Stages of a Leader Being Developed

Jesus guided his disciples through four stages of learning, from beginning —someone just starting out—to growing —someone in training—to maturing —someone capable of working independently—to reproducing —someone highly skilled and able to teach others. Serving leaders disciple or develop others by using four different methods appropriate to their stage of development.

At the beginning stage, the leader is focused on instructing since someone just starting out needs the basic information of what, how, where, when, and why.

At the growing stage, a leader provides coaching since one who is in training needs further instruction, practice, and evaluation.

At the maturing stage, a leader provides mentoring since a person able to work on their own needs assignments and encouragement.

At the final stage of reproducing, a leader developer gets out of the way by empowering and commissioning since that leader is now able to teach others and needs the freedom to go out on his/her own.

At the growing and maturing stages, a leader asks good questions and provides high levels of support and encouragement. The growing stage is especially critical as one begins to apply their learning and encounters failure. Leader developers engage with new leaders in a high support role, helping them “fail forward.”

[Next week I will share some examples of Jesus relating to his disciples at all four stages.]