I. Senior executive leaders see the whole picture; Secondary leaders and staff see the picture in fragments

Often people don’t understand why executive leaders make certain decisions, because they are viewing the situation from their own narrow perspective and realm of influence while the senior leader sees everything from “30.000 feet.” Often, people are looking out only for their department or ministry (Sunday school, youth ministry, family ministry, or the workers in the assembly line in a factory, etc.) because doing so protects their interests. Meanwhile, the senior leader has to exercise leadership based on the whole picture of the puzzle, not just the individual pieces.

II. Senior executive leaders push people to higher standards; Secondary leaders and members often empathize with people the leader is challenging or stretching

Often the executive leader is viewed as the “bad guy” because they are in front, leading the charge and pushing staff and members of the organization to new levels of excellence and out of their “comfort zones”!

In this scenario, it is easy for secondary leaders who don’t have the pressure of making the hard executive decisions to come alongside those being challenged by the senior leader and be the “good guys” This can result in schism and character assassinations against the senior leader.

One of the worst things that can happen is when a secondary leader walks in an “Absalom spirit” and steals the hearts of the people by hearing their hurts and telling them that the senior leader doesn’t want to take the time to listen to their gripes or heal their wounds (read 2 Samuel 15:1-6).

III. Senior executive leaders put the good of the organization before individuals

Unfortunately, there are times a staff member has to be fired because of incompetence or ethical breaches in conduct detrimental to the organization. When this happens, the senior executive leader is viewed in a negative way by the rest of the staff or members. It is easy for a staff person to think more about the needs of the person fired because they are also serving in a similar staff position, whereas the executive leader has the stewardship from God to look at the good of the whole. In the same manner Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sake of the church; we are never to sacrifice the whole body or organization for the sake of the needs of one person. For example, in our society we see unions put the needs of the individual workers or professional athletes before the needs of a company or team, often to the detriment of all involved.

IV. Senior executive leaders are targets of those wanting their position

Often there are people, especially some in secondary leadership positions, who desire to be the senior leader. As a result, their desire for the number one position in the organization leads to envy and jealousy, which then leads them to be involved in character assassinations behind the scenes. These secondary leaders want the glory, the glamour and the gold, but not the incredible stress, sacrifice, and responsibility it takes to serve as the senior leader! No matter how many years a person serves as a vice president or assistant pastor they are never fully prepared for being the CEO, the president of a nation or of an organization!

V. Senior executive leaders are often misunderstood

Because of time constraints and emergencies, senior leaders often have to make quick decisions before having time to go to a committee to build consensus. Built into every effective organization or church protocols must be certain powers vested in the executive leader to make quick decisions because of “executive privilege.”

One of the things that made Winston Churchill so great was his ability to make hard and fast decisions during World War II without always depending on committees and bureaucracies.

Although I believe in working through big decisions with leadership teams and committees, there are times when emergencies or unforeseen situations come up that demand quick decisions. During these times, the senior executive leader can be vulnerable to accusations by the members or secondary leaders for violating process or for having a “top-down” approach to leadership. This is why it is important that an organization have in its by-laws or corporate minutes the power of the executive leader to lead with executive privilege in certain unforeseen situations. With the proper planning and commitment of the leadership teams these situations can become few and far between to mitigate against this top-down approach, even though there are certain seasons in which the executive must be way out in front leading the charge and making the tough decisions the organization needs to thrive in the midst of great changes and challenges.

VI. Senior executive leaders are the biggest target in spiritual warfare

There is a principle in Scripture in Zechariah 13:7 in which the shepherd is smitten down so that the sheep scatter. There is real spiritual warfare on the earth, and the main target is always the executive senior leaders and presidents of nations, organizations, and churches. This is because executive senior leaders have the most influence–for good or bad–so when they are attacked by the enemy and fall there is the potential to take down the whole organization or congregation.

It is for this reason people need to lift up their senior executive leaders (CEO’s, pastors, presidents of nations) in prayer on a continual basis so the rest of us can lead effective lives by following those in authority over us (read 1 Timothy 2:1-3).