How do you measure up to the most trusted leaders of the world? Steven Covey has identified the following thirteen trademark behaviors of that elite group of leaders.
1. Talk Straight
2. Demonstrate Respect 3. Create Transparency 4. Right Wrongs 5. Show Loyalty 6. Deliver Results 7. Get Better 8. Confront Reality 9. Clarify Expectation 10. Practice Accountability 11. Listen First 12. Keep Commitments 13. Extend Trust
Covey writes that there is a great need for trust in organizations and institutions today. Trust is missing in a lot of places. A lack of trusts costs businesses money. Covey says to imagine the lack of trust as a tax on an organization, and a healthy amount of trust as a dividend. Trust “undergirds and affects the quality of every relationship, every communication, every work project, every business venture, every effort in which we are engaged. It changes the quality of every present moment and alters the trajectory and outcome of every future moment of our lives – both personally and professionally.”
Covey seems right on his description of the importance for trust, and his challenge for leaders to lead the way by extending an accountable and sensible trust in other people. If we hold these behaviors up to the example of Jesus we find that he did all of the above, with the one Divine exception to “getting better.” My question for you is this: What would pastoral leadership look like in our lives if we practice these thirteen behaviors with consistency?
What fascinated me about the article you linked to was the example of Procter and Gamble’s CEO. He actually went shopping with people who buy their products. His motto is that the customer is boss. He communicates not only with employees, but also with the consumers, and that is a key to his success.
ReplyDeleteI think that could apply to our work as Pastors. While we cannot say that the “community is boss” because the truth is that Jesus is Lord, we can say that the “community is who we are here to win and serve and where we want to see the Kingdom of God breaking in.” With this attitude we should go into the community and ask questions about the needs of people, and find out ways in which church could positively impact them. Do they want to learn about Jesus? Do they need a decent roof on their house? What can we do as the body of Christ to show God’s love to them.
The greater challenge may be communicating to pew-birds. The vision is that we are here to seek and save those who are lost as Jesus did. We are not here for ourselves. “Reach out with the good news” is our motto.