In today's fast-paced world, leaders face the constant challenge of balancing productivity and purpose. How can we stay true to our calling while maintaining energy, clarity, and focus in our leadership?

One key to navigating this tension is the 70:30 Principle—a framework, created by a partner and friend, Steve Cockram, that emphasizes working from your strengths 70% of the time while dedicating 30% of your efforts to areas that challenge you. This balance helps leaders avoid burnout and grow holistically. While research from Barna Group shows that many pastors and leaders feel overwhelmed, leading to thoughts of leaving their ministries, tools like the 70:30 Principle can offer a way to sustain long-term effectiveness while honoring both strengths and growth areas.

But there’s more to this balance than meets the eye. It’s not just about productivity—it’s about how we consciously or unconsciously navigate our strengths and challenges, a concept deeply tied to unconscious competence and conscious competence.

Unconscious Competence vs. Conscious Competence

To fully grasp the significance of the 70:30 Principle, it's essential to understand the difference between unconscious competence and conscious competence. These concepts, rooted in psychology, explain how we develop skills and abilities from early childhood into adulthood.

• Unconscious competence refers to those areas of our lives where we have mastered a skill to the point where it becomes second nature. Think of an experienced musician who no longer needs to think about how to play a piece—they can simply let their muscle memory take over. This represents much of our "70%"—the strengths that flow naturally from us, often without much conscious thought.
• Conscious competence, on the other hand, involves skills we are still developing or refining. These are areas where we know what we need to do but still have to put in effort and focus to execute well. This reflects much of the "30%"—the tasks that challenge us and require deliberate attention and effort.

Early Childhood Development and Competence

These competencies are deeply tied to our development from a young age. In childhood, we all start at a place of unconscious incompetence—we don't know what we don't know. Over time, as we learn and grow, we become consciously incompetent, aware of what we need to improve but not yet proficient. Through practice and persistence, we reach conscious competence, where we can perform a task but must actively focus to do it well. Finally, with enough experience, some skills become unconscious competence, where they flow effortlessly from us.

This developmental progression doesn’t stop in childhood. As leaders, we continue to experience it throughout our lives. The key is recognizing that conscious competence is not a weakness—it’s the necessary phase of growth. Tasks that challenge us, those in the 30%, represent opportunities to develop conscious competence. While these tasks might feel draining, they are essential for us to grow and become better leaders.

The 70:30 Principle embraces this developmental truth: the 70% represents our unconscious competence—the strengths that we’ve mastered and that energize us. The 30% represents our conscious competence, where we are learning, stretching, and growing. Both are vital, and ignoring the 30% would stunt our progress.

Why 70:30 and Not 90:10?

"Comfort is a threat to progress."

While it might seem appealing to spend 90% of our time in our strengths, the reality is that comfort is a threat to progress. Spending too much time in our unconscious competence can lead to complacency. We stop growing when we stop challenging ourselves. This is why the 30% is critical: it forces us out of our comfort zones, encouraging growth.

In leadership, particularly in Kingdom work, this is crucial. God calls us to continual growth, to expand our capacities and deepen our reliance on Him. The 30%—those areas that require conscious effort—are where we stretch, learn, and lean on His strength. Without that tension, we risk stagnation.

The 30% is Inevitable

The 30% is not optional; it is inevitable. No matter how much we try to avoid it, leadership will always present tasks that push us beyond our natural strengths. Whether it’s learning new communication skills, delegating more effectively, or stepping into areas that feel unfamiliar, the 30% challenges us to rely on God’s grace and wisdom.

In early childhood development, this phase of conscious competence can be frustrating—just as a child learning to walk will fall many times, we will make mistakes as we tackle new challenges. But this is where growth happens. The 30% is where God refines us, helping us develop new skills, new perspectives, and new capacities.

Take delegation as an example. For many leaders, delegation is part of the 30%—it’s difficult, it feels unnatural, and it requires conscious effort. But without learning to delegate, leaders become overwhelmed and burned out. By embracing the challenge of delegation, leaders not only free up time for their strengths but also help their teams grow.

The 70% Fuels the 30%

The beauty of the 70:30 Principle is that the 70%—the work that energizes and excites us—fuels our ability to tackle the 30%. The tasks that align with our unconscious competence recharge us, giving us the energy and focus to step into the more difficult, draining tasks that require conscious competence. Without that balance, the 30% would feel overwhelming. But with the 70% in place, we have the strength to meet the challenges head-on.

Conversely, if the balance shifts too far in the other direction—if the 30% begins to dominate our time—we quickly feel the effects. We become drained, overwhelmed, and susceptible to burnout. The 70:30 Principle ensures that we maintain the right balance, allowing us to stay productive, energized, and aligned with our purpose.

A Fresh Perspective on Balance

As leaders, maintaining this balance is not just a matter of productivity—it’s a matter of stewardship. God has given each of us unique gifts and strengths, and it’s our responsibility to steward those gifts wisely. But He also calls us to step into areas that stretch and challenge us, trusting in His guidance and provision. The 70:30 Principle offers a practical framework for doing this: spending the majority of our time in our strengths while embracing the challenges that God places before us.

By maintaining this balance, we not only avoid burnout but also experience deeper fulfillment and growth. Our work becomes more than just a series of tasks—it becomes a reflection of our God-given purpose. The 70:30 Principle helps us navigate this journey, ensuring that we remain healthy, productive, and aligned with the mission God has called us to.

Final Thoughts

The 70:30 Principle isn’t just a productivity tool; it’s a guide for Kingdom leaders seeking to align their work with their purpose. By embracing both the 70% that energizes us and the 30% that stretches us, we can avoid burnout while growing into the leaders God has called us to be. It’s a balance that keeps us grounded, focused, and empowered to make a lasting impact.

So, as you reflect on your work and leadership, ask yourself: Where are you spending your time? Are you embracing both your unconscious competencies and the areas that challenge you to grow? By striving for the 70:30 balance, you can reclaim your energy, live with purpose, and avoid burnout in your Kingdom leadership journey.