There is something special about the opportunity to learn from others, either from a book, in a classroom, experience, or one on one.

Some lessons are easier to learn than others. There are some lessons we do not like learning, even though they must be learned.

However, being a student is one of the vital needs of leadership.

We never want to reach a point where we think we have made it, no need to learn anything more.

Throughout life there will be numerous lessons to learn. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to be a student. Doing so will improve our leadership.

Herb Tatum is noted for this thought, “Never make a promise you can’t keep.”

His point is valid. We need to be careful and thoughtful before speaking.

Jesus noted the need for us to be careful about our words. Our yes should mean yes and our no, no. When we say we will do something, then do it.

Nothing is more frustrating than when someone says, “I’ll get right back to you,” and they never do. This is magnified even more when it extends into areas of leadership.

A leader must be bound to their word.

Never make a promise we can’t keep!

Answering questions can be challenging. Some questions make us very uncomfortable.

How will we answer for our leadership? To whom will we answer?

The truth remains! We are going to lead, the question is where will we lead?

Are we leading others to a better life in this present world, or in relationship to God?

Will others view our leadership as serving others or self-serving?

Why are we leading?

Leadership is not intended to be disheartening or discouraging. We are challenged to lead in the greatest arena, with the greatest motive, for the greatest cause.

Where will we lead?

Paul refers to a way of life or conduct as our walk. He instructs Christians to conduct their lives with certain qualities or attributes, not a one time action, but a lifestyle.

Where do leaders walk? What do they think about as they walk?

Walking characterizes the whole of our leadership. Leadership is a way of life demonstrated by our conduct lived before others in a way that influences the direction of others, eternally.

When we are told to go for a walk, maybe we need to consider changing our conduct of life to lead as God wants us to lead.

It’s just a God thing. Think about the power behind this thought.

We face challenges in life. Difficulties often hit when we least expect them. Through the providential working of God, we may not see how we avoided a catastrophic event until we get past our frustration and look back.

We may not understand it at first, but maybe it’s a God thing.

How about our leadership? Is God doing His thing? Are we frustrated with the challenges or difficulties we encounter in leading others?

Sometimes we need to trust it may just be a God thing.

Change challenges us to our core, regardless of age. Anytime we encounter something different it makes us uncomfortable.

Bill Thrall made this amazing statement, “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the length.”

The quote should move us to realize we need to constantly learn, grow, and make the kind of changes to improve.

We must avoid our ruts, doing the same thing in the same way at the same time simply because we do not like change.

We need to rethink. If we stop growing and learning, what is the difference between the rut and the grave?

If we are old enough, we probably remember receiving our first AARP application.

Perhaps we threw it away, denying the reality of aging. Maybe we were excited to receive the benefits associated with an older lifestyle.

While AARP stands for American Association of Retired Persons, we may not feel quite there, at any age. Consider a leadership angle.

Accomplish: Leaders make things happen.
Attitude: Leaders set the tone for everyone. Invest in the right attitude.
Respect: Respect is earned and given. In order to receive it, we must be willing to give it.
Presence: Show up! Our presence provides security and direction for others.

Growing in leadership doesn’t always come with age, but we can work to put all the components in the right place.

Apart from academic definitions, perspective brings several thoughts to mind when viewed by two different parties.

A Christian perspective views life from a biblical foundation. What God says and the contrast of physical versus spiritual concerns provides hope in an eternal promise.

However, a worldly perspective tends to view life with uncertainty, fear, and doubt. The world’s philosophy can only paint a picture that is temporal and hopeless.

This is why spiritual leadership is so important.

Regardless of the pleasant or unpleasant possibilities in life, a Christian perspective always leaves us with the courage to face uncertainty with hope!

Have we seen the news lately? Is morality as bad as it seems? Can the economy be as poor as we are told?

With increasing negativity, we tend to fear the present and future. Combined with an awareness of disease, death, war, natural disasters, and more, we question Why? or What should we do?

Napoleon said, “Leaders are dealers in hope.”

Our work as leaders is to provide hope that no matter what happens now or 20 years from now, there is reason to rejoice.

We rejoice in the Lord. We rejoice in His promises. The world needs something more and we have what is needed. Deal out hope!

One of the greatest dangers for leaders is the desire to please everyone, or at least as many as possible.

Peter Drucker said, “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

Decisions that produce results are often challenging because of the fallout from those who may be unfavorable to the decision.

If we spend our time making decisions that please everyone around us, our leadership will suffer and so will God’s kingdom.

Be decisive and put the gainsayers in God’s hands. Lead as God would desire.