Three Ways to Pursue the Future

We approach the future in different ways. In coaching, we encourage people to be intentional about their future, but we must realize that there is more than one way to prepare for the future.

Becoming a Resonant Leader presents the research of Annie McKee on three ways of thinking about the future. McKee observes that individuals tend to be either goal-oriented, direction-oriented, or action-oriented.

Goal-oriented people lay out specific objectives and work toward them in a straight-forward way. They do not necessarily have a vision or dream for their lives but focus instead on short-term achievement and success. Often this is the approach that we emphasize most in coaching. The weakness is that it can become rather cut and dried with little passion involved.

Other people use a direction-oriented approach that recognizes and chooses a path they wish to pursue without being too specific about each step. These individuals are very aware of their environment and, according to McKee, “are very good at spotting opportunities that they can leverage in pursuit of their dreams or a vision.” They are adaptable to the present situation but hold on to long-term principles, values, and vision. When coaching these clients, a coach helps the client process new opportunities while encouraging the person to be true to personal values and keeping life purpose in mind.

Action-oriented individuals are not particularly concerned about a vision or ultimate goal. They live in the moment and focus on “who they are rather than what they might be or what they might do.” Each coaching session with action-oriented clients is unlike the last. Even so, the coach strives to ask questions that will help the client to be realistic about their actions and plans.

These styles can be applied to congregations as well. Some churches plan well, having clear goals for the coming year, but they give little thought to their extended future. Others are more flexible, being aware of emerging opportunities that they might pursue in keeping with their vision and values. Finally, there are congregations that are “making it up as they go along” and they like it that way.

Whether we are dealing with individuals, churches, or organizations, we should keep in mind the planning (or non-planning) orientation in play.

Comments

Check these out

Confessions of a Recovering Southern Baptist

I am grateful for my heritage as a Southern Baptist. I was exposed to the Bible and worship from a very young age. I grew up in a church in south Alabama that supported the Cooperative Program of missions giving. This meant that our church had the benefit of being part of a supportive group of local churches and the educational opportunities that afforded. Our state convention provided varied and effective ministries with groups like orphans, ethnic groups, and college students. We supported missionaries at home and abroad. We had good Bible study and training literature (which we paid for, of course). I went to an accredited seminary and paid a remarkably low tuition. Wherever you went on a Sunday morning (in the Southeast and Southwest, at least), you could find a church that sang the familiar hymns and studied the same Bible lesson. In hindsight, I realize that this Southern Baptist utopia was imperfect. There were significant...

The Bible Tells Me So

As I read the story of the Good Samaritan during my devotional today, I was reminded of the times that I have heard the story in the Christian education setting of the local church--as a youngster in primary and intermediate classes (old terminology), as a young adult in college classes, and then as an adult, often teaching the passage myself. The characters and story line are very familiar due to these experiences of Christian education. These are challenging times for Christian education in the church. Like so much of what is happening in the church today, the old forms do not seem to support present needs. What once worked no longer seems to be effective. Christian education or the formation of believers is in a state of flux. In an article on ethicsdaily.com , retired professor Colin Harris addresses this issue. He points out that the period of the 60’s and 70’s “saw the beginnings of a loss of vitality within the educa...

Metaphors of the Kingdom of God

In a recent blog , consultant Seth Godin addresses the power of metaphor. He points out, “The best way to learn a complex idea is to find it living inside something else you already understand.” In other words, “this” is like “that.” “When you see a story, an example, a wonderment,” says Godin, “take a moment to look for the metaphor inside.” Jesus turned this around. In the use of parables, he told a story or provided a metaphor and challenged his hearers to see the truth within. For example, in his teaching on the Kingdom (or Reign) of God in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom to such things as a mustard seed, yeast, a hidden treasure, a net, a king, and a landowner. His hearers are encouraged to use their imaginations to understand something that they had never experienced. He also attempted to shift their perspective so that they might see signs of the Kingdom breaking into their present reality. These are metapho...

The Tragedy of Willow Creek Community Church

File photo of Steve Carter, Heather Larson, and Bill Hybels As Christian brothers and sisters, we need to pray for Willow Creek Community Church. On the eve of the Global Leadership Summit, a worldwide conference sponsored by the church in cooperation with the Willow Creek Association, church leadership imploded as a result of further allegations against former pastor Bill Hybels. Last year, Hybels introduced the team who would assume church leadership upon his retirement--lead pastor Heather Larson and teaching pastor Steve Carter. Although the founding pastor planned to stay on to assist in a time of transition, reports of sexual impropriety involving Hybels surfaced early this year. He accelerated his departure from the church and left the board of the Willow Creek Association. When other charges emerged last week, teaching pastor Carter resigned. On Wednesday evening, Larson and the entire elder board--lay leaders who provide accountability ...

A Future for the Global Leadership Summit?

Craig Groeschel, the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church. The Global Leadership Summit which began as a project of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and its founding pastor, Bill Hybels, over 25 years ago was held this week without Hybels. For several years, the GLS has been now produced by the Willow Creek Association, a spin-off organization and a loose network of churches but Hybels has been its driving force. Attended by thousands at the church facility in South Barrington and broadcast to thousands more at satellite locations, the annual meeting brings together not only evangelical leaders but outstanding speakers from business, charitable organizations, politics, and business. For the first time, Hybels did not appear due to allegations of sexual impropriety brought against him over the past year by former employees, staff members, and business associates. He has already left the church and resigned from the board of t...

Barnabas File

Search This Blog