

I try to find the holes in my ideas and even try to talk people out of it after theyve already bought into it. I know, crazy, right? Time and time again, this process has improved the decisions I make, and it always builds a sense of ownership for everyone on the team.

4. I respond to criticism
What a way to slow down progress! Talk about insane. Why listen to people who have negatives to add to the positives?
What are two or three principles that may be inconvenient, but have proven valuable to...

Ask a Question

39

But I even listen to anonymous critics sometimes. Ive learned that criticism often is correct, and it always makes me better. Whether I yield to it or not, it forces me to consider sides I wouldnt otherwise.

5. I give away tasks to someone less experienced

I do it all the time. I surrender my right to decide to one with many years less experience than I have. Some would call that dumb, but I call it genius. The best leaders on our team were discovered this way.

6. I push for best

Its always easier and faster to compromise. Settling for mediocre saves time and energyand it makes a leader more popular! I work through conflict to get to the best solution for everyone. I know, time consuming, but in the long run, the organization wins!

7. I watch people fail

You heard me. Ive let people make a mistake I knew they were going to make. How dumb can one leader be, right? Why not jump in to save the day?

40

Ive learned, however, that if I do always stop what I see as a mistake, I may miss something I cant see. Plus, Ive learned my best leadership from the mistakes Ive made. Others will also. There! So much for being impractical. Way to waste some time. Good job being Mr. Inefficient! But if you want to be a great leader, find ways to avoid practicality. How good are you at being an impractical leader? What other impractical leadership principles have you seen?

4 Leadership Insights from Bill Hybels

by Dave Ferguson 1 Comment

Dave Ferguson shares his take on the leadership principles of Bill Hybels.

In the opening session of the 2010 Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit, Bill Hybels went back to the basics and asked: "What do leaders do?" "What are the fundamentals of leadership?" Rather than delve into new leadership territory, Hybels decided to go back to the drawing board and give us some new insights on the basics of leadership. Hybels, who is a brilliant student of leadership went on to give the following four answers to those questions. 1. Leaders Move People From Here To There. This is not just about the vision-thing. I used to think the first step for any leader is to cast a vision. Years of experience have shown me that is not the case

41

because even after casting the most compelling vision some people will respond, "Bill, we really like here better than there." The first step play is not to make "there" sound phenomenal, the first play is to make "here" sound horrific and intolerable. We must build a strong case for why we can not stay put and why that will be disastrous. 2. Leaders Need To Identify Fantastic People. When looking for fantastic people to be on your team start with the three C's: character, chemistry and competency. However, lately I have been thinking about adding a fourth C: culture. Culture asks the question "Will they fit in around here?" Access your culture and write down 3. Leaders Need Create Mile Markers and Celebrations. In a marathon it is not the first few miles that are a struggle; it is easy to get off to a good start. The last few miles are not as challenging because the finish line is now in sight. The hardest part of the journey is are the long miles in between. What is needed: First, re-fill the vision bucket. The vision leaks over the miles and it needs to be re-filled. Secondly, is celebration for what you have accomplished. A celebration is not just for the finish line, but also along the way. There is a 40% differential in productivity between an inspired and an uninspired staff worker. 4. Leaders Need To Hear Whispers From God. God still speaks. Go still speaks to us everyday! You are not meant to do this alone. The smartest leadership moves I have made did not come from human wisdom. Ask yourself, "Do you think God still speaks?" If he does still speak, then what are you doing to hear from him everyday?

