Transition Markers for Leaders

By Keith Yoder

Here is a list of markers indicating when it is time for leaders to move on or transition from their current role. Not all indicators necessarily apply to each leader or transition.

• Continual sense of satisfaction, stimulating challenge or reward is diminishing or diminished.
• Sustaining physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy is fading; a sense that the grace for your role is lifting.
• Passion for your particular ministry, role or sphere of leadership is evaporating or gone.
• Heart for the people that you oversee, lead or minister to, is shifting or beginning to wane.
• Your individual vision, call, values or priorities no longer align with those of the leadership.
• Envisioning, ideation for the future is difficult to arouse or is absent.
• A sense that your mission is complete; you have effected all the change you can.
• Call seems to be lifting.
• Major milestones previously considered are nearing, have arrived or have been achieved, such as age, stage in life, goals, levels of accomplishment, time frame, etc.
• An internal shift or growing expectancy of new areas of focus is beginning to emerge.
• A growing restlessness has developed. You’ve envisioned yourself serving in another capacity or in a specialized area of ministry; perhaps there is no other role in the church or ministry that fits.
• Excitedly looking forward to the next season, specific areas of opportunity or a completely new challenge to tackle–but uncertainty of how to proceed stymies you.
• You have developed a strong leadership team, or a member of your team is nearly ready, or could be ready now if needed to assume your role or position.
• A word from God, leanings or considerable impression upon your heart that it’s time for a significant change to occur.

Hear more about lid-lifting leadership in episode 11 of the Larry Kreider Leadership Podcast, “Duane Britton on How to Be a Lid-Lifting Leader.”