Shared Leadership - A Conceptual Draft        
                                                                                                RDH Ver.2 2004

Leadership starts with vision. We have seen repeatedly throughout history that people hunger for something beyond themselves. There is a desire to connect with something that binds us together in common cause and draws out the best that is within us. This higher purpose when shared among a few individuals, a community of faith, a nation, or a world has the power to overcome incredible obstacles and transform situations and relationships. The scriptures point us to the importance of vision, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).

Leadership is a continuum. At the one end of the spectrum we have a model of visionary leadership where the leader is the author and final authority on questions related to direction or purpose. At the other end of the spectrum we have a model where there is no defined leader but vision emerges through the development of relationships and discerning of God's will together. It is similar to a group of friends trying to decide what to do on a Saturday evening. They are all equals and are not sure what they want to do, but through a process of suggesting and listening a consensus emerges and they engage in the activity together.

Shared leadership is the art of engaging others in the creation and living out of vision. It is an art because leadership effectiveness relies so heavily on the leader's sensitivity to individual hopes and aspirations, their ability to help individuals connect with an emerging collective vision, and a personal openness and vulnerability to "let the Spirit breathe" (D&C 162: 2e) in the process. It is not an exact science where you simply add a little integrity with group discussion and end up with shared leadership. It requires a combination of skill and experience with a deep-rooted belief in the worth of persons (Doctrine and Covenants 16:3c)

Finally, shared leadership also requires a tenacity to rise above it all and stay focused on what lies "beyond the horizon" (D&C 161:1a). It requires giving up some control and allowing the process to meander a bit but always gently leading back to the broader vision. Jesus rose above it all by keeping a visionary perspective. To be "in the world, yet not of it" was his call to not allow the reality of the present to block out the rays of future possibility.

James Kouzes and Barry Posner in their book The Leadership Challenge suggest five practices of leadership based on their extensive research in organizations. The underlying foundation of these five practices is the value of shared leadership. These principles are also found in Jesus Ministry. Daniel Goleman discusses the art of leadership in the broader context of emotional intelligence in his book Primal Leadership. Emotional intelligence is critical in the formation of effective shared leadership. The discussion below has been influenced by the work of these authors.

Leaders’ actions are far more important than their words when determining how serious they really are about what they say. Leading by doing creates a shared sense of accountability by demonstrating the servant model of leadership. When Jesus took his garment off and used it as a towel to wash the disciples’ feet, they were uncomfortable and shocked. They protested his act of humility but he said, " I am doing this to set an example for you" (John 13:4-15). Nothing could have had as much impact as this powerful act of humility. At the heart of shared leadership is a fundamental understanding that we lead by example.

Leaders spend time envisioning the future. They live much of their lives backward by seeing future possibilities and then working back to the present. They have to balance the impulse for change they sense within with the collective readiness of the group they are called to serve. They constantly balance their personal sense of vision with the need to allow vision to emerge from the community of believers. For vision to be compelling it must inspire individuals to rise above their present reality and risk seeing and engaging in the possibility of what could be.

In terms of envisioning the future, we are all called to be leaders. Section 162:2c of the Doctrine and Covenants call us "to discern the divine will for your own time and in the places where you serve." Congregational leaders have the delicate task of creating a safe environment that challenges individuals to envision the future and then helping to weave individual expressions of aspiration, hope, and vision into a connected and compelling vision of what could be.

Leaders are pioneers - individuals willing to step out into the unknown. Building the peaceable kingdom is an adventure and call to transform situations and relationships in the likeness of Christ. The word pioneer has rich meaning as we reflect on those early Saints who were willing to venture out into an unknown future because of their vision of Zion, the peaceable kingdom. Leaders are often restless because they see the large gap between current reality and future possibility.

Section 162:2b challenges us to not "yearn for times that are past" but to "build a foundation for what is yet to be." We are also reminded that the spirit of the Restoration "is a spirit of adventure, openness, and searching." (Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b) Jesus challenged the prevailing view. Congregational leaders gently challenge the present and engage others in viewing the present through the lens of future possibility. This often results in a creative tension that requires sensitivity and patience with those who may not see the need for change. The process of challenging the present reality is not the task of one person but is shared among those who sense the stirring and restlessness that can accompany the divine impulse for change.

Change cannot be accomplished in one meeting but requires a thoughtful and prayerful approach along with patience and understanding. Change is not about structures and processes but about people. Establishing relationships of credibility and trust is crucial in order for hearts and minds to open up to the spirit of fellowship and the divine impulse for change. This is a shared task for building "sacred community is arduous and even painful" and requires the efforts of the entire community (Doctrine and Covenants 161: 3c).

