Which club do I choose?

I have been a part of churches and various business organizations and witnessed the importance and value of effective leadership.  Leadership is about moving an organization forward towardits desired end.  A leader seeks to motivate employees or church members to see and experience what will happen when the organization fulfills its goal.

Daniel Goleman shares the results of research done by a consulting firm Hay/McBer revealing 6 distinct leadership styles.  These individual styles have an impact on the atmosphere of an organization.  Most leaders mainly operate in one particular style, but also float into the others depending on the situation.  Effective leaders utilize at least 4 of the styles.

The styles are as follows: 

    Coercive leaders demand immediate compliance.

    Authoritative leaders mobilize people toward a vision.

    Affiliative leaders create emotional bonds and harmony.

    Democratic leaders build consensus through participation.

    Pacesetting leaders expect excellence and self-direction.

    Coaching leaders develop people for the future.

Changing situations require a different leadership style.  People in an organization require various leadership styles to motivate them towards excellence.  Not everyone is the same.  Judgments are made of leaders based on their own perspective of what they need or desire in a leader.  It is like playing golf.  In a golf bag are various clubs that serve different purposes.  Leadership styles, like clubs, are pulled from the mental golf bag and utilized in the most appropriate situation.

This is why businesses and churches struggle in selecting a leader.  Every minister who leads an area of a church has people in that ministry who thrive and enjoy the leadership style and others who struggle with cooperating in the leaders efforts.  Ministers must understand that people are motivated differently and adapt their leadership style to guide in the most effective manner.  Church members must understand that their motivational style may be different from the leaders and not judge or condemn.

Leadership is not easy especially in an altruistic venture like a church.  It is not like a company where you can motivate people with compensation and stability.  Cooperation, teamwork, humility, and a God vision of the world and church are essential to forward movement.

In the past 10 months I have been able to witness a leader I truly admire for the way he keeps the vision of the church forefront in the minds and direction of the staff and membership.  He is able to utilize various leadership styles to encourage staff members according to their style of motivation.  He is not distracted by the "flies" and problems that rise from time to time.  He is an effective leader. 

If you are a church member, pray for your leaders.  If you are in a company, pray for your leaders.  If you are under the authority of a President, pray for that leader.

Comments

[Linda]

Well said. Great thoughts.