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Part 3 – The Physics of Spiritual Momentum – The Directional Component
Click here for Part 1 of this post (The Physics of Spiritual Momentum – The Mass (People) Component)
Part 3 – Directional Component of Momentum
In part 1 spiritual momentum was defined by how many people are taking large next steps toward God in a given period of time. The mass component deals with the number of people on the journey. In part 2, the speed component was defined as the distance people are traveling toward God in a specific period of time (Life Change per unit of time). In this third and final part, we deal with potentially the most important component — the directional component of momentum.
Only objects that are moving in unity in the same direction positively contribute to total momentum. This directional component of momentum does not itself increase the size of momentum. Its value is never greater than “1” but it’s a very powerful “1”.
The directional aspect enables momentum much like the dimmer switch on a wall controls a light. The dimmer switch allows any brightness ranging from total darkness (switch off) up to maximum brightness (switch full on). The directional component of momentum is similar…it is like the dimmer switch enabling momentum to range anywhere from zero (directional component = 0) to maximum intensity (directional component = 1).
Maximum intensity of momentum is defined by the mass and speed components. The directional component simply enables the mass and speed components to experience their full potential. NOTE: Even if mass and speed are at their peak, the directional component can “trump” the other factors resulting in ZERO momentum. For this reason, the directional component is vitally important.
Consider the following examples:
Example 1: Two objects of the same size and speed are moving exactly the same direction. The total momentum of the two objects is simply 2 times (or double) the momentum of just one object. The objects are working together in unison like two horses pulling a stagecoach in tandem. The sum of the parts is greater than each part. Maximum momentum is attained because the two objects are moving exactly the same direction. Momentum is limited only by the size (mass) of the horses and their speed. The “dimmer switch” is completely on (value = “1”) allowing maximum brightness of the light bulb (or maximum power of the horses to be applied).
Example 2: Two objects of the same size and speed are moving exactly the opposite directions. The total momentum is zero (i.e. no momentum) because the two objects act to oppose one another. It’s like two horses attached to each end of a stagecoach trying to pull in opposite directions. The stagecoach sits stationary not moving at all. The direction of applied force makes all the difference. The opposing directions of the horses cause the speed of the coach to be zero even if the horses are thoroughbreds. The resulting momentum is zero regardless of how big the horses are or how fast the horses could individually pull the coach. Neither horse experiences its full potential because its counteracting the other. By acting in opposite directions, momentum will always be zero. The dimmer switch is completely off (value = “0”) resulting in darkness (no movement or momentum).
Example 3: Two objects of the same size and speed are generally moving in the same direction but not exactly in the same direction (the situation in most organizations). The total momentum depends completely on direction…how in sync (or out of sync if you are a pessimist) are the two objects? The more in sync the direction, the greater the overall momentum.
Consider two horses pulling the coach with each trying to pull the coach at an angle away from the other rather than straight ahead. The coach will move forward with maximum momentum when the horses are pulling straight ahead in the same direction (example 1 above) and with no momentum when they try to completely pull apart (example 2). When the opposing directions are somewhere between the two extremes (most organizations), the momentum is dependent on how much the horses are trying to pull in opposite directions. The result is like a dimmer switch that is not full on (somewhere between “0” and “1”). The light is on but its intensity is less than full.
The force applied by the horses in any direction other than perfect unity with the other is wasted effort. Everything else is “sideways” energy. Whatever energy the horses exert in pulling at an angle away from one another adds no value in pulling the coach. When the “directional component” gets far enough out of sync, the horses pull the buggy at less speed in the forward direction than what one horse could accomplish on its own. When acting in different directions, the horses have to expend extra effort just to break even.
Ever felt that? Vision leaks are costly. In organizational dynamics and health, the directional component of momentum is all about unity of vision, values and purpose. It is about our ability as leaders to align the limited resources entrusted to our care to most effectively accomplish purpose. Just as two horses lose momentum by not working in unity in the same direction, so the church loses momentum when people are not aligned in the same direction.
In their best-seling book Built to Last, Jim Collins and Jerry Porras identified seven characteristics of visionary organizations. One key characteristic is the use of core ideology as a powerful shaping influence. Core ideology consists of core values and core purpose. It guides and inspires. Core ideology is a set of basic precepts that plant a fixed stake in the ground: “This is who we are; this is what we stand for; this is what we are all about.” It is so fundamental that it seldom, if ever, changes. The directional component of momentum is all about unifying people on core ideology.
Organizational alignment to a shared core ideology is the single most important factor in momentum. Want to build / create momentum? Work doubly hard on communicating a clear and compelling vision that aligns people and the resources of the organization on Jesus. Vision leaks are at the root of most momentum problems. Taking our eyes off of Jesus is the guaranteed way to get the horses pulling in different directions. Want to get people focused in the same direction, focus on Jesus. Church splits / divisions are rooted in taking our eyes off of Jesus. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) is a powerfully aligning truth.
Organizational alignment is a powerful shaping factor in enabling momentum (see separate article titled “Organizational Alignment”) for a more in depth discussion of the principles and practice of alignment.
Fixing directional problems does not itself create momentum; it simply enables and organization (or individual) to position itself to experience momentum more fully and to take full advantage of the mass and speed components of momentum as discussed in parts 1 and 2 of this post.
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