There is not a sloth among them. Sitting around the table, coffee in hand and papers, brains and hearts at the ready. They are highly energetic and highly disciplined people.

 The agenda is how to approach discipleship in their church. All have something to say, and some are. Pace picks up and so does volume. A valid point of contention arises and the room gets a little hotter. The debate is robust.

About 15 minutes in, it is turning nasty. Raised voices, an occasional huff, some rolling of the eyes, butting in and ‘all out’ personal attack take over. These passionate disciple-makers are tearing each other limb from limb in the name of making disciples.

What is going on?

The power of visionary leadership is that it engages the deepest parts of our humanity to a transcendent cause.

We are designed to see and follow in this way. Some leaders today persist with ‘carrot and stick’ methods of leading - ‘Do this or go to hell,’ ‘do this and get a bigger house in heaven’ or ‘do this and have a fault free life.’

It’s a simple system of reward for good behaviour and punishment for bad behaviour. Such a system has its place in human society. It works well as a fence around people’s behaviour, but does not ignite the energy that comes from the heart, nor great creativity or boldness in endeavour. That requires visionary leadership.

When we ignite people’s passions, we must expect that they will bring that to the table.

For a high performing team, conflict must be fostered. Once conflicting thought is happening,  a common sequence ensues: the team members respond with further intelligent thought and /or emotion. If the emotion felt is expressed in words or behaviours, the temperature goes up. Something gets said or done. Another team member reciprocates with stronger words or actions and so it escalates.

The leader of the team MUST provide safety and processes which fosters conflict at a thinking level, but curb emotional responses and behaviours within the discussion. Some simple tools such as thinking grids (eg SWOT, DAPMID etc) cause the whole team to think intelligently in each conflicting arena and new strategy emerges more clearly and harmoniously.

Visionary leadership requires you tend the fire you light. Ignite passion, then keep it safe enough that your team don’t burn each other and dangerous enough to really fulfil the great commission.

Monica O’Neil

Director

Vose Leadership