The Goehner Group

POOR LISTENING

Listen, my son, and be wise…  Proverbs 23:19

Many Christian leaders are stymied in their leadership and fall into difficult situations because of their lack of good listening. It is fascinating to me that the book of Proverbs constantly emphasizes the need to listen. A good leader is a good listener.

To whom are you listening?  There are several key individuals or groups that need to have your intense, complete attention. Donors and friends continually give us feedback. It’s essential to listen to what they say and what they don’t say. Often it’s what they do not say that causes us to reexamine what we’re doing and our level of effectiveness.

Listen to your critics.  However, a wise person once told me, “Don’t count your critics, weigh them.” In other words, some of them have more significant messages than others but it is crucial to listen to what the critics are saying and the wise man or woman is able to discern how he/she should move forward. 

It’s vital to listen to your supervisor or your board if you are the CEO.  These are the people to whom you report and to whom you are accountable.  Their messages to you should be listened to carefully and if correction is necessary make sure you take corrective action.  It’s reassuring to listen to the kudos you receive from time to time because they help soften some of the criticisms.

You need to listen to your spouse. During the 48 years I was married to Bev I discovered she was my best source of information. She had the uncanny ability to size up people and to give me input as to who I could trust, who I should invest in and who would help me be successful.

Finally, listen to your mentor. Of course, this assumes you have a mentor. I think it’s essential for every successful Christian leader to have someone to whom to they are going for counsel and to whom they can share their most private thoughts, dreams and challenges.

Selective listening is a sure step to difficulties in your leadership.

Make your ear attentive to wisom, Incline your heart to understanding; Proverbs 2:2

THE MINISTRY AND ME ARE SYNONYMOUS

Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow?  What is your life? You are a mist that appears now for a little while and then vanishes.”  James 5:14

We are a nation who claims to have no idols. Frankly, we have many and they are often subtle.

One such idol is “I/Mine/Me” when talking about your ministry leadership: my board, my team, my staff etc.  Frankly, we are a minute part of God’s universe and yet he sees us as important and trusts his “church” to us.

Believe it or not, you are not irreplaceable. The organization existed before you and it will exist after you have left…unless you destroy it. This in no way reduces your role as a leader and influencer.  It is important how you lead-gently, seeking God’s will or as a “drive leader” who has to keep bringing things back to him or her.

One simple way to test a prideful approach to ministry: “Who can tell you no?”

What an opportunity: to turn a silent, “lonely at the top” existence into a healthy relationship with team members who help keep you focused as a leader and directed by God’s spirit.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

“Plans fail for lack of counsel; but with many advisors they succeed.”  Proverbs 15:22

There is no substitute for experience. In my many years of ministry leadership and consultation, I have observed many leaders, often but not always, young who have fallen in the trap of failing to recognize what they do not know about a situation, a staff issue or a ministry objective. It is this lack of knowledge-which only comes through experience or interaction with those who have more experience than me.

Pain and failure are two great life experiences that bring about growth-if we choose to grow through the experiences.  Pain is a great motivator for action and failure is a reminder that “I don’t know as much as I think I do.”

It is imperative leaders do their homework before they proceed into any new venture or ministry program. You are responsible for many staff who are counting on you to seek good counsel from trusted advisors.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Seek out those leaders who have lengthy experience in the church or para-church ministries.

BELIEVING YOUR OWN PRESS RELEASE

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

Humility is key to genuine success.  It is one of the major contibutors to the ultimate failure of Power. I encounter numberous people who have come to “believe” their press release; meaning they love the spotlight and ultimately hear only the “good news” about themselves.

Be careful when people compliment you; it can easily become a criticism.

The truth is you are never as good or bad as people say you are.

If you are a leader, hold power lightly…because God bequeathed you with your gifts.