Category: saltJournal

Bob’s daily blog of leadership points.

CIA

This is not referring to the Central Intelligence Agency.

For our purposes, CIA stands for Consistency In Action. When leaders demonstrate consistency others have an example worth following.

Jesus constantly addressed the problem of inconsistency demonstrated by religious leaders. 

Among other areas, their inconsistency was seen in giving, prayer, and fasting. Their worship was worthless. Their lips moved in the right direction, but their heart went in the opposite direction. 

Jesus condemned them because their actions did not align with their teaching.

If we lead with CIA, our influence will reach greater heights.

Perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to hold on five more minutes.

It is hard, however, when you are at the end of your rope. Yet, one of the most needed qualities in leadership is perseverance.

How do you develop it?

Remember what has been invested and what is at stake.
Do not forget there is help. You are not alone.
Take one minute and one step at a time.
Develop a “never quit” attitude.

Perhaps simple, but they are foundational steps to perseverance.

The soul is worth the effort to persevere.

Focus

How many times do people refer to loosing their focus? When athletes fall short of success, it is generally because they lost focus.

Leaders cannot afford to lose focus.

Distractions take the form of financial problems, family issues, health challenges, tragedy, email, texts, calls, and numerous other areas.

While we cannot ignore certain issues when they arise, we can learn from them and maintain our focus, or we can lose sight of our priorities.

Focus is a matter of choice.

People need leadership to help them maintain their focus.

SALT

SALT is a ministry designed to invest in future of leadership. When we implement several areas into our daily approach to leadership, we find value.

Pray…
Look at the goal…
Share the plan…
Help someone…
Read, grow, learn personally…
Take a few minutes for yourself…
Listen closely…
Rest…

We may insert a variety of activities throughout the day. But never let a day go by without making each of these a part of your life. It is an investment with imperishable returns.

Step Up and Lead

“Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say we have done it ourselves” (Lao Tzu).

Leadership of this nature will…

Build confidence in others.
Strengthen the focus of the group.
Accomplish more and greater overall good.
Leave an eternal legacy.

Heaven will be home for many more people because of this kind of leadership.

Leadership is needed. Will we step up and do our part?

Greatest Job

Life is too short to work at a career we hate. In addition, when we love what we do, it never feels like work.

This does not mean there will never be problems or challenges, even with a job we love. However, when we love what we do, the difference is noticeable.

Regardless of our career choice, nothing holds more value than leading others to Christ. There is no greater opportunity or privilege than changing someone’s eternal destination.

When our relationship with God makes a difference for others, we learn the love of the greatest job.

Great Leaders

Wandering in desert places does not appeal to most. Yet, many in leadership lack the vision to lead people in the direction they ought to go, and this is their primary role.

Rosalynn Carter said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

We need great leaders in the home, the world, and the church today. Too many only lead people where they want to go. Let us arise to the challenge and become the great leaders God requires in every area of life.

God and Others

Never forget, “We can’t make it on our own.” We need God and each other.

The vital role of leaders cannot be overstated. People are hurting; they lack joy in their lives; they struggle to find answers.

Our spiritual families assemble because they need and want help. They desire a message to help them deal with the pain of life.

We must always remember the necessity of helping others. It may be a friend or a family member. When they seek help, let us lead them to the only One who can ease their pain, Jesus.

Persistence

Never give up! Do not quit! Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Does this sound familiar?

Leadership must be built on the foundational stone of persistence.

Will we get discouraged?
Will the negative often overshadow the positive?
Will we want to move on?
Will we want to quit?

The answer to these questions, and more, is “YES!” But, like the child who knows persistence is eventually rewarded, we must recognize the need to be persistent in leading others to heaven.

This is not an easy path, but it will be worth it. Stay the course!

The Heart

We often develop relationships because we believe there is a payoff down the road. Samuel Johnson wrote, “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

Our leadership gains momentum if we learn to avoid favoritism, develop consistency, fairness, and the highest level of integrity.

Why is this important? Because God shows no partiality. He does not look at the color of our skin, nationality in our passport, birthday, gender, or the amount of physical prosperity. He simply examines the heart of each person. Do we?