You know, I’ve had a thought rolling around in my head for the last month or so. Someday maybe I’ll be able to say it better than this, but for now here’s what I’ve got…

The higher up the leadership ladder you go the more “Big things” you will be expected to deal with at a single time.

I liken this to a meal. A typical meal at my house looks something like this: potatoes, brocoli, and a piece of chicken.

In the world of leadership there are always the “little things” (potatoes, brocoli) to deal with or be aware of, and typically at least one “big thing” (chicken).

The higher up the leadership ladder you go the more big things (and maybe even the more little things) will be on your plate – brocoli, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chicken, ham, and a filet mignon! Now while this may sound like a great meal it can be a disaster for a leader!

I remember when I was the pastor at a church of 130+. There was typically a lot of brocoli and potato issues and fairly regularly there was a piece of chicken issue.

Now, however, that I am the Lead pastor at a 700+ church I am realizing that there are typically multiple “pieces of meat” (i.e. “Big issues”) on my leadership plate.

This requires continuing attention not just to one “Big issue” but continuing attention to multiple “Big issues.” Some of the big issues on my plate now include: 1) the addition of new staff and the consequential role transitions; 2) the launch of a new service @ our south campus (how do we successfully lead a multi-site church); 3) The continuing evolution of our administrative structure; 4) Continually asking and seeking to answer the question, “What’s next for Northgate?” (e.g. What hire?; What project?; What goal; etc.); 5) Continually asking and seeking to answer other various questions (e.g. Who will be affected by this decision; How will he/she/they respond?; Is this God or is it the latest book I read?; Is our mission of bringing people to Jesus and building them up in that relationship being accomplished?; etc.)

This is in addition to the “Little stuff”, for instance: 1) staff evaluations; 2) sermon prep; 3) meetings with people who are upset with me; 4) meetings with people who love me; 4) preparation for meetings (Management Team; Administrative Team; etc.)

So how does a leader deal with multiple “Big things” at the same time? Here’s what I’m finding (and if you know more… for crying out loud talk to me!)

1) You’ve got to know what the “Big things” are! How? Pray; listen; read about
     others who have made the same journey you are making and identify the “Big things”
     they had to face on their journey; get away from the “chaos of the regular” to think
     strategically about your situation(s)

2) You’ve got to know who your key leaders are and what they’re thinking
     about the “Big things” (Chances are your key leaders are aware of one or several of
     the “Big things”; your job as a leader is to help connect the dots between all of the
     “Big things.”

3) You’ve got to be willing to let someone else manage the “Big things.” (I do
     believe that there is a difference between leadership and management.)

4) You’ve got to strategically let some “Little things” fall off your plate (just be
     careful that in doing so, the little things don’t become big things!)

OK, now what do you think?