The Necessity of Self Management in Leaders

    When walking into leadership training program, many would assume that the focus would be on gaining tools to lead others. However, biblically, before we point out someone’s wrong doing, we are to first examine ourselves (Matthew 7:5). As a student in Biola's MA in Organizational Leadership (MOL) program, I have been taught in classes how to lead myself before leading others. I find it interesting that the very first chapter of the book “Breakfast with Fred,” characteristic of many other leadership books, relates to “managing yourself”.
    I believe this to be the most important aspect to leadership. If you are unable to lead yourself and work on making yourself a more effective leader, you are cheating your followers and cheating yourself. The concept of leading and growing yourself first is one that seems to encounter strong disagreement in my experience. Many seem to feel the leader should "have it all together," resulting in admiration from their followers. Others have stated that we should not waste time by working on ourselves as leaders.
    Often accompanying these points of view is the idea that those we lead should not be allowed to see our weaknesses, fearing that followers would lose respect for their leader and that the leader would lose his authority. I believe this fear of expose is ultimately rooted in insecurity and pride. In an effort to protect themselves, leaders wear the mask of having life under control.
    As a pastor, my arena is the church. For a pastor to wear a mask, he models to his congregation to do the same, all the while encouraging them to "be themselves" and develop real relationships. Like many leaders, pastors go from job to job never dealing with past hurts or mistakes. Yet, if something reminds them of a past experience that touches on those past wounds they either lash out or withdraw.
    It is critical for leaders to continue to work on leading and growing themselves. They must be open to learn about themselves and allow God to work on them, even if it must be in front of their followers. Leaders must always be seeking for God to reveal areas of improvement. When leaders are honest with themselves and with their followers, they will earn a greater respect from their followers. We as leaders can cause much future harm by wearing a mask and rejecting self-management and development. We must recognize the responsibility God has placed on us, and continually work on growing our own weaknesses, submitting to the will of God, so that he is able to continue to work through us to truly grow our followers.   

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Author: Kelley Reid
Editor: Sarah Ailes

Kelly Reid is the Worship Pastor at Caldwell Christian Church and a student in Biola's MA in Organizational Leadership distance program. He is the founder and director of "Worship in the Park," a ministry designed to break down denominational walls and put the capital "C" back into church.
Kelley is also a frequent speaker at conferences and universities on worship ministry, marriage, and leadership responsibility.