Time to Daydream?

Shane Nichols, Manager of
Communications & Events

When I was asked to participate in the Plus Program at Garrett-Evangelical, I agreed with some hesitation. As the Manager of Communications and Events at Garrett-Evangelical, I recognized that the opportunity to participate in this one-of-a-kind program could uniquely position me to tell others about Garrett-Evangelical’s newest program. I also recognized the tremendous value of learning from the faculty at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Garrett-Evangelical’s partner in the Plus program. Like so many of us, I live in that tension between the demands of work and my family, so I weighed my decision carefully.

With daycare arrangements in place for my children, I made my way to Kellogg’s Center for Nonprofit Management facility located just off of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Within minutes of the first session, Dr. Mark Fowler, Associate Professor of Church Leadership at Garrett-Evangelical, spoke of the importance of balance in effective leadership and precisely named that tension which had given me pause. “With 168 hours in a week how do you allocate your time? What does this allocation of time say about you and your priorities?” he asked rhetorically. My favorite question was, “Do you allow yourself time to daydream?” In the midst of juggling deadlines, meetings, soccer practice, dinner, and homework, am I suppose to daydream?

In his afternoon session, Harry Kraemer, Clinical Professor of Management and Strategy at Kellogg School of Management, continued exploring this theme. Kraemer is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc., a $9 billion global healthcare company. He became Baxter's chief executive officer in January of 1999 and assumed the additional responsibility of serving as Baxter's Chairman of the Board of Directors one year later. During Kraemer’s session, “Leading Today,” I took several pages of notes, but one insight in particular stood out to me. Despite being responsible for a $9 billion global company, he made teaching weekly Sunday School classes a priority. Sometimes he worked more from a plane than from his office, and yet he made it a point to regularly teach on Sunday, suggesting that such commitments made him a better leader on Monday. Go figure!

I still struggle to find balance. I think it is a process for most of us. The difference now is that I once thought giving 100% to work during the day and 100% to my family during the evening would only shortchange me. I never stopped to think about the direct or indirect consequences on coworkers and loved ones when I am out of balance. Effective leaders seek balance. Effective leaders take time for self-reflection.

Having completed only one-half of the Plus Program, I already see that the insights I have gained far outweigh the sacrifices. If you are looking for away to take your own ministry leadership skills to the next level, then I encourage you to seriously consider this program. Our churches and communities need effective leaders now more then ever. Don’t wait. Start leading today!

To learn more about the Plus Program,go to www.transformativeleaders.org/PlusProgram.

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Shane Nichols - Husband; Dad of Three; Manager of Communications & Events; Plus Program Student; and prefers his coffee with hazelnut creamer. You'll often find him on Twitter - @shane0206.