Consulting Services
What kind of assistance will propel your organization to the next level? While every project is uniquely tailored to the needs of the client, my consultations can be divided into five categories: (1) discerning the vision, (2) turning vision into action, (3) building the team, (4) identifying roadblocks, and (5) coaching. Some consultations involve every category, while others may only require one. Click here for more about the commitment that undergirds every project.
Discerning the Vision
If you don’t know where you’re aiming, you’ll never hit the target.
The best organizations have a clear, shared, and compelling vision of their future. This vision grows out of their unique identity and drives their decision-making. The process brings key leaders into a collaborative setting where we can identify the organization’s unique strengths and opportunities and discern God’s direction. This can be done over several planning sessions or in a weekend retreat.
Turning Vision into Action
A vision without an implementation plan is a recipe for frustration and missed opportunities.
If a vision has failed to produce meaningful results, it may be due to the absence of a visionpath – a focused plan that describes how the vision will be accomplished. Implementation projects are multi-faceted and are based on the particular needs of the client. In some cases, I work with the client to develop an overall visionpath, including key initiatives, goals and responsibilities. In other cases, I focus on a specific element, such as performance metrics, staff development, internal and external communications, organization structure, or governance.
Building the Team
The best plans in the world will go nowhere if people are pulling in opposite directions.
A God-inspired vision requires a unified team – within the staff and in the larger circle that includes key volunteer leaders. Unfortunately, many factors can undermine the effectiveness of these groups. I offer several different approaches to identify potential barriers to teamwork and to strengthen the cohesiveness of a leadership team.
Identifying Roadblocks
Every ministry experiences setbacks, but only some understand why.
One of the greatest values that an outside consultant brings is fresh perspective for complex problems. Clearly identifying the real issues can be a catalyst to move a ministry forward. Specific steps to identify roadblocks may include internal surveys, quantitative analysis of key trends, external data gathering, focus groups, and leadership workshops, all designed to produce those breakthrough insights.
Coaching
When leaders stop learning and growing, they stop leading.
Who is helping you sharpen your leadership skills? It may be a trusted friend within your ministry, a peer outside your organization, or a mentor you’ve known for years. For many leaders, however, no one fills this void. If you fall into the latter category but recognize the need for an outside voice to spur your personal development, consider a coaching relationship. These can be short-term or long-term and can focus on specific issues or general leadership development.
Not sure where to begin? I also offer one-day workshops that enable a leadership team to identify the key issues that need to be addressed.
