“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela

Mr. Mandela’s thought is challenging to the way we live our lives and the purpose for which they are lived.

There is not doubt Mandela was speaking about the physical freedom from oppression and poverty. However, there is also a great spiritual application.

Our freedom from the consequences of sin is not simply about casting off our own chains. We need to live in a way that will demonstrate respect for others and assist them to enjoy the same level of freedom.

Here is where our leadership will determined.

If our motivation is based on a selfish desire to only satisfy our own spiritual needs, then we have become near sighted and forgotten the true power of the gospel.

The death of Jesus is a foundation for our life, but as well the life of all who will come to Him. Let us lead others to the true freedom from the bondage and oppression of sin.

We often find ourselves in a battle to obtain perfection. We tell ourselves we are not perfect and that perfection is unattainable, yet we still work hard to achieve it.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” In order to develop a mindset that focuses on the pursuit of excellence, a couple of suggestions might be helpful.

Dedication: Any pursuit in life requires dedication, and this is true of excellence. The task is not easy, but worth it.

Take 5: We need a routine that allows us to set aside five minutes everyday to focus on a specific area of excellence.

Read, read, read…listen, listen, listen: This one stands alone!

Rule of the last 10% (finish well): Too many get to 90% and slack off, slow down, or somehow coast to the finish line. If we desire excellence, the last 10% makes all the difference.

Develop the habit: Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act. It is a habit.” With that in mind, let us develop the habit of excellence.

For most, change can be an ugly word and, if done improperly, can bring the end by itself.

While change is necessary, we should remember not all change is good.

Change is essential in our relationship with God. The Bible uses the word repent, but the definition is the same…change.

Change begins in the mind. Until we have the information to explain the need for change, any attempts to bring change are futile.

A change of mind is followed by a change of action. Once we understand the need for change, our actions should reflect the benefit of such knowledge. If not, one questions if we really understand the need.

Jack Welch said, “If the rate of change inside an organization is less than the rate of change outside the organization…their end is in sight.”

The first challenge facing leaders is understanding how to communicate the need for change and implement it timely.

The second challenge is to ensure the change inside keeps up in an appropriate way with the change outside.

Doing so ensures success and prevents the end.

A recently search on leadership produced a list of quotes from Zig Ziglar identified as “Quotes that can Change Your Life.” Naturally, I was intrigued, so I spent a few moments to consider a few of these powerful and life-changing thoughts.

One specific statement that grabbed my attention was important enough to share: “Remember that failure is an event, not a person.” Zig Ziglar

Consider how many times we’ve heard people refer to themselves or someone else as a failure. Because they did not succeed at a specific task, get a promotion, or achieve a desired grade, they did not see the event as a failure, but themselves.

Sadly, we tend to carry this mentality over to the way we view other people. When others do not live up to “our” expectations or desires, we see them as a failure. Even worse is the fact that the way we see others often affects the way others see themselves.

Quality leaders learn from the events (failures) in life and build their own character, or the character of someone else, to ultimately succeed.

Recently, while listening to a youtube interview with Simon Sinek, I was fascinated by his response to a question about performance under pressure.

Sinek’s response was one that resonated across the board and one that possesses great potential in all areas of leadership.

He discussed how everyone deals with situations where we face pressure, and the tendency is to think we are nervous. The body reacts with an increased heart rate; we get tense and maybe a bit sweaty as we anticipate what is ahead. Interestingly, these are the same reactions our body experiences when we get excited.

The difference involves learning to interpret the signs through another type of lens. Instead of thinking we are nervous, we need to view it as a level of excitement.

The mental exercise of learning to retrain the way we view and think about the situation requires a little time, but creates a powerful approach to the pressures that exist and how we move ahead.

Consider the difference that occurs when we experience the desire to rush forward instead of fall back.

Ambition involves a desire to achieve something, usually in a way that requires determination and hard work.

Defining ambition is not difficult. The difficulties arise when we consider where our ambition lies.

Are we ambitious to achieve financial security?

Is our ambition driven by power and authority?

Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities?

Or, can we say our ambition has a spiritual focus?

Paul identifies spiritually and eternally developed ambition as one that strives to please our Lord.

When our leadership is driven to please the Lord it changes our approach in every area of life.

Relationships within our families are shaped by Biblical principles.

Our conduct on the job is influenced by a God-fearing attitude.

We approach people who are outside of Christ with a greater level of patience and compassion.

Beyond everything else, we worship with a greater understanding of the sovereignty of God.

When our leadership is driven by this kind of ambition the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.