As a novice bicyclist (trying to catch up to Sandy’s back wheel), I was recently reflecting. Check out these three leadership lessons:
1. On a good ride, expect to suffer.
The biggest surprise to me in cycling was how painful it is (and I’m not just talking about sitting on a hard, narrow seat!). Hardcore cyclists share stories of long rides up steep hills into a headwind with a twinkle in their eye. A popular cycling event is labeled Death Ride – seriously! I imagined cycling to be more along the lines of a breezy Sunday jaunt with a picnic basket in tow. But in order to reach the mountaintop, to see impressive vistas, and to experience a thrilling downhill ride, you have to grind out prolonged climbs.
Spiritual leaders similarly can expect hardship, seasons of grinding it out – even when working in their areas of strength and gifting! While there is joy in serving Jesus, there is also a level of strain. This is validated by every biblical leader.
2. The rules do apply.
Cyclists are known to frequently ignore the rules of the road: rolling stop signs, even running red lights. “The rules don’t apply to me, do they?”
Many leaders – whether in politics, business, or the church – “relax” the rules (often secretly), endangering or misleading those who would follow. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that leaders are called to live to a higher standard. If you as a leader are taking shortcuts in matters of integrity and need help changing your habits, be courageous and seek help!
3. Clearly communicate intentions.
In order to avoid collisions and confusion, it’s wise for cyclists to use hand signals and to be predictable. Surprising moves and sudden changes-in-direction can create havoc.
Leaders who expect to have supportive followers must give clear signals and must be (relatively) predictable. Needed directional change is doable, but only when supported by effective communication and when in concert with the organization’s mission, values, and philosophy. Often resistance to change is due to poor communication, not follower rebellion.
Below I’ve included a few lessons that didn’t make the cut. Feel free to offer your thoughts and feedback!
Cycling lessons that didn’t make the cut:
- Ride farther and faster as a team
- Are the tight shorts really necessary?
- A good beat and lyrics lift the spirit and pace
For His glory,
David Yetter
Cycling
As an avid cyclist, your comments resonate with me. Thanks for sharing those terrific insights about the parallels between cycling and ministry. Another thing about cycling is that the best way to become better is to stay at it -- pushing yourself to do even longer rides at a faster pace. The more you do this, the more normal riding "long" and going fast will become.
Likewise, in our spiritual walk, we'll grow faster if that's a priority. if we don't stay at it (by reading God's word and prayer, as examples) we quickly lose our level of effectiveness.
Great post!
Hey David... Great post!
Great Article
Loved your article about bike riding and it's spiritual applications. However, I really wished you had developed the "Are the tight shorts really necessary?" part of the article. I'd like to comment on the part where you recommended getting help if someone is taking short cuts in matters of intergrity. Cloud and Townsend had the same idea, but phrased it in a way I could relate to. They asked something along the lines of: If you could change you already would have. In order to change you will need something from the outside of yourself--usually a support structure to hold you accountable and keep you motivated. That's why it's good to get someone else, or a small group you trust, to help. It's also a good lesson for leading an organization. We want things to change and grow, but unless there is some new energy, idea or resource from the outside, change and growth won't happen. That's why a team gets stuck and can't move forward. That's why a solo pastor hits walls and can't seem to move past them. God is obviously an outside resource, but most likely He will use other people or a resource (money, new/refurbished building, video projector, etc.) to be that outside resource to help us get unstuck. Anyway, I liked what they said as it helped me to "normalize" the need to get help from both God and other people.
Love it!
I've actually done the Death Ride, and it's awesome! I have definitely gleaned many insights into what it means to follow Jesus in life and ministry from many weary and windy hours on a bike. Thanks for sharing!