"LEADERSHIP FOR THESE TIMES"

Leadership of any organization includes many core competencies. The leader must know, and be proficient in, the core competencies that his/her organization demands. Although these core competencies vary widely, they include knowing the tasks expected to be performed, being proficient in knowledge of the rules and regulations that govern the organization and being familiar with and addressing those who are his/her followers. In addition to this, the leader must be able to motivate or inspire those who follow or must find the right person or people to inspire the constituency.

A good leader must know, and be proficient, in those things that his/her role demands. Certainly, this does not mean that the leader is paramount in all those tasks. For example, in leadership of a religious organization preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and administration are all necessary components of a leader. The good leader knows both his/her strengths and weaknesses and will work toward growing in those areas which the specific organization demands to a greater extent. This may mean continuing education classes or individual mentoring in areas that are most needed. Certainly, if one wants to be the best leader you can be that person will be anxious to improve in areas that are weakest. Truly the ethical fiber of a leader will be tested by whether that leader is willing to admit to themselves or others that while that function is not where I am most comfortable, I am certainly wanting to learn and grow in that area.

Second, a good leader needs to know the organization that they serve, including the rules and regulations that maintain it. From the point of entering an organization it is important to get a lay of the land, and to know the boundaries of leadership. While in today’s day and age innovation is sought more than ever, it is important that innovative leadership is within the margins of the organization. Although new leaders can question why certain rules and regulations are in place, and even work to change some of them, the good leader will work within the organization to bring about that change.

Third, a good leader will get to know the people in the organization that he/she serves. As an interim pastor I have discovered the importance of knowing and connecting with the people. But what can be done during a shutdown from the pandemic? Consider, other ways or relating that are done in family or friend situations. Communicate with people by phone, or better yet face-to-face online. Gather people together in small groups via Zoom or join existing groups at least once to get to know the people. If beginning as a new leader of a new group, still keep this as a goal for at least your first three months, knowing it will take great creativity to carry out.

Finally, a good leader must motivate or inspire the group. I have in mind here the recent inauguration of President Joe Biden. Inspiration came in subtle ways such as the inaugural eve encouragement to remember the 400,000 or more who died in the USA from Covid-19 and the planning of the flags on the National Mall. Lacking the personal charisma of a John F. Kennedy Jr. or even Ronald Reagan, President Biden and his shared leadership attended to the needs of motivation at the outset of four years of leadership. Surely, the choice of Youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman to recite her poem “The Hill We Climb” was an intentional reflection of the leadership of President Biden and his team. What motivation could you as a leader bring into your organization during this important time in our history?