Leadership Gifts -Teaching

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is teaching, let him teach.” Romans 12:6, 7

For those who lead by teaching, words are incredibly important. And those words are not just the spoken word, but the words of explanation, analysis, and research. A leader with the gift of teaching is greatly concerned that information and direction is understood by all and that everyone comprehends the rationale for the decisions that are made. The accuracy of the communication is as important as the content of the message.

Often the leader who has this gift firmly believes that teaching is the best way to lead. Collaboration is critical, but research must support that collegiality. The leader loves research and thrives upon organized inquiry. This kind of leader is driven to test all theories with the sounding board of facts. He/she has a special need and desire to validate all new information. Policies, laws, expert opinion, and proven best practice hold heavy weights on the scales of decision making.

When it comes to presentations, this leader is impressed with a systematic sequence of factual data. Impulsivity rarely reigns in the mind of a teacher/leader. Rather, careful decision making (often to the point of procrastination) takes time. What can appear to be indecision is, in the mind of the teacher/leader, really a demonstration of a great sense of responsibility.

Two aspects of leadership that hold great value to the teacher/leader are diligence and endurance. He/she expects both of these characteristics in his/her life as well as the activity of those who work for him/her. Diligence produces the best possible option; diligence captures a depth of creativity that others miss; and diligence creates a uniqueness that sets an organization apart from the competitors. Endurance turns failure into innovation; endurance shapes opposition into opportunities; endurance transforms vision into reality.

Three areas of concern should be recognized by the leader who possesses this powerful gift of teaching. First, the teacher/learner loves words and knowledge, but he/she must be careful not to allow this knowledge to turn into a pride of learning. This type of leader may so value information received from research that he/she easily discounts the practical wisdom of experience. There can be a tendency to appear skeptical if an idea does not come with factual data and the teacher/leader may come across lacking warmth and failing to express openness to new ideas.

Second, the teacher’s/leader’s need for research is not shared by all the members of the team (unless you have a team of teachers/leaders, in which case the team may never get past analysis toward an action plan). To delay a decision for additional data may not always be a good strategy. Those with the gift of prophecy already have discerned the best course of action and those with the gift of service just want to get started. Slow, careful decision making can be essential in some situations, but can be motivational wet blankets on others. The teacher/leader must exercise great discernment in knowing the difference.

Third, the teacher/leader must beware of the dependency on man. Research and factual analysis often rely on human insight and intellect. He who debates the best and yells the loudest might win the vote in the board room, but might miss the direction of God. The teacher/leader must remind him/her that good leadership depends on God’s direction rather than on human reason. Retreating into the world of books and research might be a dangerous place to discern the will of God. The spirit and the intellect should both be placed under the submission of the Gift Giver.

Words, research, analysis, and diligence all work together to build a powerful leader who possesses the gift of teaching. If you have been given this gift, lead with endurance and balance. God will use you to accomplish effective and long-lasting ministry for His glory.