Leadership is energizing a group of people toward their own Watch Here transformation in order to accomplish a shared mission.

Watch: Tod Bolsinger talking about this definition of Leadership: Watch Here

Reflect: Tod shares that it is at the intersection of transformation and mission where leaders do their good work. If we are leading, we are in a season where we take people through transformation (versus managing). How can you apply this to clients?

Apply: Consider asking: If leadership is when you have led people to change and grow? What are seasons you’ve seen this? What were the losses? What was the learning? What seasons are you in now?

Watch: Tod Bolsinger talking about this definition of the Observation, Interpretation, and Intervention Cycle : Watch Here

Reflect: Where do you find yourself using this OII process within your own ministry and life? Which area, personally, did you need to be reminded of today?

Apply: Consider a current adaptive challenge with one of your clients. Would taking a sesionto walk them through this process be helpful (and allow them to grow in their adaptive capacity?)

Step #1: Make Multiple Observations only using the phrases “I see…” and “I hear…” Check yourself and your client to ensure you all aren’t jumping into interpretation or intervention too fast.

Step #2: Seek out diverse interpretations by listening and sharing diverse perspectives by “I think…”. Note: ensure interpretations are backed by observations. If a client raises an interpretation that isn’t based on an observation on your list, ask them what they heard or saw that led to their interpretation.

Step #3: Formulate questions by considering what you want to learn by using the phrases: ”I wish…” and “I wonder…”

Step #4: Conduct Playful” Interventions! Discover what you want to learn by completing the sentence: “How might we…”

Challenge conventional approaches and foster innovative and adaptive strategies.

Watch: Erin Zillner talking about how to adapt our default interventions through adaptive strategies. Watch Here.

Reflect: Look back at your client's notes

Do you see a pattern of your client defaulting to past interventions?

What has been ingrained in their leadership style or organization?

Would walking through the questions below be helpful for them?

Apply: Consider asking your clients the following questions:

How aware are you of the default interventions that have become ingrained in your leadership style or organization?

Are these default interventions still effective in addressing current challenges, or must they be disrupted and replaced with new approaches?

How comfortable are you with embracing adaptive challenges and stepping outside your comfort zone?

Are you actively fostering a learning mindset within myself and my organization to navigate uncharted territory and encourage innovation?

How well are you promoting a culture that values diverse perspectives, constructive dissent, and experimentation?

Lead the Learning

Watch: Heather James lead us in a learning about Trust and Transformation Video- Watch Here.

Reflect: Consider some personal reflection

Reflect personally on a time when you were willing to take a risk with someone that you trusted.What did the person do to gain your trust? Perhaps share that experience with your client, if applicable.

Apply: Consider asking your clients the following questions:

As you lead within a living system, what are some of the historical moments or corporate memories that are precious to your people?

Reflect on the tension of needing new solutions but still handling the living system with care.

Choose one of the strategies for building trust and create a list of 3-4 ways you’d like to implement the strategy in your context. Be specific and practical.

Watch: Watch Craig Williams share wisdom on creating a safe environment for learning: Watch Here

Reflect: Saying “I don’t know” can make you feel many different things. If you were to personally acknowledge this to a group or client, how might you feel?

How might being a “permission giver” enhance the work of experiments?

Apply: Consider using the following questions with clients:

Can you identify a time when you tried something new that should have succeeded but didn’t?

Compare your core values with the action you tried. Was the action a reflection of your core values or was it not attuned to them? Why?

Now consider an adaptive challenge that you have already identified through this course.

Do you have something that you want them to try or prototype?

How might you remove yourself from guiding the group to your solution? (Think of John 15, pruning the vine as a way of letting go.)

Try the Brain-writing experiment Craig shared in this video starting at 4:45

Naming and Navigating Competing Values

Watch: Watch Matt Lake share on Competing Values Competing Values: Watch Here

Reflect: Look back at your client notes:

What competing values do you see in your client’s leadership?

Consider listing as many spoken and unspoken values you have recognized in your client’s organization or church and then name which are competing.

Apply: Consider asking your client these questions:

What are your priorities?

How might the tension between the competing values propel you forward rather than keep you stuck?

How might you experiment around the strengths of a competing value that we have largely ignored to this point

What can we learn?

Watch: Watch Roy Inzunza teach on sabotage and resistance: Watch Here

Reflect: Personally read Daniel 6 and ask yourself these questions:

What are some ways Daniel stayed calm, connected, and focused on the course?

In your experience, why do people resist change?

Apply: Consider walking your client through the following:

Take a moment to think of a current or previous moment where you felt sabotage and resistance.

What are some ways you might respond, knowing that sabotage is a normal part of leading change?

Exercise:

Start with your convictions: What work is the Holy Spirit convicting you in?

Stay calm: How will you manage your own reactivity to sabotage?

Stay connected: How are you staying connected to the people who we are called to lead, even the saboteurs?

Stay the course: What does the “promised land” look like?

Distinguishing the Difference and application.

Watch: Watch This Clip Here

Reflect: Review this chart and reflect on applications for yourself and clients. Also, consider this slide for additional clarification. Process a personal example you’ve experienced with both. Consider user this chart with clients.

Apply: Lead your clients in an exercise of identifying adaptive challenge vs. technical problems.