3 Things Great Sermons All Have in Common

by Ron Edmondson 4 Comments

One secret to effective speaking is to learn what not to say Dont give everything youve got in a message.
42

A standard joke is about the young preacher giving his first message. After he has studied hard and has lots of information, he cant help but share everything hes got. One key, however, to an effective message is when the speaker learns what to say and what not to say. The what not to say is perhaps the more important part. Im not an expert speaker, but for me, the best part of my sermon message preparation is after its written, going back and cutting parts of it to tighten up the talk. Here are three suggestions to make a good talk great. Be intentional in saying the right thingsIts easier just to throw everything into the talk. Deciding the right thing to say takes more effort, but makes the talk better. Honor peoples time-Lets face it. People are busy. They get bored easily. They check out before you make your final points. Understand this and youll keep their attention long enough to say what you need to say. Leave them wanting more-Its always good to leave your audience with anticipation, rather than looking at their watch. Unless you and I are exceptional communicators (the kind of communicator who is better than even they think they are), then we need to learn how to trim our messages, leaving the best parts and cutting the fluff. We will be more pleased with our results.
43

Have you sat through a speech or message that went too long? BTW, what do you do when you get bored listening? Do you sleepcheck your phonedoodle? SeriouslyIm curious(Grace Community Church peeps need not replyHa!) (Pastors, theres still time for this Sunday!)

How to Attract and Develop Leaders

by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment

One of the most frequent criticisms I receive from young leaders about their organizations is that they arent given adequate responsibility or authority. They are handed a set of tasks to complete, but they dont feel they have a part in creating the big picture for the organization. Since most of the young leaders I talk to are in ministry, this means its happening in the church, too. Do you want to lead a successful organization (church) that attracts leaders? Heres my best advice:

Hand out visions more than you assign tasks.

44

In order for the organization to be successful, youll need to attract leaders. You know that, right? You need to know something about leaders and potential leaders.

Leaders want to work towards a vision more than they want complete a set of tasks. Leaders dont get excited about checklists and assignments. Leaders want to join a great vision, then help develop the tasks to accomplish it.
Leaders get excited about faith-stretching, bigger-than-life, jawdropping acts of courage. Thats the kind of vision they want to believe in and follow. To do lists often gets in the way of that kind of fun. Visions excite them; details to complete them dont. So if you want to create a successful organization, recruit leaders, hand them a big vision with lots of room on the implementation side, then allow them to choose how they will accomplish that vision.

Hand them the vision, then get out of their way and let them do their work.
That doesnt mean your work is over. Theyll need your help along the way. Theyll still need your help to develop structure, discipline, and follow through. But thats way different than handing them a
45

set of tasks. Thats practicing good leadership and delegation skills. (You can read 4 Critical Aspects of Healthy Delegation HERE.) I realize this is especially hard for perfectionist leaders who want to control every outcome. (Leaders like me- just being honest.) Youll have to take a risk on the people youve recruited to lead and discipline yourself to let them work in their own way. Youll get burned a few times, but overall, youll find more success when you:

Paint big visionsnot specific tasks

When you do this, youll attract and develop more leaders, and a more successful organization will be built and sustained. How are you at releasing your vision to others? Would you rather be handed a vision or a set of tasks to be completed?

10 Symptoms of the Unaware Leader

by Ron Edmondson

46

The leader is often the last to know when something is wrong.

A couple years ago there was a consistent problem in one of our areas of ministry. It was something which I would have quickly addressed, but no one brought it to my attention. Thankfully, Ive learned the hard way that what I dont know can often hurt my leadership or the church the most, so Im good at asking questions and being observant. Through my normal pattern of discovery I encountered the problem, brought the right people together, we addressed the problem and moved forward. End of story. It reminds me though that the leader is often the last to know when something is wrong. I tell this to our team consistently. You only know what you know and many times, because of the scope of responsibility of the leader, he or she isnt privy to all the intricacies of the organization. Some people, simply because they would rather talk behind someones back than do the difficult thing of facing confrontation, tell others the problems they see before they share them with the leader. Without some systems of discovering problems the leader may be clueless there is even a problem. Not knowing is never a good excuse to be unaware. Its not a contradiction in terms. Im not trying to play with words. Im trying to make an important leadership principle. As a leader, you may not know all the facts, but you should figure out how to be aware enough as a leader to discover the facts which you need to know. Not certain if you are an aware leader?

