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"So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his
heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands."
(Psalm 78:72)
Yesterday, I answered some questions from an interview a friend of mine, Rob Daniel, asked me for a college course he was taking. I answered the first 5 questions yesterday and will answer the remaining questions today.
These answers reveal my thoughts on leadership, and I hope they encourage you to sharpen your leadership skills.
- What other arenas of leadership do you look to learn from?
I think there are leadership principles to learn from multiple people and disciplines. For example, those in athletics, business, entrepreneurs, and pastors can teach us a great deal about leadership. The University of Alabama head football coach, Nick Saban, is a great leader. His oft repeated phrase is brilliant: "Stick with the process."
- Tell me about the pieces of technology, apps, and software that help you the most.
The primary software I use that helps me greatly in sermon preparation is Logos Bible Software. I also use websites like BlueletterBible.org.
- Do you have a plan to intentionally develop yourself as a leader?
Yes, I read, attend conferences, listen to other leaders, and hang out with great leaders.
- Do you have a plan to intentionally develop others into leaders?
Yes, we call it D-path, and I am constantly discipling other men. I have also led dozens of men through the 5 W's I developed. The 5 W's of mentoring and accountability for men are: walk with God, wives, work, witness, and wellness.
- How do you separate yourself effectively from work to rest?
Within the last couple of years, I took seriously the Bible's commands to observe the sabbath. So, I take a day off every week, and it has made a huge difference in my life. It has added years to my life and life to my years!
- What are your main goals in leadership?
Keep getting better, do not quit before I am finished, raise up the next generation, and continue to dream big dreams.
- Describe your process for developing a vision and mission for your organization.
I have done this for our church at Great Hills Baptist church and for our DFEA ministry. It simply takes time... but it is important and well worth the effort to develop your organization's Mission, Vision, Values, and Pathway.
- What is your daily schedule of work?
One hour of prayer and Bible reading to start off the day. I then spend most of my mornings studying and writing messages. Nieuwhof says, as leaders, we have green, yellow, and red zones. These are times in the day when we can get our best work accomplished and times when we are less effective. For me, my green zone of best work is in the mornings, my yellow zone is in the evenings, and my red zone of least effectiveness is in the afternoon. I also answer questions throughout my day as well as attend meetings.
- Do brainstorming meetings really work? If so, how do you do one well?
I think they can be effective if done well. Adam Grant says a confident, humble leader allows others to be critical and gives them room to talk, put out their ideas, and criticize one another. He makes the argument that if NASA had done this better, then they might not have lost the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.
- What do you do with a team member who has bad chemistry with the rest of the team?
Address it, follow up to find out what is going on with them personally, and try and help... but you cannot let him or her become toxic and affect the overall morale of the team.
- What offenses require you to immediately terminate someone's employment?
Egregious things like theft, abuse, outbursts of anger, or violence. In the church realm, moral failures are detrimental. Try and help them, but you also must let them go. "Fire quickly, hire slowly" is a helpful maxim.
- How do you admit and fix a problem in your leadership?
Admitting your mistakes takes humility. We all have blind spots, so it is vital to have others speak into our lives. We as leaders must be open to criticism and encourage that kind of culture of allowing people to speak to our issues. Fix it by stopping doing what is wrong, hurtful, or unhelpful, and starting doing what is positive and helpful. Analyze, evaluate, and change.
- What do you want to go back and change?
You can't change the past, but you can learn from it. If I could go back, I would move a little slower and more methodically and seek to get more buy-in before major changes.
I hope these answers have been helpful. Let me know if I can pray for you in specific ways. I am praying for everyone who reads this devotional that God blesses you and empowers you to be the best leader you can be for His glory!
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