There are plenty of leaders
Colin Baron
"One of my many frustrations is that so many potential leaders remain un-discovered"
Why did I decide to call this blog “authentic leaders”?
One of my many frustrations is that so many potential leaders remain un-discovered because the leaders above them in the organization are looking for the authentic leader, or the perfect leader. They seem to be always wanting, and never getting, the finished product. This only leads to many potential leaders being undiscovered, passive, or quite deeply frustrated because they aren’t, or don’t look to others, very authentic.
This has the un-desired result of creating a shortage of leaders. All over the world the big cry is for more leaders. I have a problem with this gripe mainly from a theological perspective. If God, as I do believe, gives the gift of leadership (Rom 12:8) then I must believe that he give at least enough and probably more than enough to go round. I also believe that included in Jesus prayer about sending workers in the harvest field (Matthew 9:37-38) there will be adequate leadership gift to reap the harvest.
This led me to desiring a blog name “loadsofleaders.co.uk “. It just did not seem to have the same ring as authentic leaders, but it is my great passion to see potential leaders identified, empowered, coached and trained so that they fulfil their God given potential.
Comments
Colin's Profile
Colin leads Christ Church Manchester (CCM), a new church on the east side of the city birthed out of a passion to see significant churches planted in each of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Colin also travels internationally for the Newfrontiers team, encouraging and equipping church planters as well as coaching leaders and developing teams in established churches.
Colin,
I couldn’t agree more - often it is easier to look for the finished product, the leader ready to go, rather than take the risk on someone unproven and rough around the edges. Your previous post on Harvard Business Review reminds me of the best article on leadership that I ahve ever read that I suspect would agree with your perspective. Jim Collins, in his HBR article in January 2001, wrote about level 5 leadership, leaders that were humble, yet with ‘will’, having a clear sense of purpose.
A further challenge is to look past our perceptions of people to consider their potential. Within the church, we often fail to succession plan, waiting for a cell group leader or elder to move on before we think about who else we are bringing on.