Have you ever been with an organization that seemed to be operating on autopilot? That is, they were performing decently in their goals, making an acceptable profit, or producing an adequate amount of product. Their thinking was, “Don’t rock the boat; If it ain't broke, don’t fix it”, to mix two clichés. The amount and degree of success they were achieving was enough, and they didn’t want to risk doing anything differently. To be fair, for many who have endured prolonged times of disaster and failure, autopilot may be a desirable way to operate.

However, there are problems with the leadership mentality that creates and allows autopilot organizations. One is that, although the organization may experience success, it never achieves anything close to its potential. Who knows what could have happened if the leadership had tried new things, new markets, new customers, or new products? They might have experienced something greater than they could ever have dreamed of.

For example, I know a man who works in the housing industry who was very successful in his niche. He made a good living, and those who worked for him were happy and busy. However, he thought he could do a lot better. So he made some 90 degree turns, which were disruptive to his employees and his family. They didn’t like the changes. But within a couple of years, they were thankful for the new approaches he had taken. His time and life are now leveraged much closer to the potential he has.

Another problem is that the autopilot mentality tends to lull us into a false sense of security. Since there is an annual return that is positive, there’s no reason to think things won’t continue. But the reality of leadership, organizations, and business all dictates a very different message: change is the only constant. Just because things seem OK today doesn’t mean anything about tomorrow. There are competitors gunning for your market share. People you employ are being recruited by others. The industry you work in is shifting. The economy, national and global, is in flux. Calm waters can hide a storm underneath.

This isn’t meant to alarm you, but rather to alert you that leaders need to always be scanning the horizon to see what is going on, and be improving, changing and adapting to the realities they encounter. Remember the online business boom that many people thought would replace brick and mortar. One group ignored the Web, and got behind the curve. Another group got totally into the Web, and forgot the need to have the stability of brick and mortar, and many of them went bust. The ones who kept aware of the realities learned the advantages of both internet and conventional business, and how to use both well.

Finally, it is a good thing for leaders to help their people and organizations to experience change as a positive reality in and of itself. That is, knowing what things in your business and world might be changing, it’s good to be comfortable with change, and to know how to deal with it. Help your people not be afraid of change. Help them take risks and make mistakes and learn from them, knowing they won’t be hammered for trying something new. Have brainstorming meetings in which you praise and support new ideas, “unrealistic” concepts and techniques, and out-of-the-box thoughts. Take them seriously and give them weight. Follow up on the ones with potential. You will show your people that they are in an organization that is not on autopilot, but has a hands-on, involved, dynamic leadership.

This is the leadership style that creates breakthroughs, innovations, and industry leaders. It’s a great way to spend a career or a ministry. It is exciting, challenging, and never boring. It is much like the life of faith, where we get out of the boat and test the waters. Be a pilot, and may God bless you as He pilots you.

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

(Proverbs 21:22)

A one-week
intensive workshop for leaders
with Dr. Henry Cloud
and Dr. John Townsend

 

Upcoming Ultimate Leadership workshop
in San Juan Capistrano, California

July 15 - 20, 2007

What one leader had to say about the Ultimate Leadership workshop experience...

As a pastor I am constantly on the look-out for continuing education opportunities that will benefit my ministry. In the last 12 years I have attended seminars and conferences all over the country on a variety of topics, including leadership. But I can honestly say that my week at the UL was far and away the best investment of time and money I have ever made. This was as much a “Life Conference” as it was a “Leadership Conference” in that it provided us a rich opportunity to connect what goes on inside of us and the effect that has on our leadership. I left the conference knowing so much more about myself, which in turn has helped me to understand why I have been “stuck” in certain areas of leadership. I not only have a new clarity, focus and energy - I have a plan! I really believe my week at UL has changed me and the way I do ministry. Thanks again for the energy, effort, thought and prayer you put into these UL weeks!

Brian Daly Pastor
San Diego, California

 

 

 

It's innovative, it's interactive-          
         it's our new Solutions Web site!

www.solutionsonvideo.com

Take a moment to click on the link-we think you'll agree that this is a site with a lot to offer. It provides hundreds of video answers to questions on topics that are important to you: love, singleness, marriage, parenting, career, leadership, emotional struggles, and more. You can submit questions, participate in a Blog, build community online, and access endless free resources to help you navigate life. This new site is not a replacement for our Cloud-Townsend Resources Web site; it is a new resource we have added. Let us know what you think of it!

DR. HENRY CLOUD AND DR. JOHN TOWNSEND PRESENT THE ULTIMATE LEADERSHIP SIMULCAST SERIES-VIA SATELLITE!

In their ongoing work with hundreds of leaders, psychologists Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend have identified issues and challenges relevant to leaders everywhere. A few years ago, they created Ultimate Leadership, a one-week intensive workshop designed to address these leadership issues. Workshops are held throughout the year in Southern California.

Now, in conjunction with CCN (Church Communication Network), Drs. Cloud and Townsend present a monthly simulcast series that continues and complements the leadership training offered in the Ultimate Leadership workshop. Each one-hour simulcast provides key leadership insights and practices, all solidly based on biblical principles of leadership and character development. Each is designed to help fulfill the desire all leaders share: to become better leaders!

How People Grow

by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

It's yours at 38 percent off the retail price!
Here's an excerpt:

Fixing the Passivity Problem

Many people struggle with actively pursuing spiritual growth; they are passive rather than active. When people allow life to happen to them or when they react to others rather than taking initiative, they take a passive role. Passive people who also have dependency issues often have real problems growing. They desire and value relationships and support, which is a good thing, but they seek it only for connectedness, comfort, or safety. They are less able to use relationships as the fuel to solve problems, take risks, or execute responsibilities.

Retail price $12.99 - yours for only $8.00 - save $5.00!
Enter code UL1206 to order

Interested in bringing Dr. Cloud or
Dr. Townsend to your organization?
Please call (800) 676-HOPE (4673)
for information about creating an exciting event for your church or group!