A Faith Driven Leadership Model

This week in our OCEAN Programs ' Genesis Accelerator program that I am facilitating we talk about a leadership model that is faith driven. As entrepreneurs, we tend to keep our eyes on all kinds of news: market trends, new products, economic signals, mergers, marketing screw ups to avoid (this month it was Bud Lite, Disney, and Target), organization closings, etc.

Publications about effective leadership (especially here on LinkedIn) are a large share of the business aspects we keep up with. The range of topics covers a broad variety of leadership practices, styles, skills, and philosophies. The overarching theme is that effective leadership drives positive outcomes, but great leadership drives great outcomes! Jesus was a great leader.?

Jesus’ Leadership Accomplishments and Outcomes?

Jesus understood that His impact, however profound, required a team to have an exponential impact. He didn’t manage His team. He discipled His team. He was so intentional and so effective, that He called them to deliver exponential growth.?

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12, NIV

Jesus left us a model of how to create disciples. He selected the men who became His disciples; very importantly, He did not select from the elite. His model transformed ordinary people into gifted leaders who delivered exponential growth.?

Developing people into disciples begins by understanding their journey. It is important to note that this journey isn’t unique to the spiritual or religious sense of 'disciples'. This journey is true of anyone who is seeking to learn new things or grow in an area of life, whether that is you trying to learn how to do your bookkeeping, a new employee trying to learn new tasks and skills, an investor learning how to water their investment or any number of other learning and development processes.?

The two illustrated frameworks above enable an intentional leader to experience exponential growth. This development process takes time to execute, but it offers incredible value in creating capacity for growth both in your faith driven business and in the lives of individuals that you influence. In our class today, we spoke more about this in depth.

These two frameworks can be combined as in the graphic below. In the center is the cycle of the journey every Disciple goes through. Even you! The outer circle is the Style of Leadership the disciple needs in each stage. As a leader, you will need to decide the best style to apply to those under your care.

There are a lot of different qualities that are important to find in others and are also important for you to have within yourself. You can use the 5Cs to help identify the right people for the right roles in your organization and even in life.?

The 5 C's For Great Leaders and Teammates

Character- High Integrity and Trustworthy

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.”? 1 Chronicles 29:17, NIV

Chemistry- Engages and Connects Well With People

“Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Colossians 3:13-14, The Message

Competency- Has the Necessary Skills

“Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.”?2 Timothy 2:15, The Message

Capacity- The Time and Energy

“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift!"?Ecclesiastes?5:19, The Message

Calling- Aligns With Vision and Values

“Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.” Romans 12:2, The Message

As you start to involve people in your life and business, opportunities will arise to connect with people that may not fit all 5 C’s and may not be the ideal candidate for your business from the start, but just as Jesus equipped ordinary men to do extraordinary things, you have the opportunity to equip others to live a life of exponential impact.

You’ll have to consider the capacity you have to develop others and what it will take to lead them through this process, but as a leader, this is an opportunity to positively influence your community.

This week is the second to last week of my cohort Genesis class. Right now we are planning the summer off. However, if you are in dire straits to get started on your entrepreneurial journey, message me and let me know. I am willing to put together a special summer cohort if you are willing to commit to the work.

Just let me know and I'll work it out with OCEAN!

Cheers, Gordon