“A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.” Jim Rohn

Improving others is one of the greatest keys to successful leadership. A recent reminder demonstrated the need to remember that leaders lose the right to think about self.

The task before leaders today involves working to develop others into something greater.

For those who do poorly, leaders should involve themselves in helping others do well. For the ones who do well, leaders can help them do even better.

The quality is simple. We are talking about the idea of genuine love.

When leaders care for and demonstrate love for others, they will always work to serve, placing the needs and desires of others above their own.

This attitude was beautifully exemplified in the life of Jesus and, as Christians, we have a responsibility to help the world around us see what Christianity truly looks like.

Hopefully, along the way, we will encourage the fainthearted and strengthen the mature, allowing both to fulfill what God intended in their leadership.

For Canadians, today is Boxing Day. The background to this day is worth the Google. However, for most, the idea of what happens the morning after Christmas requires a moment of thought.

Those who enjoy the holiday season continue to go on spreading the joy of family and fellowship celebrating with a little extra vacation time.

Many will return to work. When a holiday falls in the middle of the week, regardless of when it is set, the morning after is a matter of returning to the routine.

For some, a level of frustration is lifted, as the whole “commercialization” of Christmas that has swept the nation is past and they are just glad it is over.

Still, there are those who never have opportunity to celebrate with family or friends. The season is filled with sadness, and they are ready to move ahead.

Regardless of where we fit in the list above, this is a time to focus on a brighter future. Help others recognize that today is the first step to a better tomorrow.

Today’s post is a simple greeting to you and your family.

I pray God will bless your day, like many others, with the opportunity
to share time with family and enjoy the abundance of God’s blessings
(physically and spiritually).

I am thankful for each of you and hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

The Turner Family

Essence is the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. It is further described by words such as: substance, principle, fundamental quality, sum and substance.

The idea behind this description raises several questions and ideas for consideration.

What is the essence of our leadership?

When others consider that indispensable quality of our leaders that determines our character, how would they describe it?

Is there any substance to the fundamental qualities of our leadership?

The essence of our leadership needs to be built upon the ideas expressed by David when asking questions connected to dwelling with God in Psalm 15: the one “who walks with integrity, works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

We often focus on the ideas of “integrity, righteousness, and truth.” These are good and worthy to be at the core of our leading.

However, the idea behind “walks, works and speaks” is significant to describe the whole of the individual, what they think, do and say. Godly leaders know that when the whole of life’s activities is defined by integrity, righteousness and truth, others will follow.

How many children spend the last few days before Christmas counting the minutes until this special day arrives? Regardless of the reason, children eagerly anticipate the moment they gaze upon the presents specifically situated under a brilliantly decorated tree.

While the season is often characterized as an exploitation of commercialization, children tend to see through a completely different set of eyes.

Something special exists in the mind of a child that raises the level of anticipation for this specific day each year.

Leaders need to cast a vision of the future that draws the same eagerness and anticipation for what is to come for those who follow.

God provided Israel with a vision of a land flowing with milk and honey. The anticipation of Israel looking forward to the moment they entered this promised land can only be imagined.

He has provided us with a vision of something far greater. As we envision the moment we cross the threshold into this glorious place, how much anticipation exists?

We need to eagerly look forward to that day. Let the countdown begin!

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and focus on what could go right.” Author Unknown

Pessimism or optimism? The choice is one we make every day.

However, there is something beyond the actual making of the choice in this thought, and that is how debilitating fear can be in leadership.

When fear causes us to only see the possibilities of what could go wrong, we miss out on the power of positive thinking.

Fear is real. No matter how we might want to deny or ignore its existence, if left unchecked, fear can stop us in our tracks.

Fear of what could go wrong also causes us to worry and dwell on negativity, both of which bring a great level of unpleasantness and emptiness.

When we focus on what can go right, we lead with a vision of tomorrow that gives others hope, something to believe in for the future.

The result of recognizing future possibilities is connected to opportunities, and when we can see the possibilities, we will always find opportunities that improve our leadership.

Examining time in the wilderness is an interesting study in the Bible. A common thread found among the leaders of God’s people is time spent in the wilderness, physically and emotionally.

Consider the time Joseph spent in Egypt, from slavery to the dungeon, the time did not deter God’s plan to develop a leader who would deliver His people and fulfill a promise made to Abraham.

There is also Moses, who, after fleeing Egypt, spent 40 years in the land of Midian away from all he had known, a preparation that developed him to lead the nation of Israel to the mountain of God, Sinai.

Then, we have Jesus who spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. The time ended with temptation and the demonstration of resolve to the will of God.

What is it about time spent in the wilderness that helps prepare people to be leaders for God?

This time identifies a need for and dependence upon God.

A walk through the wilderness is neither desired or pleasant. However, the time provides opportunities for growth and prepares us for leading God’s people.

Less than two weeks separates us from the beginning of a new year. Regardless of the impending holiday, nearing the end of one year and the beginning of another raises several questions.

Did we accomplish the goals established last year while we were looking at the beginning of 2013?

If we knew that 2014 would be the last year of our lives, what changes would we make to insure our goals were completed more timely?

Would our goals be considered important or urgent?

If we have been procrastinating the need to set goals, we have no time to waste.

If we are waiting to decide what is most important or urgent, we have no time to waste.

With so much to do: people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.

Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.

Wisdom is defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment. From a practical point of view, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.

Biblically, one of the most notable illustrations of leadership wisdom is found in the Old Testament in King Solomon. The request of Solomon was an understanding heart to rule God’s people, and the result ushered in a king unlike any before or after him in Israel’s history. This does not mean that Solomon was without faults, but God did grant his request.

The challenge for leaders today is seeking the right source of wisdom. Scripture is clear and the application is significant.

Leaders who seek wisdom should ask God for it. He is willing to give to those who ask in faith. The context is wisdom to deal with trials.

The qualities of God’s wisdom must be known and practiced: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Wisdom can be learned by experience and from others. Using both allows leaders to base their leadership on the guidance given and provided by God.

These three components symbolize three necessities in leadership.

Head: The head involves knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The idea is that leadership provides information that allows followers to gain the knowledge needed to develop wisdom based on understanding.

Heart: The heart involves an emotional connection. While there is a need to inform followers to gain knowledge and wisdom, when the information relates to the emotional side, the conviction runs deeper and lasts longer.

Hand: The hand relates to action. Once there is an informed, emotional connection, the natural response is activity. Action is more effective when the motivation is built upon the head and heart.

Information alone can lead to confusion. Emotion alone can lack conviction. Action alone can limit inspiration.

Leaders who are able to connect all three components can change the world. Share the information and its context. Show respect and trust, then strategically use the abilities that are developed.

Leaders not only need to connect the head, heart and hand, but also lead with all three. The combination of the leading and engaging the head, heart and hand is powerful.