We’re talking about nine different types of leaders in your church and how to develop each one. First, let’s talk about those most likely ready for the next step of your leadership pipeline.
The successor is ready to go. This individual is a high performer who consistently exceeds expectations in their current role. This person also has high potential and could likely advance immediately to the next level of your church’s leadership pipeline. If you do not provide this person with significant growth opportunities, you run the risk of losing this individual in your church or ministry. Consider bringing this person into meetings, strategic decisions and projects that are above their paygrade.
The rock star has average performance and may have room for improvement in some role responsibilities but has super high potential. This person performs well in their current role but has the potential to do more. This person is usually very likeable and has excellent people skills. Provide this individual strategic initiatives or stretch assignments to prepare them for the next level. This leader likely has a good strategic mind so you may want challenge them with something that requires deep analytics and more tactical thinking. They will hate this but became a better leader for it in the end.
The MVP is very difficult to move. This person is your most valuable player for a reason: they are a solid performer in their current role and you likely don’t want to lose them. With average potential, this person should focus on mastering competencies at their current leadership pipeline level, which may lead to advancement opportunities. Tactically this leader is killing it so you may want challenge them with something that requires more strategic thinking.
Now that you understand how to develop your successor, rock star, and MVP, what are you going to do about it?
