short (less than 500 words) but sweet (some great questions to answer as you manage tensions of leadership transition)
Let’s face it. Transition is rarely easy. Perhaps it’s even not too strong to say that it is never easy. And “people” transition is likely the most difficult of all.
Think about the last time that you transitioned from one role to another. Perhaps it was in your church or maybe it was from another church or organization. It could even be that you are considering a move in the near future. Was it easy? Is it easy to think about what’s next? I didn’t think so.
Earlier this fall I hosted a group of 50-something senior pastors from great churches that are going and growing and innovating in this season. They are very much engaged in the here and now of their churches. None of these leaders are part of the “great resignation crowd.” However, the leaders are also beginning to explore, dream, evaluate, etc. as they think beyond their season in the lead pastor seat. They were all asking, “How do I serve with strength where I am while I plan for what’s next?”
In one of the calls leading up to that cohort gathering, a conversation about the tensions of this season surfaced. Included were identity, focus, timing, in or out, move or stay and preparation.
Here are some of the questions that shape each tension:
Identity - Where does my current role end and my next season persona begin?
Focus - In this last leg of the relay, where do I focus on church and where do I focus on me?
Timing - Is there a “hard chronological stop” or is there a “revealed right moment?”
In/out - Will the best successor come from our current team or from somewhere else?
Move/stay - Do I need to move to a new church, a new community or is there a way for me (and my family) to stay?
Preparation - Am I prepared to stop and is my successor prepared to start?
Perhaps, you who are in the midst of this season, or just past it. Or you may be anticipating it in your church. Wherever you are in the journey, I’d like to personally invite you to join me for the next Leadwell Accelerator: Succession Tensions This virtual event takes place on January 18 from 10:00 until 11:00 am CST. My guests will be Steve Stroope, Steve Poe and Bob Merritt who have all recently navigated the journey of the handoff to the next senior leader of their churches.
You can go here to learn more details and to register for this FREE experience click here Also receive a free download of the Smart Succession Starter Checklist at registration.