I love college sports. Growing up in Lexington, Kentucky means you live and breath college basketball – it is inescapable. Recruiting of athletes is the lifeblood of big-time programs. Coaches approach this process with different perspectives – some attempt to fill specific needs, others take the best available players regardless of position, and some look for particular skill sets. In the end, however, a successful college coach needs players to fill certain roles and positions. They need players year in and year out to perpetuate their programs.
Recently I was reading an article about the coaching trees of legendary coaches Henry Iba, Adolph Rupp and Bobby Knight, and current coaches like Rick Pitino and Bill Self. One thing that stood out was a missing name from the list, perhaps the greatest college basketball coach – John Wooden. While he built a dominant dynasty, winning multiple consecutive championships and coaching several of the greatest players, he didn’t perpetuate himself. Only the former coach at Louisville, Denny Crum, is part of the Wooden legacy.
At the core of virtually all of our schools is the idea of raising the next generation. We focus on training up children in the way they should go, of teaching worldview and embracing the kingdom of God. This is mission critical for us. And rightly so, yet something seems missing …
The best literature on leadership addresses leadership training. Collins’ books really hammers this idea home. Yet industry is facing a potentially paralyzing leadership crisis with the looming retirement of baby boomer era executives. We face the same crisis in our industry. Many of the best leaders are approaching the end of their careers and there are few prepared leaders to follow.
What I think is missing is this: Training and mentoring future school leaders must be as critical to our mission as is the training of students; and to do that we need a new paradigm of leadership development. Jeff Myers at Passing the Baton (www.passingthebaton.org) and Roger Erdvig at the Center for the Advancement of Christian Coaching (www.CACCoaching.com) have partnered to develop a new model of leadership development coined “Conversational Leadership.” The training module is called Wisdom Trek. It is a three-day conference that blends classroom experiences with dynamic and unique one-on-one sessions with a certified life coach. Wisdom Trek helps attendees clarify their vision, strengthen their sense of mission, and break through the frustrating barriers that stop them from succeeding as leaders.
This opportunity is powerful. I have been training by CACC and attended Wisdom Trek. Conversational leadership has the potential to completely transform the way we lead, build teams, and empower people to realize and use their God-given gifts.
1 comment:
"Everything rises and falls on leadership," right? I think most leaders would agree. That being true, then what does leadership rise and fall on? I'd say it's the everyday conversations that leaders have with those they are leading. It's simple-- a leader who relates well with followers will have the most lasting influence. As I speak to leaders and followers from diverse organizations, they agree.
I look forward, Joel, to seeing how the heart and skills of Christian coaching can equip Christian school leaders to develop the next generation of leaders in the movement.
Post a Comment