An exit plan on paper

You’ve read the whole thing now — the phases, the fears, the questions a coach asks instead of the answers a leader gives. None of it does anything until it has a name and a date attached. This last page is not more reading. It’s the plan.

Agreement is not a plan

It is entirely possible to agree with everything in this class and keep leading the same group, the same way, for years. Agreement costs nothing. A leader can nod at “release, not control” in a room full of other leaders nodding at the same thing, and walk out having changed nothing about Monday. The only thing that breaks that pattern is writing an actual date next to an actual name, before you close this page.

A handoff without a name and a date produces nothing

That’s the whole caution, stated as plainly as it can be said: a handoff without a name and a date produces nothing. Not “we’re moving toward Assist soon.” Not “there’s someone in the group who could probably lead eventually.” A date. A name. Written down, where you’ll see it again.

Paul trusted this pattern all the way down to individual people: what he had taught, he entrusted to specific men, by name, who would be able to teach others also.

What you have heard from me in the company of many witnesses, entrust to reliable individuals who will be able to teach others as well. — 2 Timothy 2:2 (OTB)

Four generations in one sentence, and every link in it has a name.

Write your exit plan now

For one real group you lead, write down:

• The date you will move into (or deepen) Assist, and the name of the person you will hand the first piece to.
• The date you will move into Watch.
• The date you will move into Launch — the date you’ll tell the group, out loud, that you’re stepping back into coaching.

Don’t round these to a season or a month. Pick actual days.

Close in prayer, not just in planning

For a lot of leaders, this page is not mainly a planning exercise. It’s repentance — letting go of a scorecard you didn’t know you were keeping, and a sense of significance you didn’t know you had built on being necessary. That deserves the dignity of a prayer, not just a plan. Before you set the pen down, ask God plainly for the humility to want this and the courage to actually do it.

Recite this

A handoff without a name and a date produces nothing.

Try it this week

Write your exit plan for one real group, right now, before you close this page.

I will begin Assist with ________________ on ________________, move to Watch on ________________, and Launch — telling the group I’m stepping into coaching — on ________________.

Pray it before you close this page. Ask for humility to want this, and courage to do it.