Wildfoote: A Leadership Journey

Give Me A Real Person

I mentioned that we are going through a time of evaluation.  Our staff has been asked to contact at least three churches that have reached a growth level ahead of us.  They are to seek input and advice from their counterparts at those churches…what should we be doing, concerned about, preparing for the growth ahead.

Churches are in the people business.  But in trying to be efficient and/or manage costs, many churches have put in place an automated answering system.  Our experience has been interesting.  A number of our staff were cut off while trying to work through the system.  Finding the right person to connect with was difficult.  Getting a live person was challenging.

Does it need to be said again? Most people would like to talk to a real person.  This is true whether calling a church, a local business, or a help line.  I love technology, efficiency, saving money but person-to-person makes a difference.  Let’s find somewhere else to save money and be efficient.

Evaluation

Evaluation.  Taking a hard look…honest self-evaluation with input from others who can act as “mirrors” for us.

That’s a process that we are going to go through with our leadership team and staff over the next few weeks.  We are growing which leads to discussions on scaling for the growth. And we want to make sure we have the right people in the right places.

One aspect of being the “right” person, is demonstrating continual growth in eight crucial areas.  These are areas that as leaders, we need to be modeling.  Here are the first two.

Flexibility – being open and able to change as needed…and with a positive spirit.  Who can argue with the fact that the world is constantly changing and that flexibility is required to be effective?  We need to hold methods and means loosely.

Intentional – doing ministry, business, and/or life with planning and purpose.  Not looking for obsessive scheduling or huge strategic plans…but for a sense of direction, thought, and movement.  Do you know why you are doing what you are doing?

More to come.