Studies from the Carnegie Institute of Technology revealed that 15% of success in a career is the skill/expertise/technical knowledge applied, while 85% is due to skill in relationships – personality and the ability to relate to and lead other people. [1]
This finding can definitely be applied to all areas of our work, including and especially ministry.
We all want to improve. We all want to develop our technical skills. Many times, we focus on improving our game in areas like preaching, teaching, writing, facebook live editing (as of 1st quarter 2020!), etc. We pursue degrees. We join cohorts. We attend live webinars. Most of them related to expertise in our area.
But what about our people skills?
I’m not a huge fan of “studies” and “models”, but if Carnegie is even half right about the above percentages, it would seem that we should focus more attention on developing the skills of relating to others.
Leadership is influence. Influence comes from relationships.
Build your relationships, build your influence, build your leadership. That’s the process.
One of the best books I’ve ever read on relationship skill is Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. I would highly recommend it if this post has inspired you to explore further.
[1] Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People