Leaders can have tremendous effects upon followers. Their impact upon the organization they lead (or the Teaching Children Effectively™ course they teach) can be profound and powerful. Fiedler and Chemers, whose extensive research on leadership has become classic, found that “The quality of leadership more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization.” Such a statement should be sobering to us as instructors of teachers as we stand before our students and train them to evangelize and disciple children. Did you realize that you and I share a vital responsibility in the success or failure of Child Evangelism Fellowship® and within that, the TCE™ courses?What makes a leader effective? What are the qualities that keep him or her on the cutting edge? Although leadership has been a topic of intense debate and much speculation for thousands of years, there are several leadership qualities which surface again and again in research literature. Recently I did an in-depth study about effective leadership. Let me share three qualities that stood out.
1. The ability to communicate The ability of the leader to communicate positively with followers is of utmost importance. In our leadership role as IOTs, we must communicate a vibrant forward-looking vision, a vision of multiplying ourselves so that we can reach more children with the Gospel. As leaders we must be able to present an appealing vision which emphasizes the values, strategies, and mission of the group in such a way that our students and other followers will be motivated to support the effort. This in turn gives the leader more credibility with followers and motivates them to higher levels of achievement. There is no doubt that good communication skills contribute greatly to a leader’s success. How are you communicating with others? Will you commit to increasing your communication skills for a more effective ministry?
2. A high concern for people Effective leaders are concerned about the well-being of people. According to research, one of the three qualities critical to a leader’s success is a caring, responsible, and respectful attitude. He or she has a special sensitivity toward the needs of followers and the situations that may affect them. He or she is friendly and considerate, showing concern for their needs and feelings, demonstrating trust and respect and treating them fairly. Are you working to increase this type of concern for your students and co-workers?
3. The empowerment of followers A leader who empowers others works hard to develop and strengthen the capabilities of followers. This involves training. Every time we train a student to use the Wordless Book or to present a Bible lesson or to hold a Good News Club® we are empowering them to have a vital part in the ministry of CEF® and to have an impact in the lives of boys and girls. We are multiplying ourselves in others and empowering them to do the task. It seems like we automatically fulfill this quality of effective leadership as IOTs, however, will you ask God to make you continually more effective in this area?
As an instructor of teachers and a leader, you play a crucial role in Child Evangelism Fellowship and in the Teaching Children Effectively program. The success or failure of the organization is determined by the quality of leadership. Therefore, leadership is not a subject to be treated lightly. May God help each one of us to be ever mindful of continually developing our skills: the ability to communicate, a higher concern for people and the empowerment of our students to reach children for Christ. As a result, we will be more effective at working together to make a greater impact on our world through impacting the lives of the world’s children!
Martha Wright
Vice-President of Education
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