Bob Turner

Communication

Google articles on communication in leadership abound. Forbes has an online article that shares ten secrets about communication in leadership. Two of the secrets are significant:

1) Speak not with a forked tongue: When leaders have a reputation that lacks character or one of poor character, people will not trust them. Communication and character go hand in hand in building trust.

2) Speak to groups as individuals: Leaders who establish a personal atmosphere where people feel valued as an individual build a rapport where a leader is heard.

When leaders work to improve communication, stronger relationships will result.

Love

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in the English language, yet one of the most powerful.

Franklin P. Jones once said, “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

Love is the perfect bond of unity.

Love is the greatest among faith, hope, and love.

Loving your neighbor as yourself is the fulfillment of the royal law.

Perfect love casts out fear.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is to be demonstrated above all to God, toward a friend, spouse, brother, and enemy.

When love is the foundation, formation, and finishing of our words and actions, godly leadership is exemplified.

Choice of Christianity

When we make the choice of Christianity, it informs every decision from that point. The type of job we choose will be different as a Christian. Who we marry will be determined by the choice of Christianity. The way we raise our children and where we live are both influenced by Christianity.

When leaders provide an example by their choice spiritually, as demonstrated in their physical choices, they are taking a step in the right direction of leadership as God intends.

Now is the best time to start making the kind of choices that will change the direction of our lives and the influence we have with others.

Decisions and Consequences

How often do we consider the consequences of a decision to get involved in an activity of questionable influence to our Christianity and leadership?

Leaders are to be active in assisting others in setting up for the long run. There is a great need to consider where we want to be in the future and what decisions will help us reach the destination with a strong godly character.

Every decision has some form of consequence, good or bad, now and in the long run.

A thoughtful process of examining these consequences will help us shape the future for our own lives and for those we lead.

Greatness

We often attempt to put greatness into others. Somehow, we believe that if we can put greatness into others, they will be great.

We all need to learn the power of the lesson expressed by John Buchanan, “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.”

Greatness is already there, in each and every person. Our task is to elicit it, draw it out of them.

Leaders must work to use the greatness that exists in each person, helping them reach their potential by implementing their own deep seated greatness.

Getting Things Done

A producer is a person that makes, grows, or supplies goods or commodities. Another idea includes someone responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of making a movie, play, etc.

Additionally, they are builders, constructors, farmers, administrators, and promoters. If we were to sum it up, it is someone who “gets things done.”

When considering the nature of our leadership, are we producing, i.e. getting things done?

If we are not involved in getting things done, then are we becoming the leader God wants from us?

To produce, we must focus on the task God has given us to do and leave the rest to Him.

Improving Others

Improving others is one of the greatest keys to successful leadership.

Jim Rohn said, “A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.”

The quality identified in this act is simple. We are talking about genuine love.

When leaders care for and demonstrate love for others they will always work to serve, placing the needs and desires of the other person above their own.

This attitude was beautifully exemplified in the life of Jesus and, as Christians, we have a responsibility to help the world to see Him in us.

Essence of Leadership

What is the essence of your leadership?

When others consider that indispensable quality that determines your character, how would they describe your leadership?

Is there any substance to the fundamental qualities of your leadership?

The essence of leadership needs to be built upon the ideas expressed by David when asking the questions connected to dwelling with God in Psalm 15: the one “who walks with integrity, works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

We often focus on the ideas of integrity, righteousness, and truth.

However, the idea behind walks, works, and speaks is significant to who a leader is, not just what they do.

Wilderness Leadership

A common thread found among the leaders of God’s people is time spent in the wilderness physically and emotionally.

Consider the time Joseph spent in Egypt, from slavery to the dungeon.

Think about Moses, who, after fleeing Egypt, spent 40 years in the land of Midian.

Then, we have Jesus who spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.

What is it about time spent in the wilderness that helps prepare someone to lead God’s people?

This time identifies a need for and dependence upon God.

A walk through the wilderness is neither desired or pleasant. However, the time provides opportunities for growth and prepares us for leading God’s people.

Using Our Time Well

The year is almost half over. How are you doing with your goals?

Our goals must be important and, at times, urgent?

If we have been procrastinating the necessary actions to accomplish our goals, we have no time to waste.

If we are waiting to decide what is most important, we have no time to waste.

With so much to do, people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.

Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.