LEADERS ARE PARTNERSorganizational matters...administrative matters. Every good leader needs
the safeguards of those kinds of people – especially as his organization
or ministry grows. Leaders understand that growth by its very nature
requires power-sharing and the delegation of responsibility. Leaders must
not only delegate responsibility, they must empower their ministry partners
to fulfill those responsibilities. Only insecure leaders will not share power,
authority and responsibility with others around them.
Many of these kinds of “detail people” are hard for a leader to work
closely with because they are sometimes perceived to be “negative” and
“pessimistic.” The leader sees them as the ones who always “bring up
problems!” They are seen as “nitpickers!” The leader begins to view them
as his enemies rather than his enablers. In his mind, he writes them off as
“negative people” who are just out to “kill his vision.” Most leaders will
not work closely with people whom they perceive as negative, pessimistic,
problem-oriented, “gloom and doom people!” Good leaders need partners
around them who have a realistic eye for problems. If the partnership is
going to work and have longevity, leaders must find a healthy balance of
“positive partners” and “problem partners.”
The most effective leaders are always partner-leaders! They are not just
interested in reaching their goal by themselves. They do not want to
cross the finish line alone. When they take their organization or ministry
up to the next level of growth, they want to take as many people with
them as possible. Victories that are experienced alone are seldom satisfying
or fulfilling. They are lonely and hollow. Leaders want to incorporate as
many other people as possible in the accomplishment of the goal. They
want to develop as wide an ownership in the vision as possible – so that
when it is achieved, it is a group victory. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds
us:
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers
make victory sure.” (Prov. 11:14).Mature Biblical leaders are always good partners. To be a good partner,
they must love people and want to include and incorporate as many others
as possible in the accomplishment of their vision.
We can conclude this focus on partnership leadership by again reminding