The third leadership habit builds on previous posts. Silence and reflection aid leaders in developing the third essential to successful leadership: organized planning.

The choice of these two words is intentional. Several articles speak to the need for leaders to be organized and others address the importance of planning ahead. Few, however, really look at the combination of an organized leader who uses organizational skills to plan ahead.

Peter Economy touches on this idea in an article that highlights 10 Powerful Habits of Highly Effective Leaders.

He identifies the challenges associated with the thought required in planning ahead. Consider what might happen when spiritual leaders think through the possibilities and plan in a way that brings passion alongside of thinking.

As the phrase is commonly used, leading with the head and heart is critical to leverage the habit of organized planning. Leaders who develop the habit of planning ahead with organized methodology can seize opportunities that produce successful and lasting growth.

Developing this habit requires more than a few minutes each day, but a lifetime committed to reflecting on improving organizational skills and using those skills to plan accordingly.