Leading Growth from a Distance - Part I

Article by Guest Blogger - J.T. Robinson

If you are trying to influence others, you are at one point or another leading someone who is not with you on a daily basis.

The measure of your impact on them will be determined not only by how you lead when you are with them, but also how you lead when you are away from them. Both situations are valuable opportunities to build (or lose) credibility.

How do you keep your team growing while you are away from them? In essence, how do you lead growth from a distance?

There is a model you can follow and it works.

Over 1900 years ago, a tent-maker named Paul of Tarsus influenced the people of Thessalonica. He then had to flee for his life. To continue his work he had to learn how to influence young leaders without being present with them. He decided to write them a couple letters - I and II Thessalonians. In writing his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul gave us a model to follow for leading growth from afar.

When you are WITH your team:

1. Lead with competence
2. Persevere in spite of strong opposition
3. Don’t use flattery; speak the truth
4. Keep the mission ahead of your own agenda
5. Work for God’s praise, not man’s praise
6. Surrender your perks
7. Go beyond what is expected
8. Love your team so much that you are willing to walk through life with them
9. Be the example you want them to follow
10. Encourage and comfort them
11. Urge them to lead a life of excellence

This earns credibility.

Leading growth starts with you first.

Posted on December 16, 2008 in Leader Development