The Four Major Leadership Competencies: Perform Executive Functions

One of the defining moments of my life and ministry was the 2006 Drive Conference. The whole conference impacted me, but it was the closing session and final ten minutes that impacted me most. Andy Stanley said, “The problem is that the world thinks that the Church has nothing to offer, but we are going to solve it. And it is leadership, leadership that will make the difference.” Those inspiring words and others made me committed to leading in a local parish for the rest of my life. 

In this series we have been looking at the four major competencies of leadership. In the last blog we looked at self-leadership. Two blogs ago we did an overview. For review, they are:

• Practice self-leadership 
• Perform the executive functions
• Embrace interpersonal leadership 
• Step into our spiritual authority 

Performing the executive functions of leadership means the suite of skills that we often associate with leadership. It is the ability to cast a compelling vision, clarify the mission, set goals, develop a clear strategy, define values, and create a culture that aligns with those values. It is the ability to measure results and run effective meetings. No sweat, nothing to it, right? As I write, I realize that’s quite a lot and maybe that list looks intimidating to you. Or maybe you look at that list and it feels too business-like and not spiritual enough. Early on in my ministry, I had the same reaction. I thought, “We have the teaching of the Church and Scripture. We have God, I just need to get deeper into my faith and those issues will take care of themselves.” 

The irony is that the entire suite of executive functions can be found in the Bible. Let me give you some examples for each one. 

Cast a Vision: In the call of Moses, God casts a vision for what he wants to accomplish through him. Nehemiah casts a vision for the Israelites of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. 

Clarify the Mission: Jesus gives the clearest example in the Great Commission. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-19)

Develop a Clear Strategy: In the call of Moses, God not only casts a clear vision, he gives Moses the strategy and plan to accomplish it by sending the ten plagues. Jesus seemed to have a pretty clear strategy as well. His plan was to go to the lost people of Israel first. When he sends out the seventy-two, he gives them clear instructions on how to go about their work. 

Define Values and the Culture: Jesus does this with the apostles. He shows them that he is creating a culture of servanthood. When they argue among themselves who is the greatest, he stops them and teaches a lesson. He does it twice actually. One time, he takes a child and tells them that if they want to enter the kingdom of heaven, they must become like a child. Another time he points to himself. He says, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:45) Then he reinforced this value by washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper and surrendering his life on the cross. 

Measure Results: This might be the one we push back on. People say, “God doesn’t care about numbers.” Oh yeah? Then why is there a whole book of the Bible called Numbers? Why do all four Gospels give the detail that the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish fed 5,000 people not including women and children? Why does Acts tell us after Peter’s sermon on Pentecost that 3,000 were saved? I think you get the point.

Run Effective Meetings: I don’t have a Scripture reference for this one yet. Maybe the council of Jerusalem would be an example.  If you have an idea, send it to me and I’ll use it and give you credit for it. But if we are going to bring people together, let’s remember to not waste people’s time. 

As I look back on these executive functions, I am grateful for Father Michael’s leadership. Father Michael didn’t learn them in seminary but he came to understand they were needed for parish leadership. Early on he took us on a leadership retreat where we came up with a vision to be “an exemplary model of an American, Catholic parish.” Another time, he stated clearly that we didn’t have to come up with a mission statement because Jesus had already given it to us in the Great Commission. He set excellence as a clear cultural value and showed his commitment to it over and over again, especially in his preaching. Father Michael showed us the value of measuring results by counting Mass attendance every weekend and emphasizing its importance. I could go on (and since he will read this, he probably wishes I would).

I share the example of Father Michael because I hope he is an inspiration to other pastors and priests to embrace the executive functions as well. While not always taught in seminary, they are just as spiritual as prayer. All truth is from God, including leadership truths. 

Rooting for you, 
Tom