Would you rather be led or mannaged? Most of us almost always prefer to be led, especialy in our jobs and volunteer efforts. Sure sometimes we wish for the thoughtlessness found in just being told what to do, but the longing of the human heart – and perhaps one of the greatest longings especially in today’s world – is to be led.
Things need to be managed, but people need to be led. I may manage how much time my son spends on the computer, but the charge of shaping his life calls for leadership. In fact my leading his life enables me to most effectively manage his time gaming. Consider this metaphor with regard to our organizations, and even our churches.
Concisely stated, transformational leadership is leading people in an organic but often strategic process of refining themselves in order to develop and strengthen their character, abilities, and potential. It is relational, inspirational, positive and relentlessly optomistic. In contrast, transactional leadership is a system where desired behavior is rewarded and undesireable isn’t.
In a transactional world if you do what I want I affirm you. If you don’t then I ignore or punish you. In a transformational world we journey together with my focus on contributing whatever I can to help you be the best you can be in all areas of life.
Transformational is servant-leadership and transactional is usery and manipulation. If you aren’t sure which you dish out, create a safe place for your followers to tell you and listen – cause you may not know which kind of leader you are but they surely do.
Ok, perhaps enough of my favorite soapbox. And now for the point:
One of the best ways those in authority can become leaders, as opposed to managers, is to be as inclusive as possible. One of the ways to be as inclusive as possible is to invite others along in the process of reaching conclusions. In other words employ discernment rather than decision making. Sure, there are times the leader needs to just make a decision, but as often as possible transformational leaders will invite others into a process called discernment.
To read the full article download The Foundation of Discernmnet.
© 2010 Randy Cobb, New Day Leadership
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