This past Tuesday evening was a Cub Scout meeting. As the leader of my son’s age group we were continuing to go through first aid requirements for a rank advancement. We had to move a couple of times because the church where we meet is having some construction, but eventually we settled in the front of the church sitting on the grass. That evening we had a couple of new scouts that were supposed to be in the older group (they had met off campus that evening and they did not get the word so they sat in with us). So with new faces and beginning a little behind our normal schedule I started to work through my presentation.
We began by reviewing previous weeks (what should go into a first aid kit, defining first aid, how we had made our own first aid kits, etc.) and then we started into new material. We began discussing “hurry up†cases like severe bleeding, heart attack, stroke, etc. and as I asked the boys the partner up to practice scenarios, for the first time I looked up and scanned the parents who were sitting toward the back.
One of the dads there was in medical scrubs, so I just asked him, “Sir what do you do?†and he responded “open heart surgery.†Of course, I laughed out loud. Here I am teaching first aid while a person who does open heart surgery was sitting in the back of the crowd. An expert in all things first aid was there but a novice was doing the teaching.
As I have reflected on this crazy turn of events I wonder how many times in organizations those who are “experts†are not utilized; they are in essence sitting the back of the crowd. As the night progressed and we moved from severe bleeding, to stoke, to choking and the heimlich maneuver, I constantly looked to him and said, “let me know if I get this wrong†and “please feel free to add something†and he did eventually jump in and begin to add some great insights.
Generalists and Specialists
The Merriam-Webster dictionary’s simple definition of a generalist states a generalist is “a person who knows something about a lot of subjectsâ€. A specialist is defined as “a person who has special knowledge and skill relating to a particular job, area of studyâ€. In my example above I have a shallow and broad range of knowledge about first aid. The “open heart†expert dad has “specialist†knowledge in medicine – which is much deeper and specific than my own. That’s what he does for a living. Doesn’t it make more sense to let him lead this specific area of study with the boys?
Specialists add a depth to what you are doing; so how does one include then, especially if you are a generalist?
- Advanced Planning – As with any degree of creativity and ingenuity, these things often take time to put together. You can’t ask someone to prepare a wonderful presentation, a speech, or even be there if your request comes at the “last minute.†As the leader, take the time to think way ahead and you will be surprised at how many opportunities and specialists will present themselves to your organization. They have always been there, you were just not in the right frame of mind to see or utilize them.
- Communication – Once your plan is together, then communicate it with the group who is involved in what you are doing. Give the invitation to those whom may have a specialty in a given area to help in that one area.
Many people are unwilling to lead an effort as a whole but they may be much more willing to lead an evening, or specific meeting – especially if it involves something they are passionate and knowledgeable about.
- Leave the Ego at the Door – People are leaders for different reasons. If you are a leader who always wants to be in the spotlight, then you are limiting your organization. If the teaching, speaking, leading, etc. always has to be done by you, then you are blocking great opportunities and moments from your organization.
Make sure that this is not being done because of your pride, that you have not communicated with others, or simply haven’t taken the time to plan things out.
This past summer we had our largest Vacation Bible School and this past weekend we wrapped up our largest Fall Festival in decades for the church. In both of these instances we had a follow up meeting with those who helped lead these ministries and outreach efforts. In both cases we came to the same conclusion/agreement – we have to move from individual leader/s to teams. This transition marks a very important change in the church culture (at least in the children’s ministry).
Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (ESV)”
The false prophet appears, on the outside, to be gentle and like everyone else around them, but on the inside are “ravenous.†The greek word here translated as “ravenous†(á¼…Ïπαγες) is used three times in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 7:15, Luke 18:11, and 1 Cor. 6:10. In the second two examples it is translated as “swindler,” and the first as “hungry, famished.” If you take into consideration all three examples it carries the idea of desiring to take and consume.
How Does One Protect Themselves From a Wolf In Sheep Clothing?
But in the course of time if all of these steps have been put in place and the leader still is struggling then they may need to step down from the position. So what do you do?
