Electronic communication has taken the front seat on nearly every level. Coupled with “going green” to save trees and all other ecologically connected minutia, the very idea of sending or receiving something in hard copy is almost obsolete.

There is no chance of slowing down the changes or technological process of the twenty-first century, and I do not even want to try.

From a leadership perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to the electronic connections we seem so bound to in the present. While I do not intend to explore the depths of both, there is something that stands out regarding the spiritual relationships eternally connected to leadership.

We need each other! The human race was created in relationship, a relationship involving God and each other. Jesus grew in favor with God and man.

We can stay connected in relationships through an electronic medium. However, if we are going to lead, the need for relationship must go beyond the words on a screen.

The power of a smile, a hug, or the sound of words spoken in kindness can make all the difference. Let us lead in “hard copy.”

Each Monday we want to highlight a book for your consideration. As the subtitle suggests, The Ascent of a Leader is a book addressing how ordinary relationships are involved in developing character and influence as leaders. The authors are Thrall, McNicol and McElrath.

We will not make the post a book review, nor is it the intent. We do want consider a brief snippet for reading these books.

The book addresses two ladders regarding leadership. The first is the capacity ladder. The idea is one where leaders are striving to get ahead regardless of the cost. Relationships are only viewed with a perspective of how the relationship will benefit the leader in ascending to a greater position.

The second is the character ladder. The idea is one where an environment of grace exists. It is a ladder where character is developed and emphasized in leadership. Relationships grow stronger because there is an atmosphere where people feel safe to express their views, or even when mistakes are made.

The book has a number of powerful suggestions to assist in leadership development and is worth the time to read.

“As a leader, you’re probably not doing a good job unless your employees can do a good impression of you when you’re not around.” Patrick Lencioni

I find this an interesting quote for several reasons, but I ask you to read it again before reading ahead.

The tendency in leadership is to think the job will not get done unless we are there to oversee it. Another common thought is found in the idea “if you want to get the job done right, you have to do it yourself.”

Is this true leadership? What happens when we are no longer around to get the job done right? What will the future hold?

As leaders, we need to make sure our leadership is being reproduced by the continuation of the work when we are no longer around.

A leader’s legacy should be the goal. I am not sure where I found this thought, but I love how it fits. Legacy comes when we put leaders in positions to do great things without us. Think about it.

The character of an individual is foundational to the success of leadership. We know this is true, but what is the fiber of that character?

Psalm 15:2 contributes three key elements: a way of life, work ethic, and manner of speech. Character is really defined by these three phrases.

We must walk with integrity. Our integrity is demonstrated through honest, moral uprightness seen through incorruptible ethical practices.

We must work righteousness. The idea stated by the Psalmist involves working what is right in the eyes of God.

Speak truth in your heart. If truth does not originate in the heart, it will not be seen in the consistency of word and speech.

When the whole of life and leadership is developed on the foundation of these three areas, our character is being defined as God would define it.

If we were to sum it up in a few simple words, it would follow the claim of Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in The Leadership Challenge “the video needs to match the audio.”

Let us arise and lead with character.

When we boil it all down, what really matters?

We can sure make life complicated, and I am guilty as charged. I can quickly get caught up in some of the most trivial pursuits and lose focus of what really matters.

Please do not misunderstand. I know there is a place for work to provide for our families. I know we need time for rest and recreation. I also know there are family responsibilities.

I am not attempting to pull us away from the major areas of our life. I am simply asking what really matters with respect for these major areas?

If we believe that spiritual and eternal matters are to be the priority, then why would we spend our lives focused on areas that seem so temporary in nature?

If we can agree (and I believe we do) on the priority of the spiritual matters, then my prayer is we will see how this priority then influences our work, rest and family responsibilities.

Let us all lead with our priorities firmly established and influence the major areas of life in ways to make heaven that much sweeter.

Our world is filled with all kinds of shapes. Some shapes are round, some are square. Shapes can take the form of an octagon or triangle. There are shapes that are long and short, deep and wide.

