The Goehner Group

Organizational Culture Does Make a Difference

It is true that God is sovereign. I’ve discovered over the years that culture can also be sovereign. What do I mean? In our work with churches and Christian ministries we are constantly reminded that an organization over time develops a culture mindset which can become a rut and prevent growth. On the other hand, a positive and dynamic visionary organizational culture becomes a motivator for staff, leaders and volunteers.

Many leaders have come into an organization and attempted to change the organizational culture without carefully reviewing its history and determining the best way to make changes. The end result is never pretty.

Contrary to that approach, I have watched leaders who over a period of time have carefully crafted, in coordination with board members and staff, a new approach to the organizational culture. The most prevalent result is organizational transformation and new life for the ministry.

As we look for leaders during our executive search process, one of the key factors is “do they fit the new organization?”

As you ponder change in your organization, look for new staff and add new programs, be sensitive to the culture of the organization and look for the approach that fits while maintaining an ongoing commitment to be open to change that is both beneficial and transformational.

New Service offered by The Goehner Group

Ministry organizations are facing difficult problems. The economy is forcing leaders and boards to make difficult decisions; some of which are very painful. In many cases, these problems have become a crisis that threatens the future of the ministry.

In an effort to assist these organizations, we have begun Goehner Group Management Services. Goehner Group Management Services is prepared to help your ministry move through leadership transitions into organizational health and a new future. Our team will provide leadership to manage the transition and will lead the search for new permanent leadership.

We would welcome a conversation if you are facing problems that appear to be beyond your organizations ability to solve.

Click here for more details about our management services, or contact us at: kerry_mancarella@goehnergroup.com / phone: 408-246-6002

Why Christian Leaders Fail: Reason Eleven

MISREAD THE CULTURE

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16

In more than twenty years of executive search and forty plus years of ministry leadership this issue has come up over and over.

In The Goehner Group we have learned “fit” is almost more important than any other ingredient in choosing a new leader. Many times a leader comes to a new organization, does not fit but is unaware until the first difficulties arise and it is apparent that he or she has misread the organizational culture. Culture also includes geography and often people from one part of the country cannot really effectively serve in another geographical location because they simply don’t fit.

A second issue is unbridled change e.g. making change for change sake, rather than reading the culture and understanding the organizational heritage, history, landmines and barriers before initiating any type of change.

The two issues I’ve discussed: “lack of fit” and unbridled change, normally result in pain for the relationship and an ugly departure.

Jesus sent out his disciples to be servant leaders but also to be shrewd, strategic and to read the culture before proceeding.

Remember-it’s about fit and when things don’t fit, such as a bad pair of shoes, pain is the ultimate result.

Words of thanks from an appreciative workshop participant

Hello Don,

Thank you sharing your gifts and expertise on board development.
The session on Thursday provided practical help that has given us hope in our current situation. Thank you on behalf of the UMC in Latvia and all the kids who will experience love and hope
Thank you!

In Peace, Dan Randall

Why Christian Leaders Fail: Reason Ten

FAILURE TO LEARN TO BE ALONE

Be still and know I am God. Psalm 46:10

Leadership is lonely. The longer I live and the more I lead the more cognizant I am of this reality.

Good leaders make decisions. Decisions that are difficult, and often misunderstood. In these economic times, those decisions may affect someone’s livelihood and family.

Those are times when you walk alone. However, you are not alone. God wants to be your constant companion. A Christian leader has the incredible gift of the Father. The One to whom you can turn when it is impossible to go anywhere else.

Many leaders fail because they don’t take time to get away. Those can be times of fasting, silence, devotional and scripture reading, prayer and journaling. When Bev died, just over two years ago, I began a practice of personal retreats that allowed me to grieve, to grow and to move forward. I would not trade those times for any experience in my Christian life. God has met me in special ways.

Test me O Lord and try me; examine my mind and my heart. Psalm 26:2

But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.  Job 23:10