Unpacking Ideas

Counting is easy. But are we counting what is good? If we seriously believe will accomplish our mission if, and only if, we transform the world, then let’s measure transformation, not size. Let’s count transformation, because what gets measured gets done.

Nonprofit organizations need to pause now and then to ask the same question: Are we ready for what’s ahead? Another way to ask the question is this: Are we organized so that we can be effective this year? Do we need to change?

There’s got to be more! A disciple — in my view — isn’t a disciple until he or she is engaged in ministry. You know, the bearing fruit thing. Jesus mentioned that criterion once or twice.

In short, transformational leadership, whether we are talking about national policy or change for my local congregation or nonprofit, requires tenacious long term vision. Leaders who ask us to scuttle our long term common good in order to relieve our short term discomfort are not leading us anywhere. And we know what the Cheshire Cat said.

How does such a small group do so much? Their adult sponsor believes its their “extraordinary commitment to help others.” In these days when we are sadly seduced to assume bigger is better, and our attraction to “mega” overshadows our pursuit of effectiveness, we sometimes miss the little pockets of extraordinary goodness happening all around us.

I think the true test of effective transformational leadership is when a leadership team sticks to the long term plan for change even when the changes are small. A leadership team is effective when it clings tenaciously to each incremental change, as long as its in the right direction.

As a regular kinda’ guy in a local community — maybe I’m a volunteer for a local non-profit, a teacher in a school, a volunteer in the local church — I need to trust that the leadership team I follow is absolutely, unequivocally dedicated to the mission of our organization. Without that level of trust in my leadership team my willingness to follow them wavers. My commitment to our organization depends greatly on my perception that our leadership team cares singularly about the mission of our organization. To the extent our leadership team becomes distracted by other priorities, my commitment weakens.

Here’s the central idea, or the “one thing”. Surely you recall Curly’s “one thing” in the movie City Slickers. Yes, transfer of learning is important. Yes, a balanced approach to effectiveness is important. Yes, shared leadership is important. But the central idea I most care about is that our mission must become flesh. I am not satisfied with the words of our mission. The idea of our mission is not enough. I want mission incarnate. Mission must become flesh.

The idea of economics is not new. The word is taken from the Greek oikonomia, which in the first Century roughly meant “household management”. Today, while we are managing more than a household, the question is the same: How do we manage the limited resources available to us? I.e., How do we run our economy?

To lead with my center in a good conversation means I will care more about you and less about being right. To lead with my center in a good conversation means I might find myself following, or leading no one because we disagree. And what I might learn is that when I dancing or conversing if I lead with my center, whether my feet follow or not, I will still enjoy the dance. I will still enjoy you.