Dear Daniel,

Thank you for sharing your concerns. First of all, let me acknowledge your great effort in serving the Lord. I have recently started working with Salvation Army and I am inspired by the officer’s effort in serving the community. Although I might not know your family, through your posts I see you try your best to please the Lord. Many times, Pastors do so much for others and receive so little in exchange when it comes to recognition. I’m sure your family’s life is having a great impact in the community! Your openness to feedback reflects your servant leadership traits. I share with you Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”. May the Lord provide you the strength, courage and clarity.

I believe strategic influence might be useful for the challenge you are currently facing. Strategic influence is how leaders engender commitment to the organization’s strategic direction; learning is essential for a sustainable competitive advantage (Hughes, Beatty, & Dinwoodie, 2014).  There are 2 key components which may be useful, building trust and building sustaining momentum. Where there is a trust environment, it is more likely to achieve sustainable results. Building a sustaining momentum starts with relationships. When strong connections are made with those around you, they are more open to your ideas, which provides sustainability.

Another component which may enhance your strategic leadership is creating a specific structure according to the needs in your environment. Structure is the distribution of power and authority across the hierarchy, a successful start up starts with a functional structure (Galbraith, 2014).  An interdependent structure inevitably requires teamwork. This may be useful for your context, when people of the community and church are involved it is more likely for the vision to be sustainable. Sustainability seems a key issue, since you mentioned you are serving in a specific community just for limited time. If people are involved, they are more likely to be empowered which can contribute to long-term interventions.

Connecting with other’s who have been in similar circumstances might also be useful. Strategic leadership involves influence, but the leader must be open to be influenced as well. It would be interesting to see if any other member of the cohort has been in any similar situation.

 

References

Galbraith, J. R. (2014). Designing organizations. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Hughes, R. L., Beatty, K. C., & Dinwoodie, D. L. (2014). Becoming a strategic leader. San Frncisco: Jossey-Bass.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A19&version=NIV