~723 words - a quick 2 minute read
I am a sucker for aphorisms. Those pithy, short words of encouragement and wisdom that a leader repeats to help give courage, direction, and guides for a team or organization.
After Colin Powell’s recent death, the State Department released a set of sayings he gave to people in his leadership. He used them in many places, but the US State Department considered them vital to reinforce them to their diplomatic staff.
Remember, he served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an Army officer and later as Secretary of State. He won numerous recognitions from both Democratic and Republican presidents.
The whole list is found here, but here are some that spoke to me and that church leaders can use. Powell’s rules are to the point, but I have added some examples and interpretations for church leaders.
1. “It ain’t as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning.”
When I get a late Sunday afternoon call from a client describing their experience some negative aspect at worship that day, this one applies.
Sometimes we see things the rest of the congregation doesn’t see or often really care about.
Week to week, people forget and mostly move on.
The same rule applies to staff meetings, special events, and meetings with your banker.
We tend to over-project negative consequences. They rarely happen. So don’t overreact to the first impression for something that “went south.”
2. “Get mad, then get over it.”
In the talk I give to church planters (now banned by Exponential due to my phrasing), I say that anger will be a more likely cause of their downfall than other failures for most of them.
There are times to be upset, describe the feelings, express the disappointment, and give corrective words.
But the next day, we most often need to move on.
The most complex challenge for some leaders is the last part.
Remember that Powell’s position was always in service to a more significant leader. In most cases, this was a commanding officer or the President of the United States. There were times when he disagreed with a directive or policy decision. There were times when subordinates disappointed him and the country.
We serve a more significant leader as well. While we may be stewards of our church, we are not the real head of the church.
Leadership (and discipleship) is about constancy in the same direction.
There is a place for madness, but then keep moving with sanity.
We are in service to a greater leader.
3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
Guilty as charged. TROUBLE COMES when I feel “being right” is so wrapped up in others adopting my position.
Too many of us assume the lack of conformity to our way of thinking means people reject us as persons. When we feel people are rejecting us, our confidence in our overall leadership falls.
Ego drive is necessary for most pastors and leaders. But when it becomes – “my way or the highway” – is when whole systems begin to suffer.
This aphorism goes both ways, though. Sometimes we are disappointed with our team for not adopting our position. But sometimes as well there are team members that have to realize that, although they feel they are correct, they need to adapt and keep moving ahead.
[I am skipping these – 4. It can be done. 5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.]
More after the ad
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Powell’s number 6 is – “Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.”
There are times when a brief look at the facts will point you in the wrong direction. When you are bailing water from the swamp, you get tempted to take a shortcut.
There comes a time when one needs to suck it up and do the best right thing to get to the next step.
A good decision often has to be made despite some alarming facts.
Tragically some prominent ministries and churches in the recent past have made poor decisions in light of current realities and facts. It is better to have made the right decision despite the facts, even when it makes you look weak or worse.
The ministry may be seen in a poor light for a season, but the right decision will pay dividends long term.
Coming January 19 - Part 2 of Powell’s Rules
Many of you are missing an opportunity this month. Your church needs to send out statements to givers who contributed in 2021 and you have to do that by the end of this month.
Most of those look boring and are failing to communicate gratitude AND cast vision for the future.
But we have a free resource for you here:
Don’t miss out!