Keep others informed.

Three simple words, yet here is a principle that challenges our leadership. The challenge to leadership exists because the idea behind this principle involves communication.

When leaders do not keep others informed, the following happens:

People grow suspicious.
Distrust blossoms in their minds.
An element of doubt in leadership ability develops.
Anxiety begins to characterize feelings.

The lack of communication is not always intentional. Sometimes, we live a very structured life. We develop a routine and life becomes predictable. In the end, our communication is affected and eventually stops.

Is it possible to prevent these concerns from developing and growing? Yes!

Following three simple words…Keep others informed.

Within the church, there is a great need for Christians to be informed by leadership.

What kind of information needs to be provided?

Inform others of the plans for the future.
Inform others of any changes that need to be made.
Inform others of challenges / hindrances / obstacles facing the plans.
Inform others of the needs.

When leaders communicate / inform others, trustworthy and loyal relationships develop. It is time for God’s leaders to lead.

“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”  Harry Truman

Several areas about this quote could be noted and rightfully so. However, I love the last line.

Leaders have come and gone. We could all list leaders who are remembered for the negative and destructive nature of their leadership. We could also list others who are remembered for the good and lasting nature of their leadership.

Thinking of a more current and practical approach, what about you and me?

How will our leadership influence be remembered in the church and community where we live and serve?

Will we be remembered because we changed things for the better?
Will our leadership have an impact for the eternal good of others?

If it seems as though the world is standing still around us, then maybe it is time we stood up to lead. Seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Lead as God demands and the world needs!

At one time or another, we all feel a little less than their best. Perhaps we had a poor night’s sleep, we may have a virus, or we are just having one of those days.

Recently, I was struggling with some sort of virus. I knew my energy levels were low, I felt achy, and I had a slight fever. I did not feel well.

I do not advocate showing up to work when contagious and risk infecting everyone. However, I remember a statement by Jerry West; “you can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”

We need to learn how to work through the times when we do not feel as good as other days.

Remember our purpose. Do not lose sight of why we are leading.
Put one foot in front of the other. At times, just getting started helps.
Focus on the goal. The result promises to be worth the effort.
Remain dedicated to finish. It is not how you start, but how you finish that makes a difference.

Leadership motivates us to show up everyday!

Enoch is not a great Biblical leader because of the number of people the Bible mentions he led. In reality, there are no followers mentioned.

He is not a great Biblical leader because he did not see death.

Enoch is a great Biblical leader because Genesis 5 states he “walked with God.” Just saying those three words makes my mind and heart race.

Every spiritual leader needs to be characterized by their walk with God. How powerful it would be if our eulogy was simply summed up as one who “walked with God.”

The beauty of Enoch’s walk is explained in the book of Hebrews. The text says; “by faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death…”

Reading the account in Genesis and Hebrews leads us to a powerful conclusion. Enoch’s walk with God was a life characterized by faith.

Examining the whole of Hebrews 11, with an application to leaders today, we find a walk of faith is one of seeking God, obedience to His word, and trusting in His providence now to help us receive what is promised then.

I live in a part of the world where I can easily identify direction. The mountains are always in the West, at least from where I live. Therefore, if the mountains are on my left, I know I am traveling north. If they are on the right, I know I am headed south.

I have also lived in and visited places where I had absolutely no idea of direction. I could not identify north from south, or east from west. It does not take long to recognize why it is so important to have direction.

Pilots fly by what is known as IFR (Instrument Flying Rules). IFR involves relying on a plane’s instruments instead of one’s own senses. Certain conditions can create a false sense of direction causing pilot error.

Leaders are involved in the task of providing direction for others. If we are to provide the right kind of direction, preventing error, we must use the true God given instrument.

God’s word is the only instrument needed if we are to provide true spiritual direction.

Know your people and look out for their well-being.

Two ideas are presented in this principle of leadership. The application of this principle holds true in both the secular and spiritual realms of leadership.

Is it possible to spiritually lead others without knowing them? Leaders must know the dreams, aspirations, hopes, and personal goals to provide leadership.

The second part of this principle involves looking out for their well-being. A employer from years ago used to say; “if you take care of those under you, they will take care of you.”

The reason these two parts are connected is because a leader cannot look out for the well-being of people without knowing them.

Nothing is more important than knowing the needs of others and leading in ways to provide for those needs.

The four basic needs of all people consist of physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Our culture generally uses this order. However, spiritual leaders understand the necessity of reversing the order.

We must be given to task of focusing on the spiritual needs of others. Think Souls!

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”  Mark Twain

You may have heard this quote before, but I cannot help but think of how powerful it is for leadership.

Leaders will influence small and large groups of people. Their influence is going to be measured by the level of honesty perceived.

When leaders are seen as being dishonest, people will not follow.
When leaders are seen as honest, the opposite is true.

I remember hearing “honesty is the best policy” throughout my life. I have certainly grown to understand and appreciate the value of this thought, even when it might seem easier to bend the truth.

Because leaders are going to be involved in the lives of so many people, Mark Twain’s statement carries even greater implication.

There is never a need to remember what was said about someone or some situation if we always rely on the truth. It eases the need to exhaust our memories to figure out if we were honest or dishonest.

The result of practicing this truth has lasting repercussions on our leadership.

A recent gift was very thought provoking. One might think a kids toy (barrel of monkeys) would not mean much. However, the idea behind this gift is why it is so thought provoking.

It is not uncommon for leaders to take on more work than they are capable of handling. We often hear “it is just easier and quicker if I do the work myself.” Thus, the idea behind the gift and taking on more monkeys. We seem to keep adding more monkeys until we cannot carry any more and something breaks.

Is this right way to lead?
Do we help others reach their potential if we add more monkeys to ourselves?
Can significant growth occur if only a few (or one) do the work?

The thought to be learned is how to delegate and how to distribute the work load into the appropriate hands.

If everyone is doing their part, the entire barrel can be carried. When leadership continues to take on the responsibility of others, or cannot delegate new responsibilities appropriately, eventually a breaking point comes.

Guard against taking on more monkeys!

Moses is an obvious choice for several reasons.

The fact he led the children of Israel out of Egypt up to Canaan, even through the challenges of their excessive grumbling, we would rank him as a great Biblical leader.

Looking at his character, more humble than any man on earth, we see a great Biblical leader.

Recognizing his willingness to follow the advice of Jethro, preserving his mental and physical faculties, we find a great Biblical leader.

However, it is not for these reasons we should consider Moses today.

Moses is an example of a great Biblical leader because he started like most of us, denying himself and God’s power to use him to lead His people. When Moses finally submitted himself to God’s authority and direction, we find Moses becoming what God needed him to be.

He had flaws, needed patience, and needed to treat God as holy.

The objective for us is to learn how God can use us with our flaws and imperfections. If we will submit to God’s authority and allow Him to make us into the spiritual leaders we need to be.

Set the example.

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new to the Leadership Fund. Nestled in the idea of this principle is an understanding of influence. We are going to influence people everyday. Some we will influence for what is right and others for wrong. The difference is bound up in the example we are setting.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying we must become the change we want to see. To think we can demand of others what we are unwilling to do is to fall into a Pharisaical approach to leadership.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of servanthood. The only time Jesus claimed to have given an example to be followed was wrapped up in being a servant. He told the apostles on several occasions the greatest among them would be the servant of all.

If we desire to be the leaders God needs today, then we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.