Here are 10 symptoms of the unaware leader:

Not knowing the real health of a team or organization. Clueless to what people are really saying. Unsure of measurable items because they are never measured or monitored. Not asking questions for fear of an unwanted answer. Not dreaming into the future; becoming content with status quo. Preferring not to know there was a problem than that there is one. Ignoring all criticism; dismissing it as negativity. Not learning anything new, relying on same old ways to consistently work. Making every decision without input from others. Assuming everyone supports and loves your leadership.

There are some things the leader will never know. Thats okay. Walking by faith is a good thing. I highly encourage it. There are issues within the life of an organization, however, that while the leader may not know readily, or even want to know, he or she should explore continually.

Want to test your awareness?

Try this simple experiment. Send an email to a fairly sizable group of people you trustkey leadersstaff membersfriends. Make sure there are some people on

47

the list who you know will be honest with you. In fact, tell them you want them to be. Tell them that you are trying to be more aware as a leader and need their help. Ask them: What am I missing? What do you see that I dont see? What should I be doing that Im not doing? What are people saying that Im not hearing? Who on my team is keeping from me how they really feel? Now, to really make this experiment successful, let them answer anonymously. You trust them, right? Set up a Survey Monkey account and let them respond without having to add their name. See what responses you receive. Not ready to do that? You could simply address the symptoms above and see how that improves your awareness as a leader. Whichever you chooseheres to knowing what you do not currently know! What other symptoms are there of an unaware leader?

Five Decision-Making Lessons for Leaders

by Ron Edmondson

This is a guest post by Tor Constantino. He is a former journalist, has an MBA, and works in public relations where he has directly reporter to several CEOs in his career. He lives near Washington, D.C. with his wife and two daughters. You can read his blog and follow him on Twitter. Not all decisions are created equally some are much tougher for a leader to make than others. Consider the recent decisions surrounding National Football League quarterback, Peyton Manning. A Gordian Knot of Decisions

48

The future NFL hall-of-famer recently left the Indianapolis Colts to become the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Prior to that decision, Manning had only played professionally for Indianapolis. The team drafted him out of college more than 13 years ago. During that tenure, Manning won a Super Bowl, was selected for multiple Pro Bowls, was named league MVP and never missed a game. However, he missed the entire 2011 NFL season due to a series of spinal surgeries and physical rehabilitation to alleviate neck pain and weakness in his throwing arm that had developed over time. When Manning and the Colts ownership decided to part ways, there were no less than 12 different NFL teams that were lined up waiting to woo the QB to their respective franchises. How Did He Decide? While each team had its pros and cons, each was unequivocally willing to open their respective checkbook to corral the superstar player. According to media reports, within a week the final three teams Manning was considering were: the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and the Broncos. Less than 14 days after his release from the Colts, Manning signed a life-altering deal with Denver for $96 million over five years. While some questioned the move, many applauded the decision.
49

While nobody knows all drivers of Mannings decision

There are some general lessons to be learned when big decisions must be made.

1. Relationships Trump Talent Initially,sports experts believed that Manning would select the resurgent 49ers organization since the team is loaded with a slue of talented players, a top-rated defense and an aggressive, young coach. However, insiders reported that Manning developed a strong relationship with Broncos General Manager, John Elway who led the Broncos to multiple Super Bowls as a QB in the twilight of his career very similar to Mannings situation. It seems that the trust and common bond that was fostered between these two men, trumped a decision based purely on a teams raw talent. 2. Trusted Advisors are Essential Anyone whos followed his career knows that Manning has a tight circle of counselors. Those have included his agent Tom Condon, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and General Manager Bill Polian as well as Mannings dad, QB legend Archie Manning and others. Once he was released by the Colts that circle tightened to only include his most experienced and trusted advisors who helped him consider and evaluate all the decision variables to ensure nothing was fumbled.
50

