Leadership Lids 1 (of 5)
We all occasionally (or often) bump up against leadership lids. A leadership lid is anything that limits our leadership. For example, if we always have to be in control, our leadership reach will be diminished. Or if we are unwilling to delegate, our ministries will struggle to grow. We’ll hit a lid or ceiling.
This week, I’ll talk about five leadership lids:
Low Altitude Thinking
As usual, I’m writing this post on an airplane. The world looks very different from an airplane than it does on the ground. So will an organization.
As leaders, it is too easy to get bogged down in the details of our ministries that we rarely “rise above” for a different perspective. Instead of always working in our ministries, it often helps to work on our ministries. There is a big difference.
Low altitude questions might include:
- Did we have enough greeters?
- Did the bulletin have typos?
- Did all the first time guests receive a letter?
- Is the air conditioner in the kids’ wing repaired?
It is occasionally wiser to ponder high altitude questions like:
- How can we increase the spiritual climate of our church attenders?
- How can we as a church better live the gospel?
- What needs to change about our strategy to better make disciples?
- How can we create a bigger “vision-buy-in” from the people in our ministry?
It is challenging for me to get into a higher altitude mindset in the office. The urgent often distracts from the most important leadership issues. Getting away and disrupting the norm often allows me to get a higher altitude.
When is the last time you looked at your ministry from a higher altitude? What did you see?
Visit 
When I take an honest look at my ministry from a “high altitude” I often find that what’s important and being over looked are the “lower altitude” things.
The basics, the core, the mundane, the tasks. Unfortunately I’ve found it easy to miss the point from the beginning. Too many want to be “in charge” and dubbed as a leader, not many want to be hidden and servant to all. A solid “low altitude” breeds a solid “high altitude.”
SW
At Flamingo, my boss/pastor has inspired me to look at my parenting-leadership from a higher altitude. Where I pray and dream of what my kids can be, but also what my GRANDkids can be.
I’m changing the agenda for our team meeting right now. I think I might be afraid of heights.
New Perspective is refreshing! I love to step back, re-examine, change elevation, and check out new angles to grasp new outlooks on the same picture! Think about it…When you go to a museum and look at an abstract art masterpiece…you will see something different every time “If” you change your viewpoint…nothing is right or wrong…it is all about perception.
Altitude change (for me) is ALWAYS invigorating… energizing… revitalizing… stimulating…healthy and necessary! I hate being stagnant…BORING!
When I’m flying at a higher altitude I’m looking around for potential leaders instead of trying to do it all myself. Thanks for the reminder, Craig!
Aaron, Good insight.
Scott, You are the wind beneath my wings… eagle wings.
Heather, You have a great boss.
Andrew, Be careful up there.
Jenn, Like the art analogy.
Larry, You are welcome.
We’re in evaluation mode at our church. With the arrival of a new pastor, we’re trying to evaluate from the ground and from the air. It’s a challenging task with tons of factors to consider, but it’s valuable.
I was seeing the world from a tricycle before I stepped out in faith. Now I’m starting to see the world from at least hot air balloon. What a blessing it has been on the other side.
Great illustration.
As a pastor of a small church it is easy for me to find myself living at a lower altitude. I have to wear many hats and often find myself stuck in the details of ministry. The danger for me is that I never take to time to soar high and see from a different vantage point. When I do soar to those higher altitudes it refreshes me, challenges me and gives me a bigger vision of what is really out there.
Read, Sounds like your church is in a good spot. Some say that a new person has about 90 days of objectivity before the current culture starts to absorb objectivity.
Kevin, I’ve never been on a hot air balloon. Sounds like a good ride.
Steve, So true…
I love this metaphor, Craig, since I have a private pilot certificate.
There is a sense in which I think about this every week with regard to the LifeGroup I lead. My heart is for each of the guys in the group to be on a path of continual growth, not just week-to-week sustainment. I want them to “get” the story of God’s redemption - that it runs from the opening words of Genesis to the closing verse in Revelation. I want them to “get” the full life that Jesus offers right now.
So…I try to let a high-altitude view frame how I shepherd those I get to lead.
I am a detail FREAK. (And the word freak is an understatement.)
It’s really hard for me to get to a higher altitude, so I try and hang around people who are more likely to live there. It’s inspiring and challenges me to take a step back and refresh the why.
This is timely! I’m just now understanding that I’m called to lead, not called to tasks… I’m called to equip others, not make sure every t is crossed and i dotted…
It has truely changed my ministry! It’s blowing the lip right off!
Thank you, Craig!
John, What do you fly?
Anne, The first time I read your post, I read that you are a freak… I missed the detail part.
Anna, Glad to hear God is stretching you!
Cessna 172’s from the flight school in Lexington where I earned my private; they’re small, but new! Some even have “glass” cockpits (a la modern airliners).
Unfortunately, the cost to rent aircraft continues to increase and I am not able to fly as often as I’d like.
I remember taking off from DFW Airport on a very dark, wet day a few years ago. But once we were airborne and broke through the clouds … Turbulence was gone. The sun was beaming brighter than the day before. The clouds were an enormous, white, peaceful blanket. We just had to “rise above it.”
I very much get this concept and have read it some of Covey’s books and others, however I’ve always wondered how those of us in the startup or early stages of growth–small org or ministry– can move away from managing or Low Altitude and in turn lead via High Altitude.
It just seems that when you are starting out you necessarily find yourself managing and asking those low altitude questions far more often than the more beneficial high altitude questions.
I would appreciate any input.
I’m on the verge of launching a church (or at least moving to start the process).
Right now, I have a big vision, and only a few little ideas. I’ll let God work out the ideas (the details) in His way - who he brings to the vision, what resources he provides, etc… I’ll work on the vision.
