11 Ministry Priorities to Lead Us Forward … Action Focused Leadership pt3
Last week, we took a moment to remind ourselves of the first five priorities in our 11 Ministry Priorities to Lead Us Forward blog series. We started our journey with a set of four priorities under the banner of Making the Main Things, the Main Things. At the end of last year, we started to inform and unpack the second set of five Ministry Priorities grouped under the banner Action‑Focused Leadership.
Priority #4 … A Connected Team … We lead best when we lead as part of a connected team that is not only about sharing the workload but is built on the diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences each member brings to the table
Priority #5 … Excessively Accessible … Following the example of Jesus, we need to be leaders who are approachable and responsive through serving others, bearing burdens, showing hospitality, providing encouragement and support, and meeting practical needs.
Priority #6 … Informed to Encourage Action
Priority #7 … Consultative but Decisive
Priority #8 … Strong Support Structures
As we get back into the meat of this series, we turn to another foundational principle: being INFORMED TO ENCOURAGE ACTION.
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“The wise are mightier than the strong,
and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.”
Proverbs 24:5 (NLT)
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance.”
Proverbs 1:5 (NIV)
Inform to Create Momentum
Every leader knows the feeling: plans are made, programs are set, an event is coming – and yet somewhere between the vision and the execution, things stall. A boy doesn’t respond as expected. A leader hesitates. A parent is confused. A team member doesn’t follow through. Often, the root issue is simple: they didn’t know … or they didn’t know enough … or they didn’t know early enough.
Too many leadership challenges can be traced back to a lack of clarity. Informed people act … Uninformed people avoid, hesitate, or disengage.
In the Boys’ Brigade, our leadership influence rises or falls on our ability to communicate clearly, early, and consistently. When people know what’s happening – and why – they feel equipped, valued, and confident. Information doesn’t just create understanding; it creates momentum.
Inform to Encourage Action
Being INFORMED TO ENCOURAGE ACTION shows up in many ways:
- Speak Early, Speak Often … Don’t wait until the night before an event to communicate. Don’t assume “they already know.” Clarity strengthens leadership; repetition reinforces it. When information arrives early, people feel respected; when it arrives often, people feel supported.
- Informed People Are Confident People … Knowledge reduces anxiety. Confidence grows when expectations, goals, and responsibilities are clear. Boys thrive when they understand the purpose behind what they’re doing. Leaders step forward when they understand the big picture. Parents support us when they understand the “why” behind the “what.” Good information creates good engagement.
- People Can Act When They Know … Action follows understanding. If you want your team to lead, your boys to participate, or your parents to partner with you, you must equip them with clear, accessible information. A boy can’t be on time if he doesn’t know the time. A parent can’t help if they don’t know the need. A leader can’t lead if they don’t know the plan.
- Forewarned Is Forearmed … Preparation empowers. Letting people know what challenges to expect – whether in behaviour, planning, or spiritual growth – allows them to meet those moments with confidence rather than surprise. Jesus modelled this. He prepared His disciples for difficulty before it came – good leaders do the same.
So, how do we grow this leadership muscle?
Inform Why, Early, Often, Simple
Communicate the “Why,” Not Just the “What” … People act with more enthusiasm when they understand the purpose.
Share Information Early … Give those we are leading plenty of notice, time to prepare and space to succeed.
Say It More Than Once … Repetition is not nagging – it’s good leadership.
Keep Information Simple and Accessible … Use clear language, consistent channels and make details easy to find.
Clarify Expectations … Don’t assume anything. Spell out roles, responsibilities, and goals.
Just as excessive accessibility reflects Christlike service, intentional communication reflects Christlike leadership — guidance that equips, empowers, and builds up.
Inform Yourself
Sitting parallel to all of this is a challenge on us, as leaders, to also seek to stay informed ourselves. As leaders, it’s not enough to simply keep others informed – we must also remain informed ourselves. An uninformed leader will always lead uncertainly, but a well‑informed leader leads with clarity, conviction, and confidence. This means staying connected with the wider vision of your Church and the broader BB Movement, understanding upcoming plans, seeking clarity when needed, and proactively gathering the information required to lead well. When we invest in our own understanding – whether through training, communication with other leaders, or seeking guidance – we model teachability and humility. Being informed is not just about knowledge; it’s about stewardship. The more equipped we are, the more effectively we can equip others, creating a culture where clarity flows from the top and empowers everyone to act with purpose.
This priority also comes with a challenge – we need to ensure clarity without overload. Being informed does not mean overwhelming people with endless details – it means offering the right amount, at the right time, through the right channels. Leaders must communicate thoughtfully and intentionally – not dumping information, but distributing it in a way that encourages action rather than confusion. Our goal is not to flood people. Our goal is to equip them.
The reality is … we lead best when our communication equips others to act confidently! The more informed those we lead and we ourselves are, the more empowered they/we become to serve, grow, and lead with purpose. Being “Informed to Encourage Action” is not just a value – it is a leadership discipline. And when we practise it well, our entire our leadership becomes stronger.
Reflection Questions:
What’s ONE thing I need to grow in seeking clarity for myself, so that I can lead others with greater confidence and consistency?
What’s ONE thing I need to do differently to communicate better with those I lead?
Let’s continue to exercise action focused leadership!
JASON KNIGHT
President, The Boys’ Brigade Queensland