Dr. Evan Parks—When assuming a leadership position, there is always a tension between the tasks required of the new leader and the actual skill, ability, and character of the leader. There is no leader who takes on the leadership role possessing all the necessary qualities to fulfill the job. This presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth, and the need to face blind spots, character flaws, and the baggage we carry from our background.
Regardless of where a leader serves, there is a basic job description that accompanies the position. How the tasks would be carried out vary depending on where a person is leading, but the general responsibilities are the same. Here are the six core tasks of the leader.
1. Vision
Where does vision come from? It appears that vision for some leaders comes from models of business, or the desire to repeat the success of others. Most leaders want to achieve something of significance. We have a natural drive to make an impact, but the key question we must ask ourselves as leaders is who is the vision all about? Are we working to impact and improve the lives others? Are we going to solve problems that need to be solved or are we simply going to make money?
2. Communication
A leader needs to pass on the vision to others in order to harness the skills, talents, energy, and commitment of the team that will bring the vision into reality. Without the team owning the vision, the leader will not be able to have lasting change or impact.
The vision, which helps people deal with their present situation to bring about a future result, must be communicated in a way that helps people see how current problems are going to be solved as a result. This may require getting people to recognize they actually have a need! There is always a segment of any group, team, or organization that see no need for change, growth, or development. The leader will need to help encourage people to dream of what could be in the future through vision casting. Good communication also involves getting people’s attention and interest through stories, testimonies, and media presentations. The goal of communication is to increase people’s interest, desire and commitment to the plan.
3. Shepherding
There are two different types of leaders when it comes to shepherding—those leaders who come into a leadership ready and able to comfort, correct, and confront, and those who are not ready. I have heard some leaders actually say, “I just don’t deal with people problems directly. I just lead.” I would suggest this type of leader creates a great deal of distrust among his team by not being reliable, trustworthy, and strong enough to deal directly with problems and problem people.
Shepherding is at the heart of leadership. People from all walks of life and backgrounds come to be a part of a team or organization. This means people have many different types of personal issues, misunderstandings, character flaws, and false beliefs that eventually need to be addressed by the leader. A servant leader is able to do the hard work of correcting and confronting people.
4. Management
Management is the art of getting desired results through people by building them up and making them successful. In order to accomplish this core task of leadership, the leader must be able to plan well, set goals, and understand all the steps necessary to accomplish the vision. A leader with only a vision, but no ability to plan and manage, will not be successful.
With a plan in place, a leader needs to effectively delegate tasks and roles to others, empowering them to do the work. This then will require good supervision and accountability given by the leader. Good supervision means that when tasks that are not accomplished, the leader works to determine the source of the problem and does not automatically do the failed task himself. Unfinished tasks need to be re-assigned and given again to those who failed to follow through, helping them to become successful.
5. Life Long Learning
The servant leader is keenly aware of his or her areas of weakness, lack of skill or knowledge, and character deficits. There is nothing more refreshing for a leader who truly cares about the work they do than to receive good advice, coaching, encouragement, training, and additional education in order to increase their knowledge and improve their skills.
6. Pain Bearing
The final area of servant leadership that requires careful consideration before one seriously considers a leadership position, is the need to bear the pain of others while leading. Leaders will be called upon to be the stable, calm presence in a time of crisis. They will also bear the pain that comes with tasks of caring, confronting, and correcting others. Friendships will be lost, and support systems diminished over the course of being a leader. Those seeking leadership need to understand that this is often the cost that will be paid before they accept the leadership position.
Let me know the stories you have of serving in leadership and the struggles you face. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
