Chris Brogan wrote a little while ago a few thoughts he had for “Executive Blog Editors” and what they really need to know. I ate that junk up and I found agreement with nearly all of his points.
There was one that stood out to me in particular that I’d like to explore for a bit and I think it’ll provide a new shift in thinking on the ways in which we can begin to train and disciple the “new” leaders online.
Chris says that an Executive Blog Editor needs to “find great writers and develop them.” I agree. One of my growing interests and passions is to empower others to not only “do what I do” but also do it differently and do it better.
I’m not sure how much time Pastors or leaders explicitly take the time out to develop their leadership team in the art of “crafting message” but I think it’s about time that we did, or at least a few of us stand up, raise our hand, and then run with it.
The fact is that our message is getting out there into the world faster and more efficiently than ever before. The question, of course, is whether it’s effective. Essentially, I think it boils down to whether or not the content is simply “good.”
There are so many authors and writers in our midst that you would think that a number of them are passionate about their writing to empower and invest in future authors.
Now I don’t travel in those circles so I really don’t know the naked truth about whether or not this is really happening, but I, pesonally, don’t know of any major author (just think of a few yourself) who have explicitly set aside time to invest in other authors to teach them how they do what they do.
And if a few are doing this then awesome. I just don’t see it.
What I can control is my own actions and what I want to do is “plant” a new seed of thought: What if you used your high-trafficked blog to help train and guide a few of them to become better bloggers themselves? What if you did this explicitly? What if you advertised that you were interested in doing this?
I think it would be awesome. I’d sign up for a few classes.
Read some more of Chris’ thoughts here on the role of Executive Editors… because I’ll probably be applying a few of them myself.
[Image from sgw]
Josh Wagner says
Goes back to what you said a few days ago. We need to replicate ourselves for a new generation. Will be looking forward to what shape this takes.
Daniel_Berman says
Well I can definitely say, that I have never commented so often for so long on any other blog before this. You have been thought provoking, and encouraged a great deal of reflection on my part.
I look forward to more people catching this paradigm!
chrissulli says
So who are you mentoring Mr. High-powered blogger? 😉
I don't know that I've been "mentoring" per se and I am definitely not a high-powered blogger but I have been encouraging other friends to start or keep and my singles pastor. I love everything they write. Wish they wrote more.
Graham Brenna says
Ditto
Graham Brenna says
[Raised Hand] 😀
dewde says
First Don Miller and Anne Lamott both have written books on "how to write". This is a form of indirect mentorship. Second, Don Miller and some of his cohorts created the Burnside Writers Collective. They allow submissions and the give feedback on submitted articles. Not exactly what you're talking about… but close.
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/letters/…
peace|dewde
dewde says
First Don Miller and Anne Lamott both have written books on "how to write". This is a form of indirect mentorship. Second, Don Miller and some of his cohorts created the Burnside Writers Collective web magazine. They allow submissions and the give feedback on submitted articles. Not exactly what you're talking about… but close.
” target=”_blank”>http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/letters/…
peace|dewde