Today I want to talk to you about the pathway of development. Let’s take a look at that. This concept actually comes from a book called Mastery by George Leonard. When we think about pathway to development, what we really want is to see forward progression. A lot of times, what we really want it to look like is a straight line up and to the right. However, what it often feels like is something with dips and turns and all over the place. Gradually we feel like we make it forward over the course of time. What actually happens is really somewhere in-between these two.
Most often, a pathway of development takes place in strides. There’s momentum up and forward progress, then a slight dip in the growth and we plateau. But after this plateau we experience another burst of progress which takes place, then another dip and plateau, followed by another burst of progress. Over the course of time, this is what progression, growth, and ultimately development actually looks like.
As you focus on those you are developing in your ministry, keep this framework in mind. And consider the practical, tangible steps forward that you can take in helping them develop their competencies, making sure you have documented everything that is required for the role. Giving them a map, and not a menu, is vitally important and will keep them on a pathway of up and to the right – forward momentum.
So now that you know and understand the pathway of development, what are you going to do about it?
