Coach the Leader; Not the Problem!

Coach the Leader; Not the Problem!

A book that I have enjoyed reading titled, Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger discusses change management. To illustrate this point Bolsinger uses the historical account of the Lewis & Clark expedition as a backdrop for church ministry and the reality for leaders to navigate in “uncharted territory”.

The author introduces Adaptive Leadership:

“… NOT ABOUT FINDING THE BEST-KNOWN OR MOST-AVAILABLE FIX TO A PROBLEM, BUT INSTEAD ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT OR CIRCUMSTANCES SO THAT NEW POSSIBILITIES ARISE FOR ACCURATELY SEEING, UNDERSTANDING AND FACING CHALLENGES WITH NEW ACTIONS.” 

Leadership on the Line – Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading by Ronald Heifetz & Marty Linsky

The point I take from this explanation as it relates to coaching, is simple: “coach the person, not the problem”. There is a tendency to focus on solving a problem when you coach a leader. However, the true value you bring as a coach to a leader it to help increase the leader’s awareness e.g. “ACCURATELY SEEING, UNDERSTANDING AND FACING CHALLENGES WITH NEW ACTIONS.”

He unpacks three aspects of Adaptive Leadership that will serve you well as you coach leaders to navigate change and help leader transform their capacity to lead well, in that process. Here are the three areas with a key reflection question, that I’ve included, for you to drill down in each area: 

1. Technical Competence:

Key question: What ministry skills does the pastor or planter need to develop in this season?

2. Relational Congruence:

Key question: How can this leader raise their emotional intelligence effectiveness to engage relationally?

3. Adaptive Capacity:

Key question: What aspects of change management must this leader need to pay attention to in this season?

A lot of important work has been done in the area of change management. Canoeing the Mountains does an excellent job defining adaptive leadership and narrowing the focus on the leader’s transformation.

Collectives 2018:

As we approach the end of the year, check out the Collectives for 2018 and consider which opportunity fits your needs. Collectives are not just for anyone. Collectives are for movement makers. Collectives are designed exclusively for catalytic leaders.

According to Merriam-Webster: a catalyst is an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action”

Collectives will help a leader:

  • who is on the verge of a breakthrough
  • stuck in their development
  • unable to keep up with the growth, expansion & reproduction of the ministries they are launching

Reflection Questions:

Who do you know that is on the forefront of catalyzing a disciple-making movement?

Who do you know that is catalyzing a church multiplication movement?.

 

What is a level 5 leader?

What is a level 5 leader?

The best reason I suggest you to participate in a Collective, is not:

  • the power of coaching
  • the power of a focused learning communities.

No, the best reason that I would give is the profound impact God has made through the ministries of my co-presenters who are multiplying leaders (read Multiply).

Church Multiplication Collective

  • Tim Vink – Level 4-5 leader
    • Stewarded the Reformed Church of America movement from 3% to 14% of churches reproducing since 2005.

Disciple-Making Collective

  • Daniel B – missionary that has catalyzed 400+ Discovery Bible studies with his team
    • Has helped train over 500 church planters in disciple-making strategies worldwide.

Allowing leaders to focus on a shared issue within a group of like-minded individuals, combines the power of one-on-one coaching with the strength of a learning community.

If you have not yet registered yet I would like to encourage you to seriously consider taking that next step. Registration ends November 10, 2017 for this round of Collectives. Below is the schedule with times listed in the links below:  

  • Session #1: Nov 13, 2017
  • Session #2: Dec 4, 2017
  • Session #3: Jan 9, 2018
  • Session #4: Feb 5, 20178

Please e-mail InFocus if you have specific questions about taking the next step to register.

See Church Multiplication Collective to register.

See Disciple-Making Collective to register.

Strategically Approaching 2018

Strategically Approaching 2018

How are you preparing for 2018?

Over the last 30+ years I’ve discovered the power of coaching leaders to help them succeed.  Leaders thrive when the learn in communities. Allowing leaders to focus on a shared issue within a group of like-minded individuals combines the power of one-on-one coaching with the strength of a learning community.

InFocus is launching two 6-month-long Collectives that are designed to allow leaders to activate, assess, and apply what they learn in their ministries. The Collectives will focus on how leaders should respond in moments of chaos and uncertainty, guiding leaders through the decisions that drive their visions.

The Collectives are focused on:

  • Church Planting & Multiplication: best suited for regional leaders responsible for the health & growth of multiple congregations
  • Disciplemaking: best suited for pastors/church planters

How are you preparing for 2018?  Who do you know that needs the support of a Collective?  Registration ends November 10, 2017 for this round of Collectives.  

Three Reasons to Engage In a Collective

Three Reasons to Engage In a Collective

Collectives are focused learning intensives that take the best practices to make more & better disciples by creating the healthiest environments possible.

  • Activate your vision through individualized coaching.
  • Assess your framework to cultivate a movement of disciples and healthy churches by interacting with other members of the Collective.
  • Apply principles in designing an action plan to implement in your context

Reason #1: Start 2018 strong

Finish 2017 in a forward looking way. Calibrate your ministry by assessing what you are doing to multiply disciples and churches. Put plan in place to start 2018 with a clear plan.

Reason #2: Raise your awareness

Learn from seasoned leaders. Consider what others are doing without a prescriptive approach. The four group sessions will give you the opportunity to interact with practitioners and then de-brief in the six coaching sessions to allow you process how the principles can be adapted to your context.

Reason #3: Take action

Allow the Lord to speak into your vision. Collectives create space for leaders to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. When you have a new direction, thought or nuance that you wan to act on, the power of the coaching relationship will help you take action.

  • Read more about the Collectives.
  • Registration closes on November 10, 2017.
  • Please e-mail direct with questions.
Introducing the Co-Facilitators of the InFocus Collectives

Introducing the Co-Facilitators of the InFocus Collectives

If not you, who?

 

Who do you know that has a vision to make disciples and form churches, that plant churches?

 

The Disciple-making Movement Collective is the perfect opportunity to be equipped with the necessary skills to catalyze this process. 

 

I’m excited to have two world-class leaders who are co-facilitating the InFocus Collectives with me.

 

  • Daniel B has helped catalyze 400+ Discovery Bible Studies & will be sharing principles from his experience in the Disciple-making Collective.

 

  • Tim Vink has stewarded the movement within a denomination that has moved from 3% to 14% of churches reproducing since 2005: nationally across the evangelical landscape only 4% are reproducing churches or “Level 5” according to Exponential research.

 

The three environments you will experience in the collective include coaching, group interaction, and personal application. 

 

See DISCIPLE‑MAKING COLLECTIVE for dates, times & registration click here.

 

See CULTIVATING MULTIPLICATION MOVEMENTS COLLECTIVE for dates, times & registration click here.

 

Who do you know that has a vision to catalyze a disciple-making movement?

 

Who do you know that is responsible for the systems contributing to the multiplication of churches?

 

Announcing InFocus Collectives

Are you looking for a group to connect with to sharpen your coaching skills?

 

 

Would you like to learn how to make disciples using a coach approach?

 

 

Are you coaching leaders to catalyze a movement of multiplying churches?

 

 

Check out InFocus Collectives

Whatever is alive in Christ, multiply it. The gospel has exponential power and potential so that where we plant the full gospel message about the Bridegroom, the Bride is sure to be showing up next.

-Tim Vink