In leadership, as in pottery, the process applied largely determines the quality of the product. The process includes the right ingredients, measurements and treatments. There are no short cuts.

We are called to follow Jesus' model of servant leadership. For example, Jesus took great care in preparing his deciples for his death on the cross and leaving them on their own. This preparation was not a sudden, but rather a careful and lengthy process.

Before making a major decision, which affects those you lead....

• Consider the long-term effects
  
• Consider people - don't manipulate!
  
• Who are the people I / we should communicate with?
  
• When calling a meeting to discuss major changes, ensure all the right people are present. Do they represent the right mix? (Refer first two levels up and then two levels down in leadership.) Example: Garth feels his time as a ministry leader is over and he should relocate. He should first speak to his wife about it, then to his direct leaders and only then involve the public.
  
• Don't pull rank! Be very sensitive to the Lord as to when to speak, if you are in higher leadership. For sure, in due time godly people will recognise your authority.
  
• Timing - You may have the Word of the Lord and 'see the bigger picture', but if you move too slowly or too fast, trust is broken and people get hurt. Patience is an important quality of a leader.
• Process in a team. This may mean more effort initially, but the benefits of security, integrity and dignity are well worth it.
  
• Be appropriate - If you are from outside do not meddle in someone else's process. Should you be approached to get involved check first if you have the right position to get you involved. Try and stifle rumours so that something can be dealt with in the right manner. However. If you are directly involved you are from the inside. Don't go against the foundational values of the mission.
  
• Last but not least: Leadership must process
  

The above are notes from a teaching given by Kobus Van Niekerk, South Africa.