What If ? and Why?
There are two important kinds of thinkers necessary to lead any organizaiton in a positve direction: "What if?" thinkers and "Why?" thinkers.
The "What If" folks are idea farmers who create new ways of doing things. They also usually have the energy to do them. Entrepeneurs at heart, they are always considering options To them, every situation is loaded with potential. Every problem carries the seeds of it's own solution.
While the rest of the world looks at the way things are and asks, "Why?", the "What Iffers" look to the way things COULD BE and ask, "Why not??"
"What If" thinkers always see the possibilities and amd seize the opportunities. They possess a positive bias for action.
However, the world would fall apart at the seams if EVERYBODY was a "What if" thinker. Every good idea produced by a "What Iffer", is accompanied by about twenty lousy ones. Often, the "What If" thinkers don't know the difference. They just keep coming up with more ideas!
That's the reason we need the other kind of thinkers too: the "Why?" thinkers.
"Why" folks look beyond the surface and aren't afraid to ask the difficult questions. "Tell me again, WHY are we doing this??" They think deeply and can see all the ramifications of a decision. Many times, even before the "What iffer" is finished with presenting his grand idea the "Why" thinker has already identified at least seven potential difficulties and conflicts with the proposal.
"What Iffers" bring the energy -- but they can bring annoyance and wear out everybody else around them.
"Why" thinkers perceive deeply -- but prone towards negative thinking and the paralysis of analysis.
And THAT'S the reason why we need BOTH kinds of thinkers -- in every community, on every board or committee, at every workplace, in every church, and in every home.
Ever notice that "Why?" thinkers end up getting married to "What Iffers?" God has His good reason.
Here's a good equation for effective leadership: "What If's" plus "Whys" = WISE.
The "What If" folks are idea farmers who create new ways of doing things. They also usually have the energy to do them. Entrepeneurs at heart, they are always considering options To them, every situation is loaded with potential. Every problem carries the seeds of it's own solution.
While the rest of the world looks at the way things are and asks, "Why?", the "What Iffers" look to the way things COULD BE and ask, "Why not??"
"What If" thinkers always see the possibilities and amd seize the opportunities. They possess a positive bias for action.
However, the world would fall apart at the seams if EVERYBODY was a "What if" thinker. Every good idea produced by a "What Iffer", is accompanied by about twenty lousy ones. Often, the "What If" thinkers don't know the difference. They just keep coming up with more ideas!
That's the reason we need the other kind of thinkers too: the "Why?" thinkers.
"Why" folks look beyond the surface and aren't afraid to ask the difficult questions. "Tell me again, WHY are we doing this??" They think deeply and can see all the ramifications of a decision. Many times, even before the "What iffer" is finished with presenting his grand idea the "Why" thinker has already identified at least seven potential difficulties and conflicts with the proposal.
"What Iffers" bring the energy -- but they can bring annoyance and wear out everybody else around them.
"Why" thinkers perceive deeply -- but prone towards negative thinking and the paralysis of analysis.
And THAT'S the reason why we need BOTH kinds of thinkers -- in every community, on every board or committee, at every workplace, in every church, and in every home.
Ever notice that "Why?" thinkers end up getting married to "What Iffers?" God has His good reason.
Here's a good equation for effective leadership: "What If's" plus "Whys" = WISE.
WHAT?! SEPTEMBER 24TH?! Yikes! Where did the time go?!!
ReplyDelete(check your posting date!)
:)
Whoah -- I was being futuristic, wasn't I?
ReplyDeleteBe at peace. I've made the correction and we're back to the present.
What If ... and Why thinkers
ReplyDeleteYou missed a big group of thinkers.
The Holy thinkers.
They think that God talks only to them and a select few. They will plunge into anything without thinking because God will take care of them because of their close walk with HIM. They hold their hand out for God to feed them instead of asking God to help them find a job.
These people are so heavenly minded that they are of no worldly good.
This post has weighed heavily on my heart.
ReplyDeleteTaking large or unneeded risks is not wise. One must know the difference between wise risk taking and foolhardy behavior.
Unfortunately the different kind of thinkers often take sides and proceed to do whatever is necessary to achieve their agenda.
Often this happens to create two types of generational splits. The typical older people against the younger. Or, the generational split can be between long-term attendees and fairly new ones.
It takes a strong leader/pastor to be able to stay objective and not be swayed by the group controlling the pastor's future and church's finances.
Churches need to have a bias for forward progress. There must always be an intentional outreach to new people. This requires change in the way things are done. Of course, this requires much wisdom and grace -- but if the guardians of the status quo prevail, the church will shrivel up and die.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteYou are so correct. In fact, 'lifers' in a church start to think their way is the only way. In fact, they start to believe the church is theirs. They tend to forget it is God's church. A slow agonizing death soon follows.
In our small community rural church a massive building project was tackled without wise financial planning.
ReplyDeleteSoon tempers flared. Much finger pointing was done. Shortly thereafter the newer members all left for a friendlier environment.
Now the remaining members all complain about the financial situation those leaving left them. Those remaining are the ones that have always controlled the finances of the church and also approved and pushed the building project.
During the project the pastor bounced back and forth between the two groups depending on which group he felt had the most control.
It is a sad situation for a new pastor to inherit.
I looked at this post as a example of what a Chruch should or could do to decide how to handle a big problem, decision.
ReplyDeleteWhen the leaders do not get their way when a decision is made what do they do. They will be remembered for how they handled the problem after the decision more than what they said before.
If they take a approach like the Hillery picture. I did not get my way so I will display the results in a negative manor that will show others how wrong they were to vote for her.
Do the leaders of the Church display any results that do not quite fit their agenda in a negative light for the same reason.
In my experience the leaders when told what thay did was not quite right, they get their feathers up. They squack about how a unchristian act it was to bring up the issue and they start looking down on the person who raised the issue. They do not take responisability for their own actions.
I admire Mark for the second approach, I was wrong. It was unkind. Here is my goofy picture to make things right. God will bless a humble spirit.
PS I sent both the picture and post of Hillery to her along with your pentance picture. I figured that she may be able to use them in the next year for others who will do the same to her.