Issue #176, March 9, 2016
John is well known for baptisms. But it was the message he communicated that actually produced change in people’s lives. His message produced the baptisms. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" (Luke 3:3, 7-10). John was a master communicator and his message was transformational. He communicated for a change. Servant leaders learn from his example how to communicate in a way that brings transformation, not just information.
Communicate clearly.
“Preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John didn’t preach about many things, just repentance. He worked hard to keep his message clear and simple. Some leaders seek to impress the listeners with their knowledge or vocabulary. They feel it is a compliment when a listener says, “Your message was so deep I couldn’t understand!” The focus of these leaders is not on the listeners on themselves! But servant leaders have a passion to communicate the message so that it will be easy to understand. They work to simplify their message and make it as clear as possible. Servant leaders focus on the listeners need to understand. So they communicate clearly.
Communicate visually.
For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. John the Baptist used pictures to communicate. He talked about stones, an ax, trees, fruit and fire, all well-known images to his listeners. He recognized that people learn more quickly if they can visualize the message. Boring communicators provide information without pictures. Great communicators paint the message with pictures. They provide pictures of a better working environment, a stronger community, or a transformed world. They inspire with clear pictures of what can happen when the listeners understand the message. Servant leaders have a passion to help others get the picture so they communicate visually.
Communicate contextually.
John the Baptist shaped his message for his audience. Not only did he use visual images which were familiar to them, he also anticipated their objections before they raised them. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' Servant leaders consider their audience before they choose their message. They consciously put themselves in the shoes of those will listen and ask how the message will be heard by them. They adapt their content to the context. Servant leaders want their listeners to feel that the message was directly to them so they communicate contextually.
Communicate practically.
"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" This is where John’s message became transformational. He moved from theory to practice. He told the listeners the practical steps which they could take to apply the message. In the verses that follow he added more details for tax collectors and soldiers. Many leaders stop with information and assume that the listeners will figure out the application. But servant leaders focus on the need of the listeners to change. They reflect on what changes they want in the listeners and do not hesitate to give specific examples of what change will look like. Servant leaders want transformation so they communicate with practical examples.
All leaders in the corporate world, business, school or church communicate a message. They influence with their words. Servant leaders work hard to make their message as transformational as possible. They keep it clear, they make it visual, they adapt to the context and they keep it practical. As they do it well, they communicate for a change.
For further reflection and discussion:
Reflect on a recent communication between you and your followers. (This could be a written document, email, informal interaction, or a formal presentation, teaching or sermon.) In each of the following areas rate your communication on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being perfect!
- _____ It was clear
- _____ It was visual
- _____ It was contextual
- _____ It was practical
If possible, ask one of those who listened or received the communication to do the same evaluation from their perspective. What is the most significant thing I learned from this reflection? Which area do I most need to improve for future communication?
Now reflect on a significant type of communication that you will do in the future. What one thing can I do to make this communication more transformational for those who will listen?