Are you a Manager or a Leader?

Managing people is draining. Leading is rewarding. Managing is doing the minimum. Leading is going further than ever before. Managing is self-preserving. Leading is edifying to the Body of Christ. The Church has an overabundance of managers, but is desperately gasping for leadership.

One of the best books written on the difference between managing and leading was compiled by USC professor, Warren Bennis. Managing People is Like Herding Cats engaged my thoughts immediately, because in ministry it seems that I find myself managing too many activities, as well as people, with much to be desired in the form of leadership. This book is the capstone work of a man who is renowned in the world as the “teacher of leaders.” Bennis suggests that people are not born with the ability to lead, but develop the skills to do so by forming a guiding vision, discovering a passion, guarding integrity, earning the trust of followers, and being willing to take risks.
The theory of leadership that is proposed in Managing People is Like Herding Cats can be directly applied to leadership in a local church. As I evaluated this book, I took special note of how a “managing” pastor (or church leader) would compare to one who is “leading.”

According to Bennis’ observation a managing pastor would have the following tendencies:
-Willing to live with the Status Quo (comfortable leadership)
-Inability to change course
-All about the numbers game
-Plays it safe, avoids trouble, limits the possibility of progress
-No vision beyond the bottom line
-Sees staff or volunteers as dispensable
-Mindset that leadership comes automatically by power (or position)
-Has a low expectation of people
-Preaches better than he practices
-Builds a church around himself; there is a void when he leaves
-Makes decisions alone
-Looks primarily at the present and past
-Says a lot, yet influences very little
-Denies and covers weaknesses
-Leans heavily on tradition and not on change
-Puts little or no time into training or equipping others
-No clear vision for the future, inability to communicate it
-Merely endures ministry  (it’s a job not a joy)
-Limits accessibility to members

On the other hand, the one who leads (instead of manages) is characterized by the following:
-Not satisfied with status quo
-Has vision, inspires others, achieves effective and necessary change
-Has integrity, dedication to the cause, noble mind and heart, willingness to try new things, creativity and humility
-Is an innovator
-Looks at what the church could be in the future
-Builds trust by deep listening, is authentic and real in hearing others
-Believes that the Church can change the world, is a purveyors of hope
-Can put a vision into action
-Mentors potential leaders
-Embraces mistakes as learning and takes responsibility
-Knows their gifts and talents and delegates everything else
-Seeks wise counsel and values feedback greatly
-Constantly looks for ways to develop skills
-Is content to let others lead and problem-solve
-Acts as a role model and seeks to mentor others to lead
-Pulls, instead of pushes, people by inspiration and encouragement
-Makes people feel that they are at the heart of what the leader does
-Has the ability to convey a compelling vision
-Leads others to feel that what they do has meaning, makes serving stimulating, challenging, and fun
-Is adamant about the team concept of ministry
-Sees change as an opportunity, not an obstacle
-Encourages thoughtful dissent, gains wider perspective
-Serves as a coach, teacher, mentor, empowers others

Maybe it is time for those who have a position of leadership in the Church (myself included) to conduct an honest assessment of our disposition. Are we leading or managing? What difference does it make?

While Bennis may or may not be familiar with the teachings of our Lord, the concept is clear when Jesus rebukes His original disciples. They were seeking to be great managers. His plan was for them to be leaders. He stated, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45, HCSB)