Sample Paradox:
“Tough Love”
Harrison Assessments’ unique Paradox Theory measures traits that seem contradictory but are really complementary. Balanced Versatility in the upper right of the graph represents the ability to utilize both traits when appropriate; one who scores there is not likely to behave in the other parts of the graph. The color scheme represents the effectiveness of various scores. The dot is one’s score and the grey circle one’s range of behavior. This example shows a leader who scores in the ideal green area. If one were to score in yellow or red, development is needed. If one scores in the Permissive or Harsh parts of the graph, there are unintended consequences on relationships; development of the weaker trait is needed to move into Balanced Versatility.
This Paradox also may represent “tough love”. If one is Permissive (or emphasizes affection without discipline) in relationships, the other person may take advantage of permissiveness and become rebellious. On the other hand, if one is Harsh (or emphasizes discipline over affection) in relationships, the other person may feel abused and fearful.
This Paradox is vitally important in all leader roles, and in faith-based environments may be a stumbling block. For example, Elder boards that operate as a plurality may be challenged to effectively “enforce” Biblical mandates or church employment rules, resulting in team dysfunction. When leaders/elders understand the importance of both traits to effectively hold others accountable, they can develop their weaker traits and improve their own effectiveness and that of their team. (See Additional Explanation of Paradox with Samples – PDF)
Faith-based
Leadership Solutions
Optimize Your Kingdom Impact
Faith-based
Leadership Solutions
Optimize Your Kingdom Impact
Is your leadership team ready to meet God’s expectations, your mission needs, and your community needs?
Ineffective leadership in churches and faith-based organizations is often cited as a reason for unmet expectations and needs.
Understand and transform your leadership capacity to align with your vision/ mission and accelerate results.
Topics Index for Solutions:
Effective leadership is essential in building relationships and fulfilling the mission.
Help your leaders…
- Shepherd the flock/team/community with love
- Build and sustain relationships and performance with humility
- Embrace servant leadership with Christlike submission
- Build teams that collaborate across ministries
- Share authority/power to plan and implement missions effectively
Faith-based Leader & Team Behavioral Assessment
Dawson Consulting Group provides behavioral assessment solutions to support faith-based leadership visions, delivering custom approaches for your needs. When applied with faith-based coaching/counseling/consulting, self-assessment behavioral insights enable leaders and teams to:
- Develop Biblical leadership competencies,
- Reduce relational and performance problems,
- Optimize results and
- Help fulfill individual leaders’ callings and church/ organizational missions.
The Heart – Behavior Connection
The Bible teaches that one’s words and actions come from the desires of the heart. Christians experience a heart change and infilling of the Holy Spirit at conversion. Yet sanctification is an ongoing process! It is this improvement and developmental process which behavioral assessment supports and accelerates. To help understand the connection between one’s heart desires and behavioral preferences, consider what the Bible teaches about character, the fruit of the Spirit, and service:
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
An elder’s (character) must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Titus 1:8
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” I Corinthians 15:33
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. I Corinthians 3:9
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. II Timothy 2:22
These verses are representative of hundreds of references that link one’s behaviors to heart desires. By measuring and understanding behavioral preferences, therefore, one can make better choices, develop traits and competencies to positively impact one’s relationships and performance and improve character, fruit, and service. God first changes one’s heart of flesh to desire His will; through diligence to do good, pursue righteousness, and improve behavioral preferences, one partners with the Holy Spirit in obedience for ongoing sanctification.
Return to Index
Faith-based Leadership & Behavioral Assessment Solutions are ideal for:
- Individual pastors/ elders/ faith-based leaders — assessment and coaching
- Elder/ Deacon/ Leadership teams – existing, newly formed, or underperforming teams
- Talent Acquisition — New positions or replacement of key leaders
- Succession Planning — Identification and retention of high-potential leaders
Harrison Assessments comprehensive and predictive behavioral assessment is at the leading edge of self-assessments providing a wide range of talent and organizational solutions with just one 20-minute questionnaire!
Assessing 175 traits and factors, as well as competencies, Harrison Assessments solutions apply across the talent cycle with easy-to-read reports for each application. Research on over 6500 positions across industries, functions, and organizational levels, enables measurement of fit with roles; success templates can be customized ensuring predictability. (Sample Sr. Pastor Job Success Analysis)
Organizational Analytics enables cost-efficient review of teams and staff to identify developmental needs and leadership potential, as well as engagement expectations and fulfillment. (Sample Engagement At Risk)
Everyone’s Profile is Unique!
Unlike personality and style assessments, Harrison Assessments provides a unique profile for every leader. Additionally, there are many easy-to-read reports for various applications across the talent cycle, as well as for team and cultural development.
Learn more about Harrison Assessments solutions and applications.
