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Why is it that some leaders reach a zenith then plateau or enter a period
of decline, while others continue to grow and expand, staying ahead of
the pack even into old age? It is true of leaders today, but it has been
true throughout all of history. Some leaders keep expanding, making a contribution
into old age, while others make the 'Great Compromise,' settling into a
comfortable mediocrity. They might retain their leadership 'position' but
they no longer serve as true leaders. Why do some leaders fall off the
cutting edge?
Some leaders lose their punch because they finally got the leadership
spot they've always wanted. They've arrived, so they quit working. It may
have been a lifetime goal—being elected to a certain office or getting
a particular church. These leaders work like crazy while they are 'on the
way up,' but when they get what they want they quit hustling. Several years
ago this type of leader was brimming with ideas and suggestions about 'how
to do it better.' In fact, that's one of the reasons he got his current
spot - people thought he would actually do the things he always talked
about. But he didn't. What he wanted was the position of leadership, not
the work. And once he had his dream job, his energies turned to holding
on to the position. Leaders who fall off the cutting edge quit pushing
after they got the leadership spot they always wanted. Leaders who last
keep dreaming.
By nature, leadership tends to remove the leader from the people. Leaders
sense respect, admiration, even an 'offishness' which creates distance
between a leader and the people. Some leaders like this pedestal-ization.
In fact, a few leaders actually consider it a benefit of leading. Everyone
asks you questions, gets your opinions, hears what you think, invites you
to speak. Soon, such a leader gets into the habit of telling... talking...
speaking... deciding... declaring... giving opinions... showing everybody
how... giving answers. Finally, this kind of leader loses the greatest
tool for keeping in touch—listening. People said of one leader I knew,
'I wonder why he has that hearing aid, he never listens anyway.' When a
leader gets stuck in the 'transmit mode,' soon he or she gets totally out
of touch with the followers. This leader no longer knows their needs, frustrations,
reactions, or opinions. The out-of-touch leader is the fellow who is totally
shocked when he is not re-elected or appointed. It "blind-sides' him
or her. IN fact this kind of leader will probably accuse someone of politicking
or underhanded political hanky-panky. He never sees it coming. Why? Because
he didn't listen. He was out of touch. Stop listening and you'll soon fall
off the cutting edge. Leaders who last listen.
Some leaders were great when they took over, but quit growing. They
forgot that the standard of 'greatness' keeps rising every year. These
leaders were on the cutting edge once, but they coasted while their followers
kept growing. Soon this kind of stagnant leader is passed by those he is
supposed to be leading. The stagnant leader quits reading, quits attending
seminars, stops reading thought-provoking articles like this one, and quits
seeking out stimulating discussions. This kind of leader eventually becomes
a ceremonial leader— showing up and playing the role. It's a sad sight
to see a promising leader quit growing who was once the 'best of the bunch.'
Lasting leaders keep ahead of the pack by reading more, learning more,
thinking more, and studying more. Go stagnant and you'll fall off the cutting
edge. Leaders who last keep growing.
A one word definition of leadership is 'Risk.' A real leader must boldly
defy fear and introduce the future into the present. Like walking on the
water, leaders must keep their eyes on the goal, not on the threats. A
fearful leader will focus on the potential political or critical consequences
of new ideas and changes. He will become conservative, fearing criticism
and opposition. This kind of leader looks more to the next election, than
to the next generation. Mediocrity is crouched at the door! The fearful
leader is not really a leader at all—but a mere follower—a follower of
the potential complainers. Get scared of change and fall off the cutting
edge. Leaders who last take action in spite of their fear.
One of the privileges of leaders is to select other leaders (in fact,
it is more than a privilege—it is a major responsibility of leadership.)
Though we have elections in churches, districts or conferences, universities,
and denominations, the truth is the existing leaders often influence who
become the next tier of leaders, and even their successors in some denominations.
However, some leaders fear strong leaders near or under them. They carefully
and strategically work to eliminate strong people who 'cause trouble' or
'ask bothersome questions.' These leaders gradually populate the second
level of leadership with cooperative 'yes men' or woman. They collect around
them a band of dwarfs, imagining that in comparison they appear mighty.
They don't. They look silly. 'An army of lions led by a sheep will beat
an army of sheep led by a lion every time.' Why? Because the lion who prefers
to lead sheep is no lion at all, but merely a sheep with delusions of grandeur.'
Leaders who refuse to recruit lions have no army at all—they are merely
playing lion. Great leaders recruit strong people under them—even 'lions'
who oppose them at times. Recruit weak people under you and you'll be falling
off the cutting edge soon. Leaders who last recruit strong people.
I remember visiting one of my denomination's late-30's rising stars
when he sighed, 'I'm tired... worn out... weary, I feel like a 60 year
old man.' He wasn't just talking about how one feels after a hard day's
work. This was an over-arching 'core fatigue.' As we spoke he confided,
'I'm afraid the 90 hour weeks the last several years are taking their toll.'
He was shell-shocked. The pace of pastoring was getting him down. Or perhaps
the criticism he had faced. His eyes communicated a tiredness that a few
days of vacation at the beach wouldn't restore. He was burning out. Such
fast-rising workaholic stars shine brightly for a while, but they will
be remembered eventually as the temporary flash of a falling star. Imbalanced
workaholism will knock you off the cutting edge every time. Leaders who
last, pace themselves.
Personal sin sequestered somewhere in a leader's life is a time bomb.
Private sin ticks away unobtrusively as the leader rises, then finally
explodes violently, leading to public disgrace and collapse. Usually. But
not always. There is a second way private sin works. Sometimes it works
more like cancer than dynamite. Unexposed or unconfessed private sin will
eat away at a leader's confidence until the leader finally self-destructs.
This sin-hiding leader makes the 'Great Compromise' and settles in for
a slow ride, collecting all the benefits along the way, but no longer 'sticking
his head up' for he or she fears the bullet of exposure may be headed right
between the eyes. Hiding sin somewhere in your private life will knock
you off the cutting edge. A leader who lasts, repents of private sin and
makes a commitment to live a holy life relying on Christ's power alone.
So, what about you? Are you on the cutting edge? Or slipping off? Any of
these things ring a bell with you?
What do you think?
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