Developing Leadership Effectiveness (3)

Life-long learners constantly cycle through a developmental process to sharpen their leadership skills. It may be intuitive or it may be intentional. But the 6 steps they follow are real:

LEARN-EMPOWER-ASSESS-DECIDE-EVALUATE-REVIEW

The third step in the leadership developmental process is ASSESS. The word assess refers to the need for leaders to assess whether or not their goals are aligned with the vision and with the needs of the team and individuals.

Over the last several decades a lot has been written about vision. I like to draw on Joel Barker’s quote:

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.

Although making sure that your goals and vision match may seem obvious, a remarkable number of leaders work hard to shape and then communicate their vision but fail to set goals that would help them to achieve that vision. More often than not, this is because the vision-setting exercise and the process of setting goals are seen as two separate activities. The larger the gap, the higher the probability is that your team will NOT produce the expected outcomes you desire.

As a leader, you are constantly addressing the proximity of the vision to your goals as well as your strategies and targets.  Here are five questions to ask team members to assess that gap:

1. Where is our team positioned currently?
2. What is the gap between our current position and our vision?
3. What do we need to do in the short-term that will help us to achieve that vision?
4. In the medium-term?
5. In the long-term?

Assessing is an important step in the Leadership Development Process. But Assessing in itself is not enough. In fact, going to a workshop, listening to a podcast or even receiving a degree in leadership does not guarantee a person can lead. I’ve found that many people have knowledge but lack the experience of actually leading a team. Applying the knowledge and learning from success as well as failure is critical in the development process.

• Questions for your reflection:
  1. When was the last time you assessed your team’s current vision?
  2. When was the last time you assessed your team member’s performance?
  3. What steps do you need to take to close the gap between your vision and the actions of your team?

   
  The next step in the journey to develop as a leader is – Decide what are you going to measure and how will it be measured. I will address this in the next blog.

  

   

  Colin is the Director of ResourceZone International.  He has 30 years of ministry experience as a pastor, college lecturer and consultant.coach to consultants, denominational leaders and local church pastors.  He can be reached at info@resourcezone.com.au

   

  Related Resources

  • Leadership: Coaching Guide with Storyboard – Ministry Specific Resource (PDF)