As you might guess, I travel quite a bit in my work. The hotel brand where I stay most frequently almost always has the same bathroom fixtures. But the interesting thing is that even with the same hardware, getting the water to my ideal temperature requires turning the shower handle different amounts in each room. 

One of the jobs of a leader is to create urgency, or said another way, to turn up the heat. This has been said in a variety of ways by leadership experts. Max DePree’s famous statement is that “the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.” John Kotter says, “Conducting business as usual is very difficult if the building seems to be on fire.” People are only willing to make difficult changes when they are confronted with a reality that falls short of their ideal.

So what does this have to do with the showers in hotels? Everything. One of the challenges in creating urgency – turning up the heat – is that the same picture of reality will elicit a variety of responses from people. For some, a small dose of reality is all that’s needed to spur them to action. Others will argue that “things aren’t that bad” or that the picture you’re presenting is inaccurate. They need much more heat before they’re willing to change.

Of course, you can’t individualize the temperature setting for each person in your congregation. So what can you do?

• Work individually with core leaders. In small groups or 1-on-1, you can tailor your approach with skeptical individuals, listening to their concerns and responding appropriately. 
• Encourage those who “get it” early to spread the message. The best advocates are often volunteers who are not paid to create urgency. Their influence can be a powerful voice for change. 
• Be patient. It usually takes a little while for the shower water to warm up, and the same will be true for people in your church. 

Two final thoughts from the shower. First, if you turn up the heat too much or too fast, you (not your congregation) are likely to get burned. But second, don’t leave the water on the cold setting due to the fear of getting burned. That only results in a miserable shower and a frustrated leader.

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