It has been 43 years since I started my leadership journey and 24 years working exclusively with leaders who launch and run for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Early on, I found five fundamental practices that ring true in establishing leadership and taking risks to a level where you are known for the significance you leave with others.
1. Model The Way - Do what you say you will do!
2. Inspire a Shared Vision - See and share with those you serve the future possibilities.
3. Challenge the Status Quo - Inspire those on your team to take initiative and experiment.
4. Enable Others to Act - Encourage collaboration and continuously build up your team.
5. Encourage the Heart—Celebrate your team by always crediting them for the wins.
Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner taught me this, which I still apply today. The 7th edition of their book, The Leadership Challenge, was released in 2023.
Around this time, I also had the privilege of joining Catalyst and seeing what pastors and leaders in non-profit ministries go through when launching churches and organizations. Two of my long-term mentors have been Greg Surratt and Chip Judd.
Greg co-founded ARC and Seacoast Church, and Chip may be the best-kept secret as the counselor leaders call when they need love and truth.
After losing a dear friend and co-pastor to suicide, they founded a pastor’s retreat and launched a small circle called The Endurance Factor (book by the same title) to mentor those of us working with pastors and pastors themselves.
Leadership in any organization can be lonely and isolating. But it doesn't have to be that way!
My meme here is from something Greg taught me. If you are in any form of leadership, I challenge you to apply what I have written here to your life.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. You may be the captain of your high school football team, the CEO of a pubco, a mom, a teen girl leading a Bible study, or the pastor of a small church.
No matter where you are, finding someone to accompany you on the journey is never too late.
You must remember that only by being 100% truthful will you avoid the leadership pitfalls many of us have encountered occasionally!
