Category Archives: Complexity

Complexity Part 3-Getting to Focus

Posted on January 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

Last time I detailed some possible poor responses to complexity. Now I want to look at what it takes to get into focus–since focus is the key to solving complexity.

I believe that focus begins with knowing the right questions to ask to analyze the situation–first, which questions does a spiritual leader need to ask weekly?
1. Am I treasuring Christ personally? Am I helping others to do the same?
2. What is it only I can do?
3. What are the highest leverage activities I can be involved in today, this week, tis month? (These will most likely be issues of critical mass-investing in your team, funding issues, building partnering relationships, etc.
4. What are the systemic problems in the ministry? Keep asking “Why?”
5. What are the next steps in the mission?

Another critical component to getting to focus is a leader taking time to prayerfully consider his leadership. This can happen through weekly times of thought and reflection and through periodic personal retreats. Consider the following:
1. A reflective leader is a forward thinking leader.
2. A refreshed leader is a gracious leader.
3. A refocused leader is a refreshed leader.
4. A called leader is an enduring leader.

A third piece in getting to focus is prayerfully considering your team:
1. Who is on my team (paid staff, volunteers, partners, etc.)?
2. What are their gifts and abilities?
3. What is our sense of unity-relationally and in the mission?
4. Do they have clear direction?
5. Do they have adequate resources?
6. Do they appropriately own the mission?
7. If they are doing the best they can with what they have–what do they need to get better?
8. Are they experiencing Christ–personally and in community?

To sum up–the key to complexity is not simplicity but getting to focus. In my mind this is essential for every spiritual leader. To not lead something with complexity is to not be leading anything of significance. Complexity is part of the job–but so is a keen sense of godly focus.



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Dealing With Complexity Part 2

Posted on December 11, 2007 | Leave a comment


Last time we took a look at a leader and complexity. I stated that the key to complexity is not simplicity but focus.

We also looked at some sources of complexity–noting that there were good sources and bad.

This time I want to look at some potential responses to complexity. There are those that are most likely and there is the correct response.

One response could be blame–this is usually a response to complexity that we feel has been handed down from above in the organization. We blame the “they” in our lives that we feel has made our leadership lives more complex. This could take the form of a new organizational goal or objective, a new mandated strategy or directive, or a new missional focus.

Another possible response is to complain–this usually looks down the organizational chain. In other words we complain about those we have to lead. We whine about them for making our leadership lives more complex. If only I could change or get rid of this team–life would be easier.

Another response could be to wilt–simply quit–or at least become paralyzed by all of the complexity and settle for meager results or a meager faith effort.

One response could be to work harder and faster. We are somewhat famous for this one in Campus Crusade–because we tend to attract “doers” who believe they can simply solve the complexity if enough backbone is put into it. But this is surely a path towards burnout.

Another response could be to over simplify the mission–aim for less than the organization wants or even we want.

I have lived out all of these results over my career. All of them end up at the destination of pity and dissatisfaction. The only proper response is a faith filled, prioritized sense of focus!

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Dealing With Complexity

Posted on December 9, 2007 | Leave a comment


Leaders often try to simplify their lives–their mission. But I think that is the wrong approach. If you are not leading something that is complex you are not leading anything of significance. In other words a mission that carries significance is automatically complex.

Here is the bottom line–the key to complexity is not simplicity but focus.

Over the next few posts I will deal with this issue of complexity. I recently had the opportunity to lead our team leaders here in Italy through some content on this topic-see what you think.

Let’s begin with what are some of the sources of complexity. There are both good sources and bad sources of complexity.

Some bad sources of complexity might be team conflict, poor decision making on your part or on the part of a subordinate, a leader living only in the urgent (instead of the important), and a leader being over controlling (not willing to give away power). These types of issues add to a leader’s complexity–but only in an energy depleting way. They will also take you off focus.

Some examples of right or good complexity might be blessing and success. Success always creates more problems. These are usually the kind of problems we long to have–never the less they create more complexity and take energy and focus too. Giving power away is good and right for a leader to do–it develops others, allows leaders to maintain the right perspective, and invites ownership and creativity. There is a right way to empower others–we will save that for a later time. Another form of right complexity is when the scope of your mission is greater than your resource base to accomplish it. That may sound crazy–but this is what challenges your leadership senses and forces you to trust God. This calls out for godly stewardship. These are the kinds of complexities a leader wants–this is what cries out for focus–not simplicity.

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