10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah, 41:10
Many of us serving in the church tech production world may not think of ourselves as natural leaders. I believe that there’s a bit of an incorrect stereotype of a leader: they have to be overly outgoing, great speakers from the platform, or even carry more experience and expertise than everyone around them.
However, I believe that literally anyone is capable of being a leader. All it takes is having an accurate picture of the principles that leadership actually entails, and then being able to apply those concepts to our own lives. Each principle then builds on the next one, allowing a person to fully grow through each step to reach the top of what I call the “Leadership Ladder.”
First rung: selflessness
For those who have grown up around church or the Bible, this probably makes a lot of sense. The Bible (and especially Jesus’ teachings throughout the New Testament) are rife with stories and pictures of servant leadership. Without an intentional focus on other people, one will never be able to grow and develop into a healthy leader.
Without a true picture of servanthood or selflessness, we will forever be too focused on ourselves....
To embody selflessness, we must put ourselves in the shoes of others and ask ourselves some critical questions. What do we have that others need and what we can we give to them (whether that’s resources, a positive attitude, words of encouragement, etc.)? What sacrifices can we make in order for others to feel fulfilled or better reach their potential? How can we serve those around us and exalt them to a place of growth and development beyond where they’re at?
In our ministry, are we thinking about how we can help our volunteers grow and feel encouraged and empowered, or are we only seeing them as people whose role is to fulfill the task we need done on Sundays?
Without a true picture of servanthood or selflessness, we will forever be too focused on ourselves and our own needs to have the right to be called a healthy leader. And without being a true servant, we won’t be able to take the step up onto the next rung of the ladder.
Second rung: communication
Information (and how we present or communicate it) can be a weapon or a blessing. Our tongues have the power to both bless and curse those around us. Sharing information can allow others to feel empowered and equipped in their role, whereas hoarding that information puts us in a position of power to where others have no choice but to be dependent on us.
So, a selfless, positive perspective in how we communicate is critical. And I we should never believe the lie that there’s no time for it, or it’s not important enough to do.
Are we focused on encouraging others and focusing centering on positives, or are we consistently harping on people’s failures or complaining about things they don’t do the way we want them done? Are we willing to share feedback to help others get better, or are we intimidated or insecure when others around us succeed?
Taking the time to stop amidst the busyness and then focus on others shows that we place value on the people around us. And that then helps us take one more step up the ladder.
Third rung: trust
Whereas the first two steps on the Leadership Ladder were both about our own actions, here is where those around us begin to take steps, and this is critical when working with our volunteer teams.
Without us first displaying a selfless perspective, and the willingness to engage with those around us, we have no right to expect others to actually trust us. However, an others-first approach makes it easier for others to see that we really do value them as a person, and they’re more willing to open their hearts and minds to us.
... an others-first approach makes it easier for others to see that we really do value them as a person, and they’re more willing to open their hearts and minds to us.
If we have been able to display a consistent pattern of behavior, people will begin to let their guard down, be more transparent and vulnerable, and allow us to speak into more personal areas of their lives. Essentially, consistency breeds comfort, and when people are comfortable in relationships, they’re more likely to allow the relationship to deepen.
They get to know know that we’re not out to hurt or manipulate them, so it becomes more natural for them to lower their defenses. We’ve shown that we’re only interested in helping them, and they’re now more willing to allow us to do so. They’re also more willing to inconvenience themselves to help us when I we need it. For instance, they’re probably more willing to accept the last-minute Planning Center request because they know they’re helping someone who genuinely cares about them.
And once trust is fully present, it allows us to more fully engage each other, which means we can take another step up the ladder.
Fourth rung: relationship
Yes, we have actually had a relationship up to this point, but it has probably just stayed surface-level.
Perhaps the greatest impact of any relationship is to allow yourself to serve others so fully that their growth, potential, and fulfillment is what brings us the greatest amount of joy. Instead of allowing their success and development to make us feel insecure and less important, we should want that to inspire us to pour even more into the relationship.
Are we focused on helping others develop in their gifts and talents, even if it means they get more attention that than we do?
Are we focused on helping others develop in their gifts and talents, even if it means they get more attention that than we do? Are we looking for someone to mentor or train as our replacement, so our ministry can continue to grow and flourish?
When we see results and growth in others, it should excite us! We are both at a place where this relationship is mutually beneficial for both of us because it’s helping both of us grow and get what we want and need.
Then, and only then, are we able to take the next step in our relationship.
Fifth rung: influence
At this point, we are in such close proximity that it’s natural for our behavior to rub off onto each other. Yes, there will occasionally be sparks and friction, but we have enough security in the relationship to work through the challenges and continue to focus on growth and development.
At this point, we also know how to best inspire, challenge, and give feedback (both positive and negative) to the other. We are at such a level of transparency that the give-and-take between us is natural and comfortable, and we know with confidence that we’re both committed to the long-term success of each other and the relationship.
Influence (essentially the ability to get someone to move or take a step) is the ultimate goal for any leader. Without it, we’ll never be in a position to inspire others to move or become great. As the great John Maxwell consistently says, “Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Top rung: leadership
If we’ve never committed to a selfless relationship with those with whom we serve, and if we’ve never gotten to a place where they fully trust us, then we won’t ever be in a position to really influence their behavior, no matter how hard we try. And at that point, we’ll never really be able to lead them in a healthy way either. They may follow us by default because we may be their boss, but their head and heart they will never buy into allowing us to lead them beyond the bare minimum.
In a ministry, we can’t get anywhere without a great team around us. Are we focused more on what we can get out of them, or what we can pour into them?
People follow leaders before they follow vision. We may have the greatest ideas in the history of the world, but if those around us don’t really believe that we’re focused on their needs above all, they’ll never willingly allow themselves to serve under us.
So, servanthood is the essence of everything in leadership. If we’re asking others to serve us and allow us to lead them, we can’t first expect it if we’ve never modeled selflessness and servanthood to them to begin with. In a ministry, we can’t get anywhere without a great team around us. Are we focused more on what we can get out of them, or what we can pour into them?
To sum it all up, if we’re first willing to serve, then truly anyone can become a great leader. Indeed, the greatest must truly first become the least.
