Thoughts on Leadership

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This video was part of a talk by Derek Sivers (I don't know anything about this guy, just what he said in this video).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ&feature=player_embedded

I'm particularly intrigued by this video because what the narrator is describing is exactly what I've been hoping to see our church accomplish. What I find to be most difficult in leading is transferring a vision. What I do know is that perseverance is a good thing.

Comments

Richie said…
I guess I have to be careful here. Creating a following is not the end goal. What is desirable is committed, growing believers actively living out the gospel. So while it'd be great to see more people, it'd only be great if it was because the gospel was taking hold of people's hearts. Everyone wants to be popular and you can do that without the gospel, so clearly this video must be taken in the right context.
February 18, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Timothy Bisulca said…
This video illustrates an important facet of leadership:

Leadership is NOT getting others to follow you.

No.

Rather,

Leadership is setting an example that others WILL follow.

A subtle, but important, distinction and one of the most misunderstood aspects of leadership.

This means that a leader must be willing to continue with his vision even if others do not follow. Nor is his validation as a leader calculated by the number of his followers.

The leader attempting to obtain followers is focusing on others.

In contrast, the one setting an example for others is focused on himself. "Judge not, lest you be judged." This is the man who determines his worth by his adherence to God's call in his life.

The leader craving followers is seeking his value in what men say about him.

So we must ask ourselves: Which leader am I?
February 18, 2010 at 6:22 PM
Seth said…
I recently subscribed to Derek Sivers' blog, and he's definitely an intriguing guy. He founded the company CDBaby and gave it to charity: http://sivers.org/trust

I'm having trouble seeing the application of this to the church, though. Aren't we all just followers of Christ? I think I see what you're getting at, and the followup comment helps, but I'm still having trouble with it.

Thanks for posting anyway though. Interesting video and it fostered some interesting thoughts and discussion.
February 18, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Richie said…
Seth, I guess this is more about various elements within the church. For example, VBS or a misssions trip or a new outreach effort. Those types of activities might required vision and perseverance before any fruit is seen.
March 1, 2010 at 12:10 PM
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