Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Checklist for Change

CHANGE is a constant part of life and leadership. Any type of change can be tough, so we must always navigate the waters of change carefully. I'm in a new ministry and a new season of life, so "change" is all around me. As I'm making decisions that will impact the future of my family and my church, I'm relying on the process below to make the wisest choices possible.

Checklist for implementing a Change:

1. Get buy-in from those most directly impacted. The change you're making will be taken personally by someone, and getting their insight and buy-in before pulling the trigger on a decision could make all the difference.

2. Do what is in the best interests of the most people. The needs of the few can't outweigh the needs of the many (I think that may be a Star Trek quote from Spock). Remember that you can't always please everyone, but you can always value everyone.

3. Seek wise counsel. The Bible (particularly the Book of Proverbs) has great insight on how to make tough choices the right way and one of the most consistent Biblical lessons is that we should surround ourselves with wise and Godly people and seek their wisdom. As it says in Proverbs...Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, you will succeed.

4. Pull the Trigger. One of the most important jobs of a leader is to make decisions. When you make a bad one, own up to it and then make it right, but don't let the "paralysis of analysis" keep you from pulling the trigger and making the call. In leadership, a bad decision is often better than indecision.

5. PRAY! I'm spending a lot of time begging God for wisdom and guidance. The more we seek Him and His Will, the better off we will be. Apart from Christ, no amount of "change" really changes anything.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Just for the record, most of this material I "borrowed" from a mentor of mine named Gary Brown. Thanks, Gary!

Wade said...

Love your leadership wisdom, Dave. These points are all very wise counsel.

Patrick Augusto said...
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