In the experiences of an unpredictable economy, concerns arise surrounding the cost of consumer products. We want to know if we can afford what it will cost.

At times the cost might be incidental, or it may be intentional.

Spiritually, Jesus taught of the need to count the cost prior to becoming His disciple.

Following Christ demands a level of total commitment. Jesus counted the cost of our salvation and paid for it with His life. What a tremendous example of leadership. Following Him could require nothing less than the same.

What about those who are following our leadership? Are they willing to pay the cost equal to our example?

Perhaps there is a more appropriate question. Have we counted the cost of leadership and set an example for others to follow?

What makes up our identity?

A name badge? Social Security Number? Job description?

Maybe size? Gender? Color of skin? Nationality?

Perhaps an educational degree? Athleticism? Social position?

Or, is our identity determined by our choices?

The uncertainty of our role in life or in understanding our true self is described as an identity crisis.

Could our leadership be characterized as an identity crisis?

Knowing our identity is vital to leadership.

How others identify us as leaders is a key element to successful leadership.

The choices we make define the identity of our leadership. From a spiritual perspective, the definition must be clear.

Spiritually, our leadership needs to be with certainty and understanding. Our direction must be focused and determined. Eternity demands clearly identified leadership.

Each morning I climb two flights of stairs. These stairs have come to represent something significant as I climb to the office where I work.

It takes desire to reach the top.

It takes energy to step up to the next level.

It takes focus to prevent falling.

It takes developing a certain level of habit, almost second nature.

These stairs could represent hundreds of ideas. However, it takes little effort to connect the dots in leadership. Read the list above again with a connection to leadership.

The list is not exhaustive, but successful leaders understand the “will to want to” when it comes to reaching the top. Successful leaders are willing to exert whatever energy it takes to accomplish the task. They do not allow distractions to cause them to lose focus. The habits developed daily as leaders not only become second nature, they are developed as first nature. The result produces success in leadership.

This game has been around since the beginning. Adam blamed God (and Eve). Eve blamed the serpent and people have been blaming someone ever since.

Children learn at a young age to blame a sibling, friend in school, a teacher, the weather, or anything they can in order to keep from accepting responsibility for their actions.

Where do they learn this behavior?

Why would they assume it is acceptable?

Can it be corrected?

John Maxwell claims everything rises and falls on leadership. Does our leadership as parents influence the behavior of our children? Are we willing to accept the responsibility?

Leaders, it all begins with us. If we are going to correct the trend of playing the blame game, then we must rise up and accept responsibility. If there is success, the credit goes to the team. If there is failure, the responsibility rests on our shoulders. Welcome to leadership.

Family. Home. Every person develops their own understanding of family and home. The idea of a beautiful house does not establish a home. The opposite is also true.

Images of a fireplace, the smell of baking, sounds of children playing, sports, fresh cut lawns, security, or a hundred other ideas often stimulate thoughts of home.

For others, home can often bring memories of violence, abuse, hardship, hunger, abandonment, and other areas of discontent.

The desire of all parents should be to provide an environment that says “there’s no place like home.”

What comes to mind when others think about our leadership?

Are memories made to promote thoughts of greatness?

Or, does our leadership cause others to find discontent and displeasure?

The opportunity is ours to make the difference in the way others view our leadership. The desire of leaders should be to create an environment that says, “there is nothing else like it.”

Listening to a conversation in another country, a different language, among different people, can be extremely confusing. At times, with a crowd all speaking/arguing at the same time, it is mass confusion.

What is the point attempting to be made?

Who/what is right…or wrong?

Is anyone really listening?

Does anyone care?

Imagine trying to provide leadership in such confusion. Who will step up? Who will follow? What is it going to take to get others to listen? How can they understand the need and care?

Now, consider your leadership. Are we all speaking the same language? Are we really listening? Do we really care?

The answer makes a difference in our leadership.

Nearly every international airport has walls of people waiting for travelers to walk out the doors. They are waiting to carry your luggage for you. Or are they? They may be waiting, but in reality, they are looking for work. They want to carry your bags expecting you to pay them for their services.

Services rendered require services paid. Rare is the time and individual who will carry the load for you as a servant.

In a world demanding pay for service, it is hard to imagine servant leadership. Jesus teaches the one who desires to be great among you will be the servant of all (Mt. 20 :26).

Why is it so hard to see the greatness in being a servant? Why are most leaders seen as those who are to be served, rather than serve?

What about you and me? Are we willing to carry the load? Are we expecting services paid for services rendered? Or, are we serving because true leadership is based in being a servant of all?

Traveling by train or plane, by car or motorcycle, on foot or bicycle, all requires time. The amount of time to travel is often determined by the individual and/or destination.

Regardless, at some point along the way, we will be required to “wait.” Why are we waiting? We may be waiting in traffic. Possibly, we will wait for mechanical problems. We may wait on someone else. We may wait on “acts of nature.”

All in all, we generally wait because of matters beyond our control. In my travels I have seen many lines where I had to stand/sit and wait. As I write this post, I am waiting to get my tickets to fly home.

However, think about the application to leadership. Political parties are waiting for an individual who can lead them. Congregations of the Lord’s church are waiting for men to lead them. Application could be found in nearly all areas.

Are others waiting for you or me to lead them?

For several months plans have been made for our arrival to several African countries. The work has been completed and now I am on my way home. I am constantly amazed how quickly time passes by.

Our goals, and the plans to reach those goals, are vital to the success of the work. However, is it the destination that brings satisfaction, or is it the journey?

The anticipation along the way keeps us focused and determined. Completion brings an element of satisfaction, but there is little time to rest. Another goal must be put in place.

Biblically, we find it is the same. On the journey, we are focused and determined, eagerly anticipating the promises of God. Thankfully, when the journey is completed, there will be an eternal element to reaching the goal.

Leadership will never end while we live. We are on a journey. We need to stay focused and determined to reach the goal. Allow the satisfaction to be provided in knowing we have made the journey all we needed to reach the goal.

When it comes to politics, well, I am out. I do not care for playing the political games. As well, I do not like reading about all of the politics of our world and culture.

However, my work involves international travel. I have crossed many borders, sometimes multiple times. I am constantly amazed at the “foreign affairs” with each crossing.

It is not uncommon for the time frame for crossing the border of some countries to be determined by the mood of the patrol guard. If they are having a good day, they might let everyone through quickly. If they are not, the waiting time can be lengthy.

The attitude of those waiting in line is altered quickly. Anger, frustration, impatience, and the list goes on to the various reactions demonstrated.

Where is this heading? Within leadership there are going to be people who cross our paths. Their moods are going to vary depending on the type of day they are having. We can allow their mood to alter ours or we can deal with them in ways to change their attitude. Here is where true leadership policies are developed.