I am always looking for a recipe for good leadership. I want to be as great of a leader as I can, so I learn and reflect on my leadership to improve my skills. Sometimes, the best way to learn how to be a good leader is to learn how to be a bad leader.

If you want to be an ineffective leader in ministry, just follow this recipe:

1. Break all the Ten Commandments in one week… or one day.

2. Depend totally on yourself, never your team or the Holy Spirit.

3. Never, ever, communicate with your team. When they are unable to read your mind, yell at them while sweeping all the items off your desk.

4. Preach a message on Sunday, and then do the total opposite on Monday.

5. Try your best to never see your staff or volunteers. Intentionally hide from them, especially when they have problems.

6. Make a decision, and then make a contrary decision the day after.

7. Recruit a volunteer and expect them to get it right the first time without any coaching from you.

8. Micro-manage every detail of your teams’ tasks.

9. Never smile.

10. Only point out people’s mistakes.

11. Say one thing, but mean another thing.

12. Always look out for yourself.

13. Avoid conflict at all costs.

14. When someone emails you, follow the 144-hour rule before you respond.

15. Never learn and never grow ever again.

16. Never admit your mistakes or failures.

17. One day, be totally happy and easygoing. The next day, be mad, upset, and angry. Repeat.

18. When you are in a meeting, abruptly cut people off and then leave the meeting without warning.

19. Take everything seriously.

20. Don’t ever pray.

Okay, I have a confession. I have committed some of these ineffective strategies. The one that stands out for me is number 7. I have some work to do.

Which ineffective strategies have you committed?