QUARTERLY CONNECTION #2

THE ART OF SELF-LEADERSHIP, PART 1

“Your toughest management challenge is always yourself.”1

—Bill Hybels

“We should invest 50 percent of our leadership amperage into the task of leading ourselves; and the remaining 50 percent should be divided into leading down, leading up, and leading laterally.”2

—Dee Hock

In the article “The Art of Self Leadership,” Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, writes about the need for leaders to lead themselves—not only those below them, their peers, or even those above them (such as elders).

Hybels offers the following reflections and questions in his article.

Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, notes that many leaders never reach their full potential because they plateau. Goleman says, “Exceptional leaders distinguish themselves because of superior self-leadership.”3 Reaching one’s potential requires good self-leadership or emotional self-control.

In his article “The Art of Self Leadership,” Bill Hybels notes that first five chapters of Mark’s gospel show Jesus’ pattern of intense ministry quickly followed by time set aside for reflection, prayer, fasting, and solitude. He would go to a quiet place to “recalibrate.”

Hybels goes on to say, “And nobody—I mean nobody—can do this work for you. You have to do this work yourself. Self-leadership is tough work—so tough, Dee Hock says, that most leaders avoid it. Instead, we

1 Bill Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership,” Leadership Journal, Summer 2001, http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2001/summer/13.86.html.2 Dee Hock, quoted in Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”3 Daniel Goleman, quoted in Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”

would rather try to inspire or control our people than to do the rigorous work of reflection.”4

Hybels suggests that we ask ourselves these questions:

Is my calling sure?Ask, “What's my mission, God? Where do you want me to serve? What would you have me do in this grand kingdom drama?”5

Is my vision clear?Make sure that you as a leader have a vision. Set aside time to develop the vision with and for your people. If you’re unclear about the direction your church is moving, your congregation certainly won’t be clear.

Is my passion hot?Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric, says, “People in leadership have to have so much energy and passion that they energize and impassion people around them.”6

Is my character submitted to Christ?“Leadership requires moral authority,” says Hybels. “A leader doesn't have to be the sharpest pencil in the drawer or the one with the most charisma. But teammates will not follow a leader with character incongruities for very long. Every time you compromise character you compromise leadership.”7

Is my pride subdued?Be wary of pride and weed it out. Hybels writes, “First Peter 5:5 says, ‘God opposes the proud. He gives grace to the humble.’ Do you know what Peter is saying? As a leader I have a choice. Do I want opposition from God in my leadership, or do I want grace and favor?”8

Are my fears at bay?Aware of the power of fear to halt ministry, Hybels writes, “Fear is an immobilizing emotion. …Fear immobilizes and neutralizes leaders.”9 Leaders must learn to trust God.

Are interior issues undermining my leadership?“All of us have some wounds, some losses, and some disappointments in our past,” says Hybels. “Leaders who ignore their interior reality often make decisions that have grave consequences for the people 4 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”5 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”6 Jack Welch, quoted in Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”7 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”8 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”9 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”

they lead.”10 A good leader seeks wisdom and counsel from others to deal with his or her interior issues.

Are my ears open to the Spirit’s whisper?“Leaders cannot afford to be deaf to heaven,” Hybels writes. He encourages leaders to ask themselves, “Can I still hear God's voice? Is the ambient noise level of my life low enough that I can still hear God's voice when he speaks? And do I still have the guts to obey him even though I don't understand him all the time?”11

Is my pace sustainable?Healthy leaders set a reasonable pace for themselves and don’t point the finger at anyone but themselves when their busyness threatens to run them into the ground.

Are my gifts developing?Leaders should know the gifts God has given them and should be making a concerted effort to stretch and grow those gifts.

Is my heart for God increasing? Hybels insists that the leader—not the congregation, not the elders—is responsible for the leader’s own spiritual growth. “It's your job to make sure your heart for God is increasing. Nobody can do that for you. You've got to develop the spiritual practices that keep you growing towards Christlikeness.”12

Is my capacity for love deepening?God’s greatest treasure is God’s people. God wants leaders to love those people, to care for them, to challenge them.

10 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”11 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”12 Hybels, “The Art of Self Leadership.”

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