Bob Turner

Choice of Leadership

When we question our leadership, consideration should be given to the followers. Have we really considered where others will end up when they follow our leadership?

The choices include the following and similar ideas:

1) Closer to, or further away from God…
2) More spiritually, or more worldly focused…
3) Stronger, or weaker in faith…
4) Growing, or declining in knowledge of God’s word…

There are many more possibilities, but the point is the same. Our leadership should be important enough to consider the destination followers will reach by following.

Be willing to blaze the type of trail that when others follow they will end up in heaven.

Substance

Substance involves a quality of being important, valid, or significant. Simply stated, substance is the stuff that makes up leadership.

What is the substance that makes up the character of our leadership? Integrity? Work ethic? Honesty?

Is there something significant that stands out giving credibility to our leadership substance?

Can others see the substance of our leadership?

The substance of spiritual leadership must not be ego-centric, but people-centric. The quality that validates the importance of leadership is not built upon I, but you. The substance of great leadership uses we.

As important and needed as leadership is today, it is worth our time to focus on the substance.

Technological Leadership

Technology has changed the way we communicate, and it has affected avenues of leadership.

The development of technology is not backing off in the direction of the future, and it influences all of life.

Therefore, leaders need to learn how to best use technology in ways that assist their leadership.

First, do not deny, reject, or excuse the technology that exists.
Second, be open to and take time to learn.
Third, use areas of technology where followers are engaged.
Fourth, always approach and use technology as a tool for building up others.

If we will use technology appropriately, it can be a tool of great influence for the kingdom.

Test of Character

John W. Holt, Jr. said, “The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.”

Testing one’s character is powerful and needed.

The main thought here is specifically about how leaders behave when they don’t know what to do.

The qualities of patience, understanding, thoughtful reflection, and being cautious are important. Rashly made decisions without the proper foundation often result in serious consequences which could be avoided.

Learning to seek the counsel of others who have walked the same paths can open leaders up to greater wisdom, possible alternatives, and new angles of consideration.

Evaluation

We are beginning the last month of the first quarter in 2024. Now is a good time to evaluate and adjust either our plans or goals. At least three areas require consideration.

One, do we have the necessary resources to complete our goals for the year? This month is a benchmark to adjust if needed.

Two, are the right people in the right positions to implement the plans? If not, we may need to make changes.

Three, have we communicated appropriately the vision and essential steps to achieve the goals? Communication cannot be overstated.

Let’s make sure we do not miss the opportunity to evaluate accordingly.

Present Circumstances

On occasions a nugget comes through and it is exciting to read and share with others, especially in leadership matters. Today is that day.

Nido Qubein said, “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”

The tendency most of us share is allowing present circumstances to determine where we can go and results in limited possibilities.

However, when we see our present circumstances as merely the starting point, the possibilities become unlimited.

Present circumstances provide leaders with a great launching/starting point for moving forward to achieve desired goals.

Humility

What’s missing in your leadership might range from the most simple of ideas to the most complex of leadership teams.

The value of exploring what might be missing for leaders demonstrates the kind of humility great leaders need in their leadership.

When humility is part of the equation, along with an openness to the possibilities, then followers will step up.

A sense of creativity, innovation, and motivation will exist to provide a stronger morale in achieving short and long term goals.

We cannot underestimate the power of humility seen in God’s leaders.

Great Leaders

There is no doubt that great leaders need to understand their strengths and weaknesses. They know the areas where they lack ability and how to find the individuals with the strengths to complement those areas.

Great leaders then focus on their strengths. Numerous sources claim that leaders should focus 80% of their time in areas of their strengths and only 20% in areas of weakness.

Focusing on the areas of passion and strength makes a good leader great, and makes a great leader outstanding.

The challenge for us is taking time to examine and evaluate and then make sure we work to reach our greatest potential.

Elimination

Once you understand what is essential, you need to ask, “What must be eliminated?”

These elements distract leaders and become time stealers, robbing leaders of the time to focus on essential matters.

Through the process of eliminating areas of lesser importance, leaders can focus their time and energy on the essential side of the “to-do” list.

Spiritual leaders realize the need to prioritize life and work by recognizing the proper balance between what is urgent versus essential.

Take a few moments and consider the application to your leadership and what can be eliminated to help you lead better.

Essential Matters

Every leader wrestles with determining the difference between urgent and essential matters. Often times the urgent matters distract leaders from what is essential.

While leaders in every field deal with how to address the balance between these two areas, the stakes increase when considering spiritual / eternal matters.

Jesus was masterful at asking questions. One of the great studies of the Gospel accounts involves the questions asked by or of Jesus. A study of these questions demonstrates His powerful leadership.

Spiritual leaders are needed who recognize what is essential and lead with an urgency to help others discover the same for their lives.