Keep it Simple

If you've read my material on the differences between teachers who lead and leaders who teach, then you know that one of the major differences between the two is that leaders prefer simplicity while teachers prefer complexity.  Which, of course, creates a major problem since most of us who pastor churches tend to be teachers, more than leaders.

We had one of those great moments today during our staff meeting when we were talking about how to do a better job at helping people get involved in ministry.  At one point, my executive pastor, Dan, responded to a comment with the following statement, "Oh, I like that idea.  It's short, simple and easy to get."  At which point, another one of my pastors, Mark (who's another teacher) and I broke out in laughter.  Why?  Because it was so typical of the way a leader thinks.  We didn't even have to say anything.  We both knew exactly what had transpired.  The leader had spoken.  While the two of us would normally haven chosen complexity, Dan, the pure leader, knew we needed something that was simple and easy to get.

So, how can those of us who are teachers learn to lead better?  Well, one way is for us to learn to fight our tendency toward preferring complexity over simplicity.  Instead of being in awe with all of our great ideas (and with trying to make sure all of the parts fit together), we need to be in awe with the ease by which people can assimilate that information.  In the midst of being deluged with data every day, most people (and I know this is hard to believe) actually prefer being able to access ideas simply, rather than obtusely (a great teacher word, but terrible leader word). 

So, how can you simplify what you're doing? Leading? Teaching? Designing? Planning? Solving?

Comments

[Tally]

I'm loving this conversation. Unpacking the whole leader vs. Teacher is a wonderful concept. I'd love to continue hearing your thoughts on this topic over time. As I read and ponder this thought I feel somewhat like a guy with a metal detector on the beach as he hears slow beeps turing to faster ones... A lot can be gleamed from this topic. Thanks for bringing it out.

Have you read anything similar to this concept?

[Tony Morgan]

Simple. Powerful. True.

[Steve Dilla]

Great word - not only to keeping it simple, but also on having a well-balanced team. I'm not sure there's much you can do to transition a teacher thinker into a leader thinker, but you can put both on a team and allow the richness of each to contribute to the beauty of the whole.