More On The Leadership and Management Dynamic

This blog is primarily about leadership. However, the dynamic that exists between management and leadership in degree of accomplishment cannot be over emphasized. Also, it is herein acknowledged to fulfill the Great Commission King Jesus relies on servant-leadership, or slaves guiding others to the Great Shepherd, and the Holy Spirit guides the administration through people including managers or deacons, if you want to think of it that way, through the various ministries and administrations of the Church. To be sure, the Holy Spirit guides godly leaders also.

There is an excellent pictorial illustration of that dynamic found in the Old Testament.

In this story, there are several servant-leaders. Primary among those are the little slave maiden to the diseased general’s wife. Also, the officers under the general when he is in Israel become leaders and influence him to humble himself in obedience to the prophet of God, Elisha, who is also a servant-leader in this story. So, as glorious as management is, so is leadership. John Maxwell is correct when he says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Because the story is so enjoyable to read, the complete story is included here for your enjoyment in making the point about servant-leadership. Of course, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, will fail and we can learn an additional lesson on servant-leadership faithfulness. But it was the slave girl and general’s officers that persuaded me to use this story.

2 Kings 5:1-27, NLT,

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.
At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid.
One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”
So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.
“Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.
The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.”
But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”
So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house.
But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”
But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!
Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!'”
So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!
Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.
Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD.
However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.”
“Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”
So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.
“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”
“By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.
But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.
When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?
Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.

Let’s pick out one or two in the New Testament for illustrations of servant-leadership and management.

1 Corinthians 9:19-27, NLT

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

In this illustration, the Apostle Paul is being a leader instead of a manager. More precisely, he is being a servant-leader. He is disciplining himself to influence others as an inspiring role model. He is not managing the people to get them to achieve particular ends or goals. But the Apostle Paul could be a manager. Check out this biblical illustration.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4, NLT

Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.
On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.
And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

Very commonly management and leadership are not exclusive, and one is not better than the other. Either can be abused, and both can be beneficial when done in the will of God.

Joseph, when he was sold into Egypt is another example of a great servant-leader turned manager during his life.

Because this blog is presently being used for leadership, I will share a true story with you to illustrate the dynamic between leadership and management and an illustration of John Maxwell’s “Law of the Lid”. This story is shared to keep you focused on leadership development as much as any other reason.

For a modern story of leaders and managers consider this true Walmart narrative. A young lady hired on at an entry level job as custodial staff, cleaning restrooms and the like, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the USA and world by force. Unfortunately, there was not time to train her and she was immediately given assignments and went to work. It was all so unfamiliar to her. She asked her boss when she would get the training she needed. Her boss thought a minute and said, “You know him.”, pointing to another custodial staff member. “When possible watch him. He has been here 22 years and knows how to do everything. If you cannot decide how to do something, go ask him for advice and he can help you.” Her boss was a middle manager and her co-worker was the leader.

After only a few weeks, with many successes, failures, frustrations, and victories, the store manager came to the young woman. He explained he was putting together a team and would like for the young woman to join that team if she was willing. She accepted and was put into a management team to explore and develop a process Walmart stores are adding to their services.

It seems fair to ask, “Why was the faithful 22-year employee passed over while the new hire was recruited, when the top manager was deciding whom would be chosen for his special team?” It was because of the “Law of the Lid”. The faithful employee was a true leader and dutiful employee. But his leadership could not reach too high because of the Law of the Lid. If he had developed his leadership or management skillsets, he would have been an excellent choice for the store manager’s team. The new hire demonstrated a willingness to follow others and seek ways of accomplishing tasks for which she had not been trained. The store manager believed this was the kind of person he needed on his management team.

Let’s wrap up today’s blog with a little more about management because so many leaders become managers and all managers are leaders. The lack of leadership development will significantly limit one’s leadership and may very well restrict one’s level of management.

Defining Terms:

Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.” –Lisa Cash Hanson.

I like this one for describing a leader, “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.”

The best leaders are those who seek every opportunity to communicate and mentor others in an effort to clarify team objectives. — John Brandon

Mary Parker Follett (1868–1933), allegedly defined management as “the art of getting things done through people”.

While that definition may be too narrow to capture the meaning(s) of management, it serves our purposes in feeling-out the dynamic between management and leadership.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Management

Definition of management

1 : the act or art of managing : the conducting or supervising of something (such as a business) Business improved under the management of new owners.

2 : judicious use of means to accomplish an end is extremely cautious when it comes to money management

3 : the collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise Management decided to hire more workers.

In its most basic form, management can be described by its functions and skills. Essentially there are four functions of management: 1) planning, 2) organizing, 3) leading (hence, every manager is a leader or has influence even if only by position over others), and 4) controlling. The functions focus on the process of work in an organization or on a project. These four functions are accomplished through five basic management skills: 1) technical skills, 2) human relations skills, 3) conceptual skills, 4) decision-making skills and 5) time management skills.

