Leaders Attract Leaders

Leaders Attract Leaders

By: Dr Chuck Stecker

 In the past few years several pastors who are great friends of mine and are men I regard as exceptional developers of leaders have all shared a common thread regarding leadership development.

  

“Real leaders not only attract followers, but attract other leaders.”

            Far too many men try to tell others they are leaders and want to be given leadership positions and opportunities. One pastor shared that when a person tells him he is a leader and should be given leadership, the pastor smiles and asks him who he is leading now. Another pastor told me that he does not look for leaders as much as he looks for groups to see who they are following.

            Additionally, when I regard someone as a leader, I look at the other leaders who are attracted to that person. It is not complicated. Leaders attract leaders.

            Characteristics of a leader:

1.      Leaders look to other leaders as examples. This is not confined to personal relationships but also by following what is written about them as well as what is written by them. Several men, who I have never met, have mentored me and will continue to do so.

2.      Real leaders intentionally spend time with emerging leaders because we learn from them in the process. InterGenerational relationships are critical to all leaders.

3.      Listening is a learned skill for great leaders. Listening is harder as you move up the leadership ladder because everyone is expecting you to have great input to every situation.

4.      Leadership begins by following a leader and looking for opportunities to serve. When you serve a leader with integrity, others want to follow you.

            Finally, it is not necessary to tell anyone you are a leader. It will always be far more obvious than you imagine. If you are a leader, you will be around other leaders and you will be leading others - even if it is taking out the trash or lending a hand by opening a door or volunteering to do the most seemingly menial task.

Serve your way to leadership, others will follow, and you will attract other leaders.

A Thanks to the many pastors who are leading leaders; Gary, Jim, Terry, Andy, Chris, Joseph, Dyran, John, Craig, Joel, Tim, Phil, Toby, Ross, David & Dave, Mark, Kurt, Eric, Jerrel, Ken and many others.

Who Will Be Better Because of You?

The first of a New Year is always a time for resolutions. Everyone makes them because we feel that a New Year is a great time to make needed changes. It is a natural starting point. Who feels the magic in launching life change on September 23rd or February 17th for example? There is just something about January 1 of any year that has a special feeling.

In the many years I have talked with men and women about their resolutions, I have noticed a pattern. Most of us make resolutions or set goals based on where we feel the need to improve, personally.

Leaders—I mean real leaders have a tendency to set goals based on where they want to help others grow.

Here is a method to evaluate your goals from a leadership perspective. Look at each one of your resolutions or goals and imagine them achieved. Now ask the question, “Who is going to be better because of you achieving your goals?”

I do not mean better as in having more things. Who is going to be closer to their personal goals? For clarity, I do not mean that if dads make more money, their kids can have more toys and their wife can get her hair done more often.

How do your goals help another person become a better person?

Take another look at your resolutions.

Who do you intend to take with you?

Who Will Be Better Because of You?

Another Change of Command

Having served nearly 23 years in the United States Army, I am somewhat familiar with “Change of Commands.” These ceremonies in the military are significant events. The Ceremonies are normally marked by the outgoing commander handing the unit flag or “guidon” to their senior commander who in turn hands it to the new commander.

In a similar way, there are changes in command in churches as well. The difficulty in churches is that rarely does the outgoing pastor hand the symbol of leadership to the incoming pastor. Churches normally go through a period where the board or an interim pastor has the leadership responsibility.

My home church, Grace Community Church (GCC) in Centennial, CO, is undergoing a change of command. For the past 7 years our Senior Pastor has been Jim Ladd. This is a difficult time because Jim has become more than my Senior Pastor. He is my friend, brother, fellow warrior in the battle and a trusted confidant.

As Jim and Sue head to their next assignment, I want to share some observations I have from Jim’s tenure as my commander.

1. Integrity: Unwavering integrity that never once was in question. His word was his word and it was based on HIS word.

2. Leadership Development: From the very beginning, Jim invested in men and women of all ages, sizes, colors and shapes. The leadership team at GCC is stronger that it has ever been and the list of leaders ready to go is continuing to grow.

