“Have you ever read this book?” I asked with way too much enthusiasm. He just looked at me with an expression that said, “Yeah, right.” He was a youth pastor that already knew all the answers. His youth ministry was slightly above average in size and he was very comfortable in his position. Normally something like that wouldn’t phase me but, at the time, I’d always been around leaders who loved to read. It was unthinkable to me that someone in church leadership would frown on books (other than the Bible). He was fired a few months later. His pastor’s threshold for arrogant leadership found its limit.
In sharp contrast, I had a conversation once that went like this: “Can you recommend any good books?” I began to list some of my favorites on leadership and ministry. “Where can I get those?” I listed a couple of my favorite places to get books cheap. I had the pleasure of watching this guy take his ministry to great places.
I know, you’re thinking, “Thanks for the cheesy replay of your mentoring conversation Lee.” But it really is that simple. The one common thread I’ve found among leaders that make a sustainable difference, who know how to lead and inspire, who can stick it out for the long haul is a continued commitment to keep learning. They never stop reading, studying, or growing. They don’t rest on what they learned back in the day or what worked for them 10 years ago. In fact, they don’t rest on what they learned only 3 years ago.
This tends to be an even greater problem for someone who has been in the ministry for many years. They believe that tenure equals wisdom, but just because you’ve been doing a mediocre job for the last 20 years doesn’t mean you know a whole lot. In my opinion experience is highly overrated unless you’re learning from it and should never be a substitute for continuing your education as a leader.
So that’s the common thread I find among great leaders. They keep learning. Like an old friend of mine used to say, “Leaders are readers and readers lead.”
What are some other threads you find in good leadership?
For what it’s worth because its more of a branch, or expansion off of your thought than an original one is that leaders not only read to learn but learn from others. Essentially they have enough of an open and trainable spirit, mind and heart (while also discerning) to know when they can learn something from someone else.
Good stuff Lee! I love to read. Wish I had more time. I got a Kindle for my birthday, and I’m loving it! Funny how it has made it more convenient to read.
Scott, you’ll have to let me know how that Kindle works for you. I tend to highlight and write in all of my books. I’m not sure how that works with an e-reader.
You can highlight and add notes. Typing is a bit slower than handwriting, but is your handwriting searchable? 😉
Also, with my horrible memory, I’ll never remember which book contains a story or quote I want to find. With Kindle I can search my whole library.
Sorry – didn’t mean to sidetrack the post. Main point: I love to read, so your topic is right on, IMO.
I second what Nick said…Always being teachable with a humble spirit is really important in leadership. We’ll never be perfect or know everything while we’re living here on earth.
I think that transparency/honesty is really important as well. It’s also tied in with humility and teachability (if that’s a word), but I think that being able to communicate openly with the staff and not giving Satan a foothold by letting something that bothers us brew in our minds helps build a strong leadership team as well. As a new worship intern at my church, I’ve recently been given so much room to grow through leading and learning what being a leader means and what it looks like through the example of others. I’ve been going to church ever since I was a baby, but I’ve never experienced loving God and loving His people like I have in the past seven months through being so deeply involved with my church. It’s become the greatest blessing and the greatest joy.
By the way, I’ve heard about the kindle, but I love writing on the pages in pen and the feel of the book in my hand. I really hope paper and ink is here to stay 🙂
I pray that I will continue learning until the day I die and then I will learn the ultimate straight from the One who knows. How cool is that???
My pastor always says “readers are leaders”.