Effective ChristianEffective ChristianLeadership (10)Leadership (10)

A Leader’s Sixth Sense: Intuitive

Leadership

Chapter 8

Opening Question

How do you get to the stage in your leadership development that you just “know” the right thing to do?

Intuitive Leadership

“I believe that spiritually gifted leaders construct, over time, a value system and experience base that wisely informs each subsequent decision they make. As they diligently add to this personal data base year after year, they automatically increase their leadership batting averages.”

-- Hybels, p. 163

Data Sources for Intuitive Leadership

Core convictions What other good leaders would do The experience of painful

decisions The Holy Spirit’s guidance

1. The Holy Spirit’s Guidance

Retreat setting Careful listening

with an open Bible Journaling Extensive and

intensive praying– “Wrestling with

God” (Gen. 32:22ff)

The Holy Spirit’s Guidance

If the Holy Spirit is God, and the promise of Jesus is that He will lead us into “all truth” (John 16:13), why do we need any more “data inputs” for our intuitive leadership?!!

The Holy Spirit’s Guidance

Reasons why we need other “data inputs”—– Not dependent enough!– God wants us to use our minds and

experiences in decision making and leading (cf. Heb. 5:11-14; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Peter 3:18)

– Difficulty in discerning Spirit’s voice from our own inner desires/conscience

2. Core Convictions

Core convictions build right values

Core convictions build our concept of God

Core convictions inform our perceptions of reality

Core Convictions Sampling

Bill Hybels– If I honor God in

everything, He will honor me

– People matter to God and therefore deserve sensitivity and deference

– The local church is the hope of the world

Core Convictions Sampling

Rick Warren– Where God

guides, God provides

– God’s timing is perfect

– You cannot outgive God

– God’s plan for you is unique

– God is in control(Willow Creek

Leadership Summit, 1997)

Developing Your Core Convictions

What beliefs and values can you not live without?

What beliefs and values would you die for?

What beliefs and values do you get passionate about?

3. What Other Good Leaders Would Do

Consulting a “risk-assessment” mentor

ExtravagantRisk-taker

Cautious andRisk-averse

–Who is it?–Do you know? Are you aware?–Do you need new advisors?

What Other Good Leaders Would Do

Consulting a “staff-assessment” mentor– Do you know how to “hire and fire”?– Who informs your decision making?– Are they the right informers?– Have you obtained the proper

credentials and assessments for the person(s)?

What Kind Of Assessments?

Spiritual gifts test or worksheet

Personality evaluation

Team work evaluation

Character assessments

What Other Good Leaders Would Do

Consulting an “excellence-assessment” mentor– Excellence honors God and inspires

people (Hybels, p. 174)

– How do I define “excellence?”– Who does this for me and my

ministry?

What Other Good Leaders Would Do

Consulting my “morale-assessment” mentor– Who is the “Clyde” of your church or

team?– What do you do on a regular basis to

keep morale from sagging?• Regular cards, calls, in-person contacts• Remembering important dates• Giving quality time off

What Other Good Leaders Would Do

Consulting a “theological-assessment” mentor– A person who has taught you the

Bible– A person who has the wisdom of

years and congregations– A person who may be in books,

tapes, CDs, DVDs for you

4. Our “Pain-Files”

Leaders learn from their mistakes

Develop a “Top Ten Pain List”

Proverbs 13:20a– “He who walks with the wise grows wise . . .”

Your Turn

Q&A

Next Time:Next Time:Developing An Developing An Enduring SpiritEnduring Spirit

“Staying The Course”

(Chapter 12)FINAL