A 10-Step Process for Building Leaders

Source: George Barna seminar, Inward, Outward, Upward: Ministry that Transforms Lives”

Copyright John P. Chandler, 2000

Q: “What do I look for when trying to find leaders?”

Answer:

CallingCharacterCompetencies

Calling

a. Spiritual gift of leadership

b. Personal conviction of calling

c. External confirmation of calling

Character

The moral qualities and ethical standards that comprise this person’s inner nature

Guidelines: elders/deacons (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)

Competencies

Verifiable skill in the arena

Emotional and interpersonal intelligence

Track record preferable

Building a Process for Building a Leader

You must have a turn-key process to assess, equip, and evaluate people in order to develop key leaders

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#1. “Subject every leadership candidate to a thorough assessment.”

objective criteria (interviews, applications) subjective criteria (recommendations)

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#2. “Create a customized development plan for each leader.”

Set up benchmarks for progress Build in times for assessing

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#3. “Provide each leader with a mentor-coach.”

Is there someone already “on the field?” Where does the person turn for help/training?

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#4. “Give developing leaders ample, regular access time to the directing leader.”

Is the directing leader available as a coach?

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#5. “Provide formal, classroom-style instruction on leadership.”

Not just on Scripture

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#6. “Facilitate significant peer interaction.”

Identify and enable networking with colleagues

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#7. “Institute an aggressive program of exposure to leadership resources.”

Books, tapes, seminars, practitioners

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#8. “Establish adequate intercessory prayer support.”

require the leader to get a cadre of people who will pray regularly and specifically for them

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#9. “Allow the leader to have progressive leadership experiences.”

allow stretching experiences, but watch for discouragement and Peter Principle

Ten Steps to Building a Leader

#10. “Implement a reasonable accountability process.”

Regular 360 degree evaluation provides forum for task improvement and (inter)personal development

Conclusion

“Never, never, never stop training your leaders!”

Continuing education is the key for leadership development

ConEd reinforces their leadership commitment

A 10-Step Process for Building Leaders

Dr. John P. Chandler

The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership

www.rasnet.org Copyright John P. Chandler, 2000