Great visions and dreams are not accomplished by one person alone. According to Kouzes and Posner, the more a leader uses the word "we" instead of "I" the greater likelihood the vision will be realized. Teamwork has become a much-overused word but shared leadership is about coming together as a team to accomplish what we cannot accomplish on our own.

Leaders make it possible for others to connect to the vision and engage in the vision in meaningful ways. Leaders enable others to succeed by letting go of power and control. They recognize the vision must be embraced at an individual level and connected to an individual's gifts of ministry. They foster collaboration and trust and therefore create an environment where it is safe to try something new or risk developing a new skill. They encourage risk taking and experimentation as the pathway to spiritual growth.

Jesus formed a team. He encouraged his disciples to exercise faith, envisioned a special future where they would do even greater things, and modeled the life of a servant. He was not in control but constantly pointed to his heavenly father as his source of strength and wisdom.

Leaders have enormous influence that can be utilized to create a community of faith and hope in which individuals are free to explore their gifts, try new things, sometimes fail, and try again. The effective leader continues to connect individual disciples back to the vision and encourages them to find that unique contribution that only they can make.

Leaders must be fully aware of the impact and influence they have on others. Verbal and nonverbal communication can extinguish the desire to be engaged if not approached with the highest level of skill and sensitivity. Shared leadership calls leaders to permit others to connect with the vision and express it in ways unique to their gifts and understanding. The desire to control the exact outcome can be very detrimental to the process of owning the vision. In short, leaders need to get out of the way as individuals respond and connect with the vision.

The realization of vision is often a long and arduous climb to the top. There are many opportunities for discouragement. Leaders encourage and support that spirit within those who desire to be engaged in something meaningful beyond themselves. Leaders celebrate each step along the way as evidence of movement and progress.

Jesus urged Peter to step out onto the water. He called his disciples friends. He prayed for his disciples in the garden. Jesus was engaged and concerned. He tried to prepare his disciples for what was to come and gave them assurance that the Holy Spirit or Comforter would be there to guide and assure them.

Shared leadership recognizes that we all need encouragement and support. Those who are called to serve in specific positions of leadership as well as those who carry out supporting roles need support. Recognizing momentum, celebrating progress, and sharing words of encouragement and support are the most often neglected dimension of shared leadership. We get caught up in action steps, goals, and timelines and forget that people are involved in the process.

Counsel provided in Section 157: 17 is appropriate for consideration:

The concepts outlined with respect to visioning and shared leadership apply to creating a healthy congregation. For many congregations, their vision may be expressed as becoming a healthy congregation where ministries of inviting, gathering, and sending/serving are lived out and experienced by members and visitors. Who congregations feel called to invite, how they support discipleship growth, and the opportunities they provide to respond through service and sending forth are questions of vision.

A congregation may feel a particular call to develop a deeper sense of calling with respect to inviting ministries. Creating a shared vision of what it means to be engaged in sharing God's love and grace and then providing opportunities and support for sharing to occur is best accomplished through shared leadership. Different individuals will have different ideas on methods to reach out. The congregational leader(s) must step back and recognize the importance of a shared vision to witness and allow flexibility for individual expressions of how that can be accomplished. As a congregation takes each step toward becoming a sharing congregation, it is important to recognize the momentum and celebrate each step.

It is important that congregational leaders are engaged in sharing and inviting ministries. It would be helpful to invite others in the congregation to go along on a visit or strategize about transitioning from discussions about kids and sports to more spiritual topics. By engaging in sharing and inviting ministry, congregational leaders model the way and create a powerful example for others to follow.

At times individuals will become frustrated with a lack of progress or barriers encountered. Congregational leaders can help by ensuring support mechanisms are in place for encouragement and help. A witnessing support group would be an example of a specific action that would provide an avenue for encouragement and support. Personal follow up and handwritten notes of encouragement by congregational leaders are also powerful ways to express support and encouragement.

Finally, it is imperative that congregational leaders continually hold up the vision before the congregation. This is a shared task as individuals sense the call to respond. It may take the form of weekly testimonies before the service or as part of the service. The pastor may emphasize an element of inviting ministry or issue a specific challenge to the congregation each week. Whatever form it takes, congregational leaders have a shared responsibility to keep the vision alive through engaging and conveying the vision through experiences and moments of prayer and celebration.

Becoming a healthy congregation is not the responsibility of the pastor alone but the responsibility of all those who sense the call to respond to God's love and generosity. The pastor's role is to ensure that processes and opportunities are in place for individuals to participate in envisioning the future and living out that vision through ministries that specifically link their gifts and sense of call. Not all pastors will have the skills to create such an environment and will need to draw others into leadership who have specific skills in facilitation. This is the power of the shared leadership approach. The pastor must simply recognize the need and then work to complete a team that has the complement of skills needed to begin the journey of becoming.