Leadership Compass

Leadership happens in many different levels but unlike a pyramid or a flow chart leadership to me is set up more like a compass with you in the middle and the people that you lead at different levels shoot out up, down and horizontally.

DOWN

We all get leading down. That is when I have authority over you in some hierarchy somewhere. This is the easiest form of leadership because basically you can simply “boss” people. With leadership on this level it is important that you as the leader are clear, direct and fair. It is important to carry yourself with confidence AND humility. It is important for you to inspire rather than intimidate.

Leading up is difficult for leaders. It takes a measure of humility and patience that is not natural to most type-A leaders. However, it is crucial for every leader to learn to lead up. Everyone is answerable to someone. Everyone has a boss and how you lead that boss is vital to your health and the health of your organization. How do you lead your boss you may ask? Well I am an associate pastor so my boss is my senior pastor. I lead him by serving. I know that it sounds like a paradox but it isn’t I lead him by doing everything in my power to make sure he is his best. I model for him the spirit that I wish to be conveyed to me. I pray for him privately and I encourage him publicly. That is how I lead him.

HORIZONTALLY

This is one of my favorite levels of leadership. One of my favorite things to do is to lead other youth pastors. I love leading them by teaching them from my experience and knowledge from 18 years of experience. I lead other pastors through this blog, friendship and openness. To lead horizontally you must be secure in who you are. Knowing that you don’t know everything but having confidence that you can help someone.

Leading happens in all different levels and each level requires different things from you. Pray that God would give you what you need, develop you where you need it to lead on every level.