Effective Leaders

[Aidan]

The idea of leadership capacity reminds me of the parable of the talents. The Master gave different amounts to each one based on their ability, but he expected each would be a faithful steward with what they were given. In our culture, we are generally led to believe that bigger is better, and this definitely applies to leadership capacity as well. If your church is bigger, you must be a great leader, etc. However, while I think we should celebrate exceptional leadership capacity, I am of the opinion that we have made an idol out of leadership when the thing God is looking for is servanthood. In my life, I have found it very helpful to think of my leadership in terms of faithfulness. Was I faithful with what God gave me today? This is the question I think God would ask of us, not whether or not we are growing our leadership capacity.

[Melissa Smyth]

I think with growing your capacity as a leader, you need to be careful and intentional, and self-aware that you are effectively growing your capacity to lead people well, and not just getting better at being busier. I have seen and been someone who has gotten better at being busy, but not necessarily a present and effective leader. I think growing capacity is not as much the goal as it is being intentional with those that you are leading and pouring into them.

[Kevin]

I think leadership capacity is a simple fact of life. Even in Jesus’ parables of, for example, the talents, he doesn’t give everyone the same starting amount of resources. He gives more to some, and less to some. The goal is to simply be faithful with what we’ve been given.

I absolutely believe it’s possible to increase both your capacity and impact as a leader. I think the list outlined in the video offers a helpful guide, but in particular the lifelong learning is key. Listening to podcasts or reading books to engage with the journey of growth is so important to growing as a leader.

[Celestine]

Leadership capacity refers to a leader’s ability to effectively manage their workload, responsibilities, and influence while maintaining their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I believe that increasing leadership capacity is possible through intentional development, self-awareness, and strategic habits.

To increase my leadership capacity, I would focus on developing key skills such as prioritization, delegation, and communication. I would also prioritize self-care, recognizing that physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are essential to effective leadership. Additionally, I would seek mentorship, feedback, and ongoing learning opportunities to refine my leadership skills and stay adaptable in an ever-changing environment.

By taking these steps, I believe I can expand my leadership capacity, enabling me to have a more significant impact and empower others more effectively.