I’ve been musing on some of the ‘leadership modes’ we inhabit as clergy. I have never bought into the idea that a vicar should have just one, easily-definable ‘leadership style’, nor that we must inhabit a single style based on our alleged ‘personality type’. So the following is by no means exhaustive, and these are not binary choices, more an aid in reflecting on the most apposite mode to adopt in given situations. And at best, these are mere self-check questions, not a system for how to lead! I think we are naturally drawn to one or other of these modes of leading, but a healthy leader should have some kind of self-awareness and be reflective, learning from how one reacts instinctively to enable us to adopt the most apposite response, even if it wouldn’t be what came naturally. This is, of necessity in a short online post, over-simplified, but I hope it gets people pondering.
Perspective: How am I seeing the presenting situation? This can be broad or narrow. Does the situation require vision for the future or pragmatism right now? Which is the more important focus? And how is this to be communicated? Pitfalls: visionary = fantasist; pragmatist = overthinker
Perception: How am I responding to what is going on? Is a focus on depth or clarity paramount? When I lead others, do I need to show mainly confidence or sensitivity so as to take people with me pastorally?
Pitfalls: confidence = self-promoting/pride; sensitivity = self-indulgent/overthinking
Pastoral: Do people most need a shepherd, teacher, prophet, confessor, travelling companion, ‘parent’, or some other archetype of pastoral leader right now? These archetypes overlap significantly or course. Key questions: what aspect of Jesus might people see in me through how I lead on this? How am I helping people discover their vocation as disciples? Do I need to make myself inhabit a role here, or is the mode one I find natural? Pitfalls: being inauthentic by trying to fit a Biblical archetype too narrowly.
Inner / outer focus: Is a more introverted pondering needed, or a more extroverted bit of action needed right now? Kick any sense of your MBTI type ruling your approach into the long grass right now! You need to be able to operate in either modes at different times. If you know you are more prone to introversion / extroversion, just factor that into the mix but never use this as an excuse not to embrace the ‘other’ mode as you will be a poorer leader for it. Pitfalls: introversion = too much ponder/being or seeming withdrawn; extroversion = too little ponder/overbearing
Voice: Do people need to hear words of challenge or comfort? Is my presence paramount, or my words? Do I need to reveal more of myself, or rein that in to give them more space to occupy in the conversation? Is silence (or fewer words) the mode needed? Do they need me first and foremost as Nick or as a priest (less of me: a sacramental presence)?
Prioritizing outcomes: Do I need to focus on relationships, the process and connections (the journey there) or the outcome, a sense of the job being done / completed and off the To Do list? You have to be aware of both, but setting a priority, especially at the outset is helpful, but it is also worth going into every meeting, or new stage of things with this in mind. Pitfalls: journey = lose focus on the outcomes; completion = no pastoral focus.
Choose a framework / mindset: related to the above, do I need to be organised and methodical for this, or is a more flexible, improvised approach going to be the best for the people involved / the task / project? Pitfalls: organised = too rigid, less room for individuals to thrive and grow; too improvised = chaotic.
And finally, Reflections on the way, or on completion:
Where were the opportunities for rejoicing, worship, prayer, sense of God’s presence with us?
What glimpses and insights into people’s journeys of faith did I gain?
What have I learned about myself as a child of God?
Vicar of Villages 