Leadership can be hard due to the many and varying challenges a leader faces, whether in a church or business context. Some organizations need help getting unstuck while others need assistance to grow and reach their full potential. As the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 15:22, we need to seek the counsel of wise people: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” And as a pastor, there may be some business owners in your congregation that could be encouraged by the benefits of hiring a consultant. The following are the three main reasons a business owner may need a consultant.
1. Expertise
A leader may need expertise that he or she doesn’t have on his or her team. This could include needing expert advice in the areas of leadership development, coaching for either struggling or high potential leaders on the team, international growth, or acquisition guidance.
2. Extra Set of Hands
A business owner may also just need an extra set of hands on a project. There is currently a war for talent which means finding a good manager can be difficult and take longer than expected. “Renting” help instead of “owning” it can be a great solution for temporary projects.
3. External Perspective
And sometimes, all that is needed is an outside perspective. Assessing team dynamics usually requires a fresh, objective perspective from someone not involved in the team’s daily interactions. Additionally, facilitating strategic planning is often best done by someone outside of the organization who can ask good questions, manage a robust planning process, and ensure that the final result is actionable.
As a pastor, wouldn’t you feel good recommending a Christian consulting firm who not only brings professional expertise but also a kingdom-focused worldview? Too bad none of those exist! (Just kidding!!) Did you know that, at The Center, we have assisted a wide variety of businesses? We recognize that each organization is unique, and therefore, we approach each organization in the way that is best for its context.
If you have noticed any of those in your congregation who are in positions of leadership and who seem like they could be blessed by and benefit from a partnership with The Center, encourage them to contact us! We would love to provide a free personalized meeting for them so that they can learn about us and we can learn about them.
Gray Wirth has served more than 30 years as a leader in corporate, nonprofit, small business, and military contexts. He has successfully led organizations ranging from 100 to 3,100 employees. Gray has lived and worked in five different countries, been a CEO, and accumulated more than 25 years of experience on nonprofit and for-profit boards. He brings experience in executive coaching, strategic planning, and advising boards of directors and business owners. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Gray helps business owners plan in advance for future transitions to ensure that their business, personal, and financial objectives will be achieved. Gray is a U.S. Army veteran and holds a B.S. from Cornell University, an M.B.A. from Harvard University, and an M.A.R. from Westminster Theological Seminary.
