Week 12: 360 Degree Leader

The theory of the 360 Degree Leader states that regardless of position or authority, a person in any role as the ability to lead people in positions all around him.  He can lead those who have authority over him but supporting, encouraging, and working as hard as he can for them.  A person can lead others at the same level as him by not competing against them but by working with them, giving them ideas, and encouraging them.  And finally, a person can lead those below him, but can do so in a way that empowers and enables rather than simply demanding something from them. 

I can see how this leadership trait would be effective at the River Community Church.  I believe that because the church is still in its beginning stages it needs 360 degree leaders.  I believe that by having an attitude of service and not competition we can empower leaders to take up roles in ministry that will ultimately do great things for the churches future.  In my thinking, I think it would be great for the church to develop lay leaders who feel like they have ownership over a part of the ministry.  The ministry becomes their own and they take great pride in it.  I have seen how a church plant may struggle because it can be difficult to get people involved at first, but by having the leaders encourage those on all levels to take up ownership of the ministry will help tremendously.  

360 Degree leadership is also something that I feel will really benefit the church staff as a whole.  It can eliminate, to some degree, the hierarchy that exists between the senior pastor and the other pastors on staff.  When a senior pastor leads with principles from the 360 Degree leader, he does not simply show authority and power to the other pastors, but he encourages them and empowers them to go and minister, maybe with the same authority that he has.  A 360 Degree leader will give opportunities to other pastors to succeed and grow in ministry.  I think that would be great for the church because it can help alleviate friction in the relationships between staff pastors.  We're all working towards the same goal and if we become 360 Degree leaders we are helping everyone move in a way where they can serve and minister.  

Week 12 Essay Insightful Response

Week 12 Essay

Response to the statement: "Some leaders learn to lead by making mistakes and then reflecting enough on those mistakes to develop principles for the future…another way to learn is the principles based on the mistakes of others."

    If all leaders were humble enough to admit when they have made a mistake then they, and the people they lead would be better off. One of the problems with the first part of this statement is that people are not willing to admit they have made a mistake. Which of course is not right because we have all made mistakes, it is just that some people are not willing to be honest with themselves and think that they never do anything wrong. Another problem with the first part of this statement is that leaders are too often not willing to accept blame or responsibility for the mistakes they make. They are quick to place blame elsewhere and absolve themselves from any wrong. Good leaders are willing to admit that they have make mistakes and are willing to reflect upon those mistakes and grow from the mistakes they have made.

    More leaders are willing to learn from the mistakes of other because it is much easier to say someone else has made a mistake. Leaders should look at the lives of the leaders of the past and people currently in leadership and see what mistakes they have made and learn from them. If someone has already made one mistake then you don't have to make the same mistake to learn from that mistake. We should to others to see what they have done both wring and right to learn from their life experiences as if it were our own experiences.

Week 11: Maxwell Book

The 360 Leader by John Maxwell challenges the myth that only a select few at the top of an organization can lead and encourages leaders to empower those below them to lead in all directions.  

In essence, Maxwell is trying to empower people to lead everyone they come in contact with.  He states that a 360 leader knows how to effectively and respectfully lead those that have authority over them by making them look good and encouraging and following them.  360 leaders know how to build relationships with co-workers so that they can work effectively together rather than in competition with one another.  And 360 leaders know how to utilize, encourage, and empower those whom they have authority over.  A 360 leader knows how to build relationships with everyone they work with and use those relationships to reach goals more effectively.  Its about learning how to submit and serve one another rather than serving your own self interests as a leader.

I happen to agree with Maxwell's point, that a 360 degree leader can have a massive affect on an organization, because competition and selfish motives are not present.  I feel that making this a reality is much harder than it seems.  To rid ourselves of selfish motivation is difficult enough at times.  How often do we look at those above us who do poorly in leadership roles and try and work harder to make them look good?  Not very often.  But I do believe that having a 360 degree leader attitude is one that reflects the heart of Christ and will help our churches serve in a way that is more effective for doing the ministry of Christ.  

Week 11: Maxwell Book

From John Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
The Law of Respect:
People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves
I think this is interesting; yet so true. Whether you are a follower who is just beginning to discover the impact of leadership or a natural leader who already has followers, you can learn to be a better leader. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership distills Dr. John C. Maxwell's insights from more than thirty years of personal experience. Each law of leadership is like a tool to help you achieve your dreams and add value to the lives of other people. In The Law of Respect, you will learn why:
Leaders go their own way when a group first comes together
People change direction to follow the strongest leaders
People naturally align themselves and follow leaders stronger than themselves
Major change tests respect for a leader

Mistakes Ministers Make

Joe McDaniel
1. You stop growing.
It's hard for a pastor to continue to grow because they are always pouring out into others lives. So you need to find a way to 'feed' yourself.
2. You stop caring.
NEVER stop caring. You show you don't care, we show you the door!
3. You stop listening.
You're job is to listen to people listen, and we need you to listen. Whether it's counseling or whatever, listening is as important as preaching.