From Reluctance to Readiness: My Journey Through Leadership Transition
Hello everyone, Jonny here from the Leadership Community Podcast.
Today, I want to share some insights from my personal journey of transitioning into the position of the Senior Pastor of City Life Church in Sunderland. It's been an insightful eight years since the official transition in January 2017. Here’s a look at some of the key takeaways and experiences from this significant phase of my leadership journey.
Embracing the Role
Initially, my response to stepping into the senior leadership role was one of resistance. Despite receiving many prophetic words from a young age that I will lead a church, the reality seemed daunting, and I wasn't entirely ready to embrace it. Yet, as time progressed and the roadblocks I encountered in pursuing other paths became apparent, I accepted this calling. By 25, I began working part-time on church staff, eventually stepping into the role of senior leader at 28.
Mentorship and Preparation
One of the crucial elements that helped me prepare for this role was surrounding myself with mentors, both in person and through reading books. I cannot stress enough the importance of having wise mentors to guide you through this process. They provide perspectives and wisdom that you might not develop on your own.
Additionally, I focused on building a solid theological and cultural foundation. This was pivotal in ensuring that I was not only stepping into a role but also confidently leading with a clear vision for the church’s culture and mission. It’s essential to prepare in advance, to be equipped with knowledge and understanding before you step into the primary leadership role.
Building a Healthy Culture
A defining moment in our transition was the realisation that I needed to focus on cultivating a healthy church culture. This meant pulling together a small group of people that I could pour the vision and values into and trust them to carry it onto others. I believe all senior leaders need to be cultural architects. I learned this lesson early thanks to the mentors around me.
Taking Calculated Risks
In those early days, we ventured into initiatives like setting up an extension service in Washington. While we were by no means entirely ready in terms of resources, this step was a calculated risk to demonstrate change and commitment to the church’s mission. Though it wasn’t perfect, it helped shift our mindset towards taking bold steps aligned with our values.
Advice for Future Leaders
If I were to offer advice to anyone stepping into a senior leadership, it would include the following:
Seek Mentors: Surround yourself with individuals who have walked similar paths—both living mentors and ones you can learn from through their writings.
Focus on Culture: Prioritise building a healthy. This work of ‘culture architecting’ can even be done before the official handover.
Don’t Rush: If time is on your side, use it wisely. There's no need to hurry decisions that need careful consideration. If you are two or three years away from your transition, take the time to prepare. Transition is a process not just an event.
Prepare for the Emotional Dynamics: Consider what life looks like for the outgoing leader and ensure open communication throughout the process. Even better, choose a ‘transition coach’ who helps you and the other leader to have open and healthy conversations.
In closing, transitioning into leadership is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
I hope my story provides some insights and encouragement for those of you who may be facing similar changes. As always, I'm grateful for the mentors and community that have guided me.
If you want to hear myself and Julian discuss my leadership transition story in greater detail, you can listen to the recent episode we released. Click here to access this episode on Apple Podcasts and click here to access via Spotify.
Thank you for reading and being part of this journey with us at the Leadership Community Podcast. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions and reflections.
