Mentor Leadership A conversation with the leaders of Greater Centennial A. M. E. Zion Church Friday, October 15, 2010 Rev. Dr. W. Darin Moore, Pastor Rev. Alyce Walker Johnson, Facilitator Based on The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker

For exploration To what extent do Greater Centennials’ Vision, Mission and Values guide everything that individual leaders do? That the congregation does? To what extent do Greater Centennials’ Vision, Mission and Values guide everything that individual leaders do? That the congregation does? Am I prepared to have great success without receiving any of the credit? Am I prepared to have great success without receiving any of the credit? What does my “coaching tree” look like? What does my “coaching tree” look like?

Objectives Consider the nature of and need for leadership Consider the nature of and need for leadership Understand the key principles of Mentor Leadership Understand the key principles of Mentor Leadership Identify ways to apply Mentor Leadership principles in life and ministry Identify ways to apply Mentor Leadership principles in life and ministry

What is it? Who needs it? Leadership is not an innate, mystical gift; rather it is a learned ability to influence the attitudes and behavior of others. Leadership is not an innate, mystical gift; rather it is a learned ability to influence the attitudes and behavior of others.

When it’s done well… Paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will Paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will Display authentic, compelling modesty Display authentic, compelling modesty Attribute success to factors beyond themselves Attribute success to factors beyond themselves Diligent “more plow horse than show horse” Diligent “more plow horse than show horse” Set up successors for even greater success Set up successors for even greater success

Mentor Leadership Relational not positional Relational not positional Seeking to have a direct, intentional, and positive impact on those one leads. Seeking to have a direct, intentional, and positive impact on those one leads. “building character into the lives of others, modeling and teaching attitudes and behaviors, and creating a constructive legacy to be passed on to future generations of leaders.” “building character into the lives of others, modeling and teaching attitudes and behaviors, and creating a constructive legacy to be passed on to future generations of leaders.” Changing people’s lives Changing people’s lives

The Mandate Put people first Put people first Focus on significance—get your hands dirty Focus on significance—get your hands dirty Get it done now while keeping an eternal perspective Get it done now while keeping an eternal perspective

The Mindset It’s not about me or you—it’s about others It’s not about me or you—it’s about others Regeneration: Build leaders who know how to (and will be serious about) building leaders Regeneration: Build leaders who know how to (and will be serious about) building leaders Discern when it makes sense to demand and when it makes sense to develop Discern when it makes sense to demand and when it makes sense to develop There is joy in the journey as well as the destination There is joy in the journey as well as the destination Make sure you keep the “goalposts” upright Make sure you keep the “goalposts” upright Serve by putting yourself “out” for others Serve by putting yourself “out” for others

What if this were flipped?

The Maturity Look at yourself every now and again Look at yourself every now and again Build on your strengths, Work on your weaknesses Build on your strengths, Work on your weaknesses Prevent parasites aka don’t transmit your trash to those you lead Prevent parasites aka don’t transmit your trash to those you lead Deal with your past (or it will deal with you) Deal with your past (or it will deal with you) Forgive others and yourself Forgive others and yourself Work to live, don’t live to work! Work to live, don’t live to work!

The Marks Develop and display the “characteristics that matter” including Develop and display the “characteristics that matter” including –Character –Trustworthy traits (competence, integrity, security and authenticity) –Leadership attributes (courage in the face of dissent, presence in the “pits”, keep mission and vision at the forefront, active faith, adapt the paradigm when needed –Relational qualities (accountability, availability, approachability, loyalty, shepherd/protection

The Moments Influence where and when you can Influence where and when you can Impact others—one life at a time Impact others—one life at a time Somebody’s ALWAYS watching—role models beware! Somebody’s ALWAYS watching—role models beware! Don’t focus on what others have, get or do Don’t focus on what others have, get or do Don’t be paralyzed by “the system” and its inequities or injustices Don’t be paralyzed by “the system” and its inequities or injustices

The Model Words, actions, faith and heart—they all make up your reputation Words, actions, faith and heart—they all make up your reputation Talk when you teach not during the test Talk when you teach not during the test It’s not what you want to do but what you have been “called” to do It’s not what you want to do but what you have been “called” to do Legacy is inevitable so strive to leave a positive mark Legacy is inevitable so strive to leave a positive mark

The Means Build strong teams Build strong teams Create a healthy culture Create a healthy culture Be clear about the “non-negotiable” Be clear about the “non-negotiable” Make allowance for diversity to enhance performance Make allowance for diversity to enhance performance Team is the “cream”—individuals are important but not indispensable Team is the “cream”—individuals are important but not indispensable Treat everyone like they are volunteering Treat everyone like they are volunteering

The Methods 1. Engage 2. Educate 3. Equip 4. Encourage 5. Empower 6. Energize 7. Elevate

The Measure Add value Add value Don’t owe anyone anything (but love) Don’t owe anyone anything (but love) Expand the circle Expand the circle Know when and how to hand it over! Know when and how to hand it over! Even if the position ends, God’s power is still at work Even if the position ends, God’s power is still at work

NOW, WHAT? - Who can step into my leadership role RIGHT NOW? Who can step into my leadership role RIGHT NOW? Who am I actively mentoring right now? Who should I be actively mentoring right now? Who am I actively mentoring right now? Who should I be actively mentoring right now? What will I do today to be a better Mentor Leader? What will I do today to be a better Mentor Leader?