VUCA Leadership (Pt.2)

Dear Pastors

VUCA Leadership (Pt.2)

Last week I introduced this idea of a VUCA world – Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. Today I want to offer a response to each of these ideas and apply them to pastoral leadership. Let me begin with a summary (1).

VISION
When faced with volatility, leaders must respond by casting clear vision and to help people understand the “why.” If you remember Simon Sinek’s now famous book, ‘Start with Why’, you will remember the importance for people in your organisation to be constantly reminded as to why they are here, and why they are doing what they are doing. The ‘why’ gives you an ability to stay true north and to maintain stability in the worst of storms.

UNDERSTANDING
In response to uncertainty, leaders should bring understanding. Closely connected to vision is the idea of understanding. In uncertain times there are the presenting issues and they are usually relatively easy to grasp and ‘get a handle on’. What is now needed is an understanding of that which is not immediately obvious, the soft side that need some time to read and reflect, the nuances if you like. Understanding is fundamentally about what you are thinking about. When you are thinking the right thoughts then this next response of clarity is almost automatic.

CLARITY
When faced with complexity, leaders must bring clarity, letting people know what can and should be done. One of the things that has puzzled me for a long time is how indistinct many leaders often talk. After listening for a while you are left wondering what was just said. I am a great believer in leaders learning to speak in clear tones, crystal clear in fact. Unless the bugler sounds a distinct note who will rally for battle?

AGILITY
In response to ambiguity, leaders must demonstrate agility, keeping a “pivot foot” and preparing for alternative realities and challenges. Agility is not so much a function of size as it is a function of age. I am not as agile today as I was 20 years ago let alone 40 years ago. Same with organisations. Older organisations have developed patterns and practises that are deeply entrenched in the organisation. Though some of that is needed for sure, the challenge for pastors is to ‘pivot’ and stay flexible. Remember methods and even structures should always be adaptive while mission stays constant.

In a helpful HBR article titled 6 Strategies for Leading Through Uncertainty the authors talk about:-

• Embrace the Discomfort of Not Knowing – shift from a know it all mindset to a learn it all mindset.
• Distinguish Between Complicated and Complex – tax law is complicated, church life is complex.
• Let Go of Perfectionism – Progress is far more valuable. Good enough is……….good enough.
• Resist Oversimplifications and Quick Conclusions – every leadership challenge is different, so slow down and consider this one carefully.
• Don’t Go It Alone – you need others. A team approach to problem solving ensures you are not going crazy.
• Zoom Out – there is a time to move from the ‘dance floor to the balcony’. Things look different from the balcony.

And finally. May the God we worship and who knows all things gives us all greater wisdom, knowledge, insight and wisdom as we navigate our churches and organisations through these VUCA times.

Blessings
Alan

(1) Source. James Emery White’s Church and Culture blog.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.