Two of the most unused, yet the most needed and powerful, words are “thank you.” To be thankful and express appreciation are descriptions of the leadership word of the week.

The primary purpose is not to spend the entire post focused on areas for which leaders should be thankful, but rather to consider why leaders should be thankful.

Leaders should be thankful because…

1) God has placed them in this position to glorify Him as a leader.

2) The opportunity to influence others for the Lord is the greatest work on earth.

3) Hope is the message provided through godly leaders.

4) Others are trusting in leaders to show them the way.

5) Leadership is making a difference on an eternal scale.

More answers could be provided if space and time allowed, but suffice it to say that leaders must recognize why they should be thankful as much as understanding the need to show gratitude.

Our God is great and He has given us leaders!

Randy Reese and Robert Loane, authors of this book, provide a guide to developing leaders.

Several sections of this book resonate powerfully with how to prepare future leaders. Four elements lay the groundwork for developing leaders: 1) a deepening work, 2) a particularizing work, 3) a hospitable work, and 4) a patient work.

One specific element, especially noteworthy, involves a deepening work that focuses on growing leaders.

Leadership development must dig below the surface to honor people by listening to how they talk about their lives, contexts, and future dreams.

Appropriate questions must be asked to determine how to assist people on their journey to a mature relationship with Christ.

Above all, people need to know there is hope. People must know there is something beyond the physical plight of life. Without hope, people lose the desire to develop as leaders.

The ideas presented by Reese and Loane are paralleled with biblical examples left by Jesus and the apostles for developing leaders.

What are we doing today to develop leadership for the future?

Reese, Randy D. and Robert Loane. 2012. Deep Mentoring: Guiding Others on Their Leadership Journey. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.

“The world has the habit of making room for the man whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going.” Napoleon Hill

If we assigned one word to describe the quote by Napoleon, it would probably be “confidence.”

However, the level of confidence illustrated is connected to both words and actions by the individual described. Thus, there must also be a strong consistency in the character of the individual.

The lesson for leaders is not anything new.

For leaders to build the type of relationship with followers where trust exists, their character must be defined by consistency which lays the foundation for their confidence to lead.

This may be one of the truest approaches to defining integrity for spiritual leaders.

The take away is an encouragement to position our words and actions in such a way that where we are leading portrays the confidence of someone whose life is consistent.

Ultimately, both should be guided by the teachings of God’s word.

Holidays always tend to bring out the articles and posts that parallel the occasion with a spiritual connection. The independence celebrated by this country is no exception when considering the independence celebrated in Christ.

Rightfully so; there is a wonderful analogy with physical freedoms compared to the greater spiritual freedoms enjoyed by those who share in them.

Considering the sacrifice made by Jesus: willingly, lovingly, and graciously, the value of what was accomplished to open the way to the Father is exemplified.

From a spiritual leadership perspective, a leaders’ example should be one that demonstrates the same willingness, love and grace to open the way for others to the Father.

The greatest joy of celebrating our own independence is to help others celebrate the same by introducing them to the way, the truth, and the life.

The life, the abundant life promised by Jesus, is one of freedom from the consequences of sin that introduces a celebration of independence.

Our leadership today should always help others understand the price paid for this celebration.

As David expresses the need to be silent before God and praise Him, he concludes by saying, “And to You the vow will be performed.”

Without going into a complete background of the Psalm, the two words that stand out in this passage are “vow” and “performed.”

The idea of a vow indicates one who enters an agreement to which they must be committed to fulfill. Solomon emphasized the seriousness of vows when he wrote, “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5).

The word translated “performed” is joined with the vow; indicating that when the vow is paid, “it completes an agreement so that both parties are in a state of shalom” (peace) (Lloyd, 1999). As a note of interest, the word translated “pay” in Ecclesiastes is the same word translated “performed.”

A leaders first responsibility is to God and then to those who follow. They must be committed to fulfill the responsibility of the relationship to which they have entered as leaders.

When they do, both parties are in a state of peace.

*Carr, G. Lloyd. “2401 שָׁלֵם”. In Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, edited by R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr. and Bruce K. Waltke. electronic ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.

The synonyms for the word this week make for some interesting application. Honest, sincere, genuine, and trustworthy are a few that seem natural and positive. However, candid, frank, forthright, and straight are words with a little more spice to them.

Considering the opposite of truthfulness leads in one direction, deception.

Leaders need to not only be truthful in relationship to followers, they need to be truthful with themselves.

One of the greatest challenges for leaders is to be honest enough with themselves to make the kind of decisions that demonstrate their integrity.

Being truthful with the direction we should take may not always align with our initial choice.

Being truthful with those who are invested in following will not allow us to be self-centered.

Being truthful with God will always lead in paths of righteousness.

The application of truthfulness often falls short because leaders can fall prey to justifying their actions and convincing themselves something is true, when in reality it is false.

Leaders must be careful not to allow good intentions to vindicate their pretentious actions.

Be truthful with self, others and God in all areas.

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!

“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.

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.

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.