Both management and leadership have laws that govern their use and development. Shortly we will examine one set of laws by Dr. John Maxwell, and then consider various works of others who teach perfecting leadership, and sometimes management, skills.

Consider these two scenarios, please. One manager is a mediocre manager but a great leader. The other manager is a great manager but a mediocre leader. One who is neither a respectable manager nor leader is not being considered because that person would be removed from their job and no one would be following him or her. What could one expect from these two people?

Expectations:

Great Manager and Mediocre Leader:

Receiving awards for project completions
Being promoted to higher levels of management, for a while
Sometimes having difficulty because of low employee morale
Experiencing higher than average employee turnover because employees where neither inspired or motivated to follow him or her

Mediocre Manager and Great Leader:

Struggling to really shine on project assignments, seldom receiving any prestigious awards
May or may not get promotions to higher levels within the organization
Usually finishing projects very well, not because of his or her own skillsets but because his or her employees desired to see the project finished for their manager
Experiencing higher than average employee retention and developing a team of employees that made up for his or her management deficiencies

Every case is different, of course, and exceptions become the rule of the day. However, as important as management is, John Maxwell is right. “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” But there is more to the quote. “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” says Dr. Maxwell, “but knowing how to lead is only half the battle. Understanding leadership and actually leading are two different activities.” It is my intention to use this blog to introduce us to various works of others. We will begin with The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (10th Anniversary Edition) [John C. Maxwell, Steven R. Covey]

There is nothing more exciting, inspiring, motivating, and exhilarating than being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Besides the joy of a new nature in Christ, that discipleship includes a calling to be a servant-leader and sometimes a manager.

May you be a fruitful branch on the vine which is Jesus Christ, letting Jesus Christ, the Light in the world, shine through you for his honor and glory, the edification of the Church, and the cause of the gospel in saving souls of sinners from destruction.

There is an excellent pictorial illustration of that dynamic found in the Old Testament.

2 Kings 5:1-27, NLT,

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid.

One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”

So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.

“Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.

The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “This man sends me a leper to heal! Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.”

But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house.

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!

Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!'”

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.

Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD.

However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.”

“Go in peace,” Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”

So Gehazi set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.

“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”

“By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.

But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.

When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.

But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?

Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.

Let’s pick out one or two in the New Testament for illustrations of servant-leadership and management.

1 Corinthians 9:19-27, NLT

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4, NLT

Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.

On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.

And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

Very commonly management and leadership are not exclusive, and one is not better than the other. Either can be abused, and both can be beneficial when done in the will of God.

Joseph, when he was sold into Egypt is another example of a great servant-leader turned manager during his life.

Let’s wrap up today’s blog with a little more about management because so many leaders become managers and all managers are leaders. The lack of leadership development will significantly limit one’s leadership and may very well restrict one’s level of management.

Defining Terms:

Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.” –Lisa Cash Hanson.

I like this one for describing a leader, “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.”

The best leaders are those who seek every opportunity to communicate and mentor others in an effort to clarify team objectives. — John Brandon

Mary Parker Follett (1868–1933), allegedly defined management as “the art of getting things done through people”.

While that definition may be too narrow to capture the meaning(s) of management, it serves our purposes in feeling-out the dynamic between management and leadership.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Management

Definition of management

1 : the act or art of managing : the conducting or supervising of something (such as a business) Business improved under the management of new owners.

2 : judicious use of means to accomplish an end is extremely cautious when it comes to money management

3 : the collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise Management decided to hire more workers.

Both management and leadership have laws that govern their use and development. Shortly we will examine one set of laws by Dr. John Maxwell, and then consider various works of others who teach perfecting leadership, and sometimes management, skills.

Expectations:

Great Manager and Mediocre Leader:

Receiving awards for project completions

Being promoted to higher levels of management, for a while

Sometimes having difficulty because of low employee morale

Experiencing higher than average employee turnover because employees where neither inspired or motivated to follow him or her

Mediocre Manager and Great Leader:

Struggling to really shine on project assignments, seldom receiving any prestigious awards

May or may not get promotions to higher levels within the organization

Usually finishing projects very well, not because of his or her own skillsets but because his or her employees desired to see the project finished for their manager

Experiencing higher than average employee retention and developing a team of employees that made up for his or her management deficiencies

There is nothing more exciting, inspiring, motivating, and exhilarating than being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Besides the joy of a new nature in Christ, that discipleship includes a calling to be a servant-leader and sometimes a manager.

May you be a fruitful branch on the vine which is Jesus Christ, letting Jesus Christ, the Light in the world, shine through you for his honor and glory, the edification of the Church, and the cause of the gospel in saving souls of sinners from destruction.