3. Not Every Decision is a Long-Term Decision Most management books stress the need to make decisions with the long view in mind. However, in the Manning example, he took a decidedly short-term perspective. A few weeks after signing with the Broncos, Peyton turned 36 years old for an NFL quarterback thats nearly retirement age. Manning clearly wants to add to his legacy and win as many championships while he physically can. The Titans had even offered him an ownership stake in the team once he left the game, but Manning believed he had a better chance of winning in the short-term with Denver which seems to matter to him more. 4. Removing Barriers Helps Solidify Decisions One of the most interesting, yet under-reported, aspects of Mannings contract negotiations was that he was willing to release the team that signed him from financial obligations if he was unable to perform as a result of any complication related to the neck surgeries or previous nerve damage he suffered. Shrewdly, once Manning knew the team he wanted he removed the most serious objection his health before it became an issue, which saved time and helped solidify his decision. 5. Decide Based on Your Strengths Manning is unique amongst NFL quarterbacks in that he is often compared to an on-field offensively-minded coach or veteran
51

offensive coordinator as well as player. As such, he has complete command of the offense both on and off the field. Interestingly, the two head coaches for the Titans and 49ers were both offensive players in the NFL, while Broncos head coach Jon Fox has a decidedly defensive-focused approach to the game. Manning knew his personal strengths and understood that Denver afforded him the greatest opportunity to lead and play the game his way, while helping the entire organization. While few of us will have to decide between NFL teams to play for or the value of intangibles beyond a multi-million dollar payday, we can clearly see the benefits of a thoughtful decision process that, if applied, can help anyone make the right call in the game of life. Question: What tactics help you make decisions?

Developing a Discipleship Culture

by Ron Edmondson 2 Comments

Last year at Catalyst Conference, I attended a breakout with 3DM, a ministry that helps pastors and churches think about the importance and future of discipleship. I had participated in a pilot

52

coaching program Catalyst was conducting, and this breakout talked about some of that experience. The one thing that impacted me most was a slide that was shown. I dont have a copy of it. I captured one with my phone, but its quality is not good enough to share here, and I cant seem to find another, so I recreated the concept in the picture here. (I know what youre thinkingIm an artistright? ) Anyway, this one paradigm shaper has impacted my teaching and church leadership as much as anything in recent years. You can see the diagram, but in case it isnt clear, here are some explanations:

Invitation
This refers to the atmosphere and degree of welcoming a church or an individual message provides. Do people enjoy being there? Do they want to come back? Is it inviting? Is a message fun to listen to? Is it encouraging and helpful?

Challenge
This refers to the degree others are encouraged to grow in their walk with Christ. Are they challenged? Are they held accountable? Are personal disciplines encouraged? Are sins exposed? Are expectations strong?

53

The theory is that churches tend to fall into one of these four quadrants:

Low Invitation/High Challenge Produces a discouraged/burnout culture.

Low Invitation/Low Challenge Produces a bored culture. High Invitation/Low Challenge Produces a cozy/chaplaincy culture.

High Invitation/High Challenge Produces a discipling culture.

I wouldnt attempt to put churches in one of these categories, but I could. I know some of each of these. Chances are you do, too. If you put Jesus, the master disciple-maker in this diagram, we find He was both high invitation and high challengepeople loved to be around Himthey were attracted to Himyet He continually challenged them. He confronted them where their lives needed to change. Thats the kind of church I want to be. Those are the kind of messages I want to deliver each time I speak. To be a discipling church, we must find ways to be high invitation and high challenge. Have you seen each of these type churches?
Share this:

5 Ways to Rebuke a Friend

54

by Ron Edmondson

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.Proverbs 17:17 Wounds from a friend can be trusted Proverbs 27:6 rebuke |ribyok|verb [trans.] express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions Years ago in high school, I had a friend tell me I was hanging out with the wrong people. I listened to the advice, switched my sphere of influence, and looking back, its one of the best decisions I ever made, considering the different paths our lives took. Thats only one example. Thankfully, there have been many other times a friend loved me enough to help me see the mistakes I was making. Usually I knew, but the rebuke challenged me to alter my ways. Ive had to return the favor many times. There are times when you have to rebuke a friend in order to be a true friend. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to tell another where he or she is doing wrong. You may be the only one who cares enough to point out what everyone else sees but refuses to address. If you choose to accept the assignment of rebuking a friend, you should be sure you are correct in your assessment, you should pray
55

through the correct timing of your approach, and you should address the person and not others to keep from spreading gossip.

