UNLEASHING POTENTIAL IN STORYCENTRIC COMMUNITIES

Leading Change

Thanksgiving Looks A Little Different This Year

By on November 26, 2018   /   Christ-centered Leadership, Leading Change, Leading with Story   /   Leave a comment
Thanksgiving Looks A Little Different This Year

Thanksgiving looks a little different this year. Today I am exchanging turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin for ugali, chapatti, and mandazi. Instead of watching schoolchildren perform plays about pilgrims and Indians I am watching a host of nationalities and tribal groups as they role play stories of old. But one thing remains the same: I am deeply grateful. This week Freedom to Lead is in Kenya. Next week we will go on to Zambia. In these weeks I am rubbing shoulders with men and women leaders from many nations who are deeply committed to the work of Christ and to leading well in their spaces. And I am deeply grateful. My large extended family in Florida is gathering potluck-style on folded tables outside. And while I miss being with them this year, I have a different kind of family right across the table from me here. My Family Across the Table

Read MoreRead more" title="Read more" url="https://freedomtolead.net/thanksgiving2018/" align="right"]

Leading Through the Grief of Change

By on December 5, 2016   /   Leadership Development, Leading Change   /   Leave a comment
Leading Through the Grief of Change

Leading Change Through Grief A primary responsibility of leadership is to initiate and manage change. Like many of my peers, I have eagerly embraced this role of change agent during my career. In fact, I like change – that I initiate. On the other hand, I haven’t been so receptive of change when someone else is initiating it. My track record is pretty typical when another leader has initiated change that affects me. Getting in touch with this common reaction is helpful to guide others through the difficult process of change. Most people are uncomfortable with change that someone else initiates, because change – even good change – often brings a sense of loss and grief. How leaders help their people navigate the grief of change often determines leadership success or failure. Leadership and the Five Stages of Grief The experience of change is akin to the loss and grief

Read MoreRead more" title="Read more" url="https://freedomtolead.net/leading-through-grief-of-change/" align="right"]

Church Leaders: Leading Change in the Church

By on May 23, 2016   /   Christ-centered Leadership, Leadership Development, Leading Change   /   Leave a comment

Pragmatism in Practice “It doesn’t matter if it’s right; it only matters if it works.” This motto for leading change dominates 21st century corporations. It’s pragmatism in practice. Pick up any popular book on leading change. The odds are that you’ll find several underlying themes: Shareholder profit is paramount. Growth is deified. People are disposable. Speed is king. Decapitating opponents is part of the game. Ethics is expedient. If these themes are not explicitly stated, then they’re just below the surface. And much of the recent literature on leading change targeted at church leaders borrows heavily from this thinking. Leading Change in the Church To be fair, much that comes from the corporate sector can be helpful for church leaders. However, the default mode for running a secular company is not predisposed to a biblical approach. Too often corporate views are being baptized among church leaders with bible verses and

Read MoreRead more" title="Read more" url="https://freedomtolead.net/church-change/" align="right"]