Change

If you've never been one to take the obvious path, then this blog entry is for you. When God created leaders, he equipped them with an unsettling urge to unpack, undo, and unearth methods. This explains the reason you question everything around you. IT's the reason you have such strong opinions - and such a strong desire to share them. God wired us that way as leaders.

Here are 5 ways to challenge the process in your organization without inadvertently challenging the people in your organization:

1) When an instruction is given, follow through now; debrief later.

You need to clearly express, "I am clearly on your team and under your authority." It doesn't mean you can't ask, "Why?" But you do so in the clear context of serving the organization at large. And in your own style and your own way, you must learn to communicate both: I am under your authority. Can we talk about it?"

2) Never verbalize your frustration with the process in front of other team members.

It's okay to think different. And it's okay to challenge. But the method you use, and the play you choose is critical. Everybody who has authority is also under authority. So we have to learn how to walk that fine line- not shrinking back from challenging, but at the same time not challenging in the wrong way and therefore losing our leverage with those that we hope to influence and bring change to. Support publicly; challenge privately. Reverse those two things and you surrender your authority as a leader within your organization.

3) Don't confuse your insights with moral imperatives

Sometimes when leaders are geared up and passionate about an area of ministry, there's a temptation to justify flat-out rebellion for the sake of the mission and the cause. God has you where He has you for a purpose. On one hand you can't shut down your leadership instincts. But on the other hand, you can't work against the authority God has placed over you. God is using you not only to do your current ministry, but also prepare you for whatever else He has for you.

4) If you don't learn to lead under, you probably wont' have as many opportunities to lead over

Your ability to lead others is directly related to your ability to follow others. Acknowledging authority means recognizing what it means to be responsible as well as what it means to be accountable. It's not simply one or the other. When you sign up to participate in authority, you automatically ascribe to the concept of following. As a result, your ability to lead will never far exceed your ability to follow.

5) When you can't follow, then it's time to get off the team

If you start to have these feelings, then it's a good idea to ask yourself if God might be prompting you to move on. There comes a time to get off the team. If you aren't listening carefully, you could expose yourself and others to temptations you'd rather avoid. Don't give opportunity for frustration or anger to lead you. Allow God to lead you in His time to do whatever else He has for you.

- from a Catalyst study -