3. Intergenerational Intentionality: All ages are important to Jim because I feel that Jim believes all ages are important to God. He has worked very hard to build up ministry to the entire church and not build a church on a single age group.

4. Tackled the Tough Issues: Jim was never afraid or reticent to take on the tough issues and take full responsibility for the decisions.

5. “The Counsel of Many”: This is the actual title of a book by another of my mentors and close friends, Dr Gary A. Sallquist. It applies to Jim in that he was never slow to seek solid counsel from his advisors. You never had the impression that Jim felt he had all the answers. You did know that he felt fully responsible for the answer and always sought counsel.

In the military, I said goodbye to many great commanders. While it was difficult to see them leave, it was always with great joy when they were being recognized and promoted or they were being sent to an assignment of greater responsibility.

That is the case for me now. I am pained by the loss of Jim and Sue from our Grace family. Yet I am overjoyed by seeing them make a move that has God’s fingerprints all over it.

Jim, you are leaving a church that is much stronger than the one of which you took command over seven years ago. We are all better prepared and positioned to serve the Lord and build His Kingdom because of you.

Thank you for being my pastor, friend and fellow warrior.

InterGenerational Takes Effort And Intentionality

When was the last time you thought about the age range of your relationships? I am not referring to people who you see or come into contact with during your activities such as church or at your kid’s school.

Think about who you intentionally schedule on your calendar. Do not consider your children or co-workers you see only at work.

Think about the people you pursue and the ones who pursue you to have coffee or lunch.

Pictured with me is Brandon Chrisp. We met over three years ago when he was a student at Denver Seminary. We began in a structured mentoring program. Now I guess you could say, we meet because we are just really good friends.

Several years ago, I listened to Dr Gordon McDonald at Denver Seminary. At one point he was asked a very pointed question. The questioning individual asked Dr McDonald about the biggest difference in his life now compared to when he was much younger. Without hesitation, Dr McDonald responded that it was the men in his life.

The answer to the follow-up question was very significant. He was asked, “How did you find those men?” He responded, “Just like I got my wife, Gail. I dated them.”

Dr. McDonald went on to explain that when he realized the void in his life, he first decided what type of men he needed. Then he made a list of guys he already knew. Then he began to ask them to meet for coffee. No agenda except to see if they wanted to meet again.

Dr. Mc Donald was clear. Some guys were good men but they did not make “the cut.” Others he continued to meet with and in time he found that he had an amazing group of men surrounding him.

Frankly, if you do not have others in your life, you are most likely not putting forth the effort. If you do not have younger and older people in your life, you are most likely not putting forth the effort.


If you do not have true friends and relationships beyond your age group, you should ask yourself:

1. Am I actually available to others?
2. Do I intentionally pursue others?
3. Am I willing to invest in someone else?

We must make a decision to be intentional about the relationships in our lives. We are intentional about things that we value. If we truly value and desire relationships that go beyond our own age-range, we must be available and intentional.

A Must for All Leaders

John W. Gardner wrote the following nearly fifty years ago in his book entitled, Excellence; “In short, the varied leadership of our society must come to recognize that one of the great functions of leaders is to help a society to achieve the best that is in it.”

There is no place where that statement takes on greater significance than in the church. Significantly, it is not directed at a single leadership level or age group within the church.

Simply put: Leaders must lead.

The purpose of their leadership is also very clear. Leaders must lead an organization/church “to achieve the best that is in it.”

It does not take an above average IQ to state the obvious: As followers of Jesus Christ, Christ is in us and is head of the church. Therefore our responsibility is to be the best of who we are and do what we were created to do.

As leaders and part of the church, we are not called to be the best of who we are - - we are called to be the best of who HE is.

When those of the church begin to live as followers of Christ and take up the responsibility of leading, we will not have to tell anyone about His church. People will be drawn to His church in numbers that will stagger us.

