Meridian Magazine : : Print

Leadership for Saints: Part 43
Delegation: Accountability is at the Core
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

By definition, accountability is at the core of stewardship delegation. The bishop is still accountable for missionary work in the ward. But Brother Gray now shares a portion of that accountability through his role and performance as ward mission leader.

His primary accountability is to the Lord, with whom he has made sacred covenants as a member of the Church and as a holder of the priesthood. And in this instance, he gives an accounting of his performance to his priesthood leader—the bishop.

Bishop Wilson and Brother Gray should now come to a clear, mutual understanding and commitment regarding when those periodic stewardship interviews will occur, what specific information will be discussed and evaluated, and what standards will be used to measure success.

Linkages constitute the element of stewardship delegation that’s perhaps most often ignored in a Church setting. Yet linkages are what leadership vision and individual service are all about (see chapter 1, “What Great Leadership Is,” and chapter 3, “What Great Leaders See”).

Bishop Wilson bears his thoughtful testimony of the divinity of the Church’s missionary efforts and promises Brother Gray that effective missionary work with just one family can have a soul-saving impact on countless generations of Heavenly Father’s children. (Brother Gray, as with every church worker, is sure to be interested in such linkages.) The brethren then exchange stories of their own conversions to the gospel and their gratitude for the members who welcomed them into the Church.

You’ll notice here that these steps to stewardship delegation involve delegating the assignment, not delegating the methods.

It’s important to come to agreement on the desired outcomes and to share a common understanding and commitment regarding the linkages between the work and its effect on bringing souls to Christ. But if you then begin to get too specific about the actual methods of getting the agreed upon results, you risk short circuiting the steward’s own ingenuity. That’s called micromanaging, tending to the small details of another person’s stewardship.

Remember that we suggest reaching a clear, up-front mutual understanding and commitment regarding (1) desired results or outcomes, (2) guidelines, (3) resources, (4) accountability and (5) linkages.

In doing this, you enter into a kind of psychological contract with the steward. Then the temptation to “Micromanage” (regardless of how you might define it) greatly diminishes. That’s because “micromanaging” often takes the form of belatedly trying to clarify expectations. When you do it in advance and there is a clear, up-front mutual understanding and commitment regarding expectations, your comfort level rises and the other person’s comfort and competence are enhanced.

By the way, note that we continue to use the word mutual. Expectations and understandings should be shared. This implies that you can and should initiate a discussion on these five items even when you are the person who is receiving an assignment. It is not disrespectful to ask for clarity on an assignment. This is the Lord’s work we’re talking about, and it deserves the very best of us all.

Levels of Initiative

We mentioned earlier that the expected levels of initiative should be discussed in the initial stewardship interview. Stewardship delegation actually helps people develop initiative. Ideally, this development process moves them through six levels or stages

(1) The first level of initiative is when the worker waits for instruction.
(2) At the next level of initiative, the worker asks what to do.
(3) As the worker gains competence and confidence, he or she recommends what should be done.
(4) Upon gaining additional experience, the worker acts independently but reports immediately to the supervising leader.
(5) The next level is when the worker acts independently and reports routinely.
(6) Finally, the worker simply does it and moves on to another part of his assignment.

Quotes Worth Remembering

Responsibility involves stewardship and accountability. – Richard J. Marshall

Each is to stand firm within his designated stewardship, for therein lies accountability. – Hoyt W. Brewster

Unrealized expectations often cause a negative response. – William G. Dyer

It is true that Nephi received much instruction from the Lord in building the ship, but Nephi was also prepared to exercise personal initiative in the project from the beginning. …. the Lord tells him to build a ship. Nephi's response is instructive. … "Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou has shown unto me?" (1 Nephi 17:9). He asks for guidance in finding ore so that he can make tools.

–Anderson, Green, Dalton

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