A Leader’s Steps

From time to time, we hear about a leader who has decided to no longer serve in that capacity. The decision may be made because of age, health, family, or one of many other reasons. Usually what we hear is that the person has made the decision to “step down.”

When I hear a statement like that, I always have a question. That question is not, “Why?” Unless I am personally affected in some way, the decision is probably none of my business.

Instead, the question I usually have may look like a question for a teacher of the English language.  Here’s my question:  

“Was the correct adverb used?”

I invite you to use that question to consider with me what I believe are some proper steps for leaders. You may have some different ideas, but what follows are some of the ideas I’ve thought of.

Leaders need to step up.  Leadership is a responsibility. True leaders need to step up to that responsibility. A title does not guarantee that a person is a leader.

Leaders need to keep in step.  While there are certain basics that should not and/or cannot be changed, a twenty-first century leader needs to be somewhat familiar with modern technology, methods, concepts, concerns, etc.

Leaders need to stay in step with fellow leaders.  This is one area in which some of these ideas apply to even the most basic of human relationships. Children seem to be experts at detecting even slight disagreements between parents about parenting. They seem also to be experts in exploiting those disagreements.  

Businesses, athletic teams, churches, etc. all suffer when it is evident that the leadership is not united. Leaders do not necessarily need to “walk in lockstep,” but, when there is any sort of shared leadership, there must be unity.

Leaders need to step back.  I don’t expect the administrator of whatever hospital I happen to be in to perform brain surgery on me (or any other type of surgery for that matter). Leaders need to learn the skill of, and wisdom involved in, delegation. During my lifetime, we’ve had at least one president of our nation who was not as successful as he might otherwise have been due, at least in part, to the fact that he tended to micromanage everything.  

Leaders need to step in.  Leadership is much more effective when people know that they will see their leaders in the trenches when needed instead of sequestering themselves in ivory towers. Business suits need to be discarded from time to time in favor of hard hats, jeans, and work boots.   

Leaders need to follow the steps of other successful leaders. Why not learn from those who have “been there and done that (or who are there now and are presently doing that)?”

Of course, the ultimate example of this is the Ultimate Leader.  Please consider these words written by one of His apostles:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 1:21, NKJV,  emphasis added)

A corollary to that last point would be that leaders need to consider the steps they are taking and be aware of the fact that others are watching and following. Paul, the apostle, was aware that others might be following him, but consider carefully the implications of these inspired words penned by him:

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1, KJV).

It is interesting that other translations of this verse use the word “imitate” to express what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write. Leaders on any level and in any environment need to give some serious consideration to where their own steps are leading. The future of a business, a church, or a family might be at stake.

Leaders need to take steps to prepare for the future. Plans need to be formulated and implemented; relationships need to be developed; mentoring needs to be done; and a lot of other things need to be considered to try to provide for a healthy and bright future.

Finally, when it comes time for a leader to relinquish his duties, I would hope that this action would not be expressed in terms that he stepped down. It seems to me that this plays into a view of leadership that concentrates on pyramids, flow charts, etc.  

I much prefer a mindset that indicates that leaders may decide to step aside.  This seems to me to indicate that leadership has concentrated more on relationships than the bottom line. It also indicates to me that the decision and action is intended to pave the way for a bright future.

I am much more comfortable with that adverb and the message it implies.

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn