The Correlation between Leadership and Writing

Writing.

For some, it is a wonderful outlet for creative expression. For others, it is an evil that is to be avoided as much as possible. For leaders, it is an essential tool that must be utilized, no matter their skill level.

I’ll be honest; I have a little bit of an advantage when it comes to writing. It comes naturally to me. When I sit down to write, I mostly just let the words flow from my mind to the page. It does come more easily to some than to others, and this is something the leader must overcome.

As a worship leader, I have learned that half of my communication needs to be written long before we are onstage.

Emails let my team know what we will be rehearsing, what type of set we will be playing, what keys our songs will be in, and other things essential to their practice time and preparedness when arriving at the set. Texts communicate if anyone will be late, remind people of schedule abnormalities, and keep the whole team in contact with their point of reference: me.

Emails require me to communicate clearly and efficiently. Texting, while less formal, requires clear communication in a more precise manner. Written memos are an important way to let companies know the what and why behind the workings of a company’s day-to-day. Modern culture has made writing impossible for an effective leader to avoid.

Maybe you need to work on your writing skills, or maybe you don’t.

If there is no way for you to improve, congratulations! You are now my goal for having my stuff together. But for my friends who need some help, here are a few tips for writing clearly and effectively:

1. Say it out loud.

If you have a hard time thinking of how to phrase something, say a few options out loud and pick which one sounds best. You can also record yourself saying what you want to write and transcribe it with whatever edits need to be made.

2.  Use a thesaurus.

The thesaurus is your friend! Don’t use three adjectives or adverbs when one precise word will do.

3. Have several colleagues proofread and give feedback.

This is especially important for leaders. Have someone who is good with grammar proofread for mistakes. Have one or two people who don’t already know about your topic read for clarity – is everything well-presented and easily understandable? Having others read your writing will ensure that what you want to say is being clearly communicated.

4. Take a class.

If writing is particularly challenging, take a class. There’s nothing shameful about getting help to grow in an area where you struggle! Take an example from the movie The King’s Speech. If you need to be able to write, find someone who can teach you!

As you step into leadership, remember the power you hold through the written word. Make use of writing as a tool, and don’t let a fear of writing prevent you from being the best leader you can be.

Leadership and Decisions

Ah, decisions: everyone’s favorite part of being an adult.

When I first began worship leading, it didn’t take very long to realize that I had a ton of work to do on my decision-making skills, mostly because I didn’t have any. The first time I had to create a setlist with my local church, I ended up with a stack of twenty songs that had to be narrowed down to five.

Before my first IHOPU set, it took me almost an hour to decide who would sing on mics one, two, and three. My ability to make decisions quickly was severely under-developed.

And believe me, that lead to some ouch moments.

But that’s what growing is for. First, I made decisions slowly and painfully, no matter how big or little the decision was. Then I began to recognize what decisions were little and what decisions wouldn’t hurt people no matter what I decided. (Case in point: singer lineup on the microphones.) With the addition of a few very bad decisions to my decision-making portfolio, I learned how to consider how my decisions would affect others, and how to factor that into my process. With time and a good bit of practice, I no longer agonize over every minute detail awaiting my approval or disproval.

Good decision making not some mystical, unachievable accomplishment.

The point I’m making is that decision making isn’t always something a leader is born with; it is a skill that can be developed. And, natural decision-maker or not, it is a skill that every leader absolutely must cultivate. So accept that there will be pain along the way, and be prepared to make some apologies. (Please apologize for bad decisions. You’re helping no one, including yourself, if you don’t.) But also be prepared to grow as you step into your God-given leadership assignment.

Leadership and the Power of Story

What is it about stories that captivate us?

One of my favorite books is Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher. Her use of story within story captivated me. I didn’t understand why until recently.

One of my school requirements for a class this semester is to read the book The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler. I wasn’t particularly excited about this. I mean, come on, who wants to read a boring old leadership book?

But as I read, I’m finding it’s actually pretty interesting and even enlightening. For example, chapter 4: Leadership Is Narrative.

Stories teach us who we are.

Mohler explains that the story of an organization or movement describes the reason for its existence. He says, “The excellent leader knows how to lead out of the power of the narrative that frames the identity and mission of the people he will lead. That story frames the mission…of the organization, and explains why you give your life to it.” He goes through how our (Americans’) understanding of what it means to be American is shaped by things such as the Revolutionary War, the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, and many other events. How do we learn these events? Through stories.

Stories are vital to understanding our history, which is vital to knowing who we are. Takeaway: a good leader knows how to use stories to captivate and motivate his followers.

But is that all stories are good for?

After all, I’ve mentioned that one of my favorite books is Shadow Spinner, a fictional story about the background events of the fictional story, One Thousand and One Nights (often known in English as The Arabian Nights). It is therefore multiple layers of fiction – a story within a story. If stories teach us who we are because it teaches us from whence we came, what is the point of works of fiction.

It is here that we come to the fact that our circumstances, while influential, are not all that make us who we are. If that were the case, there would never be a boy with an abusive father who grew up to love and care for his kids. It is what we do with our circumstances that makes us who we are.

“When you’re telling a story, you can suggest things that would get you in trouble if you were just stating your own opinion. And you can suggest even more if you wrap one tale inside another. So if you’re telling a tale about a merchant, and the merchant tells a tale about a barber, and the barber tells a tale about a fisherman… Well, inside the fisherman’s tale you can put the most provoking and mutinous truths. Because the tale is so far removed from you.” – Shahrazad, Susan Fletcher’s Shadow Spinner

At the end of Shadow Spinner (don’t worry, no plot spoilers), a girl uses a story as a means to teach the sultan the truth about the events of the book. She is able to do it because it is, “Just a story,” that mirrors the events of his life over the last few years. Because of her story, he realizes many things about himself and those around him.

That is what I saw in Shadow Spinner – the power to speak truth to people. That is why stories are vital to leaders. It doesn’t matter if you have all the “best and brightest” if they don’t have truth. Especially for the Christian leader, the ability to speak truth without pushing people away for being “too preachy” is very important. That is the power of storytelling, and that is powerful leadership.

The Beginning of a Captain America Generation

WARNING: MILD SPOILERS (NON PLOT RELATED) CONTAINED

"Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right, even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye, and say, 'No. You move.'"

Earlier today as I watched Captain America: Civil War for the first time, I found this line particularly striking. I mean, it's obviously meant to be powerful; it's the line which motivates Cap to maintain his solid stance through the whole movie. But I found it striking for another reason.

This is what the church should be doing.

It has been far too long since the body of Christ has planted our feet and boldly declared truth. Yet I am beginning to see the start of a generation that will not be silenced. God is raising up His people who say, “Enough! We are done with compromise. We are done with keeping quiet. This is the truth, and on this truth we stand!”

The Psalm 1 generation has begun.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” – Psalm 1:1-3

There is a generation rising who will not follow the popular culture. There is a generation rising who delight in God’s word and immerse themselves fully in His truth. This is a generation that will plant their feet like a tree and be unmoved as they stand for what is right and just.

We will not compromise. We want to ascend the hill of the Lord, so we will not lift up our souls to what is false. We have asked the Lord for clean hands and pure hearts, and He willingly bestows them.

Join us. Plant yourself.

Together as the Bride of Christ let us speak truth, and when the world tells us to be silent, reply with, “No. You move.”

Welcome to 2016

Last year-end I wrote a post reflecting on the highlights from the year prior — a "look back" if you will. But there is no look back post for 2015.

This past year wasn't memorable.

Sure, I have good memories from 2015. The year started off great and I had some fantastic times with friends. But it was a hard year and a long year and a short year and a stressful year and a year that I'd honestly be okay if I forgot most of it.

What do I remember? Cereal. God for some reason beyond me chose to use cereal to somewhat regularly remind me that He loves me. He hasn't forgotten me. And in years where the happy moments seem like a lifetime behind me, He still has plans to prosper me.

This hope is the anchor for my soul.

Not hope that 2016 will be better; for all I know, it could be way worse. So many people put their hope in new beginnings, only to be buried in disappointment by February. My hope is in Who my God is, what He has done, and what He will do.

My God is a God Who keeps His promises. He is a God Who is faithful to care for me, and He sustains me in my weakness.

My God died on a cross so that I wouldn't have to face His just wrath. He then came back to life.

My God is coming again to rule on this earth and make everything right. He will make me His bride and His partner for eternity.

I have no guarantees about tomorrow.

It could be great. It could be terrible. I may not live to see it.

My hope is not in tomorrow.

My hope is in my God.

May 2016 be a year where you experience Him.