A Lesson from Mary Poppins

Last evening, Billie and I had an extraordinary evening with Courtney and Judy in Washington DC. Beginning with a dinner that surpassed even our wildest expectations and then to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to watch the stage production of Mary Poppins.

A scene in Act 1 of Mary Poppins happened so quickly, it was very easy to miss it. Yet it stuck with me and I thought about it even after arriving home.

In the scene, a gentleman gave each of the two children a "six-pence." The young man proudly stated that he knew what it was worth. The response of the gentleman is the power statement. He stated and I am paraphrasing, "You may think you know the worth, but you will not know the value until you spend it."

I am not sure that I heard anything after that statement for the next few minutes.

That is a statement we need to remember in life about ourselves and others.

God has given each of us time, talents and treasures. The world tries to put a price on them. The world tries to tell us what each of them are worth. But, what is the true value?

Each day has a worth. Yet, how different we feel about the value of the day based on what we have done or more importantly, what we have given of our day to others.

The worth of $50 is $50. Yet to the person who has much, $50 does not have much value. However to the person who has little or nothing, $50 may seem like a fortune.

Giving an hour of your day to a person whose life seems to be coming apart may have greater value than a day doing something else.

I finished the night thinking about my life. It is not a question of what my life is worth. I think my life is worth Christ dying on a cross for me. But what will the value of my life be when I am all done? That will be determined by how I decide to spend every moment God gives me.

Each of us need to ask ourselves - not what is our life worth, but what will the value of our life be?

You may think you know what your life is worth, but you will not know the value until you spend it. Spend your life wisely.

What Are You Going to Read in 2010?

What Are You Going to Read in 2010?
Perhaps the first question should be, "Are you going to read anything in 2010?" I think your answer to that question will be foundational to your decision to grow or just "tread water" in this New Year.

Late in 2009, there was a statistic floating around that stated many men do not read another book after finishing high school. Wow!! I did not know we had to read any in High School. Frankly, I am not sure whether or not the statement is with or without any valid authentication. I do know this--It is virtually impossible to grow if you do not intentionally read.

Three questions deal with the real issue:

1. Do you want to grow in 2010?

2. If you want to grow, have you decided to read for that growth?

3. If you want to grow and have decided to read--What will you read?

I have a few suggestions and these apply first and foremost to me.

1. Daily read God's Word. It does not have to be a set amount of chapters or verses. It must be a daily decision that becomes as natural as eating. People do not decide to eat every day. That is a given! In fact, we must make a deliberate decision "not to eat." Eating is natural. Therefore, reading God's word must become the natural thing to do each day.

2. Read for Growth. Women do this so much better than us guys. Yet, as men, we are not excused from this requirement. We must be deliberate and set time aside for this area of our lives.

3. Read something for pleasure. Several years ago my younger brother, who is a staff pastor in Omaha, NE, challenged me to read for pleasure. It was a good call. In fact, he sent me a book to start the process. I read it and he sent me a second one.

Now comes the critical question.... How do you actually do this?

Here are some of the steps that have been helpful to me. First, I want you to know that I was not a "reader" growing up in my early to mid-years. I read what was necessary. I made a decision to change.

1. Place to read. This has been significant. I have a chair with books all around. It is my place and I love it. I start my mornings in my chair.

2. Time to read: When it comes to my devotional time and reading the Bible, I do best in the morning. Then I read at other times as well. Think about this: the amount of TV that we Americans watch is staggering. If you made a decision to skip one show and read, your reading skills and amount you read would make a quantum leap.

3. What to read. Do not wait until you are ready to read before you decide what to read. I created a reading list, acquired several of the books which are then readily available for reading. Some books are for pleasure, others for personal growth and still others research for ministry issues.

4. Be accountable with others. It is great to read books with others. It creates an atmosphere of accountability; and men especially do much better if they know that on a given day, a group is going to be discussing the first 4 chapters of any given book. I have read several books this way and even with my sons who live in different states.

My good friend and author, Ken Larson, is the go-to guy when it comes to LifeWalking. He is always quick to ask men, "Are you going to learn to dance or just move with the music?" That statement really speaks to the issues of life.

