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by Reba Collins
Last week, I wrote about three characteristics of industry
leading churches. These are churches in your local community that set
standards, encourage innovation, reach new people, and develop strong spiritual
and organizational leaders. They are the best church choices available.
But, when it comes to finding a good fit with a good church
choice, you should consider your own personal leadership attributes, too. Just as
with different work cultures, you’ll find your leadership style fits within
some churches’ leadership cultures better than within others.
A recent Harvard
Business Review blog identified and labeled eight 21st-Century
individual leadership attributes. These attributes equally apply to the types
of leadership personalities you’ll encounter in the cultures of your best
church choices.
Learning to identify the following leadership attributes in
yourself and a church’s leadership culture helps you choose a group where
you’ll grow as a leader and as a follower:
1.
Seers
– Live into the future and possess compelling vision of “what could be.” Seers
always look forward and offer an environment focused on working on “the next
big thing.” Seer churches have a strong vision front and center, and members
are encouraged into leadership roles that support the vision.
2.
Contrarians
– Think outside of the box and shun conventional wisdom in favor of
free-spirited thinking. Contrarians love to overthrow the status quo and open
themselves up to new possibilities. Contrarian churches have an entrepreneurial
spirit, and often experiment with new ways of worship, small groups, and
outreach. Leadership and creativity are highly compatible.
3.
Architects
– Build systems that foster collaboration and open contribution. Architects
harness social technologies to give the discarded a louder voice, to unite
communities around a single passionate cause, and to mobilize communities into
focused action for change. Architect churches lead through common ground
consensus. They build up leadership through shared action. Leaders like to
initiate change.
4.
Mentors
– Give power away and deeply desire to develop other leaders. Mentors gravitate
toward coaching, tutoring, challenging and encouraging others toward a greater
leadership capacity. Mentoring churches focus heavily on building personal
relationships and directing people to small group environments. Leadership is
intimate and comes from personal experiences.
5.
Connectors
– Spot synergy between ideas and individuals. They connect with other
like-minded peers and share complementary resources to help achieve a bigger
dream than anyone can do alone. Connector churches are deeply networked in
their local communities. Church leaders often are community leaders, too.
6.
Bushwhackers - Are lean and fast. Bureaucracy is thrown over
in favor of new ideas and initiatives. Bushwackers choose to do the right thing
over doing what is right by external standards. Bushwacker churches also have
an entrepreneurial spirit about them. Think start-up leadership.
7.
Guardians
- Defend core values against convenience. Their inspiring commitment to a
higher purpose encourages others to stand up with them in their beliefs.
Guardian churches tend to be driven by doctrine and traditions. Leadership is
often cultivated through an established system of committees or processes.
8.
Citizens
- Want to do as much good as possible for as many as possible. They are
activists who challenge the status quo, not for themselves, but for others.
Citizen churches lead through advocacy for the marginalized. Everyone leads
from their selfless center.
Is one style any better than the other? No, it depends on
many factors, including the fit with your own personal style.
As in most human organizations, a mix of styles and
attributes usually produces a healthier, more productive environment. When
deciding on a good fit with a good church choice, consider the compatibility of
your leadership attributes with the church’s leadership culture. Where will you
thrive? Where will you find frustrations?
Just remember, even the best “leading” church choice might
not be your best church choice.
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