What Does Effective Leadership Mean to You? By Howard Rich
Become An Effective Steward Leader!
Recently, I participated in a team discussion about effective leadership within an organization. As the conversation progressed, the group struggled with examples and definitions. Soon, we felt frustrated as we tried to express what we thought was good, bad, or effective leadership.
Defining Effectiveness
How do we define effectiveness? Does it matter if we speak about effectiveness in ministry, non-profit or para-church organizations, or for-profit businesses? Do we know we have been effective? Perhaps effectiveness is evaluated by the bottom line, profit, or membership growth? Is it determined by campus expansion, community impact, student graduations, or teacher retention? What about meeting goals or increasing employee morale?
Two Kingdom Tensions
While addressing effectiveness in leadership, we need to recognize the tension between the two kingdoms. There is Jesus’ Kingdom. And there is another kingdom we try to build up for ourselves. A Christian’s calling is to fall under the Lordship and Kingdom of Christ. However, we are easily seduced and drawn into setting ourselves up as kings. We fall into a trap of ownership, rights, and privileges.
Despite our hope and desire to give Jesus total Lordship, we hold certain things back and begin to build our kingdom. Then we naturally compete with Jesus’ Kingdom. We think that if given more control, ownership, and authority in the organization, we could get more done; we would make the organization more successful and, thereby, be more successful.
Obey and Trust
We don’t realize that we become more effective when we tear down our kingdom and divest ownership so we can obey, trust, and rely on Jesus to do what He wants in His Kingdom. Living as stewards in Jesus’ Kingdom keeps the focus on His sovereignty and His ownership, which frees us to respond in obedience to Jesus as He directs us joyfully.
True Prevails
This recognition that Jesus and His Lordship must define good, bad, or effective leadership created a watershed moment for my group as we clarified how to determine effectiveness. The discussion turned from creating “ownership” on the teams to fostering a stewardship mentality and a desire to lead from a deeper reliance on Jesus’ direction.
Is your leadership effectiveness measured by Jesus’ Kingdom, or by your kingdom?
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Howard Rich is the CFO of Amazi Water and the President of the Center for Steward Leader Studies. Howard is a lifelong advocate of generous living and desires to see Christians lead from a heart of stewardship and generosity.
What is Christian Leadership Alliance?
Christian Leadership Alliance equips and unites leaders to transform the world for Christ. We are the leaders of Christ-centered organizations who are dedicated to faithful stewardship for greater kingdom impact.
