Risk or Loss (2) How to make the tough calls.

In the last few days, I have been reflecting some more on the issue of taking risks and what it means as a leader. Whenever you are given that leaders position, you will inevitably upset someone or some people along the way. It is a normal state of being the one who has to make the tough calls. So how can you make those "calls" without harming yourself or the people you lead. I have learnt from my success's and failings in this area and want to share a few comments that may help you in making those "calls" in the future.

Is it personal?

When ever leading change you need to ask yourself is this change purely to suit me, make my life easier or is it for the long term gain of the organisation. This doesn't mean that you don't invest something of yourself in the change or that you take it personally but ultimately change can't be simple down to what the leader wants. In ever tough call you have to make, ask your self what will the effect be and who will it will effect and how. This may scare you but also help you in forward planning conversations, information and how you communicate. In a church setting a simple example of this is seen in the songs I choose may not always be the ones I like because I am not the only one singing them.

Does it really matter?

This may sound obvious but don't do it if it doesn't really matter! In some situations you may have bigger change on the horizon that will include the issue you are currently considering. Wait a while and do it all together. However if it needs to be done now then do it. The worst thing that you could do is leave it and the issue build up and then feel to big to change or address. Some things need to be challenged sooner rather than later.

Can you afford not too?

If you don't make the call, what will the impact be. Even if it doesn't work at least you can learn from it and make it better next time.

Matt

Risk or Loss

Tuesday afternoons are my designated “leadership time” when I spend the afternoon with some good coffee and find a place that isn’t the office or home to reflect on stuff that I am involved with currently. This week I got in to a brief conversation with a financial advisor regarding people’s perception of loss in the wake of the earth quake and Tsunami in Japan. He said this: “it is not the attitude of risk but the attitude of loss that people can’t get their heads around.”

Losing something is a painful experience and one that can take a great amount of time and effort to work through. It also means that we things/we will never be the same as a result; life will be different forever. It’s no wonder we don’t want to take risks, why would we put ourselves in a position to lose. If we risk nothing we lose nothing. Yet can we afford to live a live without taking risks? Can we walk in this world just taking the easy option? If we lose nothing will we ever learn anything new?

In these last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about how I seek to take risks both in my own life and in my role within the church. It would be easy to step back and just let things happen around me and keep things maintained well but at the same time not wanting to develop things that are unsustainable. Either of these elements does not reflect the creative and sustaining nature of God and responsibility he places on me as his follower and as a Salvation Army Officer.
Taking risks doesn’t mean doing stuff alone or that it has to be big stuff either.

One of the great joys in my life currently is watching Katherine leaning to walk and climb. There is no fear in her eyes when she sets of just hope and joy as she tries to get from the chair to her dolly. Learning to walk is a risk! Things can and will go wrong. In the same way as we are learning to walk with God and take risks things will go wrong but God never leaves us or change. When we take a risk we witness the sustaining nature of God and His love for His people.

Matt

Character

This quote is taken from Phil McNulty's article on the BBC website regarding the reinstatement of John Terry as England Captain:

Terry is a natural leader and still remains a serviceable, if more vulnerable, England defender, so Capello's desire to employ him in an influential role is understandable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/03/capello_wrong_to_reinstate_ter.html

I love my football and admire what they can do with a ball at their feet (hands if they are Goal Keepers) but can't help think that they have been elevated or elevated themselves to a place that is out of step with the reality most of us live in. Phil McNulty's comments that Capello's decision to reinstate him as England Captain is because he is a good defender and a leader. I agree he is still good enough at the centre of England defense but not an appropriate leader for such a role. His conduct and attitude, from what we know, doesn't seem to warrant such honour as leading out the England team. He may get the job done and done well but to be a great leader you must also display your leadership in all aspects of your character. I have nothing against Terry and have a degree of sympathy for him regarding the media frenzy that sounds players like him. Yet in contrast, look at the example of Ryan Giggs who has conducted himself with a great deal of maturity even from a young age. Who would you follow? Who is the best leader?

Leadership demands that we are examples to others in all aspects of our lives. We will make mistakes but we must learn from them and develop the character that can admit mistakes, learn from them and be better because of it. I have made mistakes, made wrong decisions and maybe dealt with issues wrongly during my leadership but I am learning all the time that they only serve as a base for growth. I don't claim to be better than John Terry, I am only seeking to be better than I am currently as a person in leadership. It is tough being in the public eye constantly and that is why our character has to be challenged and developed constantly.

We maybe good at leading but is our conduct good enough when doing so?

Matt

Leaving a legacy

It light of the past week, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the legacy that Verz (see previous blog) has had upon peoples lives. It is amazing to think that one man can impact, for the better, so many people's lives and leave a legacy that will continue to help the church share the good news of Jesus. As someone who got to share a lot of time with him, it's easy to see how. Apart form the odd Norwich fan, I can't think of anyone who would have a bad word to say about Verz, he had no enemies, only saw the best in people and was the most humble person I have ever met.

I have been challenged, as I am sure others have, as to the legacy that I will leave both in my current appointment but in all aspects of my life. Has my life been a force for good and left people with a positive experience of the God whom I seek to proclaim and follow. If I am to leave a true legacy it must be one that God has ordained and that I seek to fulfill in and through my obedience as a husband, father, friend and leader. It isn't my Officers commission that defines my ministry and life, it is found in the one whose commission I seek to carry out.

I don't think Verz truly realised the depth of the legacy that he has left and that will continue to impact our world. Knowing Verz, he would be embarrassed by all the attention and praise that has been on facebook, in conversations and that will undoubtedly come in the weeks and months to come. He deserves all the praise that comes his way but he would simple deflect that praise to one who called him in the first place.

The question is, what will my legacy be, what will your legacy be?

Matt