VISION IN LEADERSHIP
The essentials
by
Roger L. Smalling, D.Min
This article corresponds to the book
available in Kindle.
What is vision?
How do we get it? How do we implement it?
To answer these questions, letÕs look at three leadership
styles often found in Christian circles: Pioneers, managers and janitors. This
list is not exhaustive. Some
individuals may be a mixture.
Pioneers have a vision for
something new. This person is the trailblazer, taking risks to go where no one
has gone before or do something in a new place. He has enthusiasm, drive and
creativity. He is impervious to criticism and impatient with those who play it
safer.
Though pioneers are great for getting things going, they
usually make poor administrators. They generally lack patience for the minutia of
administration. They tend to lose interest in projects once initiated,
preferring to go on to something else.
Managers follow in the
footsteps of a pioneer, carrying forward the vision the pioneer has
established. He puts order into vision. Though he also owns the vision, he may
be dissatisfied with the implementation. He sees more clearly the means to
accomplish the goal.
Janitors are conservative
types who desire to institutionalize the vision to maintain results as they
are. In a church setting, these people tend to lack vision for anything new. We
use the term janitor because their primary concern is that everything is kept
clean and safe. If the congregation is morally clean, with sound doctrine and
committed to the status quo, they are content.
They spend time dealing with disciplinary cases, discontent
people or those with deep problems. Leadership development is not their focus.
They perceive themselves as spiritual leaders because they have success dealing
with these types of problems. It is questionable if they may be called leaders
at all.
They tend to resist new projects because they themselves
have no compelling goals. Their focus is keeping everyone happy. If spiritual
janitors are placed in primary leadership, it is highly unlikely the church
will grow numerically.
Ingredients of vision
Vision is an attainable dream. It involves two aspects:
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A dream
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A workable plan
This means a goal of great value, difficult to attain,
requiring long-term investment of time and personnel.
Both must exist to qualify as vision. A plan without a
dream lacks the momentum to attract the necessary leaders to make it work. A
dream without a plan is merely visionary and never gets off the ground.
The Protestant Reformation was the result of the vision of
several men like Luther, Calvin and Knox. It was a goal of immense value,
costing many lives over three generations. The religious freedom and prosperity
many countries enjoy today is the direct result of that vision.
In the political domain, the Latin American revolution
under Simon Bolivar was the result of a vision. Bolivar dreamed of the
liberation of an entire continent. The vision was costly and required a
lifetime investment of resources. A continent was worth it.
A vision need not be as ambitious as these examples. Every
successful church or organization was started by a person with the vision to
see it happen.
A vision without a plan is merely visionary
Listening to a visionary may be entertaining but so are novels.
Eloquence does not equal vision.
Some articulate, intelligent people can be eloquent about
what needs doing. They may be more adept at analyzing the deficiencies of
others than creating workable plans. Though they appear knowledgeable and
confident, one never quite grasps exactly what they are saying. It is like
catching smoke. Politicians are often this way. These are visionaries at best
and leaders, not at all . . . wind-bags to be ignored.
A dream and a plan is not quite enough
Some may have a dream and a plan and still not be leaders.
A third element must be present; the personal drive and commitment to implement
it. Without this, all they will only be trying to persuade others to do the
work.
A dream and a plan without drive is like a sports car with
a driver who won't turn on the key.
Elements of a sensible vision
Simplicity. The vision
should take only a few seconds to explain. Otherwise, it is too complex. People
need to understand the vision in order to support it. Any promotional
literature should project the vision in its first line or two.
Slogans and acronyms help people grasp the idea.
Difficult, but not impossible. If it were easy someone would have already done it. If the goal is
attainable and desirable, but has not been done, it is because either nobody
believes it is possible or no one has the drive to attempt it.
To accomplish a vision, it takes a person who can
distinguish between impossible and difficult. The ability to take what
others see as impossible and evolve a plan for doing it, is the difference
between a Christian worker and a Christian leader.
Characteristics of a godly vision
It must advance the kingdom of God, not your own self-esteem
How does your vision advance the Kingdom of God and produce holy people? Remember, God's goal is to create a holy people for His Kingdom and glorify His name this way. Anything we do must fit into this goal or our idea did not come from God. Some have built their own empires as monuments to themselves in the name of God's Kingdom.
Others have a strong psychological need to affirm their own
self worth. Beware of motives.
It must be based on a personal call from God
Just because it is a good idea does not necessarily mean it
is God's call for us to accomplish it. David had a great idea for building a
temple to honor God. Nathan the prophet informed him that God was pleased with
the idea, but it was Solomon who was called do it.
Summary
Although the Bible teaches only one philosophy of Christian
leadership, leadership styles may differ, depending on temperaments and
circumstances. Some are pioneers, others managers or maintenance people.
A leader is partly characterized by having the initial
vision. A vision is an attainable and valuable dream that comes from God.
From this article we learn:
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Some leaders are
pioneers, others are managers and others maintenance people.
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A vision is an
attainable dream of lasting impact, difficult to accomplish and requiring great
resource investment.
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A vision must be
accompanied with a plan or it is simply visionary, leading nowhere.
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A vision must be
simple enough for people to understand and get on board.
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The vision comes
normally through a personal walk with God like any other calling.
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A genuine vision must
advance God's Kingdom for His glory, not merely our own personal satisfaction.
Smalling's
articles and essays are available at www.smallings.com