Attribute Index. It measures a person’s natural ability in these three areas. The relational role is called empathy, the operational role is called practical thinking, and the strategic role is called systems judgment. Most people have what we call masters in some of the dimensions and blind spots in the others. By knowing and understanding one’s masters and blind spots, leaders can learn to compensate for these limitations. One way that leaders can compensate or adapt to a blind spot is to have someone on their team that has a master in that dimension and be willing to involve that person in key decisions. For instance, if the leader has a blind spot for strategic thinking, it is important to have someone who can see the big picture and challenge the long term impact of key decisions. Likewise, a leader who has a blind spot in the relational dimension needs to rely on someone with a master in that dimension to ensure that the impact on people of key decisions is considered. Although a balanced perspective on all three dimensions is usually desirable, there is one potential downside. Leaders with balance in all three dimensions sometimes can get paralyzed in the decision making process because they want to make sure that all three areas are considered. Sometimes this creates internal conflicts because what may be best from a strategic viewpoint might not work operationally or have a negative impact on people. The other way to address blind spots is to make a concerted effort to develop that dimension. While improvement is always possible, we find that these tend to be “hardwired” into our subconscious as part of brain development and are difficult to change. An analogy would be aptitude for certain subjects in school. Some people have a natural talent for math (a master) and maybe no talent in writing (a blind spot). The person with a master in math will have a much easier time making a good grade in math than someone with a blind spot in math. Despite concerted study the person with the blind spot in math will never be as accomplished as the person with a natural master in this subject. A colleague, Jay Niblick, has written a book titled What’s Your Genius?” The book is the result of research into what makes outstanding performers (or geniuses) in a certain field different than everyone else. The key finding of his research was that high level success was not the result of possessing certain talents, but rather being in a position where the person’s natural talents were being used to the fullest. Leaders will be most successful when their natural talents are matched with the leadership role that they 34 RuralLeaderMagazine.com
are in. I once worked for someone who was viewed as the turnaround specialist in the company. He would go in to an operation that was “broken” and fix it. He had a high operational talent. However, once he fixed the problem, the company had to get him out as soon as possible because he had a very low relational talent. Someone else had to come in and clean up the relational mess that was left. As a leader, do you know what your blind spots and masters are? If you are having difficulty, maybe it is because your role requires different talents.—
The Role of Rural Leadership
(Continued from page 32) Rural leadership has to be able to avoid the rhetoric and jargon of the board-established missions and develop identifiable strategies so that the community can accomplish the purpose or intent of its mission. Communities settled along the countryside and even amid the outer edges of our America are some of the most wondrous places to live, work, and raise families. Our rural leaders have to serve in the capacity that drives community towards sustainable good health and prosperity.—
Sharing the Good News through Outdoor Ministry
Clay Hill Christian Retreat Chapel lay Hill Christian Retreat is a rare commodity in rural Georgia that was birthed through an idea to connect the outdoors to ministry. The church is an inimitable experience for parishioners young and old. Pastor Eddie Watson's demonstrated leadership and obedience to a “higher” calling fostered this nontraditional path to serve the people in the community. A native of Clay County, Georgia, Watson is married to Tammie, Continued on page 52
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