Leading by App

I’ve apparently missed out on an important new technology. It seems that a new app has been created to do the hard work of parenting. At least, that’s what I concluded as I walked through a park near my home and observed a number of parents staring intently at their phones while their kids played. I can’t wait for a similar app to be developed for leadership! The above paragraph was written with my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek. Technology does many things to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more productive. But some things, like parenting and leadership, can’t be delegated to a smartphone. Both are highly relational, subjective, and situational endeavors that can’t be reduced to lines of computer code, even with advances in artificial intelligence. I don’t really believe that anyone reading this blog is trying to use an app to lead. But I encounter many people who don’t enjoy the people-related aspect of their leadership roles. Specifically, they don’t like the messy, unpredictable parts of dealing with others – the missed expectations, conflicts, hard conversations, and questions without easy answers. I’m quick to acknowledge that these interactions are not pleasant, but they are an integral part of what it means to be a leader. Our churches and ministries are dependent on people, not machines, to accomplish the mission that God has given us. Whether they are paid staff or volunteers, those people bring their gifts and passions, and their baggage and imperfections, into their roles. Sure, we want to hire great people to minimize those downsides, but no one is perfect. That’s where the messy, app-defying job of a leader comes into play. As long as leadership involves moving flawed human beings toward a goal – and it always will – we won’t be able to lead by app. It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>