When that time comes, here are 5 ways to rebuke a friend: Be loving
As we should do with everything, rebuke should come in the context of a loving relationship. In fact, one standard might be to not rebuke people you dont love.

Be truthful
Dont dance around or use subtleties when addressing the issue. State the problem as you see it.

Be helpful
Be willing to walk through any necessary recovery with the friend or help them process where they are in life.

Be purposeful
The rebuke should not be vindictive in nature or driven by jealousy or selfish interests. The betterment of the friend should be your sole objective.

Be redemptive

56

Be willing to extend grace and forgive the friend for any wrong done. Make sure he or she knows you are still in their corner.

7 Ways to Lead with a Limp

by Ron Edmondson

This is an encouragement to those who are limping in leadership. The truth is the best leaders I know have a limp of some nature. It may not be a literal, physical limp or even visible, but if you are around them long, they will display remnants of a previous injury. They may have had a failure that crippled them for a season. They may have messed up. They may have made a mistake. They may have lost their way. They may have even been tempted to quit, but they pushed forward, never to be the same again. With that in mind Here are 7 ways to lead well with a limp:

Dont hide it
Don't Miss

57

5 Ways to Diagnose Passion-less Preaching A Pastor's Dirty Little Secret There is most likely a younger leader around you who feels theyve lost their wayor will some day. They need your guidance. They need your encouragement. They need to see by example they can get up again and move forward.

Dont be a martyr
No one enjoys a complainer or someone who is always making excuses. You suffered a failure. You had a setback. You made a mistake. Dont wallow in your misery forever. Its not an attractive characteristic in leadership.

Allow it to strengthen you

Allow your limp to make you a better person and leader. Let your limp strengthen your leadership abilities, even if its learning what not to do next time.

Read Page 2 >> Be empathetic

Always remember others are limping, too. If not now, they will be. Theyre finding their way, just as you did.

Learn valuable lessons

58

Most of us learn more in the hard times than the easy times. Most likely, you will also.

Remain humble
Rahab of the Bible never lost her title as a harlot, even in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11). It reminds me that the past is my past. A great leader never forgets where he or she came from.

Limp to victory
Dont give up. Great leaders proudly limp across the finish line. Are you leading with a limp? How has it shaped your leadership?
Vision or Task: The Life-Giving Difference by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment One of the most frequent criticisms I receive from young leaders about their organizations is that they arent given adequate responsibility or authority. They are handed a set of tasks to complete, but they dont feel they have a part in creating the big picture for the organization. Since most of the young leaders I talk to are in ministry, this means its happening in the church, too. Do you want to lead a successful organization (church) that attracts leaders? Heres my best advice: Hand out vision more than you assign tasks. In order for the organization to be successful, youll need to attract leaders--you know that, right? You need to know something about leaders and potential leaders. Leaders want to work towards a vision more than they want complete a set of tasks. Leaders dont get excited about checklists and assignments. Leaders want to join a great vision, then help develop the tasks to accomplish it. Leaders get excited about faith-stretching, bigger-than-life, jaw-dropping acts of courage. Thats the kind of vision they want to believe in and follow. To do list often gets in the way of that kind of fun. Visions excite them, details to complete them dont. So, if you want to create a successful organization, recruit leaders, hand them a big vision, with lots of room on the implementation side, then allow them to choose how they will accomplish that vision. 59

Hand them the vision, then get out of their way and let them do their work. That doesnt mean your work is over. Theyll need your help along the way. Theyll still need your help to develop structure, discipline and follow through. But thats way different than handing them a set of tasks. Thats practicing good leadership and delegation skills. I realize this is especially hard for perfectionist leaders who want to control every outcome (Leaders like me; just being honest.). Youll have to take a risk on the people youve recruited to lead and discipline yourself to let them work in their own way. Youll get burned a few times, but overall, youll find more success when you: Paint big visionsnot specific tasks When you do this youll attract and develop more leaders and a more successful organization will be built and sustained. How are you at releasing your vision to others? Would you rather be handed a vision or a set of tasks to be completed?

