Welcome to our first Leadership Series Q & A!
Over the past weeks as we’ve been leadership chatting, I’ve been asked some questions via email or comments. Since I’ve received some questions multiple times, today I’m going to address the most popular questions. Next Friday we will tackle the next set.
Let’s do this thing!
Q: What challenges do you face as a leader?
A: My biggest challenge as a leader is dealing with the (sometimes) unrealistic expectations placed on me. When you’re at the forefront of any ministry or leadership position, people seek you out.
There can be a constant demand for your time. I find it important to set up clear boundaries, stick to them myself, not allow other’s expectations to become my own, learn to say no and ultimately rest in the knowledge that God has got this thing under control.
Q: How do you get refreshed as a leader?
A: I’m pretty confident those of you who asked this question are well aware of the 24/7 nature of leadership! It can be so tiring. For me, personally, to combat weariness in leadership, I do the following things:
- Meditate on Scripture on the topic of leadership. Right now, I’m doing a study by Kay Arthur on rising to the call of leadership that has me walking through 1 & 2 Samuel. It is challenging me and encouraging me. The Word ALWAYS refreshes when we approach it to grow. By studying how to be a stronger leader, I am rectifying problems before they even have time to sink their roots in! That is refreshing in & of itself.
- Schedule downtime. At the start of 2010 I decided that I was not going to work on the weekends and (for the most part!) I haven’t. This helps me enjoy my off days without deadlines looming over my head. Some of you may lead on the weekends, so schedule a day during the week where you can sit back, drink your favorite hot beverage and relax with a magazine. (I happen to know one I highly recommend!)
- Lead with excellence. It may sound ridiculous that I find refreshment as a leader while leading, but I do. When I am leading my team to the best of my ability, following the Lord with my all and offering Exemplify’s readership with the most excellent resources I can make available at this time, I find myself refreshed! I’m doing what I was made to do and doing it how I was made to do it. Nothing feels better than that!
- Have some fun! Pretty self-explanatory! Enjoy your team, enjoy your leadership, enjoy your job.
Q: What are your thoughts on nurturing friendships as a leader?
A: It is especially hard to be friends with those you lead. There’s a delicate balance needed of camaraderie as well as respected authority which can be tricky. As leaders, I think we need to be mindful of our relationships, pray over the interaction we have with our team and make sure we foster an atmosphere of inclusiveness.
On the other hand, I think it is VITAL to have friendships outside of your leadership role. Just because we are leaders certainly doesn’t mean we don’t want to go shopping with our girlfriends! I try to remember in my friendships that unless my leadership is sought out, it shouldn’t be forced.
Am I a leader? Yes. Do my friends want me leading everything we do? No.
Q: How do you know when God is calling you to step back & rest?
A: While this has not happened to me quite yet, I do have some warning signs I make sure to look for, in case I do need to step back for a season of purposed rest.
They are:
- If I’m neglecting my first & foremost ministry (which would be the people who make up my home). In my case, that would be my husband. If my husband or I felt I was neglecting our marriage because of my leadership role, I’d step back.
- If I’m overwhelmed to the point of calling it quits. Anytime a serious extreme like this comes into play, I think we are wise to step back and take a season of rest before making a drastic decision. Seek God in the quiet before you go announcing things in the loud.
- If He {God} flat out says it. If God says it’s time for some rest, it is time for some rest.
I will be doing another round of Leadership Q & A’s next week.
So, if you have a question you’d like to see answered
feel free to leave it in the comments or email me at exemplify @ me (dot) com.
If you asked a question that was not yet answered, it will be in the coming weeks.
These are excellent, Kristen. I especially like your thoughts on rest – I think it can be hard to admit we need it. At least for me it is – I always feel guilty taking a bit of a break. But when I do,(finally!) He always speaks to me and helps me to see the direction I need to be going.
This is really good! I recently had a situation where I had to step back from a ministry that I loved even though it was overwhelming me. God kept saying to leave, but I ignored Him. The last time He said it was kinda loud so I took heed! It’s the best thing I could have done. Other opps opened up for me, and I vacated a space that someone else was meant to occupy. It’s funny how pride and not wanting to dissapoint can keep you someplace you’re not supposed to be! Didn’t intend to be so long winded – just wanted to tell you how good these answers are.
Great post Kristen!
Very wise and good words, Kristen…and the young shall lead us.
I am anticipating having some time together here in CO…
Loved the answers to these questions. I especially resonated with your thoughts on friendship. As a clergy couple, we’ve found it very important to cultivate friendships with others outside the church. We’ve learned some hard/valuable lessons along these lines. Oh, and the part about doing a personal time of study is very important. Even when I’m not leading a Bible study, I’m usually in one on my own. I’m going to do Alicia Chole’s “choices” this summer. It’s about planting seeds and seeing our every action as a seed being planted. Can’t wait to dig in and get started.
With an impending move, I’ve been searching God’s heart regarding new areas of ministry in my new place. I’ve got some great inclinations; now need to flesh them out more fully before the Father.
Thank you for your continuing leadership in this place. You mean so very much to me. I only wish that we could live closer so as to have occasional times of encouragement with one another, face-to-face.
Blessings and peace to you this week. I’ll be praying…
~elaine