Category: Daily Leadership

Role and Responsibility

On the surface, we would assume if someone is in a leadership position, they would naturally be proficient. Sadly, this is not always the case.

Leaders need to know their job. Imagine the power of a leader who knows his role and responsibilities and allows others to fulfill theirs.

Leaders also need to be familiar with the role and responsibilities of others. When leaders know the role and responsibilities of others, they can provide accountability. Progress is eminent.

From a spiritual perspective, a description would be sheep with a good shepherd. When everyone knows their role and responsibilities and works to fulfill them, the church functions accordingly.

Big Thinking

Leadership must not be about small thinking. Leaders must think big!

William Arthur Ward once said, “Nothing limits achievement like small thinking. Nothing equals possibilities like unleashed thinking.”

Big thinking always sees opportunities.
Big thinking empowers the abilities of others.
Big thinking creates a “possibility” mindset.
Big thinking will not place limitations on God.

If the church is to see the power of God at work through her to accomplish His will, we must start thinking big. God needs leaders who think and plan big, work incessantly, and trust God to empower and deliver.

Transformational Leadership

Styles of leadership are numerous, one of which is transformational leadership. The idea is leadership that transforms the people around them, shaping the direction of the future.

Transformational leadership characterizes leaders who have integrity and exemplify consistency in their example. They encourage, support, and help followers look beyond their own self-interests and focus on the good of the team.

Of all leadership styles, this one connects to the heart of spiritual leadership.

Are we transforming others to live closer to God?

Are we striving to transform the lives of others by the character we demonstrate?

Cultivate Leadership

When we cultivate something, we “acquire or develop, to win the favor of, prepare and use.”

The very definition is powerful. Considering leadership, we need to apply cultivation.

Relationships must be cultivated.
Trust must be cultivated.
Vision must be cultivated.

These three areas are only the beginning.

Leaders must also understand the need to cultivate leadership. Acquiring and preparing others to lead determines the success of leadership.

Cultivate leaders by mentoring.
Cultivate leaders by leaving a legacy.

Remember that in order to cultivate leadership, we must take action.

Evaluation

Honest self-examination is challenging. A good friend of mine says leaders must constantly “assess, adjust, improve, make mistakes, and own them.”

This principle shows that leaders know who they are and always seek improvement.

One of the ways to accomplish this is by asking a few questions.

Do we really want to be a leader?
What is the motivation behind our desire to lead?
Are we willing to make the necessary sacrifices to lead effectively?
Will we commit ourselves to the task of continually developing our abilities to lead?

The answers provide a foundation to help us know who we are and our approach to improving our leadership.

Courage

Does our leadership demonstrate the courage of our convictions?

Queen Latifah once said, “It’s not always easy to do the right thing. But, doing the right thing makes you strong, it builds character, it forces you to make decisions based upon your beliefs and not what other people think. In life, and in business, you have to stand for what you believe in and sometimes you have to stand alone. But, what makes you a leader is having the courage of your convictions.”

Courage is the choice to act upon our convictions at times when doing so moves us into a minority.

Will we take action?

Apathy

Sadly, words which often characterize much of a society or culture begin to characterize the church. Examining the world and culture we live in reveals the great problem of apathy.

Our leadership must find ways to prevent and overcome the characteristics of apathy in the church.

It means…

We must fan the flame of enthusiasm.
We must energize creativity.
We must strengthen the hands of others.
We must lift up hearts.

When leaders see the opportunity, prepare themselves to improve, persevere through challenges, they can overcome the impact of apathy.

The Gift

When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, you must consider the nature of your generosity.

Intention: What is the motive behind your gift?

Object: What is the object of your generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?

Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?

Action: Are you ready to start giving?

Self-examination: What are you losing by holding on to the gift?

These questions help us determine the nature of and need behind our gift.

Generosity

The idea of generosity is characterized by this thought: The greatest Giver (God), with the greatest motive (love) gave the greatest gift (His only Son) for the greatest need (our sin).

Leaders should exemplify generosity. The value of generosity is witnessed in the example of God.

Leadership is built on giving.

…our time
…our energy
…our money
…our emotions
…our ability

What best suits your giving? Do you give what is left over, easy and convenient, or is your generosity suited by giving your best?

Listening (part 2)

People want to be heard, but who will listen? It is frustrating. We mentioned several reasons why we need to listen, but how can we improve our listening ability?

Remove distractions. It is hard to listen when focused on another project. 

Find a quiet place. Time in a quiet place makes listening easier and beneficial.

Devote time to listen. Set aside a specific time to listen.

Stop thinking of a response. This is difficult. It is easier to think about what to say next.

These are a few suggestions. However, if applied, our ability to listen increases and communication improves.