Leadership Silver Bullets

Leadership and effective people management are a combination of strategy and instinct. Below are several key leadership principles that have emerged as effective as well as widely relevant.

1. Understand Your Team’s Love Language

A critical starting point for effective leadership is understanding what makes each team member feel truly valued. Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessment refers to this as the trait of Individualization, the “theme leading one to be intrigued by the unique qualities of each person.” Simply caring for someone in the way that the leader defaults to is neither productive nor reflective of Christ-like leadership. Jesus modeled this by always addressing the unique needs of each person He encountered, with an extra dose of individualized leadership for each of the Apostles, those who were closest to him during His ministry on earth. When people feel genuinely valued, they become more committed to the cause, even (or especially) during challenging times. Moreover, valued people acted valuable, driving productivity that aligns with their personal beliefs, a shared return on the investment of the belief that we hold in them.

2. Make Strategic Choices and Invest Long-Term

Mentoring and apprenticing are making a comeback. However, the effectiveness of these approaches lies in their selectivity and depth. A small, carefully chosen group benefits most from mentorship, where meetings are centered around their specific progress, thoughts and concerns. Apprenticeship, on the other hand, requires an even more focused investment. This long-term commitment to just a few individuals yields profound results, not just for them, but for the organization as a whole. Investing time in these relationships often leads to the development of future leaders who may one day surpass their mentors, making the journey immensely rewarding for all involved.

3. Develop a Leadership Plan

When nurturing young leaders, having a structured approach is essential. Here are some strategies that have proven effective:

1. Build relationships—get to know each person personally. Get into the details!
2. Expose them to broader experiences—introduce them to your network, take them to industry events, and expand their horizons.
3. Provide safe environments for them to take responsibility, allowing room for failure and the learning that comes from it.
4. Regularly debrief on both failures and successes, encouraging reflection and growth.
5. Gradually increase their responsibilities and keep a close watch on their progress.
6. Set achievable goals and monitor their advancement.
7. Demonstrate how to handle failure by letting them see your own.
8. Celebrate successes together.
9. Empower them to move forward on their own.

There are countless variations of these steps, each shaped by the leaders who first identified potential in us. Take these ideas and shape them for your environment and personality. In this manner, these principles of leadership are passed down to the next generation.

4. Prepare Others to Succeed Beyond You

True leadership involves preparing your team to eventually replace you or to carry forward the vision elsewhere. Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church emphasizes the importance of “sending capacity” over “seating capacity,” a principle that applies to leadership development as well. The goal is to train and mentor individuals so that they surpass their mentors, leaving a legacy.

Our legacy is not only in the systems and processes we establish but in the people we invest in. Whether it's installing integrated system solutions into churches or training up leaders, the impact of our work is felt in every success that follows. Many of those we’ve had the privilege to mentor have gone on to achieve great things, and their success is a testament to the value of investing in others.

The ultimate satisfaction in leadership comes from seeing those you’ve influenced reach new heights, which must make God smile.