As mentioned in the past, we are not here to speak for or against persons within political positions of government.

Regardless of where someone positions themselves politically, developments within the legislative and administrative systems of our country have raised several questions about leadership.

The number of quotes and principles stated regarding leadership and what happens when leaders fail to be trustworthy is fascinating.

One primary thought that has been expressed for several years, indicative of recent months, is, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

On more than one occasion, various news reporters have expressed the idea of accountability. Specifically, one analyst expressed that what leaders must do when mistakes are made is to confess the mistake, take responsibility, and let the chips fall where they may.

A number of ideas could be considered and over the next few weeks we will examine several areas describing what happens when leadership fails.

Leaders will make mistakes and experience failure. How leaders strategically maneuver during these times determines the level of trust to be gained or lost by those who follow.

More next week…

Do we know where we are going? What will we need to do to get there? How will we know when we arrive?

When traveling we understand the need for a map – at least a plan – to reach our destination in a proper amount of time.

Physically, we make application of this daily. Thinking in terms of spiritual matters introduces us to a critical component to the story.

The spiritual approach is no different. We know the destination and we desire to get there. We anticipate the arrival, but do we know what needs to be done to get there?

If we are not careful, it is so easy to get caught up in the physical areas of life we think less about the spiritual and expect God to just “take care of it.”

Since our destination is heaven, the map / plan God provides is laid out through the pages of His word.

We would think someone foolish not to follow a map to a destination they have never been before. If so, then how much more foolish when the eternal destination is far more consequential?

Leadership will always suffer times when difficulties create discouragement. How do leaders survive these times and grow stronger as leaders?

Here a few suggestions to consider.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Knowing adversity will come to leadership helps in preparing beforehand for dealing with those times of discouragement.

Focus on an area of expertise. We might phrase it more accurately, “one at a time.” Discouragement is usually the result of feeling overwhelmed with the enormity.

Learn the value of walking away. There are times when taking a break from the situation and clearing the mind helps leaders in assessing what needs to be done.

Seek counsel with other survivors. One of the most effective ways to handle the adversity of life is through the encouragement of others who have survived the same.

Remember to seek the good in all situations. Advice is always easier to give than follow, and this is no exception. However, there are always lessons learned that benefit leaders.

Leaders cannot avoid, must not ignore, and should never neglect adversity. Instead, learning to survive the fallout when adversity exists makes leaders stronger.

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” Andrew Carnegie

One truth about leadership is “everyone is watching.” Children watch. Our spouse watches. Believe it or not, coworkers watch. Neighbors, friends, extended family, the world, they all watch.

Yes, they listen to what we say, but they watch what we do and then take a measurement. How does our leadership measure up?

Throughout the Old and New Testament, on various occasions, God measured the leaders of His people to show them how they failed to measure up to the standard He gave them. On one occasion they failed to teach truth to the people. On another occasion they failed to live a life aligned with His word.

If God were to take a measurement of how we lead His people today, how would we measure up?

Are we teaching truth? Are we living by the standard God has given us?

If not, while it is true others watch us, remember God also watches. Will we measure up?

The initial thought behind this phrase is the future of leadership. While it is an area that certainly needs consideration, it is not the aim of this post.

The purpose is to consider the answer to one question that is interrelated to several thoughts.

How will we lead when we consider the future of…

Our children? The choices they make, places they frequent, friends they associate with, and work ethic they possess depends on our leadership.

Our church? The confidence of the church, their hope for a better tomorrow, and their assurance of an eternal destiny is based on our leadership.

Our neighbors? Who they seek during trials, where they turn with spiritual questions, and how they see Jesus is determined by our leadership.

Our friends? The development of a spiritual focus, thoughts of relationships, and how to deal with giving into temptation is patterned after our leadership.

Our co-workers? Their knowledge of biblical principles, their understanding of character, and approach to life is shaped by our leadership.

When we consider their future, it is worth giving thought to how we will lead.

Admit it. We often feel the need to have the last word? Most relationships involve someone who feels this need. What does it really mean? Does it provide any real benefit to the relationship?

The jury may be out for while on answering those questions. However, when spiritual leadership is at stake, there is a need to understand who, or perhaps what, should have the last word.

Of course we are talking about THE last word, the word of God.

Many disregard it, neglect it, avoid it, abuse it, change it, and rewrite it, but God’s word remains the source to help us lead others.

His word provides everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).

His word remains the light to direct our steps throughout life (Ps. 119:105).

His word instills hope even when life is filled with challenges (Ro. 5:1-5).

His word never changes!

If we always use “THE last word” in our leadership, we will always change the lives of those who follow. Our prayer should be for God to give us the courage and strength to lead this way.

Friendship is a beautiful relationship of mutual trust and support.

We all know the powerful results of true friendship. The relationship between two people who share such mutual trust and support is unmatched.

Leadership is not always seen from the perspective of friendship. Leadership is often accompanied by loneliness and seen as a lonely position. We often hear the idea expressed, “It’s lonely at the top.”

While this may be true in many corporate or political settings, it does not have to be true in every situation.

Spiritual leadership is about pointing people to heaven, helping others see the light of Jesus. If we are going to fulfill this responsibility we must be involved in the lives of others, developing friendships.

Jesus was called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Mt. 11:19). Maybe we can see just how much we need to understand friendship and the connection of friendship when pointing others to Jesus.

When leaders develop relationships of mutual trust and support, the friendships that blossom provide a source of strength and encouragement for addressing all challenges.

Most importantly, we will help others get to heaven.

We do not need to drag this thought out to the point it loses the significance needed for leaders to make a change. What is more important is the need to raise an awareness within leadership to address an area where much good can be done.

Success in leading the most unlikely begins with identifying who the most unlikely are we are trying to lead.

Identifying the unlikely can be very subjective to each individual. However we identify the unlikely, the need is evident when it comes to our leadership.
Where should we start?

They live everywhere, but often have nowhere to live.

They have nothing to give, yet often give all they have to help someone else.

They scrape by with little hope, yet hope is often all they have to scrape by.

Leading the unlikely will involve an effort to provide a combination of all three ideas. We must look for ways to give hope of a life that is better now and in the future. We must provide genuine friendship without ulterior motives, where we develop an intimacy that goes beyond the surface.

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” Norman Schwarzkopf

This thought stands on its own. There is no doubt when it comes to the necessity of character in our leadership. As well, leadership must also involve strategy. However, over the years God gives us, our understanding and appreciation of Schwarzkopf’s statement should grow immensely.

We have examined several areas about character in the past and there is no need to think it can be overstated. Character is the very substance of leadership.

The determination of character is the head of character.

The development of character is the heart of character.

The demonstration of character is the hands of character.

Where there is character, there is leadership! We need strategy, but strategy takes a distant second place to the necessity of character when considering our role as leaders.

Maybe we all find it easy to be negative. Whether it is age, circumstances of life, witnessing various elements / changes within the church, or any number of areas, we can too often allow ourselves to become cynical.

This is WRONG!

How can we as leaders allow the external situations surrounding us influence our efforts in making change? The answer is simply, we cannot and we must not!

When we consider how God has empowered us with the ability to choose, and that he has provided redemption and freedom from the consequences of sin, how can we not live in Biblical joy.

We not only have a reason to live, but a reason to have joy in this life as we anticipate the coming of an eternal one.

Considering the information given to us, our efforts as leaders must be to make a positive change. The external circumstances will always exist and challenge the core of leadership. However, we must arise above it and lead to make a positive change, and it all begins with us!