Leadership and starting new projects

One lesson a leader must learn if he/she is to lead a successful organization is this: When a new program is set to begin: 1) the leader must see to it that everyone understands how things should happen, 2) adequate training should take place, and 3) complete compliance from the team is expected.

(Remember, a leader is anyone who is able to influence other people's thinking or behavior. It can be a boss, a pastor, a parent, a student, etc. If you are able to affect other's behavior when you speak, you're a leader!)

Throughout the life cycle of a leader, he/she will determine (maybe in conjunction with a team) that a new project/ministry needs to be started. If that project is to have any chance of success, there will be no room for mavericks. When the competent leader makes it clear what needs to happen, compliance is expected. If someone refuses to comply, then that matter needs to be dealt with decisively.

Why is this so important? Because new projects/ministries are fragile. Any number of possible scenarios could play out and destroy the viability of something that could have been extremely successful. Something that could benefit so many could be quickly destroyed by one person!

So, to protect the new program, the leader needs to make sure that everyone understands what is expected, everyone is trained and complete compliance is the only option.

This principle is illustrated in a story I read this morning. God had been very clear in regard to how worship among the Israelites was to take place. The instruction manual is provided in great detail in the first 5 books of the Bible. So, when Aaron's sons (who were probably drunk! - Leviticus 10:8-9) went against the clear instruction of the Lord, God took them out.

Leviticus 10:1-2 (New Living Translation)

"Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. So fire blazed forth from the Lord's presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord."

If you are a leader, don't try the "blazing fire" thing! If someone is undermining a new project, you may need to sit down with those under your influence to find out why. Maybe you weren't clear in your expectations. Maybe proper training didn't take place. But, if you simply have someone who refuses to comply, you may need to find a replacement.