Why teams offer the best leadership

David Bowman Feb. 5, 2020

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 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. ~Proverbs 3:13

I sat through a meeting exploring new possibilities. This is the kind of stuff that gets me excited. My heart beats fast, my breath grows shallow and I lean in at full attention. Having taken several personality and temperament analyses, this much is clear: I love big ideas, shiny objects and new lands to conquer.

However, I live and work with a couple of anchors and chains. I mean this as a compliment. Seriously, I do. You see, if everything were up to me, we would run in all directions at the same time. We would start a lot of fun stuff. We may never actually accomplish anything, but we would have a good time.

My wife is not a possibilities thinker. She is a realist. My frequent dreams sound like nightmares to her. I cannot tell you how many dreams she has squashed with inane questions like, “Who’s going to pay for that?” She has a few others that sound a lot like that. I tend to quit listening after the first two or three.

I have learned from my bride and my coworker to think through not only the exciting idea but the boring details as well. The problem for me is that there are so many, many details! 

However, if we are ever going to get anything done and done well, we need not only big ideas but detailed plans. We need not only plans but flexibility for when things change. We must look forward and see where new projects are taking us and if that is really the way we want to go for as long as it is going to take and as much as it is going to cost.

Sometimes the wisest thing to say is, “This opportunity is more burden than blessing.” Sometimes the wisest thing to say is, “This is not the right time.” Sometimes the wisest thing to say is, “No.”

If you do not have a naysayer in your life, get one. If you are the naysayer, get an idea guy. We need each other. Naysayers without idea guys will never get much done, but the time will be recorded accurately. Idea guys without naysayers will never finish anything and will frustrate everyone with their lack of attention to detail. 

It is true: The best leadership is done by teams, not by individuals. That’s wisdom right there. I wish I could take credit for it. However, Solomon makes it clear that it is a gift from God. It is a gift he freely shares with all who ask for it. Have you asked for your share today? 

If you an idea guy, have the wisdom to take a naysayer with you when you examine possibilities. If you are a naysayer, grab an idea guy, if you can catch one bouncing from idea to idea, and take him with you. You may annoy one another for a while, but you will enjoy the results. 

I will ask for God’s wisdom and for wise people to guide me.

Our Father, I need your wisdom. Teach me. Thank you for surrounding me with wise family members, coworkers, and friends. Show us how to work together under your direction to accomplish all that you want and none that you do not. Show us the way we should go. Amen. 

Photo source: istock 

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David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More »

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