Are we just going to slide through life and let things happen to us or did God create us to make things happen?

I think my ability to make things happen may be directly tied to reading and growing.

Finally in the words of my friend and leadership development pastor, Mac Lake--"Leaders are readers and readers are leaders."

Learning from Leaders - - - Pastor Jim Ladd

Asking the Right (Tough) Questions


Many men are blessed with great friends. Many have incredible pastors. Many have remarkable brothers. Very few men I know have all of those same men in their pastor. I am blessed to have a pastor who is my friend, brother and pastor---Pastor Jim Ladd.. Jim is my Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church.

There are many advantages in having one man as all three in my life. It would take more than one blog to explain all that means to me.

One of the great strengths that Jim possesses and frankly has worked hard to develop is his ability to ask the right and very often tough questions. Jim shared with me over a year ago that the person who asks the right questions can often guide the discussion and he has proven that theory over and over again.

Here are some of things that I have observed watching Jim ask the right questions:

1. He has worked hard to be a very good student of people. I watch him in groups as he watches body language as he listens to the words spoken. He also watches the response of others to what is being said by someone else.

2. Jim listens to what “is not said.” Many of his questions are a result of what the person did not say for a number of reasons.

3. Jim is not afraid of asking the “too tough” questions that other leaders shy away from to not risk offending the person.

4. Most importantly, Jim is acceptable to others asking him tough questions. I think he puts himself in positions and places that give people permission and opportunity to ask the tough questions.

Jim does not just ask questions of others and invite questions, he asks tough questions openly as a way of sharing what he is wrestling with in life and ministry.

I could share specifics but it is far better to refer you to some of his questions.
Jim regularly blogs and his recent postings are worth everyone's time to read and consider. I invite you to go to http://jimladd.blogspot.com/

I should also add that Jim is passionate about "InterGenerational" ministry.

Specifically, I invite you to take a look at the vital questions that Jim has posed and is wrestling with for our church. He is at Question #7. Do not short change yourself and read only the last one. Go back to the beginning and read Questions 1-6.

I think these touch on the the tough questions that need to be addressed by every church and ministry.

Jim, thanks for being my friend, brother in arms and my pastor. I look forward to seeing you next week....What is your next question?

Learning from Leaders - - - Mac Lake

Real Leaders Invest in Themselves


It was one of those rare moments when you meet someone who immediately strikes you as a person who you would like to spend a lot of time. That has happened to me several times and I do not remember many times that my instincts have been wrong.

It was one of those occasions several years ago at a conference in San Diego, CA. My pastor had assigned me to attend a workshop that was facilitated by a leadership pastor from Charleston, SC. I sat for nearly an hour listening to Mac Lake share about developing leaders and realized very quickly that Mac was able to discuss and teach on the subject because he was actually doing what he was teaching.

We have all seen cases of people teaching the theoretical but who have never really made it happen.

This was clearly not the case with Mac Lake. It was so clear...This guys does it first and talks about it second.

In the years that have followed, my travels allowed me to get by Charleston to spend a weekend with Mac and have a meal with him. That was a great experience. The best part has been reading his blog http://www.maclakeonline.com/.

If someone were to ask me what the #1 leadership resource was on the market today, I would (and have) referred them to Mac's blog.

In addition to sharing very significant ideas for developing leaders, Mac is one of the best I have met at "sharing the spotlight" with others. Regularly he is using his space to guide you to another leader who deserves to be heard.

One of his best blog entries for me probably would not rank as high for others, but it really struck me hard. On November 25th, Mac wrote about investing in your own leadership development.

We can never stop learning and growing if we are going to be used by God to develop other leaders.

I am sure that most people receive Mac's blog and think that they have something else to develop new leaders. Every time I receive a new post, all I can think about is that I must keep growing if I am to help anyone else.

Mac has been mentoring me for several years now. We have not seen each other for a since I last visited him and we have emailed a couple of times--but his impact on me is significant and he probably doesn't even know it.

Hey Mac...Thanks for continuing to invest in me.