LEADERS ARE PRAGMATICknows very well that something may be efficient in getting results, but is
it effective in getting the right results? The organization may be smoothly
running and very efficient. But it may be efficiently running in the wrong
direction! A wise and pragmatic leader often asks himself the question:
“Are the right kind of results taking place?” Fred Smith has been an advisor
to many successful Christian businessmen and church leaders in America
and around the world. He makes this observation about the ones who are
effective and successful:
No matter what the organization is doing, it is well disciplined
in getting defined results. These leaders are not interested in
maintaining a program. If there’s no wheat coming out of the
thresher, they shut it off. I have been impressed at how quickly they
stop non-productive activity.^1That’s the mentality of pragmatism in business or ministry. If the wheat
is not coming out of the thresher, you shut down the activity – regardless
of how efficient it is. It is only effective when it is producing the defined
results.
While the Biblical leader is committed to seeking spiritual solutions
for real life problems, they are pragmatic and practical in the application
of those solutions. They are fully committed to the fact that spirituality
cannot be divorced from practicality – any more than faith can be divorced
from works. Mature Biblical leadership is based upon the understanding
that: “spirituality is practicality!”
A good leader does not get caught up in the theoretical...ethereal...mystical...
hypothetical...philosophical...or abstract. An authentic spiritual leader
is always practical and “down to earth” in living and leading. The more
practical the leadership, the greater the appeal of the leader.
Principle:
“Th e more practical the leadership,
the greater the appeal of the leader.”