In a previous post, I wrote the reasons to micromanage. (Yes…there are times…Read that post HERE) Most of the time micromanaging is not a positive characteristic of leadership. Here are some reasons leaders resort to micromanaging:

Frankly, finding that balance has always been difficult for me, and at times in the life of the organization, one area does require greater attention than other areas. The key for me is to always keep the big picture in my mind of what we are trying to accomplish, while recognizing the individual contribution, each area needs to bring to that success. I can never allow one area to cloud out my perspective of the other areas.

I love organizational leadership and I am happy to serve on a healthy team. It’s amazing how many church leaders I know that say their team is not healthy. Recently I started wondering why it is that I claim our team is healthy and it led me to this post. Here, in my opinion, are 10 elements of a healthy organization:

Obviously, when you address the principle of letting go, which could also be called delegation, it opens a huge question for those wired as completers. The question is: HOW? How do you let go of responsibility when you are wired so heavily towards not doing so?

I realize that I am not immune from this vacuum. In fact, with one of my StrengthsFinders being Command, I’m possibly more susceptible than most leaders. It is something I am conscious of, however, and so I have tried to create a system that opens my leadership to enough feedback to ward against the leadership vacuum. Here’s the steps I take:

I think where I have landed, at least for now, is that bigger than the issue of evaluation, is the issue of continuance.  The fact is that I really do believe growth is occurring in individual lives, not just in the total numbers of people. We are accomplishing our objective to “make growing disciples of Jesus Christ”.  I still want to consider ways to validate that belief, and I have some ideas I’m working on there, but the key word for me now is sustainability.  I want us to be able to continue doing what we’ve been doing.

If you serve on a well-organized team, then your role is vital to the success of the organization’s mission. If you do not pull your own weight, the entire team suffers because of it, and ultimately the entire organization suffers. Healthy teams are dependent on every member of the team.

Personally speaking, the older I get the more I am concentrating on my weaknesses.
I know my strengths. I need to know what’s holding me back from being all God wants me to be. I like to surround myself with people that stretch me.

We are not a very formal organization at Grace Community Church. As our church and staff have grown, however, we have recognized the need for more structure. I try to keep an open door policy of leadership and frequently ask for input and try to provide feedback. I realize, however, that communication is one of the areas I continually need to improve upon, especially as our church grows larger.

Develop or learn the system and it will make life easier and you’ll better enjoy the ride…