Developing Group Leadership Structures

“After Action Reviews” are a group learning tool which originated in the US military.  After an exercise, participants gather to reflect on what happened and why, in order to improve their practice.  Organizational expert, Peter Senge, described this as “arguably one of the most successful organizational learning methods yet devised.”

Neighbors in Need leaders met recently to conduct an “After Action Review,” reflecting on how teams are working together to achieve their goals. One conclusion of the meeting was a desire to develop a clear leadership structure, including agreements about things like decision-making procedures, conflict resolution, communication, and other basic operating principles.  We hope that new leadership structures will help these ministries become less reliant on one or a few individuals for inspiration and direction.

Recognizing that each entity has unique needs, a strategy emerged where key leaders of each interested group will work through a process of clarifying and reaching agreements on their own leadership structures.  Leader groups will work simultaneously, in the same room, receiving guidance and discussing key considerations but each entity will reach its own conclusions about how to operate.

NiN leaders observed that this step might also benefit the whole TLC/PoG community.  As multiple lay-initiated, lay-led ministries continue to emerge, it may be timely for others to articulate agreements about effective working relationships as well.  So, they elected to extend an invitation to leader-teams of other interested groups to participate in this development process with them.

One of the priorities identified through our recent Re-Visioning process is to provide leadership development opportunities.  This group’s learning and creative exploration has generated one opportunity to address that need.

Participants in this process can expect:

• Involvement of several people from each participating entity who are authorized by their groups to act as representatives.
•  Multiple working sessions discussing and working through an organizational “template” to help them formulate their own group agreements.
•  “Homework” between sessions which may involve things such as brainstorming ideas, gathering input from your group members, and drafting or documenting your work.
•  Development of clear agreements about how you will work together effectively as you manifest God’s dream by joining with God to meet the deep needs of the world.

A first working session will be held in November or early December, with ensuing sessions to be scheduled by those participating.  Group size will be limited in order to maximize opportunity for discussion and coaching for each entity involved.  If your group is interested in participating in this development process, along with NiN leaders, or if you have questions, contact Larry Pennings at larry@towardintegrity.com.