Leading Up, Part 1
Many have asked, “What do I do if I’m on staff at a church and see ways we can improve but don’t have support of those in leadership above me?”
I’ll devote this week to answering the question, “How can I lead up?”
As I write, I do so from the two perspectives
- I was an associate pastor of a very traditional church for five years. I both succeed and failed in leading up.
- As a senior pastor with a large and mostly younger staff, I have many who try to lead up. Some are successful. Some aren’t. Some don’t try to lead up at all.
Let’s start with a basic thought:
Someone said in regards to authority, “You can’t be over until you learn to be under.”
In other words, if you don’t know how to be under authority, you can’t expect to have authority over others.
- Don’t try to lead up if you’re rebellious.
I’ve worked with a lot of talented leaders who have this mindset… “I’ll do what I want… one way or another.” That attitude will kill you every time.
- Don’t try to lead up if you think you know it all.
If you’ve read many of my posts, you know how much I value the young emerging leaders.
One weakness, though, for many twenty-somethings (as it was for me) is that they often think they have things figured out. You don’t. You won’t even know what you don’t know for several years.
If you have an un-teachable spirit, you will never succeed in leading up.
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Thanks so much for this series of posts. I often struggle with this. I am in my late twenties and in the second chair, while my lead is in the 17th year of his tenure. I believe God has revealed to me a vision for this church over the last two years and wonder how it all fits together. Your words are very encouraging and great things to keep in mind.
Jason, if the vision God revealed to you is outside of your leads, it will be difficult for you to lead up or down or anywhere. It may be time for new scenery or God may be challenging you to get behind your lead with new commitment and vigor. Sometimes God will stir us to change us.
Thanks again for the reminder. Now only 1 year removed from my twenties and on the verge of planting a church I am ACUTELY aware of how much I don’t know! I’m also in the midst of living out the leading up philosophy. You’re so right that many folks try to lead up from a perspective of pride based on the notion that they know so much better. Fresh ideas and creative ministry must always be happening and so often comes for younger leaders, but those who are more established bring a wisdom and understanding of God, ministry, and people that we don’t yet have. I’ve learned to respect that, learn from that and then from a place of trust begin to nudge upwards. As always Craig, great great stuff. Thanks for your time throughout the week contributing to these writings. You’ve expanded your leadership influence around the world and it will impact many of us as we move forward in ministry. Yeehaw!
I’ve been guilty of leading up the wrong way. I had to ask for forgiveness and move forward.
With that being said I learned how to be a better leader who allows those under me give ideas and lead. I was frustrated because I saw so much that needed to be done and nothing was. Maybe that leader wasn’t gifted in that area. But also they were intimidated by letting someone else lead.
Now as the Lead Pastor I allow my staff lead when they are more gifted in areas that I’m not. I think it needs to be a give and take from the Lead Pastor and the other staff members.
Kevin,
I think most of us have been guilty of leading the “wrong way”. I read a great book that warned heavily against trying to do it all yourself; assuming you are the best at everything. I fight that same battle as a young, new staff member. I came from a church that the staff here love (LifeChurch, actually) and I sometimes forget that we are not LifeChurch. I want to change everything and my thoughts are wired to move us closer to that model. It takes an occasional slap in the face to point out that my pastor knows this church better than I. Glad to hear you allow your staff to succeed where they are gifted.
Dan Reiland, “The Pastor’s Coach” writer and Executive Pastor of Crossroads Church in Atlanta, has recommended a book on this very subject, “LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR” by Bonem and Patterson.
Here’s a brief description: LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR will raise awareness of the need for strong leaders in secondary positions. It will describe the value they can bring to their organization and to primary leaders when they are serving at their full potential. It will reshape the way they view their role, with an emphasis on their own responsibility as leaders. It recognizes the unique challenges and frustrations of serving in a subordinate position and equips these leaders with the attitudes and skills that they will need to survive and thrive in this new paradigm.
http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Second-Chair-Fulfilling-Leadership/dp/078797739X
Thanks for the post, Craig.
Great Post. Kenin, I with you. I know I have messed up more than once. I think one of the first responses that I used to have when when my idea was not well received was to be offended. I’ve learned when to suggest, how to suggest, and who to suggest my ideas to. For me, leading up is easier when i consider my ideas as suggestions instead of ultimatums.
From a lead pastor’s perspective, those who have shown themselves obviously, tangibly and fully committed to the success of a vision have much voice with me in how to get there. The people around me have varying degrees of influence and its based on the degree of their demonstrated committment to our success.
Highly recommend “Success for the Second in Command: Leading from the Second Chariot” by Billy Hornsby (Association of Related Churches). http://www.amazon.com/Success-Second-Command-Billy-Hornsby/dp/1591859220/ref=sr_1_4/102-2164889-0072943?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177952668&sr=8-4
[...] Much (I guess all) of my church leading experience has been leading while under the authority of others. It takes some wisdom to figure out how to do this well and I really think the guys at lifechurch.tv have some great thoughts on this. This is post one. Check out Their site for the whole post. [...]
Kudos, Craig. I resemble your second point more than I care to admit. I recognize it and take responsibility for it. Philippians 2:3 is a verse I’ve been praying for God to cultivate in my heart for quite some time now. Any further suggestions/thoughts on developing a teachable spirit?
Craig,
Great post once again.
Rolando,
I agree with you 100%. When input is given in a more suggestive approach, it is received better.
I have also learned when coming up with new ideas to never be offensive with them. By that, I don’t mean offending, but too direct and pushy. I am not a lead pastor, but my lead pastor and I get along great. Our creativity swells when we get around each other, all because we have a relationship built on trust.
If anyone, in my opinion is going to lead up, they have to trust each other.
Great stuff.
Kyle,
You are one of the most humble and teachable guys I know!
For me, I try to spend more time asking questions than answering them.
[...] Leading Up: Part 1 [...]
OK, now you’ve got my interest….where are the rest of the articles.
Camel Rider
Just above the blog there are links to the previous post and the next post. The next post happens to be by Bobby about Albany, but if you click on that you will see a link at the top of that post taking you to part two of this series. Continue that until you have finished the series.
[...] be a great opportunity to put me on the spot and have me answer it from my perspective. We’ve talked about it on the blog before, but I figured it would be a good topic to revisit. So here are a few [...]