IMPACT: Developing Leaders

This summer, I’ve been leading a small group called IMPACT made up of new and emerging leaders at Southview who want to learn more about leadership and develop the leadership gift that God has given them.  The discussions that come out of this group are often significant, and to listen to leaders process what they’re reading and hearing, growing more and more, is truly one of my favorite things to be a part of.

During this session of IMPACT, we’re reading and discussing two books together (Chess Not Checkers by Mark Miller, and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell). We’re watching and discussing video of sessions from the Global Leadership Summit and Leadercast from years past. And we’re learning from one another as we each navigate various leadership challenges in wildly different contexts.

Leaders, if you’re not a part of a group where you are being challenged to grow, make it happen!  If you’re not sharing what God’s teaching you with others, make it happen!  This is a low financial cost endeavor – it really just takes time and intentional effort. My experience has been that every time I lead an IMPACT group, I learn a great deal, and my own leadership muscles are strengthened.

This session, I tried something new. Each time I do this, I adjust and adapt based on what I’ve learned from previous sessions.  I limited the size of the group for the first time, in order to make it more conversational and intimate, and I limited the time the group would meet to 8 weeks.  I sent out an email announcing this summer’s group, and the group filled up within a few hours.  I’ve found that leaders want to get better; they want to grow and develop their leadership gift, especially in the church.  Sometimes they just need an opportunity and an invitation.  You can do that!

How are you developing other leaders?  What tools or groups like IMPACT have you found helpful as you’ve grown as a leader?  What books would you suggest I consider for future IMPACT groups?