Category: Daily Leadership

Six Down, Six To Go…

Today marks the beginning of the last half of 2013. If you are like me, it is hard to believe we are on the backside of this mountain.

A common question often asked when looking back on the year is “where does the time go?”

Perhaps a more pertinent question is “what did we do with the time we were given that will leave a lasting change in the lives of others?”

With six months behind us and six ahead, we need to be evaluating what we have done and considering what we should do to transform the lives of those around us?

Our time would be well served to let our minds dwell on the following questions.

Will we introduce someone to Jesus? When?

Are we living the kind of life that provides a greater influence for the kingdom?

How will we most productively use our time to serve the Lord’s church?

With six down and six to go to complete 2013, we need to be thinking more about our influence and how we are leading others. Think Souls!

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“Live the way you would want others to live, but do not expect it of them.” Chase Turner

When leaders place expectations on others to measure up to the standard of behavior they have established for themselves, disappointment will result.

What this thought teaches us can be laid out quite simply.

First, we need to stop measuring others by our own behavior, even if that behavior is right. The problem is we become judges of the conduct and motives of others.

Second, we limit the potential of others if we are constantly frustrated when they fail to conduct themselves accordingly. We often limit our leadership when we are frustrated with others.

Third, everyone is at a different level of maturity. Not everyone has benefited from the same family background, education, life experience, or spiritual growth opportunities.

If we would learn to focus on developing our own standard of conduct, constantly measure ourselves by the example of Christ, and nurture our relationships with others to help them do the same, then we are developing true leadership.

God Is My Portion Forever…

As the psalmist identifies the source of his strength in God, he concludes by pointing out that God is also his portion forever.

The word translated “portion” is often translated “reward.”

The power behind this thought is key to spiritual leadership. Realizing that God is our strength gives us confidence, but knowing that He is our reward gives us hope.

Spiritual leaders must always portray confidence of God given strength. However, one of the most powerful components to great leadership is the ability to instill hope in others.

The world is filled with so many challenges, discouragements and disappointments. Among all the needs, or perceived needs, hope is one of the top.

When leadership provides others with hope; no matter how high the mountain, how low the valley, or the size of the obstacle, then we can endure and overcome.

With this in mind, let us lead with an understanding of what the future holds for those who are faithful followers.

Asking The Right Questions…

Leaders should constantly examine their leadership: abilities, style, resources, and growth.

One of the critical concerns for leadership development is learning to ask the right questions. Based on their book Primal Leadership, Learning To Lead With Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee examine five discoveries needed to make an emotionally intelligent leader.

These discoveries involve asking the right questions for leadership development.

Who do we want to be as a leader? Considering the answer to this question must go beyond surface or superficial answers.

Who are we now? Leaders must constantly examine both strengths and weaknesses to determine where we are in our leadership.

Do we work on developing who we want to be, or what someone else wants us to be? This can be one of the strongest challenges leaders face.

Are we willing to form new habits of practice? Developing a new mindset and implementing the necessary changes to grow in our leadership is key to reaching goals.

What emphasis are we placing upon developing relationships? The power of relationships help build confident leadership.

Consideration of these five areas will point us in the right direction for leadership development.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Risk

Risk involves the possibility of danger or harm, as well as, a person or thing regarded as likely to turn out well or badly within a particular context.

There can be no risk, low risk and high risk, but risk is going to be involved in leadership.

The key to understanding the role of this word in leadership is learning how not to fear risk, but manage it instead.

A number of websites provide powerful information about risk management, especially where it applies to areas of leadership.

However, two thoughts came to mind in application of the risks involved for spiritual leaders:

1) What are the risk factors involved if we decide not to lead others to Christ?

2) What are the risks of waiting, or procrastinating, to lead them?

When we honestly look at how the risks weigh out in the direction of our leadership, from a spiritual perspective, we will find the possibility of danger or harm involved is found when we are unwilling to take the risk.

