Today’s post is by guest blogger Simone Monroe. She challenges us with the effectiveness of our leadership and the importance of foundational traits that can make or break a ministry.
The effectiveness of our leadership is determined by who we are, our values and motives that determine the decisions we make, and the grace and elegance with which we conduct ourselves in the face of adversity. These traits are known in many circles as the 3 C’s of leadership- character, competency, and chemistry (connection). We must realize the 3 C’s are essentials of the foundation of leadership which we call trust.
“The first job of any leader is to inspire trust. Trust is confidence born of two dimensions: character and competence. Character includes integrity, motive, and intent with people. Competence includes capabilities, skills, results, and track record. Both dimensions are vital.” -Stephen Covey
However, I contend that the third C – connection – is also a vital dimension in building the foundation of trust needed to lead with great effectiveness. In my experience, leaders who become removed from connection with their leadership thereby forfeiting some of the chemistry they had, lose some of the “change” they held in their pocket as a leader as they fail to continue to connect.
“Think about it this way, when trust is low in an organization or relationship, it places a hidden “tax” on every transaction: every communication, every interaction, every strategy, every decision is taxed, bringing speed down and sending inefficiency up. …By contrast individuals and organizations that have earned and operate with a high trust experience the opposite of a tax-a “dividend” that is like a performance multiplier, enabling them to succeed in their communications, interactions, and decisions, and to move with incredible speed.” -Stephen Covey
If you desire to build an efficient and excellent organization or relationship then trust is absolutely essential. Trust is 3 dimensional- your character, competence, and chemistry as a leader are all a part of the trust you must earn.
I recently read a comment by Ed Stetzer where he stated, “When team members do not trust one another, everything is slower and less efficient. Trust builds excellence and efficiency.”
In asking for feedback on the subject, my friend Lori Hudson said, “Trust is slow to gain and quickly lost. Sometimes it’s just one thing that happens that breaks the trust- more often it’s just the last straw in a string of actions and attitudes that has eroded my trust over time.” Lori is one of the most gifted and trustworthy leaders I have ever known.
So, the question is, “Do you want to build up the “change in your pocket” called trust over time or are you going to spend “all your change” as a leader because you lack character, competence or chemistry with your leadership? If you fail to walk your talk, feel you have arrived and have nothing more to learn as a leader, are not willing to admit when you are wrong, or choose to assume a position where you simply removing yourself from your leaders because you are too busy, or too important, then it is doubtful that you will ever build trust with your people.
Simone Monroe is the director of Women’s Ministries at Lake Pointe Church in Dallas, TX, a Global Strategist for ProvenWay Ministries and LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. As a speaker, conference leader, and freelance writer, she is also a member of the Association of Women’s Ministry Professionals. Simone has earned a Masters degree in Christian Leadership and a Certificate in Women’s Leadership from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth, TX. Simone’s passion is teaching and developing women to fulfill their God-given potential. She enjoys presenting God’s Word in a fresh and relevant way in order to encourage growth in the lives of her listeners. Her two sons, their wives, and her five grandchildren are the light of her life.
