LEADERS! Know Your "INFLUENCERS" or die a slow DEATH!

June 10, 2010
Leadership Clip to Evernote
8

I speak straight from experience on this one guys! You may have a great "God given" vision, incredible plans & a passion to change the world! But, all this will die a slow death if not adopted by those you lead. Therefore, the Q. How do I transfer my great vision to those I lead? The key is knowing the "influencers" in your following! The "influencers" are those who carry weight, whose opinions are sought after and valued!

If you miss these…you die! Well not literally…

But, it may feel like a death. All your plans and dreams can be smashed on the rocks, crashed & burned, close…but no cigar! You thought all you needed was energy, enthusiasm and the right words, and WHAM, everyone would follow you like the Pied Piper! NOT! You left out a major component in casting vision to those who follow you. You must first win the "influencers."

You must seek these out, know who they are and speak with them one on one. Win their confidence, answer their questions & make sure they are on board. When you win the "influencers" first, and then cast the vision, any who have doubts will seek out the "influencers", but they will already be on board with you. Then the vision and plans will have a 1000% better chance of becoming a reality. That is just a fact!

Know your "Influencers" and love them, win them & live! If not, your vision will surely die a slow death!

About artie: I'm the lead Pastor at Cornerstone, a Multi-Ethnic church in the heart of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Also the founder of the Comb Network.com, a movement to plant Multi-Ethnic, culturally relevant churches in smaller cities. I direct a gathering of small city leader called "The Sticks."

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  • Zach Terry

    I would suggest that if possible a Pastor best make sure his vision lines up with the influencers prior to accepting the Church. It is vital that a Pastor develop and hammer out exactly what he wants the Church to look like in 5-10 years and communicate (sell) the vision to the influencers prior to landing on the field. Plans do evolve over time, however this also must be stressed to the influencers. Having lead a Church through BIG transition, ministry style, theological clarification, etc. I can say without a doubt I would be a dead duck if I hadn't had some long talks with the influencers prior to taking the Church. Our Church (Capshaw Baptist) has doubled in two years, and the growth is escalating. We are learning that those who wield influence shift as the Church grows, the faster the growth the faster the shift. So influencers must constantly be re-identified and assimilated into the vision.

    • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/artiedavis61 artiedavis61

      Great insight Zach I really appreciate your personal application!

  • Julius S

    Influencers are already within your rank and file. It may amount to failure to strictly believe they are among your current set of leaders. They may be there and they may not. in my 15 years of ministry I have experienced some setbacks when I thought my plans and programmes were sacrosanct and would work just with me selling it to the general house. Knowing indeed the influencers and carrying them along has saved me heartaches and made life easy for me in ministry.

    • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/artiedavis61 artiedavis61

      Really enjoy the first hand testimony. That is great!

  • Randy Sabella

    Artie,

    This truth, along with Zack’s, would stop the flow of pastors leaving the ministry. A little humility also goes a long way.

    Blessings,
    Randy

    • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/artiedavis61 artiedavis61

      You get an "amen" from this corner Randy!

  • http://- Justus

    Hi,

    I some how thought so but wasnt quite sure that your dreams can be dashed by influencers. Oh! now i know the strings to pull.

    Thank you for this post.

    Regards,

    Justus

    • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/artiedavis61 artiedavis61

      I really appreciate that Justus. It's important to know those "folks" keep the faith my bro!