10 Things That Drive Me Crazy About Leadership

by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment

There are some things in leadership that I could honestly say I despise. Perhaps you have your own list, but this is mine. Here are 10 things that drive me crazy in leadership:

1. Responsibility without authority

If you ask someone to lead something, then let them lead.

2. Small-mindedness
60

I like big dreams and those that dream them. Ive never once outdreamed God. Neither have you.

3. Naysayers
There is always someone who says it cant be done.

4. Laziness
Not only is it a sin, if it is allowed to fester, it can be contagious or disruptive to an organization.

5. Settling
Even if it involves conflict, I want to push for best over mediocre.

Read Page 2 >> 6. Popularity seeking

Leaders who say what they think people want to hear in order to be liked drive me nuts. (Not sure they are technically leaders.)

7. Power hunger
Leaders who are easily threatened by others or who always try to control others limit people and organizations.

8. Caution out of fear

I prefer a bold faith every time.

61

9. Bullied management
Some leaders get their way from force. That seems cowardly to me.

10. Passion squelchers

Leaders should energize others to realize their dreams, not stifle them.

7 Impractical Leadership Principles and Why I Use Them

by Ron Edmondson

I talk to pastors frequently who find themselves in a difficult situation. Many times, they know the right thing to do, but they cant bring themselves to do it. Often, the advice I give is simply received with a reply such as, I know its probably the right thing to do, but it seems like it would be easier just to _____. I understand. Honestly, good leadership isnt always practical. Seriously. Think about it. Sometimes, it would be easier just to take the most efficient way. Its less controversial. It allows the leader more control. It happens quicker.
62

Ive learned, however, that the most practical way isnt always the most prudent way. Let me explain. Here are 7 impractical leadership principles I practice:

1. I dont meet alone with the opposite sex

Unless there is someone else in the office, I dont meet with females alone. I dont meet with them for lunch or coffee, except in extreme situations. I know, its not practical, but it not only protects the integrity of my marriage and ministry, it protects the perception of my marriage and ministry. Which is almost as important.

2. I dont make major decisions alone even if I have the authority

I always invite a team of people, many wiser than me, to help me discern major decisions. I realize it slows down the process. Sometimes, it even kills my plans, but it has protected me over and over from making foolish decisions.

3. I try to kill my own ideas

I try to find the holes in my ideas and even try to talk people out of it after theyve already bought into it. I know, crazy, right?

63

Time and time again, this process has improved the decisions I make, and it always builds a sense of ownership for everyone on the team.

4. I respond to criticism
What a way to slow down progress! Talk about insane. Why listen to people who have negatives to add to the positives? But I even listen to anonymous critics sometimes. Ive learned that criticism often is correct, and it always makes me better. Whether I yield to it or not, it forces me to consider sides I wouldnt otherwise.

5. I give away tasks to someone less experienced

I do it all the time. I surrender my right to decide to one with many years less experience than I have. Some would call that dumb, but I call it genius. The best leaders on our team were discovered this way.

6. I push for best

Its always easier and faster to compromise. Settling for mediocre saves time and energyand it makes a leader more popular! I work through conflict to get to the best solution for everyone. I know, time consuming, but in the long run, the organization wins!
64

7. I watch people fail

You heard me. Ive let people make a mistake I knew they were going to make. How dumb can one leader be, right? Why not jump in to save the day? Ive learned, however, that if I do always stop what I see as a mistake, I may miss something I cant see. Plus, Ive learned my best leadership from the mistakes Ive made. Others will also. There! So much for being impractical. Way to waste some time. Good job being Mr. Inefficient! But if you want to be a great leader, find ways to avoid practicality. How good are you at being an impractical leader? What other impractical leadership principles have you seen?

