Leadership is a Relationship Not a Position; a Covenant Not a Contract

July 8, 2016

Lots of Information But Little Leadership

At most bookstores, it’s fairly easy to find attractively packaged books on leadership. In one store alone, I counted twenty different titles with the word “Leadership” in them and dozens more on related subjects.

With so much literature available, one might assume we have a pretty good grasp of leadership. But, even a cursory view of the nightly news demonstrates quite the opposite. Almost daily we hear stories of entrusted “leaders,” who violate that trust with breaches of integrity.

A business fails from illegal activity
A CEO is charged
A coach cheats
A pastor leaves for moral problems

These are all haunting reminders of people who were entrusted as leaders but failed. Why do we see record numbers of books about leadership at the same time we also see record numbers of leaders failing?

Leadership Crisis

I actually believe we’re in the midst of a leadership crisis, and it’s not limited to business or politics. It’s evident in our homes, colleges, communities and even our places of worship. Simply stated, people are deeply interested in leadership because they long for it. And, when they do experience leadership, it inspires them to follow.

Yet, if leadership is really that rare, what do we call the many organizational heads normally called leaders? James MacGregor Burns called them power wielders. Peter Drucker even said they were misleaders. The point is, there’s a big difference between being the head of an organization and being a leader.

Leadership Equals Relationships

Ultimately, leaders are known not only by what they accomplish but also by how they accomplish it. As nonprofit strategic planning consultants, we counsel that the process always involves people. In fact, leadership is far more about relationships and influence than it is about achievement. Certainly, achievement is important, but if you want to capture the essence of leadership it goes well beyond achievement.

The capacity to lead simply cannot be found in church growth trends or the capacity to generate revenue. Rather, it resides in the dynamics of relationships between leaders and followers, and it goes well beyond contractual obligations. Letter of the law relationships (contracts) cannot motivate church members or inspire followers, nor can they facilitate their growth. Those are the responsibilities of a leader, responsibilities that extend well beyond the basic requirements of a contract.

Making the Connection

Consider that the best teachers forge strong relationships with students; the best singers and actors connect with their audiences; the best coaches bond with their players; and the best leaders identify with and engage their followers.

More than one expert has pointed out that during the Kennedy-Nixon debates, John F. Kennedy actually lost the debates on substance. Yet, he was an overwhelming success and actually won the election because he connected with Americans. This President certainly was not without flaws, but as a leader, he identified with his followers. They also identified with him, and they willingly followed him.

Leadership is a Covenant

Effective leaders connect with and engage followers in relationships that pursue common purposes and achieve common goals. In so doing, leaders provide meaning and hope for followers.

At its core then, leadership is a relationship in which leaders and followers are connected and emotionally engaged in pursuit of common purposes. It is much more complex than a simple contract. Instead, leadership is a covenant, binding leaders and followers together in a common quest and enabling them to achieve far more than they ever would on their own.

“I really support The Covenant Group’s strategic planning process because their approach encourages staff-based support with board buy-in, and I felt that was important given what we were trying to achieve. The outcome is an effective plan that builds consensus and provides a clear sense of direction.”
- Jennifer Scott, Director of Development - The Cabbage Patch Settlement House

“The Covenant Group is highly competent, very experienced and knowledgeable. They provided a broad perspective by equipping us with useful data…and best practices in the field. All in all, they are excellent.”
- Dan Jones, CEO - 21st Century Parks

“The campaign has truly been a miracle. People were committed from the beginning, but…even raising $650,000 seemed like a stretch. To nearly double that amount is incredible! When the plan they developed allows you to hit a goal like that, it builds such a sense of community. The momentum built by the campaign is spilling outside the walls of our church and benefiting others in the process.”
-Father John Hollowell - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

“For those of us who don’t do this everyday, The Covenant Group instilled confidence in us. They helped us get through the fear and apprehension by providing us with a process, training and motivation. They taught us and helped us plan in a way that was for the better. We have built lasting relationships with donors and we will continue to steward these relationships long into the future.”
- Sue Finke, Director of Institutional Advancement - Covington Catholic High School

“No one anticipated we could raise this amount. Even the Archdiocese is surprised. The funds raised represent about 15 times our annual giving. But it’s not just the financial results. People stand around talking more than they did before the campaign. There is also a renewed and energized spirit among the parishioners. It’s the most exciting thing to happen in our parish in the last 100 years.”
- Gary Libs, Campaign Co-Chair - St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church

“The Covenant Group’s process involved a lot of people in our congregation doing small tasks … that built ownership. They took our vision and put it into a concrete plan. They helped us understand the importance of making our vision clear and laid out the steps to make the vision a reality. Their process built consensus and showed people how they could help. Their methods are based on a solid theological foundation that includes key documents, prayer support, and requisite training … all of which were invaluable.”
- Daniel Montgomery, Pastor - Sojourn Community Church

“Everything The Covenant Group did to help us…in the initial stages was helpful…the development of the case statement; our materials; the training of our Board members; strategies; all these steps laid the foundation for eventual success. They brought such a high level of professionalism, a wealth of experience and a strong track record of integrity and success… just being associated with The Covenant Group helped us.”
- Nancy Doctor, Development Director - Wellspring

“The structure The Covenant Group provided was excellent. It allowed our members to use their God-given talents to benefit the church community They helped us develop a plan and identify key leadership candidates to chair the effort, as well as engaging between 80 to 100 people to carry out the work of the campaign. It was truly a whole congregation effort and The Covenant Group helped facilitate that. They helped us reach our full potential as a congregation.”
- Ron Poisel, Pastor - Christ Lutheran Church

Leadership is a Relationship Not a Position; a Covenant Not a Contract

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