Have you ever seen those commercials for “All-Season Tires?”  Whatever the season or weather, they’ll get you to your destination…confidently, safely, and smiling!  I’m no expert on tires, but I do know that the demands of leadership are a bit more complex, and not every leader is made for every season.

 Organizations are the structures that contain the growing, relating, producing, serving, and changing organisms of business or ministry life.  Organizations also have “seasons” that reflect the differing environments they experience.  Amidst every season there exists different dynamics, requiring different leadership skill from the CEO or departmental head.  Here are five of the most common seasons or phases you will likely encounter.

 The Start-Up Phase

During this entrepreneurial season, high energy, flexibility, creativity, vision-casting and long-hours are most always required.  You’re going from zero to 60 in 5.2 days, months, or years!  Resources are scarce, the window of opportunity is small, and success is the only option.  Most significantly, it’s all up to YOU to make it happen!  Do you function best under pressure?  Is this the kind of challenge you love?

 The High-Growth Phase

Once a solid foundation has been laid, opportunity may begin to expand faster than the organizational infrastructure.  This can place great demands on all the employees and certainly the leadership.  Strategic thinking, quick decision-making, planning, negotiating, visioning, and the building and maintaining of teams are all vital to surviving and prospering during this time.

 The Maintenance Phase

At some point, the steep pace of high-growth will begin to fall off to a more “normal” rate.  Those who perform well in the prior two phases may become quite bored in this phase.  And, those with no patience or interest for the first two may be music to the ears of a board trying to get a fast-growing organization under control.  A balance of efficiency and effectiveness is crucial here, along with systems thinking and the ability to invent and install relevant measurements of success.  You now have a ministry machine that can be “humming” given the right captain is at the helm.

 The Reduction Phase

In some instances, the Board may decide to cut back on programs, staffing, or even to close an operation.  They will likely establish criteria that determine how they want this final transition to occur.  Employees, clients, donors, vendors, landlords, and a host of constituents will be impacted.  A combination of political, financial, and operational shrewdness are skills that must work together to lead all constituents through a difficult situation with sensitivity, compassion, and focused results.

 The Crisis or Turn-Around Phase

This season of organizational change is rarely predictable, though it may come quickly or slowly.  A sudden event may occur (a la “crisis”) or , at some point, the Board or Management Team realize that things are not going to get any better and a different course of action is required (a la “turn-around”).  Those who lead well in turnaround environments understand that if short-term objectives are not met, there will be no long-term future.  While sensitivity to the interests of all constituents is important, this leader must be able to identify and quickly execute on the most critical components of survival, recognizing that such actions may cause occasional unrest or offense.

 All Things to All People?

Most of us will resonate with one or two of the seasons we’ve discussed above more than the others.  Many organizations out-grow or out-change their leaders.  However, those leaders who can grow with the seasons of change are a gift to their ministries and all who benefit therein.  Are you open to personal and professional growth?  Are you willing to change as the fruit of your leadership moves your organization into and through the various seasons?  The leaders or today and tomorrow must understand where they offer optimum perform.  You can do what you do best by moving to organizations that are entering the phase where you shine OR you can get coaching and continue to grow as an “All-Season” Leader.  Either course can serve your ministry well.     Jbs