There was a cute robot movie in the mid-1980s titled "Short Circuit." The robot's name was Number 5, and I clearly remember the sound of his voice as he cried out..."Need Input!"
Robots crave machine language. Spreadsheets are flat without data. Leaders are limited without information.
We don't like making decisions in the dark. While we may feel like we never have enough information, I think we would all agree, there is a baseline collection of information required to make quality decisions.
Types of input:
1. Facts, in the form of data—What do we already know based on past performance? Is the past a predictor of future performance?
2. Experiences—Can this current decision be informed by an experience which presented a similar scenario? "Gut" decisions are usually made because a leader has been there, done that, and learned from the experience. It's really not gut at all.
3. Trends—Are others seeing what you are seeing? Is something new happening? Are others responding to a trend that you may be fighting? A decision maker has the option of being an early adopter of new ways of doing old things. The leader may also choose a laggard philosophy and be very slow to adopt a new thing. Both strategies can work at the right time and place. Hopefully, trends are not ignored and assumed away.
4. Counsel—Leaders listen selectively. We all have to be careful about the advice we consider. But most leaders have a select few counselors available for the tougher decisions. It's good to talk things out with a trusted advisor. The best decisions are not made in isolation.
5. Spiritual guidance—Decisions require prayer. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give direction. Wouldn't we all like a do-over on a few key decisions of which we didn't seek the Lord?
Spirit-led leaders make better decisions.
Robots need input. Leaders need infilling.
"When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).
Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.
Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.
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