I have a tendency to manage. It comes natural to me, as I’m very structured and organized by nature. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I always look for ways to do it as efficient and effective as possible.

But sometimes I forget you have to lead first.

There’s a difference between managing and leading and it’s a big one. You can be a great manager, a brilliant one even, and yet not be a great leader. And the opposite is true as well, I’ve seen many a great leader who failed miserably at managing.

So what’s the difference between leading and managing? It’s this according to management guru Peter Drucker:

“Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.”

As Stephen Covey stated so clearly, leading has to come before managing. Leadership has to come first.

Before determining how to best accomplish certain things, you first need to figure out what you want to accomplish. You need to know exactly where you want to go, where you need to go, before deciding on the best route to get there.

So are you managing or are you leading in your youth ministry?

How certain are you that you’re doing the right things in your youth ministry? Or are you just doing things right?

boss