Jeff asked a good question. If anyone of you want to give him some advice, I’m sure he’d appreciate the help.
Craig,
Because I’m in the very early stages of planting a church, your blog posts are like golden nuggets for me. I file them away under “LESSONS FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE, DONE THAT AND HAS THE T-SHIRT”
With the new plant I’ve thought a lot about how easy it is to slip into the role of the guy who has to pick through every detail. Being a creative person, I have a tough time with this because the little details mean so much to me.
I realize though that this will be a lid that will greatly hinder my ability to lead if I can’t control it. Even before I start I’m trying to learn the fine art of empowering others to work out the details so I can hang out more in the higher altitudes.
Thanks for the post. I look forward to reading the rest this week.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
Jeff…
I have learned a couple of things…one…I think that high level/details can be a cycle with each element feeding the next. High level produces the drive to accomplish the small details, and the small details can fuel new ideas and strategy, taking you back to the high level. Rinse…repeat.
Secondly (and probably most importantly) empowering people to take some of the details and run with them will give you the time to take a step back and refresh your vision. Much like what Brad said above. You will be able to find and keep your passion for what’s in front of you, and then pass that down to others, keeping them inspired to accomplish the details.
Alright, time to get honest…
This really hits home…
I have seen a few leaders lately who are more like “one man” ministers…
Everything has to be under their control from table setting, to every little detail of everything…
In particular I know a ministry that as a result, is mostly ineffective in getting members to volunteer, to feel “involved” in the ministry,and is stunting growth… in fact most of the leadership has begun to leave and mostly due to this “leadership lid”…
I have personally seen God’s loving chastening, and training to relenquish control over to Him for this ministry… but some leaders and ministers are so busy controlling the details, they haven’t much face time with God to listen…
You know God picks leaders, (Like Moses, and The Apsotles, Pastors, etc)…and the biblical accounts of those leaders were that they didn’t have time to wait on tables but sought “face time” with God and His word…(Acts 6:2)
I think the way to get that “higher perspective” is to go to the tent of meeting and listen…
That perspective as a result might be so much higher that you have to put a veil on your face so you don’t scare people from the glory of God all over it (Like Moses did)…(Exodus 34:29-35)
It is an honor to be a leader…
Leaders need to lead, and be honest before God listening, and repeating what they hear…
God has a way of placing talented people to “help” those leaders he has called… their is no higher perspective than walking in that…
Thanks for letting me preach… I am passionate about this one!
to quote Stephen Covey, “Don’t get caught up in the thick of the thin.” Great advise, but I don’t always live it. Thanks for the reminder Craig to soar with the eagles. The bottom line is I have a great team that can handle the details. I just need to let them do it. I beleive it was John Maxwell that said, “if someone can do the job 80% as well as you can let them do it.” The truth is vision is the fire that can fuel the detail of the mundane. By the way Anne, I don’t know if you remember me, Lifepoint Church, Malvern Arkansas. Hope all is well. Thanks for the leadership reminders. We all need them.
Great insight Craig. Anne, you too!
Maybe I’m just grumpy today, but it seems to me most of the leaders I know are always up in the clouds and rarely bother to think through the details and the mundane. The rest of us are down here trying to make the vision come together. I find it rather frustrating, honestly.
Brad, You are very welcome. I’m glad the posts are encouraging to you as you plant a new church. The early years are very grueling. I pray God blesses you with great ministry partners.
Anne, Well said. Thanks!
Avery, Thanks for preaching.
Good message!
Ronnie, Thanks for the Covey quote.
Daniel, Thank you!
Gena, Thanks for your honest thoughts.
Gena said, “…it seems to me most of the leaders I know are always up in the clouds and rarely bother to think through the details and the mundane. The rest of us are down here trying to make the vision come together.”
This can be an issue as well.
Thoughts?
Ronnie - you have no idea how much those words you spoke that day have impacted my life! You and Jeremy are awesome!
WOW - I personally LOVE the questions you are asking.
My 7 year old said,in her first airplane flight, from up here, everything seems smaller…our house…fights with my sisters…our tv…if we just look at everything from up here, we can only see how big God is!
Flights bring new perspective.
Gena…
I don’t think that’s leadership you described… in my opinion that’s laziness not leadership…
Leadership implies direction, vision, and example…
You can pretend to have a high vision, and really just be a lazy daydreamer…you have to have feet for your faith, and wings for your flight!
What you descirbed is a “hot air” balloon…
Leadership with vision gives direction and example… not just daydreams! That type of leadership needs wings… anyone have any red bull?
That’s my thoughts…
Wow appreciate this lesson and the others that are coming.
Anne/Craig,
Thanks for your thoughts and insights. I get what you are saying on an existential level, however I just find myself very stuck in the midst of the details. Good to know there isn’t/wasn’t something I am missing … sadly I find I know what “ought” to be done, it just seems that slips away from me in the practicality of things and I end up spending my day at the detail later.
Craig, I really try to be very deliberate and sensitive about this. One of the things that I find essential is having a clear understanding of “where” our church really is (spiritually, socially, economically, and culturally). As a staff, we strive very hard to not generalize the individuals in our scope of influence but really get down and dirty to know them personally, love them patiently and pray for them daily.
“When one is to succeed in leading a person to a certain place, one must above all take care to find out where he is and start there.”
Soren Kierkegaard
Thanks for providing this forum… Allies like you are so valuable to all of us fighting the good fight!
Craig, great words! I shared them with our staff today. It was a real eye opener for some. It’s not like we want to or even try to think at a lower altitude we just do it by default. Thanks for the straight forward challenge. May I never pass someone in the lobby again without stopping to focus on them instead of the on little thing I keep telling myself is urgent.
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