Questions to Ask About Leadership that Can Help Avoid Burnout Later On

There are questions to ask about leadership PRIOR to accepting responsibility, that may protect you from a lot of stress AFTER you accept responsibility.

As a leader or executive, you can go a long way to "burnout-proofing" yourself before you begin to lead within an organization or group.

This list of insightful questions was adapted from one that I found of help in an older book, “Increasing Your Boardroom Confidence,” by Bobb Biehl and Ted Engstrom, c.1988, Questar Publishers

How to Best Use the Questions to Ask About Leadership 

Take the time to sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and write out the answers to these questions.

That way you will be very intentional in your thinking, and writing it out will capture your thoughts concisely.

This will enable you to make a better decision and reflect on what you need to do next as you make yourself available to serve the Lord.

The Questions to Ask that May Just Protect You from Burnout

• What expectations are there of me in this position? From whom?

• What are my three biggest assumptions about this task? Are they true?

• Am I really committed to this cause and the people it represents?

• Do I have confidence in the senior leadership and feel I can support them?

• Can I make the time for this leadership responsibility without creating excessive stress?

• Do I and my spouse agree about this decision?

• Leadership issues take discernment. Am I a discerning person and can I improve that competency?

• Do I have any hidden agenda that could sabotage meetings or others on my team?

• Are there any continuing things in my life that if people knew about them would disqualify me from serving?

• Are there relationships or situations I should clean up before serving in this responsible position?

• Am I a good team player or do I generally want my own way?

• How have I been prepared for this task? Experience, skills, interests?

• What is being said to me about this decision? Faith, family, friends, mentors etc.?

• To what degree am I willing to change so that I can make a more effective contribution?

• Is God giving me this “assignment,” or is it only something I want?

Now that You Have Thought This Through, What Will You Do?

A final question.

What will you do? 

You have taken the time to reflect prayerfully and honestly over these insightful questions. Do you now feel this leadership role "has your name written on it?" 

If so, you will be going into it clear-eyed and with fresh energy and direction. 

If not. Get out while you can.

The Importance of Christian Executive Coaching at This Crossroads in Your Decision Making

It's easy to get excited about a new opportunity. It offers possibilities, and maybe even income or influence that feel pretty compelling. 

This is where working with a Christian Executive Coach such as myself can make a huge difference. Sometimes it's just hard to think objectively about an opportunity. 

Having an impartial but understanding sounding board to do a little more exploration around, even the questions above can bring needed clarity.

And if you have limited time to make a decision this can be helpful. 

A Word About "Telling the Truth"

We'd like to think we wouldn't tell ourselves a lie. And mostly that's the case. 

But .. sometimes we can conveniently overlook some of the facts in support of the case we'd like to make. We don't lie. We just don't tell the whole truth.

I'd like the job, so I'll skew my answer to that one or two questions above ever so slightly, even thought deep down I feel a little uncomfortable with my answer, and know it isn't the whole story.

Again, this is where a professional Coach can help. Not that I would sit in judgement of your handling of the facts. But, more that I would keep seeking along with you for clarity. 

With clarity - all the needed information - you can make a decision and take ownership of a good path ahead. 

Call me to discuss Christian Executive Leadership Coaching.

All the Best Moving Forward

Congratulations. You've made a good, informed decision. These questions to ask about leadership have served you well.

You can move forward confident that you have taken the right path. I want to wish you every success if you are choosing a new path - new company or organization, new role, new project - whatever it may be. 

And if you are staying right where you are for the time being, then you can be confident that God has you there for a reason. It may be a shorter or longer time, but there's a good reason for you to be there. 

Too often we have good people in the wrong positions, and the talents or gifting they have somehow gets lost or washed out in the every day back and forth of work, life, and leadership.

I love seeing great leaders in the right place, making the difference they were meant to make.