The Intentional Leader

Chapter 2
INTENTIONALLY COLLABORATE LEADER

Knowing that one of us is never greater than all of us

A person who desires to be an intentional leader seeks the necessity of agreement. They know and understand the power of agreement and getting everyone to seek ownership of how shall we move forward in mission. They also understand their own personal leadership strengths and weaknesses. They seek to move in partnership to get things done for the kingdom.

In the sport of football, the quarterback is the leader of the team but he knows he is only as effective as the team of players of around him. The quarterback knows the value of calling the offensive team together after each play. He calls the play and every one knows their assignment based upon their position. If the quarterback doesn't work with his team, he will find that there is no one to hand the ball off to, no linemen to block for him and no receivers to throw the ball to. Just like in the sports world a leader knows that some times it is not the team that has the best players that win..rather it is the team who plays the best and is intentionally collaborative that is often successful.

The scriptures tells us a interesting reality in Matthew 18:20

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them"

There are three key distinctive realities from this verse that initiates intentional collaboration
a. When there is more than one of us
b. When we come together for the purposes of Him
c. When these are present Christ is embedded with them

When a person who seeks to be collaborative understands this they create the initial environment for success and a healthy organizational culture. They know the danger of going forth alone and the danger of exposing themselves to the realities of ministry isolation.

The collaborative person knows that they serve as a servant to the group and that the people they serve in turn feels truly invested and provides the leader with wise counsel.

Proverbs 11: 14 (NIV)
For lack of guidance a nation falls but many advisors makes a victory sure

There is an African word "Ubuntu" it means I am because you are. There is a sense that we are deeply rooted and connected together. This principle of caring for each other's well being is promoted and celebrated in the culture of the organization. Each individual's humanity is ideally expressed through his or her relationship with others.

A person with a Ubuntu mindset is a leader is one who is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous. These leaders are open and available to others and do not feel threaten that others are skilled and competent. They have a self assurance that comes from knowing that they belong and interconnected to a greater good. They know that they are diminished when others are humiliated and diminished when others are treated as if they have little value to the group. Ubuntu creates a healthy culture within the group and organization to move toward the power of agreement.

The collaboration of Sequoia trees
One occasion visiting in California I notice these tall trees called Sequoias and that their roots were barely above the surface of the ground. I asked the person I was with, how can you have tall trees and the roots that are barely above surface! A strong wind can come and blow these trees over. He indicated indicated that these trees grow only in groves and their roots intertwine under the surface of the earth. So when the strong winds come, they hold each other up. The lesson for me in this was that in the same way family, friends, church body and other groups should be intertwine like groves so that when strong winds of life and inter group conflicts blow, these people like the roots of the Sequoia trees can serve as reinforcement and hold each other up.

Collaboration acknowledges both the rights and the responsibilities of every person in the group or ministry. It seeks this through knowing that every individual has an equal say in any discussion and on ultimately reaching an agreement that is acceptable to all. The intentional leader who is in collaboration, skillfully leads without dominating or being perceived as controlling. To be clear this isn't a waving of the white flag surrendering ones leadership. My proposition here is that the contrary is taking place. Strong leadership begins through carefully, firmly guiding and releasing others to build healthy effective group dynamics.