Issue #188, August 24, 2016
Leaders are people of action and movement. But wise leaders recognize that there is also a time to plan. Jesus taught the importance of taking time to plan. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30). The story of this builder holds several important lessons for servant leaders about planning.
Planning comes before action.
Jesus taught that a wise person plans first and then acts. “Will he not first sit down….?” The time to plan comes before the action. Leaders who act before planning often encounter unexpected difficulties and fail to accomplish the vision. In Jesus’ example lack of planning would result in a half finished building and public ridicule. When plans are made before actions are taken the chances of success increase dramatically. Wise business leaders plan before they launch a new product. Church leaders should plan before they plant a new church or start a new program. Servant leaders recognize that the time to plan is before they act.
Planning confirms direction.
Jesus said the builder should “estimate the cost.” The builder needed to calculate what the cost would be for his tower. If he had enough resources he could continue with the building. Planning helps a leader know what the vision will actually cost. Wise leaders recognize that if the plans don’t work on paper they are not likely to work in the real world! The cost of the vision may not always be financial. It may cost time to fulfill the vision. The cost may be that the leader must stop doing things he/she enjoys in order to do other things. The cost may be risking what is known for the unknown. Plans clarify the cost and confirm direction. Sometimes planning results in a change in the direction or timing of the vision. Servant leaders confirm direction as they take time to plan.
Planning takes time.
The builder needed to “sit down.” It takes time to sit down and plan. The larger the project, the more time needed for planning. Some leaders don’t want to take the time to sit down. It seems to delay their action and they would rather move forward. But Jesus teaches that time for planning is not wasted since it actually helps to accomplish the vision. Servant leaders are willing to take time to sit down and plan. They take time at the beginning of every day to think about their plan for the day. They plan at the beginning of their year. They take time to plan when seasons change in their life or work. Servant leaders recognize the need to sit now to plan so they can run later!
Planning saves time.
In Jesus’ example the builder who didn’t plan ended up with a building that was not completed. At the beginning, this builder appeared to make quick progress by not planning. But in the end he wasted time and resources. Effective leaders realize that time spent in planning actually saves time in acting. A few minutes of planning at the beginning of a day helps establish clear priorities and saves time during the day. The same is true for other planning. Servant leaders recognize that planning is not a waste of time but a way to save time.
Servant leaders recognize that there is time to act and a time to plan. They have a sense of timing and know when it is time to plan and when it is time to act. Which time is it for you?
For further reflection and discussion:
- Do I spend enough time in planning? What is the result in my leadership?
- What is the “tower” I want to build? What will be the cost of accomplishing this vision? Have I taken adequate time to plan for it? Why or why not?
- What project, new initiative, or direction in my leadership needs time to plan? When will I take the time to plan? What will keep me from adequate planning?
- Do I spend time daily to plan? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly? What needs to change in my schedule to take time to plan?
- What meeting do I have scheduled soon? What do I need to plan before that meeting and when will I do it?