I was asked a great question recently while visiting with a group of leadership students from a nearby Christian college.

How do you attract (and keep) “first-chair” type leaders into a “second-chair” position?

These young leaders are ambitious. They are ready to make their mark on society. Most are studying for ministerial positions within the church. I always advise young leaders, if they can, to sit under a seasoned leader for a while, learning all they can, before they venture out on their own. I had just offered this advice that prompted the question.

I realize that’s not always the advice a young, ready-to-go leader type wants to hear—and I get that, since I was one of those younger leaders. And we learn mostly by failure, so there is something to be said for jumping out on your own, getting both feet wet (to use another cliche metaphor) and starting something new.

Many of these young leaders will be church planters, and we need them to be. We need more church planters. Still, if I were advising one of my own children, I’d give the same advice. If possible, sit under a seasoned leader first.

This group had been studying the concept of first-chair and second-chair leadership, so that prompted a good, obvious question.

(For some help with definition, if needed, the first-chair leader usually has a title such as CEO, president or senior pastor. Second-chair leaders have a title such as COO, vice president or associate pastor.)

So again, how do you attract (and keep) “first-chair” type leaders into a “second-chair” position?

They followed that question with another equally good question.

They asked if I felt I could ever again be a second-chair leader. At this point, they knew my history. I’ve been a first-chair leader for well over 20 years.

My answer to the second question first.

Yes. I could be a second-chair leader.

Here are seven ways to attract (and keep) first-chair leaders in a second-chair position:

1. Remove the lids. The real reason most people resist the second chair is they don’t want to be limited in how much they can achieve. The best first-chair leaders are willing to get out of the way and let people around them lead—even if the second-chair person’s success gains more notoriety than the first chair's.

2. Empower individual dreams. If a second-chair person feels the freedom to dream big dreams—even individual dreams—they’ll be fueled to continue in the role. They may have to be empowered to work on dreams that are even outside the vision of their current organization. Of course, they still need to meet all the requirements of a good second-chair leader, so there should be loyalty to the place where they are currently serving in the second chair.

Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

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