In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he mentions that we walk by faith and not by sight.

A definite article is present in the original language indicating that we walk by the faith. Paul is emphasizing the need for Christians to live a life guided by the word of God. His word provides us with direction, motivation, and a secure foundation upon which to stand.

Naturally, leaders have a responsibility to follow the same direction in leadership. When leadership is guided by God’s word, the results are significant.

There is confidence in knowing the direction is guided by God, Himself. The wisdom and knowledge of God is the basis for the direction in His word. Leaders cannot go wrong with His guiding hand.

God’s word provides the greatest purpose for character formation. Leaders begin with developing themselves, and then lead others to demonstrate Christ-like character.

Leaders know there is strength when grounded in the truth. Overcoming the obstacles of leadership requires strength, not personal strength, but spiritual strength that is only found in truth.

Let us always lead by the faith.

In comparison to theory or idea, when something is practical it involves the ability and opportunity to actually do it. The approach to something that is practical indicates it is suitable for a particular purpose.

Interestingly enough, the word practical is based in and comes from the word practice. Practice not only indicates an activity that is to be accomplished, it also involves a discipline of continuing to work on the activity to improve the quality of the product or result.

Application within leadership is also an area deserving attention.

Consider what leadership would look like and how it changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to the programs implemented to reach goals.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically. Discipline, as demonstrated in the practice of activities, must follow.

Followers need to know how to practically apply this leadership.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) point to the character of leadership that promotes a practical approach for developing godly leaders.

Leadership God’s way is one that invests in seeking the mind of Christ. The development of this thought is based in the words of Paul to the church at Philippi.

A number of key thoughts are expressed as they relate to the mind of Christ demonstrated through His coming to earth and going to the cross.

Paul begins with a Christlike motive: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”

He identifies the foundational attitude: “But with humility of mind.”

The concluding activity is vital to the mind of Christ: “Regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

These three areas are key to understanding what Paul describes as the mind of Christ which should be emulated by all Christians.

The significance of understanding the mind of Christ must be coupled with the need to seek the mind of Christ.

Leadership God’s way is dedicated to understanding the mind of Christ, followed by seeking to model life after the example of Christ.

When these two areas meet, leadership provides a Christlike direction for others.

Leadership God’s way involves areas such as qualities, traits, virtues, and principles that are instrumental in guiding the character formation of each individual.

Over the next few days, we will examine a few of these areas as they define leadership God’s way.

The foundation for this type of leader is to know God and His will.

Scripture is filled with passages emphasizing the need to know God and His will, beginning in the Old Testament. God’s message through Hosea indicted His people who were destroyed for lack of knowledge.

In the New Testament Jesus said eternal life aligns with knowing God and the One who was sent by Him.

Paul also spoke of the significance of knowing God and His will by claiming his willingness to count everything as loss for the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8).

Heritage, material possessions, academic achievement, and religious position were all worthless in view of this knowledge.

Leadership God’s way is driven by a passion to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, because that knowledge is the key to the whole of life now and eternally.

Once in a while, a thought stands with little need for comment. Such is the case with the following from Christian Larsen. “Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.”

We cannot discuss every are related to leadership. However, there is one thought that threads the entire thought: being strong enough to be the best we can in leading others with a positive focus toward the future.

Leadership will always have challenges and negative influences. When leaders follow the ideas presented by Larsen, the life, focus, and influence on others is powerful.

Grip, determination, and persistence are a few of the words associated with tenacity. On the heels of yesterday’s post about optimism and positivity, it seemed appropriate to consider the idea of tenacity in leadership. Don’t ask why.

Being able to grip something, or hold on to it firmly, is crucial for long term success in leadership.

The quality of being determined presents an attitude of strength to endure the distractions.

Without persistence leaders find themselves easily ready to give up and move on.

Tenacity, as defined in these three areas, demonstrates the ability of leaders to take a group of individuals who might not otherwise continue and motivate them to heights unknown.

The tenacity of leaders like Joshua and Caleb in the Old Testament, or men like the apostle Paul, encourages everyone who emulates them and the tenacious spirit they exemplify.

When leaders possess tenacity in approaching the establishment of goals and the development of plans to achieve those goals, confidence results for those who follow.

Leaders must hold on with the determination that no matter what happens they will be persistent.

In a skeptical and negative world, a ray of optimism often fails to shine on many situations.

However, optimism serves leaders in much greater ways than the skepticism and negativity so rampant in the influences of our daily life.

Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

Three words stand out as part of this statement: faith, hope, and confidence. Each word feeds on the other and they are interdependent in the relationship between them.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, according to Hebrews 11:1. Hope represents an earnest expectation. The confidence that exists in the arena of hope is fueled by the faith that drives the optimism needed to achieve incredible results.

Leaders need to stop and focus on the influences in their life and how, as a leader, they influence others. The result must direct attention towards the positivity needed to alter the paths of those who follow.

What can we do to further develop this optimistic attitude? Read more tomorrow…

More material has been written about leadership than one can possible keep up with and remember. There are formulas, logistics, diagrams, suggestions, qualities, and laws that continue to remind us of the ever changing field of leadership.

When we narrow it down, one of the most powerful thoughts about leadership is the responsibility to bring out the best in others. Isn’t that what we all desire?

Although the author is unknown, this quote is amazing. “In life, you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you, and some will teach you. But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it’s worth it.”

For all who desire to learn more about leadership, may we always remember that our task in this life is to bring out the best in other people. We all want to be our best, live up to our best, and surround ourselves with people who help us perform at our best. If we can provide this for others, we will discover that people are drawn to follow.

There is no doubt that the world is filled with negativity. We cannot escape the abundance of negative and toxic people, activities, or news.

However, the choice is ours to allow or not allow this negative and toxic element to take up residence in our mind.

Robert Tew makes a powerful suggestion: “Don’t let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out.”

A few ideas might help when considering what to do when negativity exists.

Avoid as much as possible. Caution should be given to what we listen to or read.

Learn to walk away or turn it off. Subjecting ourselves to negativity when it begins will not achieve positive results.

Find positive people to spend time with daily. A few minutes with a positive influence lifts the spirit like nothing else.

Be the most enthusiastic person you know. Positive reinforcement is biblical; “for as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Prov. 23:7).

The choice is ours to make, but leadership cannot thrive when the mind dwells on negative and toxic influence (cf. Phil. 4:8).