Advice for Young Leaders

Catalyst Space posted this article yesterday, by Ron Edmondson.  The article is entitled "7 Pieces of Advice for the Young Leader"

This caught my attention because, you may or may not have noticed, but I am young.  I am only 23 years old, and I know that I can learn alot from those who have gone before me.

I'm not going to copy/paste the article here, but I will highlight some points that I want to pass along (the points in bold are from the article- my thoughts below)

1)Never attend a meeting without a way to take notes.
It shows you care about what your meeting about.  For me (Josh), I always try to my Moleskine or something, because I know my memory is terrible.  So it helps in two ways- one- you can remember things, and two- it shows you aren't just blowing through it.

2) Respect Your Elders
There is a reason they have been doing this longer than I have- because they found a way that works.  It may not be the way I prefer things, it may not be the modern way, it may not be the best way.  My ways probably aren't the best ways either.   But they have found what works for them- and deserve the respect that is due.

3)Learn all you can from everyone you meet
You can learn something in every encounter, but are you willing to?  It is helpful, and this is one that I had not thought of.  I knew you can learn something from everyone, but to actually take the stance to learn all you can from everyone is pretty.... bold, radical.... and can lead to some awesome findings!

4) Keep a resume handy and keep revising it
I can say with no hesitation I love where God has placed me.  But after just going through the resume thing- I have seen the benefit of having an updated resume handy- it saves time of having to say "when did I work here???"  You also have no idea when God  will work in you and move you.

5) Never burn a bridge
This is something I have always held to.  Yes, we as pastors and ministers sometimes get so frustrated that we just give up on our relationship with someone.  This happened to me recently, someone offered to do something for me and then didn't follow through, and just wasn't helpful- almost like they went out of their way.  I could have burned that bridge and walked away- and honestly I probably would not have seen this person again, just chalked them up to an old college friend.  But two things happened: my friendship was more important, so I did what was best for it, and cancelled my request.  I didn't want to ruin it.  And two: I knew that I might need something in the future, and it is always good to have a good sized network.  Me and this person aren't as close as we used to be, by far.  But that relationship is still there.  Bridge not burned.  And since then, I have seen our relationship change, not stronger, but different.  And it works now.

6) Be an encourager in the organization
Be a positive member of the team.  David said this past Sunday, (paraphrasing), "Those who criticize the most are the ones being criticized the most; those gossiping are being gossiped about."  So again- two-fold.  You don't want to be harshly and wrongly criticized (although criticism is needed- you need to learn what you aren't doing right or well), and you want to genuinely be a positive part of the team.

7) Never Underestimate a Connection
Take the time to meet new people.  When you are introduced to someone, don't brush it off- pursue it.  You have no clue where it could lead!
I met Kenny, the soundguy at Tidal Creek, during my interviews (he was on the search team).  We have been able to form a very good friendship, and he has been able to help me out with many things.

and 8) Drop the defensiveness
I know it said 7- but oh well.    But I am not sure what it is about young leaders (myself included), but we get very defensive when someone suggests we don't know everything.  We take 1 Timothy 4:12 waaayyyyy too seriously, and build up walls so that no one can get in .
Take a deep breath.  Now listen: 'You don't know it all.'
I don't know it all.
Those who have gone before us don't know it all.
But they know more than we do.


I found this to be very helpful for me, and I hope it will be to you as well.