Tonight, our world closes the chapter on one year and turns the page to another that is new, untarnished, clean, pure, and open to all God has in store for us.

Tonight, most people will make resolutions related to their physical health and well-being. However, we need an emphasis on our spiritual health and well-being, especially as we lead into the vast new year ahead.

Now is the time.
Now is all we know with certainty.

Reflect on the past year, but look ahead into the new with a motivation to act, to lead now!

While some leadership styles involve force and manipulation, spiritual leadership thrives on participation. Spiritual leaders rely on the group overall and working together to achieve the goal(s).

Decisions and policies are made by and for the group.

Motivation is based on shared purpose and adequate communication.

Shared representation is built on “we” not “I.”

Participation in the role of leadership involves patience, allowance of independence, assumption of responsibility, and the need of cooperation.

We strive to reach a common goal and need each other if we are to make a difference. Think Souls.

One of the key principles of leadership involves communication.

When leaders do not keep others informed, suspicion grows, distrust blossoms, doubt develops, and anxiety raises its ugly head.

Spiritually speaking, there is a great need for Christians to be informed by leadership. 

What kind of information needs to be provided?

Information about plans for the future, changes to be made, challenges or hindrances facing the plans, and existing needs.

When leaders communicate, trustworthy and loyal relationships develop. It is time for God’s leaders to lead.

Think about our approach to leadership. How will our influence be remembered in the church and community where we live and serve?

Harry Truman said, “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Will we be remembered because we made a change for the better?

Will our leadership impact the eternal good of others? 

If it seems the world stands still around us, maybe it is time we stood up to lead. Seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Lead as God would have us to do!

From The Leadership Project to you and your family,

Merry Christmas

We hope you enjoy this day surrounded by friends and family.

Learning to work through the times when we feel less than our best can be difficult. Jerry West says, “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”

Remember our purpose. Do not lose sight of why we lead.
Put one foot in front of the other. Getting started helps.
Focus on the goal. The result is worth the effort.
Remain dedicated to finish. It is not how we start, but how we finish that makes a difference.

Leadership motivates us to show up everyday!

Leading with the head and heart can introduce numerous challenges. Although both are needed, caution must be exercised.

Many pilots fly by what is known as IFR (Instrument Flying Rules). IFR involves relying on a plane’s instruments instead of one’s own senses. Certain conditions create a false sense of direction that potentially lead to pilot error.

A leader’s task involves providing direction for others. In order to provide the right direction, preventing error, they must use the God given instrument available.

God’s word is the only instrument needed in order to provide true spiritual direction.

Is it possible to lead others without knowing them? Leadership requires an awareness of the dreams, aspirations, hopes, desires, and personal goals of others in order to lead them well.

Then, leaders can look out for their well-being. It has been said, “If you take care of those under you, they will take care of you.”

Needs are categorized by physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual areas, and leaders know the necessity of each.

Godly leaders know it is essential to prioritize with a focus on the greatest need. Think Souls!

Although stated in various ways, Mark Twain provided a powerful thought when he said, “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”

Leaders influence small and large groups of people. Their influence is measured by the level of honesty perceived.

When leaders are seen as dishonest, people will not follow.

When leaders are seen as honest, the opposite is true.

Even when it might seem easier to bend the truth, honesty is always the best policy.

The result of this practice has lasting repercussions on our leadership.

People often take on more work than they are capable of handling. We hear “it is just easier to do the work myself.” We keep adding until we cannot carry it all and something breaks.

Is this right way to lead?

Do leaders really help others reach their potential if they add more to their own plate?

Can overall growth occur if only a few do the work?

Leaders must delegate and distribute the load into appropriate hands.

If everyone does their part, the entire load can be carried. When leadership takes on the responsibility of others, eventually a breaking point comes. Guard against it!