COMMENTS about this page: The outline below is an outline I have used many times to encourage leaders to become proactive in their focus. Pastor von

It's amazing how leadership accepts the role of solving problems and trying to manage crises. Many leaders seem to think their job is to juggle problems. Leadership by its very definition indicates the job of leading rather than a preoccupation with problems. In many cases even micromanaging problems. Problems precede crises and crises demands its time. Crises dictates it's own rules and gets the attention it deserves. Crises, in a sense, can't be managed any more than any other explosion. It's just a matter of rearranging the pieces, cleaning up the place and making the best of it. Hence the term "Crises management."

Problems and their solution are always going to be a part of leadership, however they shouldn't be the focus of leadership. Crises and problem oriented leadership indicates a corrective focus. When problems come, we'll deal with them.

Why do we find so many leaders oriented to problems? The answer is simple. All of our lives we have fielded problems and had our share of crises. They are negative and we don't like them. We take it like the common cold. There is nothing we can do about them. We just have them. So we accept them, feeling that we have no control in the matter. It never occurs to us to look around and see that some individuals have few problems while others seem to have their life consist of problems, troubles and crises. The truth is that some people have learned how to avoid problems.

Statements that indicate problem oriented leadership: The following statements help create a problem oriented environment. A literal magnet that attracts problems. Wait and see. When it happens then we will deal with it. Time will take care of it. It'll work out. When it comes we will correct it! This indicates a corrective focus not a preventative one. In statements like these we see no effort to head off problems and prevent crises. We will deal with them and deal with them they will!

Problem free leadership is simply the result of a preventative mentality and a will to act. Successful leadership is always thinking ahead and working to avoid problems.

Example: If we functioned as leaders the way we drive, most of us would be way ahead in avoiding problems and crises. In driving we follow the preventative look ahead principle exactly. First, we are alert. Second, our thinking and focus of attention is way ahead of our car. The faster we drive the farther we look ahead. Third, we build margin or space between vehicles so we can maneuver in the event of the unexpected. Fourth, we take control and manage the conditions averting a crises. The principle and formula is that simple!

(1) Alert: Good leadership is always alert.

(2) View: When we consider "view" we learn to develop the ability of looking ahead. Seeing and correctly interpreting what's coming ahead. Spotting conditions that might make problems. We could call it the look ahead principle.

(3) Margin: The skill of creating and maintaining a space to maneuver.

(4) Control: Learning how to maneuver and control potentially unhealthy conditions.

Formula: The formula is simple. We are alert and constantly looking ahead to spot conditions coming our way that might combine to become future problems and cause crises. We manage or control these conditions away from a problem connection.

REMEMBER! Possibilities are often just as important as probabilities.

Prevention: Learning a preventative-alert style. Defensive driving is a good example.

(Examples) For several weeks now you have planned on the visit of your sister's family. Their two kids are dear but you hear that their new pet cat is a terror and he will coming too. Your family in their small house is looking forward to the visit with the exception of Fido your pet dog who is quite territorial when it comes to his house. Possible problem! Possible crisis!

Corrective attitude. Wait and see, it may not become a problem. No sense worrying about it now. (The problem did come and it took ten times the time and energy to deal with it ... it almost cost a friendship and a visit to the Vet!)

Preventative attitude. Common sense! Let's prevent a possible problem from happening. A quick phone call. Please leave the cat with a neighbor. Let's remain friends.

(Example) You need an additional family on a base in the interior. A well supported U.S. family that is there has been working with their people for three years. A new national couple has just finished training and is eager to get to the interior. Why not send this couple out.

Corrective attitude. Great idea. They have a need and God supplied the couple. Let's appoint them to the base and see how it goes.

Preventative attitude makes sense ... common sense! We see the possibility of trouble ahead with this situation. The U.S family has a nice big house, solar power, T.V and VCR along with all kinds of goodies along with a good income. The national family has small support and doesn't have a thing. They will have to locate right across the airstrip from the U. S. missionaries. Not a good move.

(Example) The ten wise virgins (thinking ahead) and the ten foolish virgins (not thinking ahead). Note! There is a time to say "No!" Matt.25:1-12

Corrective attitude. If we run out of oil, we will get some somewhere. We will handle the problem if and when it comes up.

Preventative attitude. We will take more than enough just in case.

Prevention is simply an "always way of thinking!" "A stitch in time saves nine!" "A job worth doing is worth doing right!"

Those that think ahead ... get ahead!