Chuck Swindoll wrote, “Good men die young and most leaders crack up.” One of the reasons for the problem of burnout that Swindoll identified is that leaders try to do too much and delegate too little.
If ever a leader was immersed in ministry and at the same time very skillful at delegating it is Swindoll. He pastors, and produces radio broadcasts, Insight for Living, which is on more than 2000 stations, has served as president of Dallas Theological Seminary and then as chancellor. He is also now the pastor of Stonebriar Community Church, which he started in 1998. He has written 70 books and at age 79 continues to write one book each year. While his candle burns at both ends, he has not burnout.
Read moreBy John Maxwell
We are to grow as leaders in order to grow leaders (2 Tim. 2:1, 2). “The best thing leaders can do for their organization is to grow personally” (Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership, p. 31).
LAW # 1: The Law of the Lid
Leadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness
There is a difference between management and leadership. Leaders focus more on dreaming the vision of the future: Joseph (Gen. 37). Managers analyze the details of today. Leaders spend more time looking for opportunities. Managers smooth out current situations. Leaders focus more on people: Be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36; 9:27; 11:26; 15:37). Managers focus on accomplishing tasks. Leaders prefer high risks environments. Managers prefer safety zones. Leaders have a bias toward creativity, fluidity, and innovations. Managers have a bias toward preservation, protection, and procedure.
Maxwell talks about the Lid Blockers in your life that keep you from growing as a leader. A lid blocker would by anger (Prov. 16:32; 1 Tim. 3:4; 3:5).
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