LEADERS ARE PARTNERSconclusively demonstrate that leadership partnership is the authentic Biblical
model! It is only through this method of empowerment that a leader
can multiply his influence – and leverage his leadership. By effectively
involving others in their area of giftedness, he frees himself to focus
his time and attention to his own area of giftedness. This increases the
fruitfulness and fulfillment of both the leader and his co-workers. This is
what effective leadership is all about, as Oswald Sanders points out:
One facet of leadership is the ability to recognize the special abilities
and limitations of others, combined with the capacity to fit each
one into the job where he or she will do best. To succeed in
getting things done through others is the highest type of
leadership.^6For a leader to “succeed in getting things done through others”, he must be
genuinely committed to partnership. As we have seen, authentic partnership
is based upon delegation and empowerment. A partner who has not truly been
empowered is nothing more than a impotent pawn!
“No man will make a great leader
who wants to do it all himself or
get all the credit for doing it.”^7
(Andrew Carnegie, Industrialist)Perhaps it is defining the obvious, but it might be helpful to define
delegation. We saw it demonstrated in the lives and leadership of Moses,
Nehemiah, Christ, the Apostles, and Paul – but what exactly is delegation?
Myron Rush gives some helpful insight:
Delegation consists of transferring authority, responsibility,
and accountability from one person or group to another. In
most cases, it involves moving authority from a higher level in
an organization to a lower one. Delegation is the process by
which decentralization of organizational power occurs.
Decentralization involves the dispersion of authority
and responsibility from the top downward through the
organization, allowing more people to become involved in the
decision-making process.^8