Unmasking Power in Leadership

1. Power and Leadership Source: Bob Perry, Pass the Power, Please

2. Power Exercised and Unmasked • Most often exercised in unseen and informal channels • The wise leader unmasks pockets of power and discerns hidden patterns.

3. Assumptions about Power • Power can be used for (un)righteous ends. • Power can be used in Godly or ungodly ways. • Power can be used by saints and sinners. • There is never a power vacuum. • Knowing where power resides is itself power. • Position does not guarantee power. • Power often comes from informal, non-institutionalized sources.

4. Sources of Power • Individual • Group

5. 3Typesof Power • Informational • Relational • Coalitional

6. Informational • Understanding the history of what has and hasn’t worked in the church. • Expertise of pertinent subject matter. • (i.e. theological, sociological) • Mastery of data and trend interpretation.

7. Relational • Being married to a power person • Kinship with power sources • Having the right “last name”

8. Coalitional • Friendship with a power person • Being part of key “discussion arenas” • Reputation as “sounding board” • Can include one’s perceived relationship with God

9. Congregational Power Analysis Survey: 15 questions toward discerning and unmasking power pockets in your congregation.

10. Mr./Ms. “My Church” • Who embodies what this church is all about? • Who is the quintessential member?

11. “Let’s vote!” • Ability to summarize essence • Consensus namer • “I’ve heard enough”

12. “End-around” • Who do I go to if I want to get a hearing? • Who makes sure you get the message? • Unofficial gathering places and discussion forums

13. S/heroes in Tough Times • Who has a medal for bravery beyond duty in combat or crisis times? • Who was here (didn’t leave) when the church weathered the storm?

14. 5% Giver • Perception of their wealth and/or giving to the church matters more than the reality of what they actually give

15. Intimidator • Position or reputation in community • Perceived wealth • Occupation (i.e. business) • Personality • Known history in church life/issues

16. Celebrity • Media presence • Frequent speaker in large group gatherings of the church • Visible in community life • golf pro, commerce, government, management

17. Smarter than the Pastor • Again: perception > reality! • Business acumen (“real world”) • More experience with church life • Stronger biblically or theologically • More formal education • Better people skills • Better handle on nature/goals of organization

18. More Spiritual than the Pastor • Perceived to pray more • Knows more of the Bible • Interprets life theologically without being seen as falsely pious • Longer tenure in faith • Viewed as more dedicated giver • $/time

19. Wise, Articulate, Persuasive • Gift of discernment • “On earth as it is in heaven” • Few words, well-chosen • People want to know how this one feels before they decide how they’ll vote • Public & behind-the-scenes persuasion

20. Bloodline and Blessing • Who has the right last name? • Who has parents or family members who played decisive roles in church life? • Actual regular physical presence at the church not required.

21. “Trust me …” • Different than “persuasive” category. • Seen as having the best interests of the church at heart. • Can’t be “bought” out of convictions.

22. 15: “WWJD?” • This person does not have to be seen as exercising formal power, but is viewed as one of the “saints” of the church.

23. Analyzing Your “Power” Data 8 steps

24. 1. Gather Accurate Perceptions • Get sample of 5-20 church leaders • Include: • your spouse • other staff • your best friend in the church • people loyal to your leadership • choose some of the probably powerful • people who know people that you don’t know

25. 2. Enlist by Explaining Purpose • Enable more Godly and helpful leadership in the church by providing an accurate picture. • More beyond the formal to the informal “getting things done.”

26. 3. Tally and Rank • List every name mentioned in surveys • Tally number of votes for each person listed • Rank by # of votes received

27. 4. Interpret Emerging Patterns • Are the most powerful people those who have information, relationships, or coalitions? • Among the most powerful, are there any significant coalitions? • Don’t forget spouses of the powerful!

28. 5. Assess: “What About Me??” • If no one is “smarter” or “more spiritual” than the pastor, then that’s one vote for you! • What is your “power rank” in relation to others? • How much is in your “leadership bank account?”

29. 6. Determine Future Coalitions You Need to Form • Individuals or groups? • Do I need to be at certain gatherings? • Accumulate enough “power go-ahead” before proceeding with a change • Who are the permission-givers/takers?

30. 7. Power through Morale Building • Cultivating relationships as a task-oriented event • Mission-morale balance • Change-agent through friendship

31. 8. Steward of this Knowledge • Undertaking this process itself grants you new power. • Pray for wise and discerning use of power for Kingdom ends!

32. Power and Leadership Dr. John P. Chandler The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership www.rasnet.org john.chandler@vbmb.org Copy right John Chandler, 2000