Video Non-Profit Organization Reference
Paradoxical Leadership Program
Faith-based Reference
In 25 years of Air Force life, I went through many personality and leadership assessments from which I rarely got much utility, but Harrison Assessments is genuinely different. Harrison’s Paradox concept is fascinating as it measures key complementary traits revealing one’s true strengths and imbalances that can undermine relationships and performance. The accuracy and insight are unlike any assessment I have encountered — and I do not say that lightly!
Sheryl Dawson is a consummate professional. Our feedback discussion was non-threatening, extremely helpful, and confidential. Harrison reports are customized to specific needs. For example, traits needed for pastoral ministry versus functional and for-profit roles. In other words, it can help with shepherding and one’s professional life. Other reports help with team dynamics.
In fact, the whole experience goes beyond just traits and behaviors revealing fulfillment, expectations, motivators, and gaps so those can be addressed appropriately. With a full assessment in hand, a coach, mentor, or counselor can facilitate implementing the development changes desired. Harrison Assessments is comprehensive in a way that other behavioral profiles cannot even touch. — Reverend Andrew Lambert
Leader & Team Assessment for Faith-Based Consultants
Harrison Assessments’ Comprehensive Behavioral Self-measurements Validate 360 and Cultural Assessments
While the success of faith-based mission first depends on one’s God-given calling and gifting, there are other key dimensions to successful ministries:
- Strategic and mission/ operational plans and decisions;
- Strength and capabilities of the leadership team;
- Trust among leaders, staff, and members served.
Heart & Behavioral Change
Paul Tripp in How People Change emphasizes spiritual change through the Holy Spirit’s transformation of one’s desires/motivations of the heart. By measuring one’s behavioral preferences, Harrison Assessments facilitates the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing awareness to one’s need for change. Whether applied individually or in teams, development may be accomplished through personal improvement and coaching support.
Understanding behavioral preferences and how they impact relationships and performance can dramatically improve and develop leadership competences and trust across the team or organization. Assessing fit with role, team, and organizational culture accelerates the ability to build relationships and optimize results and satisfaction. Dawson Consulting Group partners with Faith-based Consultants to enhance their current assessment methodologies for:
- Leadership Audit & Change Management – A baseline diagnostic of culture and leadership team that provides independent and constructive feedback on strengths, weaknesses, and gaps from a leadership perspective. Results and recommendations are shared with the Board/Team to move the organization forward with a new sense of urgency and purpose. Harrison Assessments Organizational Analytics facilitates the audit and analysis of team competencies. (Sample Humble Competency High, Sample Humble Competency Moderately High)
- On-boarding – Individual leader and team on-boarding and early development ensures a fast start through accessing engagement expectations. The first 90 days are critical to a new leader’s success, and a formal on-boarding process ensures alignment and focus on critical mission goals.
Select & Retain the Right Leaders
4 Pillars of Effective Succession Planning
Build your leadership team to achieve mission results. Find, assess, and develop the best team members by partnering with Dawson Consulting Group. We provide expert assistance when selecting, assessing, and developing leaders who will grow and thrive in your ministry.
Selection Assessment – A formal selection assessment process enhances interviewing and hiring decisions. Ministry stakeholders gain detailed insights into what makes a finalist candidate successful and what profile is best suited to execute on the ministry mission and strategy. The Selection Assessment results predict a new leader’s impact within the organization. We partner with you to:
- Identify expectations for a specific role;
- Profile finalist candidates to identify gaps in leadership behaviors and competencies for success.
Leader & Team Development
Paradoxical Leadership Program
Read: Trustbusters article (PDF)
Trust Indicator (self-scoring) (PDF)
Do you have leadership or team performance gaps? Dawson Consulting Group’s custom assessment and development process uncovers leadership deficiencies or behavioral challenges which may limit achievement of full potential.
- Individual Leader Coaching – Enable team members to adapt to organizational requirements and expectations. Providing or supplementing training/coaching is essential for developing new behaviors and executing on goals and performance expectations.
- Team Development Solutions – Dawson Consulting Group consults with Faith-based Consulting Groups to identify and implement best practices and significantly improve the team’s operating effectiveness and results.
Humility Enables Transformation
(Sample Humble Competency High, Sample Humble Competency Moderately High)
Lack of humility often underlies leadership and cultural dysfunction and even abuse. By increasing a faith leader’s awareness of how their behavior impacts others, they can focus on specific developmental opportunities. When lack of humility is a heart or spiritual issue, behavioral change is challenging or resisted. The common Biblical example is the difference between King Saul and King David when confronted by the prophet with their sin; while Saul claimed righteousness and shifted blame, David had a contrite and confessing heart. A consultant/coach can probe heart motivational issues to support real change. Harrison’s Humble Competency measurement validates the need for change and facilitates behavioral and spiritual transformation across individual and team development needs.
Arrange an introductory meeting and complimentary assessment today
Simply complete the enquiry below for more information.
Enquiry: Harrison Assessments Leadership Solutions for Faith Based Organizations
Harrison measures preferences for enjoyment & wellbeing
Chris Harry Chief Learning Officer (1:26 minutes)
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