The Left Brain and Right Brain of a Next leader

The intelligent design of God is a remarkable thing to look at.

Thinking about the design and the make-up of each Next GEN leader brings a n extraordinary insight into our effectiveness.

Each of us have been created by God with unique gifting and skill sets, as well as, a unique personality. Here is a challenge to youth leaders everywhere. Whether you are working in the church, para-church, civic, or educational institution, I want to challenge you in the area of your giftedness. 

We know that we are responsible for all kinds of students under our care. The scholar. The athlete. A musician. A doctor. Or even a minister. Handling youth today is sometimes math and sometimes an art. Whichever, it takes discernment as a person of influence in the lives of these young people.

Recognizing your own personality and psychological traits will go a long way in understanding the unique personal traits of this generation. For example, if I am an artisan, it will be very easy for me to connect with the musicians and artist in my youth group.

One of the ways that we can find this out is to look at God’s creative design and distinction placed in you at your conception. And how that makes your brain fire.

Which brain tendency do you work in?

LEFT BRAIN...

The distinctions are obvious between the two brain types.

Mathematicians, scientists, analysts, strategists, and word masters are generally in the left brain category.

This is a look into the left brain of the manager. So many ways to define this leader. Let's say that as a Next GEN leader, you are a left brain thinker and processor. Here's what you are going to do to be successful in the coming years.

  • Developing systems and programs that are efficient and intentional

  • Shaping spiritual formation through information

  • Leading with pace

  • Your gift of administration will create discipleship models

  • Your teaching and preaching will systematically produce maturity and health

  • It will be important that you draw supplemental leaders around you who function in the right brain so that your systems will be interesting 

RIGHT BRAIN...

For Next Gen leader functioning in the right brain, you are a poet, a musician, and a corporate executive.

Imagination, colors, and relational abilities will be the tools of your influence over a generation looking for icons who are relatable and touchable.

Here's what you are going to do to be successful in the coming years.

  • Creating systems and programs that are exciting and creative

  • Shaping spiritual formation through inspiration and relationship

  • Leading with passion

  • Your gift of aspiration will lead create discipleship models

  • Your teaching and preaching will intentionally produce passion and health

  • It will be important that you draw supplemental leaders around you who function in the left brain so that your ideas can be implemented

The key to both of these leans is to make sure that you surround yourself with people of the opposite brain. This will ensure great success because you are now able to relate to every kind or type of student in your ministry.

Finally

My challenge to each of us is that we see, as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 12, that it takes all kinds of people to reach all kinds of people.

I have seen many healthy youth ministries led by both left brain and right brain leaders. But the ones that seem to be the most effective, have a diversity of thinkers and leaders on the team.

Take inventory of the type of person God has created you to be. That will assure your strategic influence in our youth culture.

Jeff Grenell