Model It – It first starts with me. I can’t truly develop others as leaders unless I am developing those same leadership traits in myself. Before I can lead others and develop others, I must first be able to follow. I must continually be studying, learning, and applying. Our example becomes a pattern for them. You don’t ask others to do something you’re not willing to do (Robert Coleman).
Relationship – Leadership is deeply rooted in relationship. As we invest in others, we are inviting them into our world. The idea of discipleship is that of “walking alongside one another.” When someone sees that we genuinely care for them and are seeking their best interest, trust is built, walls come down, and growth accelerates.
Educate – Growth happens as we learn and apply. We need to be sharing and educating through our actions, interactions, discussions, books, videos and any other tools. Education is not one dimensional, is multi-dimensional. It's sharing life together and engaging all means possible for exploration, discussion and growth.
Challenge – For growth to occur, we have to challenge those we are discipling to stretch beyond where they currently are. They must successfully apply what they are learning. We have to share real responsibility with real expectations and the very real possibility of success or failure.
Reproduce – Leaders reproduce leaders. Authentic discipleship repeats itself, where the disciple becomes a disciple-maker: reproducing the discipleship process. (Bobby Harrington)
Here’s the model in a simple format:I do. You watch. We talk.
I do. You help. We talk.
You do. I help. We talk.
You do. I watch. We talk.
You do. Someone else watches. I do. Someone else watches.
So what’s the ROI? In Multipliers, Liz Wiseman talks about the talent attraction cycle. The basic idea is that we all seek to attract “A” players. Leaders develop (disciple) "A" players so that they are fully utilized and grow (becoming "A+" players). This helps us achieve team or organizational outcomes. Others, “A+” players, see this and are attracted to the team (or organization) and the cycle repeats itself which drives results and outcomes.
As Jesus taught and modeled leadership and discipleship, the idea was that you came to him with a notepad in hand and said, “here is the situation, how would you handle it?” You’d write down his response, see him model it, and then you would do it. “How would you handle this one?” “Great, that’s how I’ll handle it.” Take Peter as a great case study. He was a fisherman. His feet spent more time in his mouth than in his sandals. He was brash and was prone to speak and act before a single brainwave fired. He also became a great leader. Jesus modeled leadership. He built an incredibly special relationship with Peter. He challenged Peter and expected great things from him. He reaffirmed Peter when he failed, yet was consistent in his challenge and expectations. In time, Peter developed, led, and reproduced.Leadership is discipleship!
