1. Create a plan for growth.
So many people don’t have a plan in place
to grow, and they don’t have a plan for helping the people in their ministries
grow either. No plan means there’s no mechanism to hit the target. And if you
never aim (plan) at the target you’re never going to hit it. Now we’re not
necessarily talking about setting goals here. Certainly that’s a part of it,
but really the ultimate goal in this case is growth. Here we’re thinking more
in terms of developing a strategy to see growth. What are ways that will best
work for you to grow as a leader? What are ways you can help those under your
leadership grow?
2. Schedule time for professional
development.
Leaders who continually grow not only have a
plan, but they work the plan. In other words, they make it happen somehow, some
way. They fit it in! The fact is, time is a precious commodity for everyone,
and there’s no lack of work to accomplish. Everybody’s busy and yet some people
have figured it out. One of the best ways to ensure leaders take time to get
better occurs through time blocking. In other words, you create rigid
boundaries with your time at various points throughout the day, week or month
when you set aside all distractions and follow your plan for growth. The key is
it has to get on the calendar. If it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen.
Our intentions can be the best in the world, but life happens. Things come up,
emergencies take place, and when it’s not a priority, development continues to
take a back seat. Are there things on your calendar that you should eliminate?
When is the best time to incorporate professional development in your schedule?
3. Invest in your teams.
Investing in others requires diligence,
commitment, and consistency. While it often feels like an unnecessary task, it
is one of the most important components to strengthening your overall
organization. It forces you to be better because you have to live out what
you’re telling others to do. And then of course it encourages them to be
better. It shows the status quo is not good enough. When you invest in your
team, you’re raising the bar. You’re making your key leaders better. When you
make your key leaders better, you’re expanding their capacity to lead. And when
their capacity to lead increases, the ministry’s ability to grow expands. Who
are the people you need to make a concerted effort to invest in? When are the
best times and frequencies for this type of investment?
4. Listen to others.
Leaders who are approachable and willing to
listen to others are most likely to grow. While you may not want to admit it,
you may have a blind spot. Everyone does. Allowing other voices to speak into
your life will make you better off. When people provide feedback or insight,
genuinely give thought to it. That doesn’t mean you’ll accept everything they
have to say, but there are times when you can avoid unnecessary obstacles by
listening to others’ feedback. What people can you trust to speak candidly with
you? Are you genuinely willing to listen to others and give consideration to
their feedback?
5. Do what only you can do
. Delegation can be hard because it means
letting go, and you risk it not being done “right.” However, if your time is
filled with accomplishing the minutia or managing what you have, that means: •
You’re not developing as an individual. • You’re not giving opportunities for
others to develop. You want to be out front leading and vision casting. This
means you want to do the things ONLY you can do and hand off the rest. What are
the main things you need to focus on in your role that cannot be done by
someone else? What are the things you should eliminate as a part of what you do
week-to-week?
6. Think bigger.
Dream big and plan for growth both
personally and as a ministry. One of the best ways to stifle a person or an
organization is to think the way you have always thought. You can’t possess the
same mindset through the growth process. Thinking bigger expands your horizon
and helps you lead at a higher level. If anything were possible, what would you
love to see for your life and ministry? What’s holding you back from making
that dream a reality?
7. Make changes when needed.
One
of the biggest moments when people stifle their growth takes place when change
is needed. Most people prefer to avoid change, but like any growing organism,
change must take place or decline sets in. This is true both for individuals
and organizations. We know change is hard; it’s just plain hard. And change is
not always fun. However, change is essential for growth. Whether a person wants
to grow their character, their leadership, the leadership of others, or the
ministry as a whole, it will only happen through change. What is a change you
need to make to continue growing? What is your number one obstacle to making
that change?
8. Network with others.
As
the Proverb rightly articulates, iron sharpens iron. One of the best ways to be
better comes by way of interaction with others. This is how you stay fresh.
This is a way to learn. This gives you support. And it helps you develop
further into the leader God wants you to be. Ministry can be lonely, and
sometimes you might wonder, “Am I the only one that feels like this?” You may
feel like you’re on a deserted island at times. But you’re not. Networking with
others will provide support, strength, and encouragement to help you be better
and lead more effectively. Do you currently have a network of individuals with
whom you periodically interact?
9. Never stop improving.
Growth should never stop. The moment you
stop growing is the moment you begin the decline. Leaders who continually look
for ways to be a better leader will in fact be better. When people think
they’ve “arrived” and no longer need something, they lose their edge. They
don’t realize it right away, but slowly over time their growth is stifled. The
key to growth is to not be satisfied. Having a continual desire to be better
will keep growth at the forefront of your mind and will help you stay
intentional. At The Hardy Group, we simply want you to be better. That’s what
we’re all about. We believe these nine solutions will help you grow both
personally and professionally.
Resources: The Hardy Group
Resources: The Hardy Group