The Greatest Opportunity…

Opportunities are circumstances providing possibility, either to be gained or lost.

It’s a matter of faith. If we cannot see the possibilities, we will never take advantage of the opportunities.

We must not fall into the trap of thinking we can sit back and wait for opportunities. If we do, chances are we will accomplish little, if anything.

Leaders have the greatest opportunity to influence the lives of others by example and instructional guidance when leading them to heaven. This is obviously a twofold application, as it includes leading the lost to Jesus and helping grow the faith of those who belong to Him.

How will this opportunity be fulfilled to its greatest potential?

1) We must open our eyes to the needs, physical and spiritual, of all people. This specifically involves those who are not like us.

2) We must be ready to get involved; meaning there is a need to get the hands dirty.

3) We must also rely completely on the power of God to open the doors and use us to His glory.

Seize the opportunities by seeing the incredible God given possibilities God.

Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

We are left to wonder what could really happen if leaders knew how to think big. The passion that drives greatness, especially from a spiritual perspective, can be nothing short of global.

The challenge of settling for less than what we are capable of is only coupled with the limitations placed upon what God is capable of doing through us…if we will only let Him.

We often believe God will not do it because we are convinced we cannot do it.

The “grasshopper syndrome” of the spies in Numbers 13-14 illustrates our own defeat. The problem was not how the Israelites appeared in the eyes of the giants in Canaan. The problem was in how they saw themselves as grasshoppers in their own sight.

Leaders must not fall prey to this mindset. There must be a passion that is driven by and for greatness; a greatness that is only measured by the power of God to work in amazing and powerful ways.

Give Ear To My Voice…

When David made this statement he concluded it by saying; “when I call to You.”

David was pleading with God to give heed to him when he called. He desired an audience with God and wanted Him to listen intently with an understanding that moved the Creator into action.

A key characteristic of spiritual leaders is prayer. The avenue of prayer is significant to leadership for a couple of reasons.

First, leaders understand the need to communicate with the One who is in control of all things. To have an audience with God yields the greatest power in every situation. The desire is for God to listen and act upon the requests brought to Him.

Second, understanding how communication works with God also helps leaders understand the need for effective communication with others. In leadership, others need to know their voice is being heard and that leaders are attentive to their call.

Communication is a noteworthy subject in any relationship. While it applies to leaders, it also applies to everyone.

When leaders are effective communicators issues are resolved more quickly and results in progress.

What Scars Leave Behind…

Most people have scars of some form or nature. These scars can be the result of surgery, an accident, or some foolish activity.

Scars are not only physical; there are emotional, mental, and spiritual scars left for the same reasons.

When we examine these scars, and the nature of them, what do they leave behind?

First, they leave us with a reminder of the cause of the scar. These constant reminders bring to mind exactly what happened to create the scar.

Second, scars remind us of pain. The pain may have been physical, but it could also be pain of an emotional and spiritual nature.

Third, scars show us the incredible wisdom and power of God. This body is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14).

Fourth, scars serve as a reminder to be cautious about creating future scars.

However, the greatest reminder of scars, when it comes to leadership, involves the scars in the hands and feet of our Savior. The example that left Him with these scars should always be a reminder of the example our leadership is all about.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Primal

Before we begin thinking about the early stages of evolutionary development, the idea behind this word also carries the impetus of something that is essential or foundational.

Nothing could more essential than spiritual leadership. Nothing could be more foundational to eternity than spiritual leadership.

How does the idea of primal apply to the surroundings of leadership?

Primal comes from a Latin word meaning “first.” The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential and foundational elements of all that is connected to life: intellectually, physically, emotionally, and physically.

When thinking about leadership, the need is evident to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place for the success of our leading.

These elements are the building blocks of all leaders: integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

There will always be additional elements to include, but these are primal to leadership.

Using these as a foundation, leaders can build strength and character that provides hope for everyone who follows. Think Souls!