Articles . Keith Drury . Volume 04 | Issue 01

Staying on the Cutting Edge

written by: Keith Drury

7 REASONS LEADERS FALL OFF THE CUTTING EDGE

Why is it that some leaders reach a zenith then plateau or enter a period of decline, while others continue to grow and expand, staying ahead of the pack even into old age? It is true of leaders today, but it has been true throughout all of history. Some leaders keep expanding, making a contribution into old age, while others make the ‘Great Compromise,’ settling into a comfortable mediocrity. They might retain their leadership ‘position’ but they no longer serve as true leaders. Why do some leaders fall off the cutting edge?

  1. DREAM FULFILLMENT
    Some leaders lose their punch because they finally got the leadership spot they’ve always wanted. They’ve arrived, so they quit working. It may have been a lifetime goal—being elected to a certain office or getting a particular church. These leaders work like crazy while they are ‘on the way up,’ but when they get what they want they quit hustling. Several years ago this type of leader was brimming with ideas and suggestions about ‘how to do it better.’ In fact, that’s one of the reasons he got his current spot – people thought he would actually do the things he always talked about. But he didn’t. What he wanted was the position of leadership, not the work. And once he had his dream job, his energies turned to holding on to the position. Leaders who fall off the cutting edge quit pushing after they got the leadership spot they always wanted. Leaders who last keep dreaming.
  2. LOSING TOUCH
    By nature, leadership tends to remove the leader from the people. Leaders sense respect, admiration, and even an ‘offishness’ which creates distance between a leader and the people. Some leaders like this pedestal-ization. In fact, a few leaders actually consider it a benefit of leading. Everyone asks you questions, gets your opinions, hears what you think, and invites you to speak. Soon, such a leader gets into the habit of telling… talking… speaking… deciding… declaring… giving opinions… showing everybody how… giving answers. Finally, this kind of leader loses the greatest tool for keeping in touch—listening. People said of one leader I knew, ‘I wonder why he has that hearing aid, he never listens anyway.’ When a leader gets stuck in the ‘transmit mode,’ soon he or she gets totally out of touch with the followers. This leader no longer knows their needs, frustrations, reactions, or opinions. The out-of-touch leader is the fellow who is totally shocked when he is not re-elected or appointed. It “blind-sides’ him or her. In fact, this kind of leader will probably accuse someone of politicking or underhanded political hanky-panky. He never sees it coming. Why? Because he didn’t listen. He was out of touch. Stop listening and you’ll soon fall off the cutting edge. Leaders who last listen.
  3. STAGNANT GROWTH
    Some leaders were great when they took over, but quit growing. They forgot that the standard of ‘greatness’ keeps rising every year. These leaders were on the cutting edge once, but they coasted while their followers kept growing. Soon this kind of stagnant leader is passed up by those he is supposed to be leading. The stagnant leader quits reading, quits attending seminars, stops reading thought-provoking articles like this one, and quits seeking out stimulating discussions. This kind of leader eventually becomes a ceremonial leader— showing up and playing the role. It’s a sad sight to see a promising leader quit growing who was once the ‘best of the bunch.’ Lasting leaders keep ahead of the pack by reading more, learning more, thinking more, and studying more. Go stagnant and you’ll fall off the cutting edge. Leaders who last keep growing.
  4. THE FEAR FACTOR
    A one-word definition of leadership is ‘Risk.’ A real leader must boldly defy fear and introduce the future into the present. Like walking on the water, leaders must keep their eyes on the goal, not on the threats. A fearful leader will focus on the potential political or critical consequences of new ideas and changes. He will become conservative, fearing criticism and opposition. This kind of leader looks more to the next election, than to the next generation. Mediocrity is crouched at the door! The fearful leader is not really a leader at all—but a mere follower—a follower of the potential complainers. Get scared of change and fall off the cutting edge. Leaders who last take action in spite of their fear.
  5. THE SHEEP-RECRUITING LEADER
    One of the privileges of leaders is to select other leaders (in fact, it is more than a privilege—it is a major responsibility of leadership.) Though we have elections in churches, districts or conferences, universities, and denominations, the truth is the existing leaders often influence who become the next tier of leaders, and even their successors in some denominations. However, some leaders fear strong leaders near or under them. They carefully and strategically work to eliminate strong people who ’cause trouble’ or ‘ask bothersome questions.’ These leaders gradually populate the second level of leadership with cooperative ‘yes men’ or woman. They collect around them a band of dwarfs, imagining that in comparison they appear mighty. They don’t. They look silly. ‘An army of lions led by a sheep will beat an army of sheep led by a lion every time.’ Why? Because the lion who prefers to lead sheep is no lion at all, but merely a sheep with delusions of grandeur.’ Leaders who refuse to recruit lions have no army at all—they are merely playing lion. Great leaders recruit strong people under them—even ‘lions’ that oppose them at times. Recruit weak people under you and you’ll be falling off the cutting edge soon. Leaders who last recruit strong people.
  6. FATIGUE
    I remember visiting one of my denomination’s late-30’s rising stars when he sighed, ‘I’m tired… worn out… weary, I feel like a 60 year old man.’ He wasn’t just talking about how one feels after a hard day’s work. This was an over-arching ‘core fatigue.’ As we spoke he confided, ‘I’m afraid the 90 hour weeks the last several years are taking their toll.’ He was shell-shocked. The pace of pastoring was getting him down. Or perhaps the criticism he had faced. His eyes communicated a tiredness that a few days of vacation at the beach wouldn’t restore. He was burning out. Such fast-rising workaholic stars shine brightly for a while, but they will be remembered eventually as the temporary flash of a falling star. Imbalanced workaholism will knock you off the cutting edge every time. Leaders who last, pace themselves.
  7. HIDDEN PRIVATE SIN
    Personal sin sequestered somewhere in a leader’s life is a time bomb. Private sin ticks away unobtrusively as the leader rises, then finally explodes violently, leading to public disgrace and collapse. Usually. But not always. There is a second way private sin works. Sometimes it works more like cancer than dynamite. Unexposed or unconfessed private sin will eat away at a leader’s confidence until the leader finally self-destructs. This sin-hiding leader makes the ‘Great Compromise’ and settles in for a slow ride, collecting all the benefits along the way, but no longer ‘sticking his head up’ for he or she fears the bullet of exposure may be headed right between the eyes. Hiding sin somewhere in your private life will knock you off the cutting edge. A leader who lasts, repents of private sin and makes a commitment to live a holy life relying on Christ’s power alone.

© Keith Drury. You are free to transmit, duplicate or distribute this article for non-profit use without permission.