Twenty-nine years ago today the second of three children was born into our family.

Over the years we have heard much about the middle child within family relationships. Some information was fitting and some not. We have learned that each child is unique in their own ways.

Considering all our children have been through, the idea of being in the middle develops an interesting thought for leadership…leading from the middle.

Everyone is in the middle at some point. We lead those who work below us and we work for people leading above us.

A few key principles stand out from a position referred to by John Maxwell as the 360 Degree Leader.

Leadership influence works both ways, up and down. Use the position to make the difference.

Invaluable opportunities exist for the greater good from the middle. Think about it, there is opportunity to learn from and change both worlds.

This provides the greatest leverage for leading. The work does not fall completely on the leader in the middle.

As Christians, we all lead from the middle, no matter where we are on the spectrum.

What would life be like if we could take out the if factor? Eliminating the element of doubt would change everything for growth.

I am specifically addressing the plans we make concerning our relationship with God and the future development of His kingdom.

Instead of plans based on the if factor, our plans would be based on the power of God to work through us to accomplish His purpose.

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we really believe what God has said in His word.

Do we limit the power of God by the boundaries we have created in our own mind?

Do we believe God has the power to do far beyond all we ask or think according to the power that works within us?

When we believe that God can and will accomplish His purpose, even in spite of us, maybe we would stop thinking small and start thinking big!

What are we hindering God from doing because we have placed limitations on Him?

What could God do through you and me as leaders in the kingdom if our faith was greater?

Think big! Think Souls!

It’s all about timing. When leadership faces decisions, a critical question that must be considered involves timing. Is this the right time?

More than a few leaders have struggled with challenges resulting from the right decision at the wrong time.

The power of leadership is demonstrated when the right decision is made at the right time.

Biblically, Jesus always said and did the right things at the right time. As well, we find His timing was always based on God’s time.

How do we learn to make the right decisions at the right time?

Begin with prayer. We need to consult the One who knows the past, present and future, seeking guidance in the decisions we need to make.

Counsel the wisdom of others. Nothing is new under the sun. Therefore, others before us who have faced similar decisions should be consulted before making a decision.

Admit a wrong decision. Never try to deny, ignore, or blame others for wrong decisions. Own up to the mistake and move forward.

Timing can make or break leaders. Value is found in seeking a path to aid our success.

Recently, I spent several days in East Africa. Each night I slept under a mosquito net. While I do not enjoy swatting these pesky creatures, the fear of malaria is enough to sleep under a net.

Also, I exercise the precaution of taking a prescription medication to aid in preventing malaria…just in case.

The purpose of such precautions is to protect me from something that can be harmful and even fatal in some cases.

One of the roles leadership provides is protecting the good of everyone from what can be harmful or fatal. David understood this about the leadership of God as he wrote Psalm 23.

Take time to read through the lines of this Psalm and notice the protecting leadership of the Lord’s shepherding. The thoughts expressed outline a good framework for leaders of any generation.

Leading indicates the shepherd’s care demonstrated in areas that are physically safe.

Guidance seems to indicate a spiritual direction and protection.

Comfort is the result of needed discipline.

Preparation completes a thought of victory over challenges.

A few steps, but leadership can provide what is needed for the good of everyone.

“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” Lady Dorothy Nevill

Communication is one of the greatest keys to successful leadership. Examining the thought above adds an element we should consider for effective communication.

Jesus was the master communicator. He was always able to say the right thing at the right time in the right place. At the same time, He was able to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

A couple of thoughts might be helpful in learning from Jesus.

Always consider who is listening. This includes more than just the individual we are speaking to, but includes others who may very well be listening.

Think before speaking. A few minutes of good thought can prevent saying the wrong thing, even though we may want to say it to appease our own desire.

Remember the greater cause. Our goal is to help others get to heaven. This thought should help us consider how to speak most beneficially.

No one likes the storms of life. No one wants to handle the challenges of family, financial, relational, or health problems. However, we know there are no exemptions from the need to navigate through stormy waters.

Because leaders will face and navigate through rough times, what will help us move our life and the lives of others into smooth, still waters?

Know we are not alone. Others have faced rough waters before. We need to lean on one another, learn from one another, and encourage one another when we face these challenges.

Reflect on the previous victories. Rough waters have a tendency of helping us grow stronger in our relationship with God and others. The result helps us through the waters ahead.

Remember to keep the proper priorities. The danger is to drift back to habits from the old life, associating with old friends, and getting involved in activities that weaken our leadership.

Rely on the navigational instrument(s). Do not rely on the senses. The navigational instrument of God’s word is where we find the courage to face any challenge and steer safely to calmer waters.

In the Greek language, a first class conditional sentence structure is translated as since. Even though the English often reads if, a first class conditional sentence structure demands a greater certainty.

Transferring this idea into areas of leadership carries an interesting thought.

Imagine the structure of our leadership from the standpoint of certainty. No longer would we speak of if concerning the various activities we would like to accomplish, but rather the certainty of saying since these conditions exist we know the outcome.

Since we are going to influence a minimum of four people a day, we should be moved to study greater levels of leadership and the opportunity to make a greater difference.

Since we are trying to lead others to heaven we should prepare ourselves with a greater understanding of God’s word.

Since we are also working to keep the saved, saved, we should be more tolerant in matters of personal opinion and work together to achieve unity.

A number of areas could be considered, but the idea is the same. Let us lead with the certainty needed to make the future of the church stronger. Think Souls.

One of the most needed, yet elusive, requirements for quality production in leadership is rest.

Allowing the mind to shut down and rest becomes increasingly difficult. Considering the various projects to be completed, ensuring the individuals connected to the independent phases of the program work productively, along with the accountability accompanying each level of the work, it does not take long to see the need for rest.

We do not need statistics or scientific evidence to prove the benefits of proper rest on job performance.

As Christians, we understand that even Jesus spoke to the apostles and took them aside because they needed rest.

We also know about the promise of rest for those who belong to our Savior. This rest is what we lead others to receive.

When is the right time for rest, and how are we able to get the rest we need?

We need rest before we think we do. The best way to get the rest we need is to set a time every week where the phone is turned off and we are able to focus on non-work related activities.

One of the great benefits to traveling around the world is meeting and observing leaders in their various elements.

Recently, in a trip to Tanzania I observed how the work gets done in a different setting. The leadership is impressive and it was a joy to watch the various layers of leadership work together as a team to get the work accomplished in their annual Leadership Conference.

Men and women from a number of countries assembled to hear lessons on Biblical leadership from the Old Testament.

On this particular visit, I enjoyed seeing the national and international leadership work together ensuring every detail necessary for the success of the conference. The influence of the director was seen, not by his direct involvement, but allowing each leader involved carry out their various roles.

I was able to come away with a greater understanding of God’s plan for leaders, but also a wonderful perspective of how to get the work done, even across international and language boundaries.

Leadership around the world today needs to learn the value of working together as a team to enjoy success in achieving goals.

“The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” — Tony Blair

I find this fascinating, partly because I heard we need to say yes as much as we can so that when we say no, it has more meaning.

If this is the art of leadership, then we need to consider several thoughts.

Is there a valid reason for saying no? We should always give a valid reason and be ready to explain that reason.

How will this answer affect the overall goals? It we must say no, at least consider the way the answer will alter what we are working to accomplish.

Have all angles been considered before responding? A quick response without examining the angles may be the wrong answer. Gather all facts first, then give a response.

What are the alternatives? The answer to this question is as vital as any other. If we are going to say no, be ready to give an alternative.

A “no” response based on few of these ideas will help the morale and production of any group desiring to reach a goal.