Leadershift: Five Lessons for Leaders in the 21st Century
(by Joel Barker, StarThrower Video,1999)

The newest video in the Joel Barker stable, Leadershift: Five Lessons for Leaders in the 21st Century, focuses on the nature and function of leaders as we prepare to cross the threshold to the twenty-first century. Leaders, Barker says, build bridges that take us from today to tomorrow. He also says that leadership is no longer a privilege, but a responsibility. Lastly, he defines a leader as "someone you choose to follow to a place you wouldn't go by yourself." Leaders do not choose themselves; effective leaders are evaluated and judged by their followers.

Barker presents five "lessons" for leaders:

1. Leaders focus the majority of their effort on the future; whereas, managers must manage what is at the moment. True leaders must free themselves to think "out there" -- where the organization must go in the future.
2. Leaders understand the nature of fundamental change -- change management -- and the ability to help others cope positively with change. These may well be the most critical functions of leadership today.
3. Leaders must learn and appreciate complex systems and how they work; that is, systems thinking is no longer optional. Those who get it can use it. Those who don't are lost before they begin.
4. Leaders examine their leadership style to see how it affects productivity -- bullying is out, empowering is in. Those who can promote positive feelings in the organization increase productivity and possibility. Managing people is second in importance only to managing change.
5. Leaders create a shared vision to build bridges to the future -- listening to the hearts and hopes of others allows leaders to articulate powerfully attractive visions for the future.

The kind of leadership that will draw us successfully into the next millennium focuses on the future, manages change, understands systems, builds positive relationships, and is driven by vision. These elements of leadership are as critical for the church as they are for business. Barker uses the secular society to illustrate his points in Leadershift, but the example can easily be adapted. Congregational and conference leaders need to take a long view into the future while helping people deal with change. Understanding organizational and interpersonal systems is the only way we can hope to develop the kind of strong relationships that will allow the church to thrive. And unless we have visions that motivate and transform, the church will fail to glorify God and help people to find their place in the Kingdom.

This video and other Joel Barker titles are available through StarThrower Video, 26 East Exchange Street, Suite 600, St. Paul, MN 55101. Check with your Conference office to see if it is available locally.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

(originally posted March 22, 1999)

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