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By Margaret Feinberg
Many articles are dedicated to nurturing a leader's growth, giving practical advice and insights. But what about those who don't want to grow to become a good leader? Look no further. Here are the 8 best worst ideas for leadership growth:
1. Don't delegate jobs. Do it all yourself! Why get eight hours of sleep when you can survive off two? Many people in your ministry have hidden talents you may not be aware. To engage them in a job would be an ineffective use of energy. Instead, burn yourself out by amassing large amounts of responsibility you can't manage. Besides, the bag-under-the-eye look is popular right now.
2. Stop learning. Don't read any journals or up-to-date blogs to expand your thinking. Refuse to change your perspective once you learn other's opinions and methods. Why become more compassionate and well informed if you can close your mind to any learning opportunities?
3. Invest in fiscal irresponsibility. Make a paper airplane out of your ministry's budget sheet. Don't worry yourself about staying within financial boundaries. Good stewardship? Pitch it. Don't try to seek wisdom in handling money from those gifted in this area, either. Saving and planning for the financial long term only decreases your present momentary pleasure. Rent a pony for the office!
4. Make your ministry all about you. This is an awesome opportunity to build your pride. Become upset when others take their attention off you to serve others. Print 12x8 autographed posters of yourself and hang them in place of the cross. Focus on your needs, your goals, your expectations, and not on Christ's command to love others as he loves us.
5. Forget a vision or big picture plan. Why stay on track with your goals when you can be spontaneous all the time? When a big picture unifies a team you miss out on the fun of constant bickering, arguing, and awkward tension. If you also cut off communication between workers, you give everyone the opportunity to create their own mini impenetrable fortress within the ministry. Provide building blocks to add to the excitement.
6. Under all circumstances, refuse to take charge. If the floods come and heaven's lightening is falling like rain, don't give into pressure to take charge. A group of people can lead themselves. Oh, they may wander around a bit, acting as though they are lost, but eventually they'll get it. Don't act on the ministry's best interests or squash false rumors. Better yet, don't act at all. They may have hired you to be the leader, but it's not what they really want, right?
7. Promote inconsistency. Pull as many U-turns as possible by retracting promises and not practicing what you preach. Don't show up when you said you would be there. Be wishy-washy in your directions by being vague, ignoring consequences, and then changing them right before they are completed. Cause people to question your trustworthiness.
8. Don't invest in next generation leaders. Destroy all the hard work you and others have done by making sure your ministry will come crashing down without you. Don't prevent future mistakes by sharing what you've learned with young leaders. Why bother impacting and shaping upcoming enthusiasts when you won't be around to see what they do?
What bad ideas would you add to this list?
10 Comments »
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Under any circumstances do not show any humility by admitting your wrongs; whatever falls on your lap do no take any responsibility just pass the buck around.
Comment by Gabe - Jan 16, 2012 @ 12:37 PM
Point #2 really hit home and can be a struggle for me.
i) What are some of your favorite “journals or up-to-date blogs to expand your thinking?”
ii) How much time, each week do you spend reading them?
Comment by AJ - Jan 18, 2012 @ 04:36 AM
9. Criticise your team.
Comment by Tony - Jan 18, 2012 @ 07:28 AM
Never travel outside your comfort zone. Stay warm, plump and happy. After all, God put you in your position, He must want you to do the same thing FOREVER.
Comment by Josh - Jan 18, 2012 @ 07:33 AM
Don’t do anything unless everybody agrees with it. Dissension is of the devil.
Comment by Rob - Jan 18, 2012 @ 02:08 PM
9. Don’t take responsibility when things go wrong. Help others lead well in this area by blaming your problems on them. Let others “fail forward” by passing the buck. Why not share growth opportunities with others? They probably need to grow more than you anyway.
Comment by JK - Jan 18, 2012 @ 06:18 PM
Ha! This post got a good laugh out of me! Thanks for bringing some humor into my day.
Comment by Chris - Jan 21, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
9. Church is not a business. Don’t listen to those business owners; what do they know about church anyway. A church isn’t a business. These guys just want to take over and run things and know nothing about how to run a church. Stay away from them because they’re not spiritual.
Comment by Ebay - Jan 21, 2012 @ 09:08 PM
GREAT ARTICLE!
Comment by Paul Piraino - Jan 26, 2012 @ 06:56 AM
Never ever take a vacation, and on your “off” days work at home
Comment by wes - Feb 03, 2012 @ 11:08 AM