Axiom

1. Vision is the core of leadership: Paint it passionately

"Vision: Paint the Picture Passionately"

Vision ignites passion. A leader's primary responsibility is to articulate a clear, compelling vision that produces passion in people. This vision should be a vivid picture of the future that inspires and motivates followers to action.

Communicate relentlessly. Leaders must continually reinforce the vision through various means of communication. This includes:

• Regular vision-casting messages
• Storytelling that illustrates the vision in action
• Celebrating milestones and progress toward the vision
• Connecting daily tasks to the larger vision

Make it personal. Effective leaders internalize the vision so deeply that it becomes part of their identity. They should be able to articulate it with conviction and enthusiasm in any setting, whether addressing large crowds or having one-on-one conversations.

2. Character, competence, and chemistry: The three Cs of building a dream team

"It took me nearly thirty years to figure out a plan for how to build a kingdom dream team—a collection of colleagues with whom I could joyfully do effective, God-honoring ministry over the long haul."

Character comes first. When hiring or assembling a team, prioritize character above all else. Look for individuals who demonstrate:

• Integrity and honesty
• A strong work ethic
• Humility and teachability
• Emotional intelligence

Competence is crucial. Once character is established, assess competence rigorously. This includes:

• Relevant skills and expertise
• Track record of results
• Ability to learn and adapt
• Problem-solving capabilities

Chemistry completes the package. The final consideration is how well the individual fits with the existing team culture. Evaluate:

• Shared values and vision
• Communication style
• Ability to collaborate effectively
• Positive energy and attitude

3. Communicate with clarity: No eleventh-hour surprises

"No eleventh-hour surprises, gang. Deal? In fact, let's shoot for no tenth-hour surprises and see how that goes for a while."

Proactive communication. Establish a culture of open, timely communication within your organization. Encourage team members to:

• Share potential issues or challenges early
• Provide regular progress updates
• Ask for help or resources when needed

Clear expectations. Set explicit guidelines for communication, including:

• Frequency of status reports
• Channels for sharing information (e.g., meetings, emails, project management tools)
• Escalation procedures for urgent matters

Follow-up and accountability. Regularly check in with team members to ensure communication flows smoothly. Address any breakdowns in communication promptly and reinforce the importance of transparency and timeliness.

4. Lead with diligence: Always take the high road

"I'm an old(er) man now, and never once have I regretted taking the high road."

Integrity in all situations. Consistently choose the path of integrity, even when it's difficult or costly. This includes:

• Keeping commitments
• Admitting mistakes
• Treating others with respect, even in disagreements

Long-term perspective. Remember that your actions today shape your reputation and relationships for years to come. When faced with challenging situations:

• Consider the long-term consequences of your choices
• Seek win-win solutions when possible
• Prioritize maintaining trust and credibility

Lead by example. Your commitment to taking the high road sets the standard for your entire organization. Demonstrate this principle in both public and private interactions, inspiring others to follow suit.

5. Cultivate a bias toward action: Performance buys freedom

"Performance buys freedom."

Reward results. Create a culture that values and recognizes performance. This means:

• Setting clear goals and expectations
• Measuring and tracking progress
• Providing timely feedback and recognition

Encourage initiative. Empower team members to take action and make decisions within their areas of responsibility. This includes:

• Delegating authority along with responsibility
• Supporting calculated risks and learning from failures
• Minimizing bureaucracy that hinders action

Balance autonomy and accountability. As performance improves, grant more freedom and flexibility to high-performing individuals and teams. However, maintain clear accountability measures to ensure continued excellence.

6. Balance speed with soul: Create your own finish lines

"Leaders have to adjust their velocity, or they will spend the most impact-rich years of their lives going fast but feeling empty on the inside."

Set boundaries. Establish clear limits on your work hours and commitments to protect your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This may include:

• Daily finish lines (e.g., stopping work at a specific time)
• Weekly rhythms of rest and rejuvenation
• Periodic retreats for reflection and renewal

Prioritize relationships. Make intentional time for family, friends, and personal growth. These relationships provide:

• Emotional support and stability
• Fresh perspectives and insights
• A sense of purpose beyond work

Nurture your spiritual life. Regular spiritual practices help maintain balance and perspective. Consider:

• Daily prayer or meditation
• Scripture study or inspirational reading
• Engaging in worship and community

7. Embrace continuous improvement: Debrief and learn from every experience

"Let's debrief."

Regular evaluation. Make debriefing a consistent practice after significant events, projects, or initiatives. This process should include:

• Identifying what went well and why
• Discussing areas for improvement
• Capturing key learnings and insights

Inclusive feedback. Involve all relevant team members in the debriefing process to gain diverse perspectives. Encourage:

• Open and honest communication
• Constructive criticism
• Creative problem-solving

Action-oriented outcomes. Ensure that debriefs lead to concrete improvements. This means:

• Documenting lessons learned
• Updating processes and procedures
• Implementing new strategies based on insights gained

8. Facts are your friends: Seek honest feedback and evaluation

"Facts are your friends."

Data-driven decision-making. Cultivate a culture that values objective information and analysis. This includes:

• Gathering relevant data and metrics
• Analyzing trends and patterns
• Making decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions

Embrace tough truths. Be willing to confront difficult realities about your organization or leadership. This requires:

• Creating safe spaces for honest feedback
• Actively seeking out diverse perspectives
• Resisting the temptation to rationalize or dismiss challenging information

Continuous assessment. Regularly evaluate your organization's performance across key areas. Consider implementing:

• Regular surveys or assessments
• External audits or reviews
• Benchmarking against industry standards

9. Never beat the sheep: Take responsibility for ministry disappointments

"Never beat the sheep, my friend. A word of loving admonition every once in a while might be appropriate, but put the stick away. Permanently."

Lead with humility. When facing ministry disappointments or setbacks, resist the urge to blame your congregation or team. Instead:

• Take personal responsibility for outcomes
• Reflect on your own leadership and decision-making
• Model a growth mindset and willingness to learn

Analyze root causes. When initiatives fall short, conduct a thorough analysis to understand why. Consider factors such as:

• Timing and communication
• Resource allocation
• External circumstances
• Alignment with overall vision and strategy

Inspire and encourage. Use disappointments as opportunities to rally your team and congregation. Focus on:

• Celebrating small wins and progress
• Casting a compelling vision for the future
• Providing clear next steps and action items

10. Read voraciously: Constantly improve your leadership skills

"Great leaders read frequently. They read voraciously."

Prioritize learning. Make continuous learning a non-negotiable part of your leadership development. This includes:

• Setting aside dedicated time for reading
• Creating a diverse reading list across various disciplines
• Applying insights gained from reading to your leadership practice

Expand your horizons. Read beyond your immediate field of expertise to gain fresh perspectives and ideas. Consider:

• Biographies of great leaders
• Books on organizational management and strategy
• Works on psychology and human behavior
• Literature on innovation and creativity

Share and discuss. Create a culture of learning within your organization by:

• Recommending books to your team
• Hosting book discussions or leadership book clubs
• Incorporating key insights from your reading into team meetings and training sessions

Last updated: January 25, 2025