A firefighter has a clear Sense of Urgency.  The Urgency is to put out the fire.  They train for it every day.  They dress for it every day.  They even sleep prepared for it every night.  Each fire may require a different strategy.  It may require a different team.  (Some fires require paramedics.  Others may require a demolition team.)  But the Urgency is always the same.  Put wet stuff on the hot stuff!

Imagine if we could live each day with the same clarity of Urgency. 

According to John Kotter, author of Leading Change, seventy percent of all change fails.  Ten percent of all change succeeds beyond expectations.  His research shows the key to successful change is a powerful Sense of Urgency.  Kotter even wrote a book called A Sense of Urgency, and I would highly recommend both books.

Coaching can help you find that Sense of Urgency for your organization or for yourself.

Many leaders like to start with a program or a strategy.  The strategy is supposed to bring change.  But with a seventy percent failure rate, you’ve probably experienced this failure at some point in your life.

A coach’s job is to help you move from where you are to where you want to go. 

Sometimes the coach needs to help you see more clearly where it is you want to go.  But once the journey is started, there will be many obstacles.  Fears will rise up and stop you in your tracks.  You may become complacent and decide you’ve traveled far enough.

Without that constant Sense of Urgency, you will probably fail.  A good coach can help you discern that Urgency.

• Urgency should never be making money or becoming famous or even packing out a church.
• Urgency should always be something that helps people.
• Urgency should be something that makes others move without a lot of explanation.  Think “Fire!”
• Urgency should keep people moving even when the road gets difficult.
• Urgency should create a strong feeling inside of people, such as the way a father feels about protecting a daughter.
• Urgency should sometimes produce tears, especially as it nears successful      change.

I’m in a change process right now.  And when I’m not careful with my thoughts, I feel like I’m way up in the air walking a tightrope in a high wind with no net below.  I have to stop and remember, why we entered into this change in the first place.  Why is it urgent that I stay this course even when there are safer options available?

• For me, it is urgent that I am fulfilling a God-given purpose.
• It is urgent that I take care of my family.
• It is urgent that I help people develop and move forward.

Constantly communicating a Sense of Urgency is a leader’s most important role.

A Sense of Urgency defines what needs to change.  It doesn’t give any strategies for the change.  It doesn’t measure any goals.  The Sense of Urgency is a passionate feeling that drives us toward the needed change.

Take a few minutes and write out three or four sentences that describe your sense of urgency.  Share them in the comments.