We could safely say there is just about a shape for anything and everything that might exist.

What shape does our leadership take? We will not be able to provide an exhaustive list. However, it could take the shape of…

…dictatorship, where the leadership is conducted by force of arms and no work is done except by force.

…representation, where the leadership speaks as representing others, the basis of democracy.

…the status quo, where the leadership does little or nothing to get out of the comfort zone.

…paternalism, where the leadership is more fatherly and groups tend to worship the leader.

…sacrifice, where the leadership seeks the greatest good for all.

Each of these areas could play a part in what shapes us as a leader. However, if our leadership is shaped by sacrifice, the spiritual health and wellbeing of others improves.

Leadership then shapes eternity.

Where is your place? Do you have a place?

Everyone has a place where they find refuge, comfort, and perhaps experience peace.

We need a place where we belong, a place where thoughts of home come to mind.

Does leadership have a place? When we evaluate all the people and activities that fill the places in our lives, where does leadership fit, or does it?

We all should understand the place of leadership in our lives and the influence we have in the lives of others.

Considering our influence, there are questions we need to ask regarding spiritual leadership.

Should immoral activities have a place in our life?
Do we allow inappropriate language to have a place?
Will we welcome questionable conduct into its own place?
Is there a place for hypocrisy in our lives?

The list could go on, but I think you understand the point. There is no place for worldly behavior in the life of God’s spiritual leaders. Every word and action of life influences others, one way or another. We need to exemplify the place of spiritual leadership.

Think Souls!

“You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” Sam Rayburn

I recently developed a good friendship with a young man who is taking the same classes I am on leadership.

While we ran one morning he shared his background in the military. He was discouraged from joining the military, but he felt the need and later learned the benefit from his time.

His point of view about leadership interested me. He talked about the various parts of training and about how he learned the importance of submitting to authority, learning how to follow. This had an impact on his understanding of being a leader.

If we are going to lead, we must learn to follow. Without an understanding of following the leadership of others, our own leadership is hindered.

Consider the necessity of our following Christ. We are striving to lead others to Him. The success of our efforts will be affected by our following Him. Learning to submit to the authority of Christ and following Him makes us a great vessel in spiritual leadership.

There will not be enough space in weekly leadership posts to exhaust every possibility about the subject of character.

However, it should go without saying that a leaders’ character is invaluable. Without godly character, a leader cannot successfully lead as God desires. Character is the very substance of leadership. Where there is character, there will always be leadership.

John Maxwell writes; “talent is a gift, but character is a choice.” Character in leadership will be indicated by the actions created from the choices made. With each choice, character is developed.

Within a fortune cookie from several years back I read the following statement; “God gives us one face and we make for ourselves another.” Is this not, in part, what character is about?

Why is it so significant to examine areas regarding leadership character? How should character be defined? How does character define our leadership? What happens when our character is flawed or seen as no longer credible?

We will explore these questions and other important areas about the need to understand character and our leadership. We will also consider several practical areas in developing leadership character.

Thomas often receives the greatest criticism when it comes to his desire to see the hands and side of Jesus where the spear was thrust.

However, scripture teaches us all the apostles fled when Jesus was condemned to die. They all initially doubted the reports by the women who had seen Jesus. Why then does Thomas stand out as a lesson in leadership?

Thomas, when he was approached by Jesus, acknowledged two powerful thoughts; the authority of the resurrected Savior and the deity of Jesus. His claim was, “My Lord and my God.”

It should not take a visible manifestation of Jesus for us to recognize that the whole of who and what we are is directly connected to Jesus as Lord.

As well, an understanding of the deity of Jesus is foundational to understanding our role as spiritual leaders. This is the reason for our leading others to Him.

Thomas was one who challenged the report of the apostles, as demonstrated in his expression of doubt. However, once he saw Jesus, he did not hesitate to confess what all leaders should place at the foundation of their leadership.