Three Roles of a Leader

Three Roles of a Network Leader David Hennessey

Table of Contents

05 07 10 13

Introduction The Inspirer Role The Equipper Role The Connector Role

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Applying the Roles Within Your Network

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What is Your Strongest Role?

Introduction

Introduction

Did you ever take Chemistry while in school?

It was required when I was in high school, and while I passed, it wasn’t with high grades.

However, there is one thing that I remember to this day – a chemical formula that each of us interact with on a daily basis.

H₂O Do you remember what this chemical formula represents?

That’s right – WATER!

LIQUID

SOLID

GAS

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Introduction

When you are extremely thirsty, would you want to swallow a large glass of ice cubes (the solid state of water)?

Of course not! You would get a large glass of liquid water and drink it until your thirst is quenched.

Similarly, you wouldn’t want to power a steam locomotive with cold water alone. It requires the heat to turn it into steam (the gas state of water) that powers the engine.

In the same way, there are three states, or roles, for a leader. In each one, the leader is still a leader, but possesses different combinations of skills and personalities that are critical for a particular purpose.

To accomplish a mutual goal of inspiring, equipping and connecting churches, NGOs

The Three Leadership Roles are:

1

Inspirer

2

Equipper

3

Connector

Let’s explore the three leadership roles and help you begin to consider how they may serve your network in your culture.

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In spi rer

How many apples are in this picture?

You may be thinking, “that’s a silly question! There is only ONE apple!”

You are correct - there is only one apple in the picture. This was not a trick question.

However, consider for a moment what is inside this apple.

There are many seeds in each apple. When just one seed is planted, it could grow into an entire tree which could produce hundreds of apples every year. In each one of those, there are also more seeds.

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Inspirer

Leaders who are INSPIRERs have seeds of inspiration that they plant into people to spark their involvement in caring for orphans and vulnerable children.

Inspirers are focused heavily on creating awareness of the orphan crisis and casting vision for the movement. They are likely speakers at events and churches throughout your region. Many emerging networks around the world have been founded by local Inspirers.

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Each network should have some Inspirers as part of their governing board, and the majority of the Vision Casting team will consist of Inspirers. These team members will develop the key presentations and materials to share at awareness events, with media and key stakeholders.

So, how do you identify people who are Inspirers? They will typically display the following Qualities and Skills:

Inspirer

Inspirer Qualities and Skills: Qualities

Skills

Influencer

Effective Communication Skills

Connected with Other Church Leaders

Vision Casting

Connected in Multiple Spheres (Government, Media, Business)

Able to Simply Communicate Complex Topics

Well Respected

Independent Thinking

Enthusiasm and Passion

Leadership

Confidence

Creativity

Positive Thinking

Able to Draw Crowds of 50 or more

Determination and Persistence Persuasive

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E q ui pper

Do you know what each of these tools are used for?

Every tool in this picture has a unique purpose that it is designed to accomplish. For any particular job, having the right tool can save time, money, or even potentially allow a job to be completed or not.

I remember a time when I was towing a trailer and a tire blew out on the trailer. On the side of the road, I quickly realized that I did not have the correct lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts and remove the tire to replace it. I did have a large adjustable wrench and a small axe (used to cut wood while camping), and sat on the side of the road hitting the big wrench with the axe, but still the nuts would not loosen. In the end, it was easiest to remove the trailer and leave it on the side of the road while I traveled to the nearest tool shop to purchase a lug wrench of the right size. On that day, I wish I had the right tool in hand – it would have saved me a couple of hours on the side of the road!

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Equipper

In the same way, there are resources and tools available to equip churches, NGOs and families to effectively care for children.

Having these resources and tools available, and knowing how to access them, may make the difference between a successful placement of a child or yet another case of abandonment.

A critical need for each network is to have people in the role of EQUIPPER – someone who will drive access to the right resources or services and be able to determine if those resources and services have been effectively applied.

These leaders are the coordinators of local/ regional/national gatherings or forums, and have a solid understanding of what is required to effectively care for children in different situations. While they may not be the experts in every situation, Equippers will know where to look for resources and who to contact for expertise and key services (such as counseling, legal assistance, government authorities, or other families who have similar experience and can guide through the challenges).

So, how do you identify people who are Equippers? They will typically display the following Qualities and Skills:

The Equippers in your network know where to access best practice resources and services, understand how to contextualize those resources within your local context, and have the ability to assess the application of the resources.

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Equipper

Equipper Qualities and Skills: Qualities

Skills

Detail Oriented

Basic Understanding of Child Welfare Topics

Positive Work Ethic

Computer and Web Literate

Determination and Persistence

Problem Solving

Proactive

Independent Thinking

Dependable and Responsible

Quick Learner

Decisive

Strategic Thinking & Planning

Persuasive

Project Management

Patient

Needs Analysis

Loyal and Trustworthy

Operations Training Mentoring Organizational Skills

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Con n e c tor

Do you know what this is?

Of course, this is a bicycle wheel!

The wheel consists of a hub in the center with individual spokes connecting the hub to the outer wheel frame. The spokes are unique and may be individually adjusted to provide the exact amount of pressure necessary to effectively support the wheel and keep it spinning straight. If any spoke is out of alignment or is missing, the wheel may wobble while riding down the road causing the bicycle to become unstable. If enough spokes are missing the wheel will not support the weight of the bicycle and cause a crash.

But, connected to the hub and adjusted appropriately, the spokes work together to support the weight and movement of the bicycle that each one could not accomplish alone.

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Connector

Your network should be operating as a hub, with each of the churches, NGOs and advocates each like spokes on the wheel.

Together, you may accomplish much more than any one may accomplish alone.

