nothing in recently sparked this, but here is it...

there is a difficulty i have seen with the style of leadership that I tend to inhabit. i tend to be a more “laid-back” leader, taking the opinions of others, hearing what’s on the table before I offer my own thoughts and ideas. this has brought me closer to some because their opinions have been valued. but in that process i have seen that when i ask for opinions but then those opinions/thoughts/ideas are not taken into the final process some will have a little bit of attitude that [as they saw it] their thoughts were not taken seriously.
the struggle here is, without becoming dictatorial, communication ultimately has to be that of “i’m still the leader and i want to hear your opinions, but ultimately it comes down to me. i’m the one with the job and you’re paying me to lead, so let me; and put your feelings aside.” that sounds so dogmatic and an "i’m better than you" feel. that certainly isn’t what i’m about!
and here in lies the struggle of leadership – how do i [we] lead effectively, and fairly [hearing all comers] but keeping in mind the thing God wants to accomplish?
i think one problem crops up from those in the modern mind – set: ‘lead with force’.
the leader is strong, opinionated and sets direction alone. i’m much more team oriented, wanting to hear the gamut of thoughts and designs and then understand and employ if they fit the greater vision of the organization [church].
it is, without question, the job of church leaders/pastor to set direction and cast the vision of ministry. but then at what point does she/he get out of the way and let those involved embrace the ministry with their fingerprint? shouldn’t that be right away? me thinks so.