I will never forget the first days on a job when I realized my boss was going to manage primarily through email. It was overwhelming to say the least. Every few minutes my computer would “ding” as a new email arrived.
His management style was a turn off for me. In fact, I am sure there was more than one occasion where I swore that I would NEVER manage through email if I could help it.
Now I am in a leadership position that requires me to communicate well and often. I serve on a team with many great elders, a busy staff, and volunteers that are all over the city every day of the week. Sure I could try to call them all whenever I had something to communicate (and I have tried), but in most cases I just get the voicemail.
Much to my demise, I have been forced to make a change in my leadership. Now I communicate heavily through email – or “lead” through email, if you will. Though this is uncomfortable for me, I am realizing that there is a great power in it. Here are some great advantages to leading through email:
- It puts everything in writing. Deadlines are documents. Expectations can be referred to in writing. Ideas are captured for further contemplation.
- It is sent and the people that I serve with can get to it at their convenience. They don’t have to try to get the phone when it is ringing – they can answer the email when they are free.
- It can be passed on or copied as needed. There are many advantages to being able to forward something or CC someone in as needed.
- In some cases, it gets a faster and more thorough response (as apposed to voicemail). Many of my friends (and myself included) get to their email way before they check their voicemail.
While there are strengths in leading through email, there are also some great weaknesses. There is always the chance I may be misinterpreted and come off cold or harsh. I cannot let email be the ONLY way I lead. I still must pick up the phone, have an occasional meeting, make the most of hallway conversations. I must still keep a personal care component to your leadership – pastor or not.
How have you found email play our in your leadership?
