Here is a very simple but powerful way to think about leader development – and in fact, every kind of training. You can even think about ministry strategy using this model. But our focus here will be on building leaders’ lives.
In your thinking, you must begin with the goal. What are you trying to achieve? What does a healthy leader look like? That is our purpose in leader development – to build healthy leaders.
So, first, define the goal. We know that our goal in leader development is to build all 5Cs in the leader’s life – Christ, Community, Character, Calling and Competencies. We have a clear goal.
Then think back from the goal and ask, “How will this be accomplished? How is a healthy leader built?”
We’ve already answered that question too. We know that a holistic goal – building the whole person – requires a holistic process. And we have defined that holistic process as the Four Dynamics of Transformation – Spiritual, Relational, Experiential and Instructional dynamics. We have a clear process.
Next we come to the design – our specific plan for using the Four Dynamics to build the leader’s life.
The Key to Design Is to Clearly Define
First, define the goal, then the process and now the plan, or the design. We think backwards from the goal. Then, once we have the design or the plan, we put it into action.
We think backwards from the goal to the process to the design.
And then we act forwards – we have the design, we put it into action in the process to achieve the goal and build healthy leaders.
However, so often in our training work we do it the other way. We start with the design or the curriculum. We have courses that we’ve always used so we just run people through those courses. But we don’t think deeply about who we’re building and what we’re building them for.
So much training that is done in the Christian world consists merely of teaching good things to good people with no clear goal other than covering the good content. This will change only when we do the hard work of definition.
The key to design is to clearly define! And you must begin with the goal.
Another way to think of these three components is: Destination (where you need to go), Journey (how you will get there from where you are now) and Map (a plan for the Journey).
Once again you start at the end, don’t you? You begin by defining the destination. Where are you going? You don’t just walk out the door and see where you end up!
Then you determine what you’ll need to get there – perhaps you’ll take a plane, or a bus or train or even walk there. It depends on the destination, doesn’t it?
Finally, you will figure out the exact itinerary – you’ll take this bus at this time to arrive at the train station and get on this train, and so forth. The specific plan.
Having thought backwards about it, you will then buy the necessary tickets and embark on your journey.
Dish-ingredients-recipe
And here is yet another way to think of these three components: The Dish, the Ingredients and the Recipe for making it.
First, you define what you are going to cook – the dish itself. Then you determine what ingredients are needed. Then you make the specific plan for how much of this and how much of that and the timing for the cooking of everything and so forth.
You think backwards and then act forwards.
This is a very simple way to think about leader development and it’s quite effective. So the goal of leader development is 5Cs. The process is 4Ds. How about the design?
The design has three elements: Context, Content and Collage.
First think about the context – these are the first three Dynamics of Transformation. What Spiritual, Relational and Experiential dynamics are you going to use?
Then think about the content – this is the Instructional dynamic. What teaching will you use?
Then put it all together in a “collage.”
A Collage
A collage is an artwork that uses different materials and objects, different colors and shapes – all in one work. A well-designed collage has a great variety of elements but it has an overall unity and meaning.
This is a great way to think about leader development! Leader development does not just use academic courses, but many relationships, experiences, encounters with God, on and on, and also teaching.
I much prefer to use the word “collage” instead of the word “curriculum.” If we say “curriculum” then everyone knows what that looks like – it involves classrooms, lectures, desks, books, exams and grades.
But if we use the word “collage” that can mean anything. And that is how leaders are built!
That is how Jesus built the Twelve. He didn’t just give them a series of lectures on academic subjects, but He created a vast variety of transformational opportunities – spiritual, relational and experiential – and then He wove His teaching through those other dynamics. And He changed their lives. He built healthy leaders!
Now let’s do it! Let’s work on design together.