CONNECTORS are the leaders who connect each member (church, NGO, advocate) to the hub of the network. They ensure ongoing collaboration of churches and NGOs and drive membership within the national/local network. Connectors invite access into local gatherings for other leaders within your country and encourage participation in face to face and online forums and discussions.

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Connectors also serve in the critical role of diplomacy for the network. They are highly sensitive to the motivations of each network member and seek to provide win-win solutions for everyone who participates. Connectors understand the political issues within the member network, are sensitive to past wounds suffered and have a keen understanding of the requirements for success for the individual members and the network at large.

So, how do you identify people who are Connectors? They will typically display the following Qualities and Skills:

Connector

Connector Qualities and Skills: QualitiesWork Ethic Positive

Skills

Networker

Effective Communication Skills

Interpersonal

Team Player

Loyal and Trustworthy

Responsiveness

Proactive

Relationship Building and Diplomacy

Enthusiasm and Passion

Marketing

Flexible

Cultural Awareness

Collaborative

Organizational Skills

Listener

Friendliness

Discerns Nonverbal Communication

Conflict Resolution

Open Minded

Negotiation

Senior Statesman Personality

Delegation

Connected with Other Church Leaders

Effective Communication Skills

Connected in Multiple Spheres (Government, Media, Business)

Leadership

Networker Interpersonal

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Applying the Roles Within Your Network

Applying the Roles Within Your Network The roles of Inspirer, Equipper and Connector each contribute to an effective orphan care network. Each one is necessary to provide some key functions to ensure the success of the network.

The Inspirers provide vision casting and set the messaging for the network. They are the ones who will be the primary speakers at events and in public settings, sharing the theology of adoption and encouraging Christians to consider adopting, fostering, mentoring or supporting others that serve in these ways.

The Equippers analyze your current context, determine the top areas of opportunity for training and preparing churches and families, and seek out resources to fill those needs.

They will continuously learn about available resources, classes and expertise within the global network, as well as within your nation, and help your local churches and advocates to connect with these resources. In addition, they are seeking to ensure the resources are applied appropriately and that children are receiving the best care available.

The Connectors are constantly seeking churches, NGOs and advocates that should be actively involved with your network. They build relationships with key stakeholders, and are keenly aware of the top concerns of each, working toward win-win situations for all involved. Connectors also understand the inter-relationships of each of the leaders and organizations, and bring diplomacy into the network to continue positive collaboration.

While everyone exhibits some of each role in their lives, each person will typically be stronger in one particular role than the others. Encourage them to serve within their strengths.

As you seek out Board members, organizational and church leaders, and advocates, also look for the qualities and skills defined for each of these roles within this team. Your network should have Inspirers, Equippers and Connectors on your leadership team. They should be recognized as having these roles so they understand where they may best serve the network, the churches and the children.

Many networks have been founded by Inspirers, and their leadership team is filled with other Inspirers. This is not unusual, since Inspirers are also the first to become inspired!

However, this may lead to quick growth in terms of getting churches connected to the network and people interested in helping children. Without Equippers and Connecters, there isn’t typically a plan for “What’s Next?” So the growth of the network may plateau leaving the founder wondering why it isn’t growing and placing children into well-equipped families. If this is the case within your network, I encourage you to begin identifying the Equippers and Connectors within your network, and engage them in meaningful projects to deepen the equipping of churches and expansion of your network with the needed experts to serve and guide.

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What is Your Strongest Role?

What is Your Strongest Role?

Connector 30%

Equipper 50% Inspirer 20%

I encourage you to take some time praying about where you fit within these three leadership roles. Go back and review the Qualities and Skills that were defined in the previous topics, pray about them and seek wisdom from the Lord as to your particular strength within them.

I believe that I am about 20% Inspirer, 50% Equipper and 30% Connector. Therefore, I spend the majority of my limited time and resources focusing on equipping other leaders like yourself.

As you find your unique combination, I encourage you to also focus the majority of your time and resources on your strongest role.

Either delegate other projects and tasks to people with strengths that are more

appropriate for those tasks, or ask others to identify leaders with those strengths.

When you do this, you will find that you have a stronger network, a more dedicated team and committed volunteers and leaders.

I wish you much success in your role and many blessings on your network. May the Lord call Christians in your nation to rise to care for His children, and may you serve these churches with excellence.

For the Fatherless, David Hennessey, Director

GLOBAL network

Find Your Leadership Role Strengths cafo.org/global/findyourstrengths

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GLOBAL network

The local church in every nation standing as the first answer for vulnerable children.

The Opportunity Visionary Christians in countries around the globe yearn to see the local church open wide as a place of welcome and care for orphaned and vulnerable children.

The CAFO Global Network aids these national leaders in their calling – working with them to connect and equip local churches, NGOs, and advocates for wise, effective care for vulnerable children in local communities.

The Work By offering culturally-relevant resources, training and connections from around the world, the CAFO Global Network helps emerging movements to develop into effective, sustainable Bridge Networks.

While every Bridge Network is unique, each serves as the hub of a vibrant local movement, connecting churches as well as NGOs, government agencies and other allies. Bridge Networks work especially to equip congregations to provide emotional, spiritual and practical support to adoptive, foster and biological families. They often lead awareness and advocacy campaigns, offer foster and adoptive family recruitment and training, guide churches in development of post-adoption/foster care support for families, and more.

The Ongoing Vision As part of the CAFO Global Network, each Bridge Network is encouraged not only to receive, but also to share with other networks. As a result, leaders both access and share excellent resources, training and connections around the world.

Guided by participating local leaders, the CAFO Global Network identifies critical needs, coordinates new resource development and delivery, and provides targeted support to help each network achieve its own unique vision and goals.

Learn more at cafo.org/join/globalnetwork