Introduction to Leadership Session 6 Session Summary: In session six, Ron Blue will provide an introduction to leadership that is foundational to financial leadership. Ron offers a practical definition of leadership, and delineates the attributes and competencies of leadership. In addition, Ron points out the scriptural calling to leadership all Christians have on their lives and the goal of exercising that leadership. In the diagram above, we have discussed we see three roles necessarily in the make up of the financial advisor. There is an advisor role, a counselor role and a leadership role. The leadership role is critical. Nothing happens apart from leadership. John Maxwell Kouses and Posner have done an extensive study of leadership and produced an insightful book called The Leadership Challenge. They teach that: 1. Leadership can be. 2. Leaders by definition take us into the unknown. We do not need a leader to go where we have already been. 3. A leader with integrity has self Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 1
A leader with integrity is the same person at home, at work, on the golf course, regardless of whom he, or she, is with. 4. A leader without integrity is putting on an act Scriptural Basis for Leadership We can draw two conclusions regarding leadership from the Great Commission: 1. Every Christian is to leadership. We are called to make disciples with the purpose of teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded us. 2. Jesus is the greatest leader of all time and is our. We are called to go by the greatest leader of all time and simultaneously, he has promised to be with us always. Jesus died with a handful of disciples and now has some 650 million followers with countless others who have passed through history. Leadership is applicable to all of life. Nothing happens apart from leadership and this applies to: 1. My family 2. My 3. My staff 4. My branch 5. My church Defining Leadership Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a purpose and the character which inspires confidence. Lord Montgomery A leader is a man who knows the road and, who can pull others after him. Dr. John Mott A leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don t want to do and it. Harry Truman Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 2
Like love, leadership is something that everyone knows exists, but no one can define decades of academic analysis have given us more than definitions of leadership. Warren Bennis For our purposes, let s establish a practical, two-pronged definition of leadership that says: 1. Leadership is a by which a person influences people to accomplish a purpose 2. Leadership is a between the leader, the followers, and the mutual purpose they pursue. Distinction Between Management and Leadership Management Positional Concept Power derived by Position Appointed by the Organization Objective is Consistency Strategy is Compliance Follower Response Bound by Contract and Job Description Leadership Personal Concept Power derived by Personal Authority Appointed by the Followers Objective is Change Strategy is Commitment Follower Response has No Boundary The Purpose of Leadership There are two kinds of leaders: and. The transactional leader has followers who produce in exchange for some kind of return. Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 3
The transformational leader senses and satisfies the higher needs of the follower in such a way that transforms both the leader and the followers. A leader is A person who people to accomplish a noble purpose. Spiritual Leadership is A person who moves people on to God s. Henry Blackaby A leader is a person who influences people to accomplish a noble purpose moving them on to God s agenda. The leader has inspired the people to be committed to achieving the purpose and it is the people who accomplish the purpose for the advancement of the Kingdom. He appointed twelve designating them apostles that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach. Mark 3:14 NIV Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 The context is that we have been commissioned to go and I, as a person, am looking to influence others to accomplish Kingdom activity (a noble purpose). Five Critical Attributes to this Type of Leadership: 1. Deep, abiding 2. Highly developed competence Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 4
3. Clear and compelling 4. Passionate commitment to the purpose 5. Uncommon wisdom Questions Followers Ask about Leaders 1. Does he or she do what they are asking us to do? 2. Commitment Does he or she have the enthusiasm to keep me excited along the difficult road to the future? 3. Character Does he or she inspire others to make sacrifices necessary to complete the journey? Are they sending us on this journey or us? 4. Competence Does he or she have the competence to get us from where we are to where we would like to be? 5. Wisdom Does he or she have the wisdom to navigate us through the challenging parts of our journey? 6. Confidence How confident am I in my answers to these questions? These are questions followers rightfully ask of their leaders, and should be questions we as leaders ask ourselves. Financial Leadership Competencies There are certain skills that must be in place for financial leadership. The five required competencies for financial leadership are: 1. Decision Making 2. Life Planning 3. 4. Cash Flow Management 5. Wealth Transfer Each one of these competencies is a process that can be learned. Communication in the Leadership Process Three Things Leaders Must Know about the People they Lead 1. What is their perspective? Their perspective determines their reality and we must understand this starting point if we are to help lead them into new territory. Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 5
2. What are their? Do they have particular family, financial, social, or emotional needs that I need to keep in mind in leading them on the journey? 3. What are their hopes, aspirations and dreams? I must understand what motivates them if I hope to move them to the unknown. An example of this is seen in Jesus interaction with the women at the well where he identifies the hopes and aspirations of the woman at the well. How do we ascertain these three critical insights? COMMUNICATION. The of leadership is communication. John Maxwell says that if you have a vision you can lead people but if you can impart a vision you can lead. Scriptural Examples of Leadership But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? And He said, Certainly I will be with you (Exodus 3:11-12 NASB) Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you. (Jeremiah 1:8 NASB) Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you. (Deuteronomy 31:23 NASB) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB) Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 6
Conclusion Competencies can be developed but one s purpose must be clear, commendable, and compelling. Financial planners have the to give their clients a vision of what they can become financially, and they can share a perspective that teaches money is a tool. As their sense of stewardship increases you can begin to show them what the end result can look like. Ron Blue s Personal Convictions: 1. I am called to leadership as a disciple of Christ. 2. Nothing happens apart from leadership. 3. Leadership is a function of and not position. 4. There are skills required of leaders and they can be developed. 5. Leadership is ultimately all about. Please take the time to complete your first pass at your own personal convictions related to this session on the Personal Convictions Worksheet. Session 6 Kingdom Advisors Core Training 7