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Leaders Take Responsibility

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Would you would like to be rising to a higher level of leadership in your organization or ministry, but aren't? Have you ever considered what might be holding you back? To rise to a higher level of leadership, it is imperative that you hold yourself accountable for your actions so that you are ready for the responsibility that comes with new positions.

Take Janet: She's been the high school girls youth leader at the church for three years. During those years, several troubled teens have been positively impacted: remaining in school, changing their attitudes, and becoming more responsible. Because of these successes, Janet thought things were going well. However, many of the parents are upset about how the youth ministry is being handled. Most of the events on the youth calendar are posted "just in time" rather than being posted in advance, so parents don't know what to expect and can't plan for their youths' activities. Recently, Janet planned a ministry trip; however, when parents asked practical questions about what time the vans would leave and how much money to bring along, Janet didn't have the answers. This has caused much frustration.

When Janet talked with her pastor about this, he told her that she needs to focus on details and on providing information for the parents, not just on relationships with the girls. He has also asked her to work with a coach.

Janet and her coach began to look at Janet's "presence" in the church. Janet insisted that the pastor doesn't like her and is trying to find thing to pick on. Her coach pointed out that Janet was blaming the pastor for limiting her, and she was complaining and blaming the pastor most of the time during the coaching calls. When asked if others might perceive her as a complainer, Janet stopped short. She realized that she was presenting herself as a victim of her circumstances, rather than as a woman on a mission - that of being a well-respected leader and role model for the teen girls in the church.

As Janet prayed and began taking responsibility for her behaviors and her impact, she began to make some changes. She began looking for female mentors and found several in the women's ministry. Janet also realized that she needed to look seriously at how she presented herself within the church. With the aid of her coach, she changed some of her language and style preferences to be more aligned with people in leadership positions whom she admired. More importantly, she realized she could acquire knowledge she needed to perform at a higher level. Within four months, she had enrolled in evening courses to further her Christian education.

Although Janet has not yet achieved all that that she would like to with the youth, she's feeling differently about herself, her relationship with God and with the pastor, as well as her role in the church. During one of her last coaching calls, she and her coach began to strategize next steps for ways that she can improve her relationships with the parents and impact on the girls. She also started talking about her long-term dreams and calling. Her perspective and outlook are hopeful.

Realizing how you might be holding yourself back allows you to take responsibility and determine new and effective actions. If you think you could benefit from learning more about responsibility and how it is impacting your life, consider getting a coach, finding an "older woman" at work, or at church.

In the meantime, ask yourself these questions for a deeper dive into responsibility:

1. What would it look like to take full responsibility for your current situation?
2. If you were to be the person who God created you to be, what would you have to change? What might get in your way? Who can help you?
3. How are you holding yourself back?

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on April 9, 2007 8:37 PM

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