Quick Lessons Learned Not So Quickly
Membership Level› Guest
Author/Source: Todd McKeever
Topic: Leadership
Here's a quick lesson in how to learn lessons quickly.
Have you ever had those times when you think you have learned a lesson but then later down the road you discover maybe you didn’t realize how important that lesson really was? Ever since moving to the Executive Pastor role at my church I keep stumbling across these lessons.
It is my wish to not go into long details but rather to mainly make this a bullet list. If you are like me and have heard these lessons already but are not implementing them yet, you too will end up seeing these as lessons you may have already learned. But it is not one that you will discover; it is one you will learn quickly. If you read one of these and wonder what it means, then by all means, ask; because there is a chance you can actually turn this into a lesson learned quickly.
- A written vision is important. The pen (or keyboard!) has power. It isn’t enough to envision your goals in your mind. You must have a blueprint on paper. Every decision you make, ask yourself: does this help me get closer to accomplishing the vision?
- Learn to listen to the neighborhood that your church is in. You have to listen and then deliver. God really does know where He has placed your church and why.
- Only hire people who have a fire. Hire people who are driven to do well and see your church succeed.
- If you must let someone go who is paid or re-position a volunteer, be graceful and professional about it. This is hands-down the worst part of being an Executive Pastor. It is tough to let people go, but for the greater good of the ministry and a greater benefit for the person, sometimes it must be done. It doesn’t matter if you are being let go or being repositioned, don’t burn bridges.
- Learn to forgive. Things happen. People change. You can’t move forward in ministry — or in life — if you can’t forgive and move on.
- Treat your team well. People will follow a leader who treats them with respect. Learn to value your team’s input, and always reward them for a job well done.
- Focus is the most underrated skill that you must master. What is on people’s computer screens is not usually resulting in a positive ROI. Learn to focus on what truly matters in your ministry. Then, do it consistently. Facebook, twitter, snapchat etc., even though you may use it for networking, most likely is not as profitable as you try to sell that it is.
- Multitasking IS NOT greater productivity. Don’t put “good multitasker” on your resume. Numerous studies have shown that multitasking decreases brain power.
- Learn to view situations objectively. Just because you would or wouldn’t do something, doesn’t mean others are the same way.
- Don’t take life for granted. Life is temporary, and the only thing that matters at the end of the day is how you treated those relationships that God has given you for a time. Most importantly, how have you treated the relationship between you and God?
- A network is crucial. As much as you try, you can’t do it alone. Building a personal and professional support network is imperative.
- Busy is an ever-changing definition. What was busy last year for you probably is not busy for you today. This is why you should be nervous of any leader who keeps talking about how “busy” they are. They could be showing you they have reached their lid.
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Be picky when choosing your friends. My friend list (and I don’t mean Facebook) is short. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. I heard it said once that the top 5 people you spend the most time with represent the lid of who you will be like. What does your lid look like if this is true?
Reprinted with permission from ToddMcKeever.com. Written by Todd McKeever.
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