We recently hosted 12 of the fastest growing churches in the United States for a Rapidly Growing Churches Leadership Community. These churches have experienced 20% + growth for multiple years running and are showing no signs of slowing down. The churches are on a fast track and having to call audibles along the way to lead through the growth. One of the resources we brought to the conversation was a Leadership Network board member, Barry Davis. Barry is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crosstex Energy. Under Barry’s leadership, Crosstex doubled in growth each year from 2000 to 2007 – rapid growth on steroids. Barry shared some of the secrets to their success, key among which their involvement with Lee Colan of theLGroup. Lee guided Barry and his team in managing the risk associated with rapid growth. Following are the top 10 risk factors that must be addressed.
10. Betting against the law.
(legally required activities on the back burner)
9. Operational infrastructure is underdeveloped.
8. Product and service quality are declining.
(customer needs are obscured by growth needs)
7. Inability to quickly capture key data.
6. The “diligence” in due diligence is missing.
(hasty acquisitions cause organizational indigestion)
5. Planning horizon is too short.
(“images in the mirror are closer than they appear”)
4. Loyalty to employees who “got us here”.
3. Organizational focus is blurred.
2. Management capabilities fit yesterday’s requirements.
1. Sense of invincibility.
(Titanic syndrome)
For additional background check out Lee’s website at thelgroup.
What are the risks that you have had to manage as your church has grown?
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