7 Collaborative: Build Bridges With Others for the Purpose of Learning and Cooperating
Collaboration is now the norm, not the exception. A catalyst leader wants to work together with all kinds of leaders and organizations, without worrying who gets the credit. Collaborative leaders don’t construct walls; they build bridges.
I believe we are at an unprecedented time in history where churches and ministries are partnering and willing to work together more than ever before. Churches are sharing ideas liberally, and willing to learn from each other, regardless of theology or denomination or background.
Collaboration has to flow from a place of generosity, truly believing that a higher tide lifts all boats. Be more concerned with others. Listen instead of talk. Be interested rather than just trying to be interesting. Understand that it’s not about you.
Collaborators are okay sharing their wisdom, their knowledge, their connections and their networks, because collaboration truly means colaboring, focused on the outcome instead of competing.
Collaboration creates innovation. Collaboration reduces unnecessary risk. Collaboration amplifies success.
Our vision is to be inclusive, not exclusive. We desire to be known by what we are for, not by what we are against. That is where unity starts. In the case of the church, Jesus is the common denominator.
Philippians 2:2–5 inspires me personally, and also com¬pels our organization: “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, main-taining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more impor¬tant than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
We can do far more together than we can on our own.
8 Hopeful: Create and Cast a Compelling Vision for the Future
Scripture is replete with models of visionary leadership. I think of Moses, who served as God’s mouthpiece, casting vision for the nation. Or Paul, who created great vision in the hope of eternity. Or the apostle Peter, who led a group of revolutionaries with visionary courage.
Catalyst leaders look through the windshield rather than staring in the rearview mirror. They focus on the future and seek to inspire others to help them build it. To do this, they must give their teams reason to believe that tomorrow can be better than today.
A hopeful leader is a visionary leader who is able to move people into the future with passion. How do you stay hopeful when life stinks, business is crumbling, church or ministry is not growing, and when everything seems to be going wrong? Eternal perspective is crucial, realizing that we are part of a story that is eternal and way bigger than any of us individually. Being a hopeful leader requires vision for and belief in the future.
Solomon knew how important this essential is to effec¬tive leadership. The ancient king once said that people perish where vision is lacking (Prov. 29:18). They will dry up, give up and back up. But the opposite is also true. Where vision is present and communicated, organizations will spring to life.
A strong vision that motivates and inspires will attract young leaders. Let young leaders on your team actually lead. Not just making copies, but actually push them into roles that will challenge and stretch them.
We have to be constantly and relentlessly in pursuit of what ought to be—in hopeful anticipation of that which will come to be—painting a picture of what’s next. Leaders others want to follow have a vision that is inspiring and power¬ful. There’s nothing quite like creating a hopeful picture of the future to produce tremendous passion in people.
It Starts with You
In order to instill these eight essentials into the next generation, we must first lead by example. What steps can you take to change yourself before you can change others? Start with one area of your leadership. Work on that first. Set a goal to get better daily. Ask those around you to help you and to point out the areas of your leadership that need improvement.
Our young people want to make a difference. They want to lead but they need a roadmap for leading well. Be that roadmap, and you will find there is hope for our future.
Brad Lomenick, an Outreach magazine contributing editor, is past president of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader (Thomas Nelson), upon which this article is based, as w