Leadership Principle: Rhythm & Pace of Life

I know that there are alot of young leaders who read this blog each week, so in an effort to continue to be strategic about the content I write in regards to what I’m learning, here’s another installment.

As we were driving home, my wife made the comment that there alot of “givens” that we take for granted in our everyday leadership. Phrases we’ll use, things we’ll say, concepts we’ll assume, that young leaders might benefit from having in their vocabulary. I want to share one with you today…

Last night, at our Connection Group, Sarah and I shared that we had to recommit to the “Rhythm & Pace” of our family. There is a rhythm to ministry and leadership. There is a rhythm to family and marriage. And there is a rhythm to our lives as individual leaders. If any of these “rhythms” get “out of rhythm” then trouble begins to happen in our lives.

Rhythm is, of course, a musical a term. Rhythm is that thing that keeps all of the instruments together. Playing in unison & in time with one another. Without a syncapated rhythm, the whole musical number will fall apart. If every piece of the orchestra is playing at a different “rhythm” then the music will end up a mess.

The same is true in the life of a leader. Each piece of your life has a rhythm. Your energy level. Your ability to focus. The way you prioritize your time. It all has a rhythm to it. Learning the rhythms of your life is one of the most important things a leader can do.

1. The Individual Leader’s Rhythm. Every leader has a rhythm. A pattern or systematic approach to the way they live their life and interact with the world around them. Learning at what pace you can function at your optimum the longest is huge. Learning what activiites “fill your tank” and what activities drain you. Learning when you’re most creative & when you’re most reflective are huge pieces of a leader’s rhythm. The sooner a leader can identify components of their rhythm, the better off they’ll be. I guess what I’m trying to say is: You’ve got to learn to march to the beat of your own drum!!!

2. A Leader’s Marriage Rhythm. Every healthy married couple has discovered the concept of what it means to be in “rhythm” together. They understand the pace of their spouse, and are willing to adjust their pace to it, either up or down. There is alot of communication that is necessary for a married couple to learn their collective rhythm. And it’s not as easy as just one partner matching the other partner’s rhythm. There is an art to two drummers playing together. They have to keep their eyes fixed on the other person. It’s a whole lot more about focusing on the other drummer’s style & pace & intensity, then it is dragging them along to yours.

3. A Leader’s Family Rhythm. Every family has a rhythm as well. This week, my wife and I had to stop and look at how the rhythm of our family had gotten out of sync. With moving houses, summer break from school, and the excelerated pace of opportunities around NLC, we discovered that the pace of our family was out of sync. So here’s what we did: We paused in our kitchen and recommitted to some things that keep our family pace in rhythm. Like mealtime around our kitchen table 3 to 4 nights a week. This isn’t optional for us, it’s essential! Our kids need to know that mom and dad are home and listening. Like prioritized “kid time” with the boys. Doing what they want to do, not just bringing them along as we do what we have to do. And recommitting to lead at home, like we lead in the church. It’s easy to be the “leader” at church, and then when I get home to want to “rest” from leadership. Yet the truth is, leadership is every bit as essential at home as it is at church, or in your place of work.

? So how’s your rhythm? What can you do this week to evaluate your rhythm, and then begin making adjustments in an effort to recommit to the rhythm that makes your song sound great! After all, that’s the song that will make the world turn their head and notice! Jesus needs your life in rhythm!