Jesus on Leadership: Inject a Little Fear

by Ron Edmondson

I love a good leadership principle learned from observing Jesus. Theres a story in Matthew 14:22-33. Perhaps youve read it, but in case you havent, let me summarize.

65

After a long day of teaching, Jesus made His disciples get into a boat at night and head out to sea. After a few hours had passed, Jesus came to them walking on water. It was dark, late, and Jesus scared them, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus assured them it was Him, to which Peter replied, Lord, if its you, tell me to come to you out on the water. Peter joined Jesus walking on water, until He saw the wind and began to sink. Jesus saved Peter, got in the boat, and they were amazed at the power of God. (End of story) Sermons and books have been written about this story. I believe its 100% true. It actually happened. My God is awesome. What I want to consider this look at the story, however, is a leadership principle. Jesus was leading the disciples to become fishers of men. He was teaching them His way so they could continue a missionwhich would launch a churchwhich continues even today. In this story, Jesus introduced fear, challenge, and He stretched their faith.

66

Sometimes, leaders take people where they dont want to go so they can teach them what they need to know. Pastors/Leaders, dont be afraid to stretch your team. Dont shy away from injecting change. Dont even be afraid to inject a little fear. If your challenge is designed for goodif you are leading to a better placeit will eventually make your team better. Whats the scariest thing youve faced in your leadership development or had to do as a leader?

7 Encouragements to Leaders Who Lead with a Limp

by Ron Edmondson 1 Comment

This is an encouragement to those who are limping in leadership. The truth is, the best leaders I know have a limp of some nature. It may not be a literal, physical limp, or even visible, but if you are around them long, they will display remnants of a previous injury.

67

They may have had a failure that crippled them for a season. They may have messed up. They may have made a mistake. They may have lost their way. They may have even been tempted to quit, but they pushed forward, never to be the same again. With that in mind, here are seven ways to lead well, with a limp" Dont hide it There is most likely a younger leader around you who feels theyve lost their wayor will some day. They need your guidance. They need your encouragement. They need to see by example they can get up again and move forward. Dont be a martyr No one enjoys a complainer or someone who is always making excuses. You suffered a failure. You had a setback. You made a mistake. Dont wallow in your misery forever. Its not an attractive characteristic in leadership. Allow it to strengthen you Allow your limp to make you a better person and leader. Let you limp strengthen your leadership abilities, even if its learning what not to do next time. Be empathetic Always remember others are limping too. If not now, they will be. Theyre finding their way, just as you did. Learn valuable lessons Most of us learn more in the hard times than the easy times. Most likely, you will also. Remain humble Rahab of the Bible never lost her title as a harlot, even in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11). It reminds me that
68

the past is my past. A great leader never forgets where he or she came from. Limp to victory Dont give up. Great leader proudly limp across the finish line. Are you leading with a limp? How has it shaped your leadership?

7 Warning Signs You Might Be a Controlling Leader

by Ron Edmondson 2 Comments

Im seeing and hearing more about controlling leadership lately. I regularly talk to young leaders through my blog, and many of them feel they are working for one. The odd thing, however, is that many controlling leaders never really know they are one. One reason I annually ask our staff to evaluate me is that I know I have this tendency (its even one of my strengths on StrengthsFinder), and I have to guard against it.

Here are 7 warning signs that you may be a controlling leader:

1. People start apologizing prior to approaching you with a new idea...
69

2. You dont really know how people feel about you, but you assume they all approve of your leadership 3. You assume you are always right 4. You enjoy keeping others with less information than you have 5. You think you should be involved in making all the decisions 6. You fear others being in control of a project 7. You ARE the final word on every decision Have you ever worked for a controlling leader? Are you one? How would your team answer these questions about you? What would you add to my list?

70