A big topic in leadership circles these days is building and navigating a leadership pipeline. How a church recruits, trains and empowers leaders is vital to their growth and the success of their mission. And leadership pipelines are a great way to be intentional about this.

Basically, a leadership pipeline is a way to describe the journey and systematic development leaders need to go through to progress to the next level. Successful leaders know they must pass today’s test to go to the next level tomorrow. They must handle well the twists and turns in the pipeline.

As I look at my own journey of leadership, the internal challenges of navigating my leadership pipeline are far more difficult than the external struggles of living it out. One of the dark sides of leadership I’ve often wrestled with is restless ambition.

As you trace the problem of restless ambition, you can find lots of reasons for it. First, there is a lack of contentment. However, as you go deeper, you may encounter trust issues in your life. And trust issues always stem from fear.

One of the most common phrases in the Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” It seems God knew we would struggle with all these factors as leaders. It’s almost as if He knew we would face fears that could steal our trust, that trust issues would materialize as contentment problems and ultimately lead the greatest leaders to a state of restless ambition.

 

What Did You Expect?

A lack of clear contentment usually accompanies unmet expectations. There are really two sources of expectations in the life of a leader: expectations from others and expectations we place on ourselves. These forces squeeze us like a vice. I can’t count how many times in my 20 years of ministry I’ve felt frustrated, anxious and restless out of fear of falling behind. This is all despite visible fruit and success in my ministry. It just seems those things aren’t good enough, and there’s always something missing.

God knows what you need, and He knows where He needs you.

It’s normal to feel the stress of expectations from all around and within. But those negative feelings can impact everything from key relationships, including your marriage, to job satisfaction and major life decisions. Restless ambition and its root causes can result in leaving a ministry post too early as we push too hard at the wrong things and watch our leadership clarity start to slip.

In a recent season of restless ambition, I met with a mentor and poured out my frustration. After about 20 minutes, he leaned back and said, “Who do you think you are? You must have it all figured out. You must see things from every angle. God must be totally surprised by what’s going on in your life.”

His words were harsh, but they got my attention. Then he got real. He said, “Listen, Chris, do you trust God or not?”

Those words stung, but they were so true! God can do whatever He wants with your life whenever He wants to do it. He knows what you need, and He knows where He needs you. He told me that my job is to wake up every day and say these words: “I trust you, God. My life is yours.”

Giving up is the only way to get over restless ambition. And by that, I mean giving up to God, allowing Him to be in control of every area of your life.

At the end of that meeting, I could say with 100 percent certainty: “I’ll do whatever You want me to do and say whatever You want me to say, Lord. I’ll go wherever You want me to go or stay wherever You want me to stay. I walk in obedience and submission to You.”

When I declare those words over my life each day, it’s amazing how my perspective changes, my restlessness dissipates and my ambition becomes channeled correctly. 

 

Three Simple Trust Checks

Just as with young David, if God wants you to be king, He knows where to find you. Maybe you feel like you’re wasting your time in the field tending sheep, or that others are getting promoted while you’re being overlooked.

But you don’t need to maneuver or manipulate; you just need to trust. And keeping your restless ambition in check starts with checking the level of your trust.

If you find yourself in a season of restless ambition in your leadership, here are three simple trust checks you can run to make sure you’re where God needs you to be.

1. Find a truth teller. Find someone with whom you can have a close, personal conversation. Ask that person to tell the truth, even if it’s hard. We often hide from the truth that’s in front of us — sometimes subconsciously or accidently. But having someone else provide a new perspective can change everything. A friend can look past our blind spots and give us the truth.

2. Declare your trust in God daily. I gave you my trust statement. Feel free to use that or write down a trust statement of your own. And then repeat it daily. Out loud. I know it sounds funny, and it may feel awkward, but daily verbalizing to God your trust in Him will free you to be a better leader.

3. Do your absolute best with the last thing God told you to do. What was the last assignment God gave you? Have you finished it? We often get restless while leaving work on the table. Remain faithful to what God asks you to do. Even when you feel like moving, this will re-center you on what’s important.

Restless ambition is the risk we run as influential leaders. A desire to do more can be positive, driving excellence in all areas. But when it’s fueled by negative emotions, we need to abandon it. When you reestablish your trust in God, your decisions will be clearer, your leadership will be more effectual, and a new wave of peace and joy will fill your life.