The Flip Side of Crisis: Four Dynamics You Can Use Now to Develop Emerging Leaders
Esther didn’t ask to rise into leadership. She never planned it. However, circumstances demanded it. God arranged it and her adoptive father Mordecai recognized it.
A crisis for Jews thrust the beautiful Esther into a situation in which only she could save them. Guided and supported by Mordecai, she acted wisely and boldly to avert tragedy and save her people.
During crises, the uncertainty, urgency, and disruption stir the waters of routine and sometimes churn new leaders onto the shore.
In the social sciences, we call these people emergent leaders: team or group members who step up into a leadership role without being appointed or elected. It also includes those who have grown in their decision-making scope and skills.
You’ve probably encountered emergent leaders somewhere along the line:
The Youth Pastor who has voluntarily taken on ministerial responsibilities beyond his role
The new member with a rapidly rising influence in the congregation
The young wife who started off teaching a class but seems to be developing a full-time teaching ministry
Assigned leaders have a duty – or at least, opportunity – to mentor, coach, and develop these emergent leaders! I say that in light of Jesus’ command to make disciples and Paul’s injunction to build leaders (2 Timothy 2:2).
So, the flip side of crisis, despite the disruption and chaos, is that if you keep your eyes open, you may easily identify emergent leaders. When you do, I’d like to suggest four dynamics you must put into play in order to serve them well.[i]
#1. Do not fear them. Easier said than done. Fact is, emergent leaders by definition come to you inexperienced. Sometimes unsure of themselves. It’s easy to fear that they may make a mistake. You can offset that though by putting the following three principles to work.
#2. Build a relationship. Consider the closeness Esther and Mordecai shared. For example, “Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. (Esther 2:20)
#3. Foster role variability. This applies to team leadership situations. In simple terms, sometimes Mordecai took the lead, sometimes Esther. As a team, they adapted their approach based on the circumstance. You, the elder leader, must allow the junior leader to step out and perform.
#4. Demonstrate resilience. Remember, we’re talking about leaders during a crisis. Mordecai and Esther both kept their cool despite the mortal danger. However, it was he who encouraged her.
[Mordecai] sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)
Science and scripture both know the life-changing power that an elder leader can exert on an emergent leader. Crisis situations actually heighten those opportunities.
So isn’t it true that Mordecai’s famous exhortation to Esther applied equally to him? Perhaps he was present in Esther’s life “for such a time as this.”
I wonder who the emergent leader in your life may be now? And are you ready to help them move forward?
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[i] Elizabeth K. Hunt’s exegetical study on the book of Esther as reported in Chapter 8 of Winston, Bruce E. (2020). Leadership Growth Through Crisis. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave MacMillan provides a scholarly basis for some of the content in this article.
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My husband Bud offered to contribute this article. I loved it and hope you do, too!
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