Bob Turner

Preparing Next Generation Leaders

A major downfall rests in the approach to succession planning for the next generation. A number of books address the next generation of leaders and how the future of the home, country, corporate world, and, above all, church requires our attention in this area.

What are we doing to prepare the next generation of leaders? Have we considered the consequences currently experienced in the church because previous generations lacked a plan? Will we passively watch from the sidelines as another generation arises without the proper preparation and tools to lead?

The longer we procrastinate the more difficult the journey becomes to equip the next generation of leaders.

The Gift of Today

Frank Bucaro said, “This is the beginning of a new day. I have been given this day to use as I will. I will use it for good, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain and not loss; good and not evil; success and not failure; in order that I shall rejoice in the price that I paid for it.”


If leaders followed this thought, their leadership would abound in blessings far beyond what could be said in this post.

Happiness

What determines happiness? Dale Carnegie once said, “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”

Most people look for happiness in one of three areas: 1) what we do (happiness comes with success), 2) what we have (happiness comes with material possessions or money), and 3) what others say about us (happiness comes with image or status).

Happiness is rarely associated with “what we think.”

By leading with this mindset and helping others learn how to think on the right things, positive change is inevitable.

Insight

We find it is fairly common (somewhere around 40-ish) that our arm does not extend out quite far enough to read print on a page.

Two conditions normally occur: 1) near-sightedness – the ability to see things up close, but not far away, and 2) far-sightedness – the ability to see things far away, but not up close.

Spiritually, leaders must avoid both. Leaders need the ability to see what is going on up close around them, knowing the present needs that exist. They must also have the kind of vision that makes it possible to see what will occur down the road. Perhaps the appropriate term is “insight.”

Possibility Leadership

Read each question below with emphasis.

What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? What can we do?

Anthony Robbins said, “What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”

With God, all things are possible. The difficulty for most leaders involves knowing what they believe about themselves, then recognizing that, with God, we can do all things.

We must not only believe it, but live as though we believe it and infectiously influence the lives of others to believe it also.

Consideration

We live in a skeptical world. As such, we tend to question the motive or intention of everyone, including those who deserve our greatest trust.

Leaders must give consideration to the needs of others. At times, these needs are hard to recognize, especially when we are only involved in superficial or surface oriented relationships.

Leaders must dig below the surface to learn what is really needed. They must also consider how to provide for the need that exists.

Consideration should be a part of a leaders daily walk in relationship to others, and doing so exemplifies the compassion of great leadership.

Memories

Memories are good and bad. There are times, events, and people that we remember fondly because of the joys experienced with them.

There are also times, events, and people we wish we could forget because of the negativity associated.

The manner in which we react regarding the recall of those memories influences how we are seen as leaders and the leadership we provide for others.

Memories help us learn to do a couple of important steps.

1) Repeat what works and is successful.
2) Avoid negative consequences experienced and overcome.

If we remember to do so, the future will hold greater memories when we recall them.

Godly Counsel

Proverbs 27:9 says, “A man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

Leadership should always provide a source of counsel that is based on God’s word, designed to provide guidance to spiritual success and an eternal reward.

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) Above all, God is glorified; 2) His people are built up in faith; 3) leadership is strengthened in righteousness; and 4) the future is secured.

The consequences of not seeking wise counsel can be seen in the life of Joshua (Jos. 9). Let leaders learn from his example, then pursue and provide godly counsel.

Helping Others

Leadership is about people, and unless we observe how God works in our lives to provide opportunity to lead, we will miss the possibility of God using us to help others.

A Chinese proverb emphasizes: “If you want happiness for an hour––take a nap. If you want happiness for a day––go fishing. If you want happiness for a year––inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime––help someone else.”

Take a few moments each day to simply observe the working of God through the opportunities provided in the lives of the special people placed on our path and help them.

The Unknown

How often do we think about our potential, then step back from achieving it because we fear the unknown?

Esmeralda Santiago asks the question, “How can you know what you are capable of if you don’t embrace the unknown?”

Several variables play into the unknown. We develop scenarios, usually focused on the negative or that create a defeatist mindset.

What can we do to face the unknown and enjoy the possibilities?

1. Remember, reaching our potential requires a level of risk.
2. Even if we fail, failure is not fatal.
3. Start small and gradually venture into additional unknown areas.

Just taking a a step or two can move us in the right direction.