Today, I want to talk to you about hardware and software. If you’ve heard me talk about leadership pipeline, you may be familiar with core competencies and role-based skills. I think that these two categories of development could be compared to the hardware and software of a computer. Let’s take a look.
On every computer, there are physical components. A monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. These components are the hardware and, from the outside, may even look the same from computer to computer. However, the instructions or programs that tell the computer how to run may be different. This part is called the software. Though each serves a different purpose, both are required for a computer to work.
One one side of the leadership pipeline is core competencies. For every leadership level, from volunteer to senior leadership, we have six core competencies of development: discipleship, vision, strategy, collaboration, people development, and stewardship. Regardless of someone’s leadership level, these six hardware categories remain the same.
However, we also recognize that there are role-based skills specific to each ministry area. What’s needed for small groups is different than what’s needed for kids ministry or guest services. We’d consider the role-based skills the “software” side of leadership pipeline.
Here’s an example. If someone leads a small group at your church, they need to be growing in your church’s leadership pipeline competencies. However, they also need role-specific skills like how to lead a group discussion and caring for group members.
Just like the hardware and software for your computer, core competencies and role-based skills are required to ensure the growth and development of your people.
Now that you understand the importance of both core competencies as hardware and role-based skills as software in your church’s leadership pipeline, what are you going to do about it?
