A Simple Way to Develop Emerging Leaders (part 2)

The first thing we must realise is that we have a problem. Whether that be a problem with our leadership style, pathways and pipelines, a barrier that we have unknowingly or perhaps intentionally created...it doesn't really matter, we have found ourselves in a space whereby the leaders we need are not there.

Firstly, there is no quick fix when this is the case. The saying that resonates with me is that

We need to aim to 'farm leaders and not hunt them'. And whether we like it or not, farming takes time!

In this fast paced life, we don't like to wait, or for things to take time...we always want the harvest to be ripe and ready, yet anyone who knows farming (and I am not even one of them) knows that the harvest you get is determined by the process you have gone through to get there. Any shortcomings along the way are seen in the harvest, and any changes you make to the process are not seen fully until the next harvest.

So, first things first, don't expect any quick fix solutions. But in the same breath, be encouraged that the changes you make will be seen over time, and look for ways, metrics, and markers that you can look for along the way that indicate whether the changes made are heading in the right direction (often referred to as 'lead measures' as opposed to what we often do as leaders and just look at the 'lag measures').

Secondly, if it can't be seen demonstrated and lived out through Jesus' life, then let's start again. We want to raise up Christ-like ones, in all ways of life. So, as we look to raise leaders, let's look to raise leaders who not only strive to imitate Jesus in all areas of life but also in the way that Jesus modelled.

The disclaimer here is that none of us actually have the piece of paper that he drew on when giving his workshop on 'how to raise leaders', but we can overlay our processes on his life and see if it has key priorities that he demonstrated.

I was first introduced to this simple model early in ministry when going through SHIFTm2M (a year-long training that studies the life of Christ chronologically), and although there are many models that essentially follow the same process, this one has always stuck with me. I have since, through trial and error, gained a process that I have found not only helpful but effective.

It is also only as prescriptive as a process or priorities can be; this makes it adaptable to any context!

The acronym is MAWL (unfortunate, I know), and it stands for Model, Assist, Watch and Leave.

Let's take the time to quickly explore the process, one step at a time.

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Model:

One of our values is to

'become what you want to multiply'

and to put it simply, it starts with us, the leader.

We need to be modelling the skills, character, the lifestyle that we want to see in the leaders we are developing. We should be the first to serve, the first to speak to the new person, the first to pray with others, and the first to encourage others. We should be open and transparent in the authentic faith that we have and demonstrate through all we do that Jesus makes a difference in our lives and is alive and active.

If we want leaders to be doing these things (or whatever is on your priorities), then we need to be embodying them as well. Authentic leadership with integrity is crucial to developing the leaders that we need today and moving forward. Most importantly, we see Jesus doing this in his humanity some 2000 years ago.

Jesus never asked anyone to become something that he was not, the reality is the opposite. He modelled leadership in the upside-down Kingdom, and then he called his followers to do likewise. This was not only evident when the 'events' were on, but most evident in the times between the events. Think about all the times he modelled servanthood, sacrifice, equality, social justice, kindness and encouragement, to name a few. Yes, we can point to some big occasions, but he called us to walk as he walked, to live as he lived, to follow him. He modelled what he wanted us to become, and then invited us to do likewise.

Let's have a look at some of these examples we see in Jesus' life. Jesus 'modelled' his life and leadership by inviting others to 'come and see'. Essentially, he invited others to step in, spend time with him and other followers, and to follow (become more like) him.

In John 2:1 - 12 we have the commonly known story of the Cana wedding (water into wine). We often focus on the significance of the wedding, but let's focus on verses 1-2 and 12. What do you see? What is Jesus modelling? What are the disciples doing? We have a wedding, Jesus' family is there, and he decides to bring his disciples with him. Not only that, but he then went on and spent time with his family in Capernaum, where at least a handful of the 12 Apostles were from. Let's remember that this is a wedding, possibly a family wedding, not an event, a Sunday service, an outreach event or the like. It is a party that he was invited to, and he models his life in a way that demonstrates that there is not two Jesus', one in leadership or religious settings, and another away from these roles and responsibilities. It is the same Jesus that is encountered in every part of his life.

Authenticity!

How about the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4: 4 - 42. The same questions as above can be asked, and again, let's focus on Jesus the leader, in his humanity, what are we seeing and learning?

I'm sure you are aware of how confronting it must have been for the disciples to see their leader, talking to a female... a Samaritan female! Luckily no one else saw right (he was the same regardless of who was watching or what circumstance) ... oh and wait, the whole community comes out as a result of this one woman's testimony of her encounter with Jesus, he then stays a few more days, living and modelling who he is and the type of Kingdom and leader he is inviting his followers to become.

We could go on, but in these two well-known, simple stories we have touched on, you see Jesus clearly modelling a life and leadership that he not only expected of those following, but expected to see developing in them as well. In our words, he was what he wanted to multiply, and was clearly modelling that in all aspects of his life.

The question for us is, what are we as leaders, modelling for others? Remember, it is not just at the event or when we are on show, but in our everyday life, 24/7!

This article was written and created by Andrew Hodgson © 2025.

Published by The Emerging Leaders Program, 2025.

Are you hunting or farming leaders?

• I have raised and released multiple leaders.
• I raise and release at least one leader every year.
• I have only ever raised leaders for volunteer roles.
• I have never raised and released a leader.

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