On the Job Training – O.J.T. may or may not be familiar. The concept involves receiving the needed training for a job while on the job.

I am amazed how often people think leaders come from a selected few of the population. Sadly, few see themselves as leaders.

However, we are all leaders. We influence at least 4 people everyday. Knowing so should motivate us to learn how to lead properly.

Some take courses, or go to school to study leadership i.e. Dale Carnegie, Today’s TQ, etc. Others prefer to read books by leaders i.e. Colin Powell, John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, etc.

Whatever method is preferred, learning about leadership is O.J.T. We are constantly leading others.

Our leadership awareness is magnified when we think spiritually.

The relationships we develop, people we help, attitudes we demonstrate on the job, language we use, and integrity we demonstrate, will all be measured in terms of influence.

Others are watching you and me. We are going to lead. How will we lead? Are we willing to learn how to lead more powerfully?

Use every opportunity God gives to prepare and lead others to Him. Think Souls!

Incredible! Great! Fantastic! Spectacular! Amazing! Grueling! Abrasive! Controlling!

There is no end to adjectives in the English language. Basically, an adjective is a word, or phrase, naming an attribute to modify or describe a noun.

We live in a world where we generally communicate with the use of words. Interestingly, what we hear and read is often presented with an incredible, spectacular, and unbelievable multiplicity of adjectives.

It begs a question. What word, or phrase, would best modify or describe our leadership?

Are we scrambling for a word in the list above? Would we desire a word more Biblical in nature?

Godly! Spiritual! Righteous! Knowledgeable! Patient! Compassionate! Faithful!

It sure has a different ring, at least in my perspective. I hope it does for everyone.

Today, let us strive to lead others in a manner they will describe Biblically.

Like most teenagers, I could not wait to drive. Driving meant freedom, power / control, and looking cool.

I may date myself here, but I was taught the 10 and 2 method. If you know what I am talking about, it may date you also.

The idea involves placing the hands at the 10 and 2 o’clock position on the steering wheel.

Even though it made no sense, the older I became, the more I understood the value. Cool was no longer the concern, but safety. Therefore, keep both hands on the wheel.

It allows better control of the vehicle.

There is less danger than maneuvering with one hand, or by the fingertips.

Spiritual leadership operates on a similar principle. Keeping both hands on the wheel allows for control when control is needed.

Leadership can be difficult to navigate. There are curves where we need to slow down. Hills demand downshifting (also dating) where power is needed to climb. Conditions may be icy and cause treacherous steering. Also, bumps or potholes can quickly jolt the steering wheel out of our hands.

Leadership navigates through the obstacles. With both hands on the wheel the journey will be more secure.

Leadership has its challenges. However, the benefits outweigh the challenges.

I recently heard a powerful lesson on the life of Elijah. Elijah’s confrontation at Mt. Carmel and victory over idolatry was a mountain top experience.

Even though Elijah had to overcome discouragement, along with Jezebel’s threats, several lessons can be learned from Mt. Carmel.

1) Elijah was God’s man. Elijah lifted up God. It was the only way to turn people from idolatry.

2) Elijah was unrelenting about their choice. Israel could not remain neutral between Baal or God. Elijah demanded they choose.

3) Elijah knew God. Knowledge translates into confidence. His faith was answered incredibly.

4) Elijah understood the need to eradicate evil’s influence. Israel had to put these false prophets to death.

We must be men and women of God, holding to and lifting up His word.

We cannot yield to the thought of remaining neutral. We must choose!

It is vital we know God. Our faith and confidence are built on this foundation.

The task before us is to remove the influence of evil. The task will not be easy, but with God we win. Let us lead as such.

The days are long past when someone’s word and a handshake were binding. The lack of integrity, honesty, faithfulness, responsibility and accountability are major reasons.

Sadly, immorality, unethical practices, poor handling of Biblical text, greed, along with the list above, are also factors contributing to the problem among spiritual leaders.

Let me clarify. I am not stereotyping all leaders at a corporate, political, educational, or spiritual level. Our media crazed society has created a stereotypical mindset. As a result, it only takes a few in the minority to label and convict the majority.

I cannot overstate the need for us to be a people of our word. Jesus said; “let your statement be, ‘yes, yes,’ or ‘no, no;’ anything beyond these is of evil.” As a result, the greater answer seems obvious.

We must be a people of His Word!

We may never convince the business world of our credibility. However, the people we contact daily should recognize it. Our lives, our leadership, are different because we are men and women of His Word.

Read it to be wise, live by it to be faithful, and lead by it to change everything and everyone around us.

We have all heard and read various ideas about potential. What is potential?

Potential can be summed as ability or capability with the possibility of being or becoming something. You may want to read it again.

Recently, I was given a book, 9 Things A Leader Must Do by Dr. Henry Cloud. While reading, I noticed several statements with powerful implication. My attention was drawn to one connected to this post. “One of the worst things you can die with is potential.”

I started thinking. What is my potential? How do I achieve my greatest potential? While others came to mind, these two needed priority.

We cannot know or reach our greatest potential without some level of risk. We must determine our desires and the path to reach them. Be willing to step out of the comfort zone and do whatever it takes.

Cloud also writes; “potential is something to be realized, not guarded or protected. So, dig it up! Invest it!”

Our leadership involves potential. Others follow and depend on us. Maximizing our potential enables us to help others reach their potential. Unleashing the potential of God’s people will change the world.

The originator of this statement is uncertain. However, I will never forget the first time I heard “the main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.”

Take a second and give this some consideration. A couple of observations come to mind.

First, we must determine the main thing. Ultimately, we know the destination is heaven. Therefore, our leadership should make certain all the plans, programs, and projects are working together for the main thing.

Second, we must know how to maintain our focus on the main thing. It can be easy to get distracted and lose our focus. We can spend too much energy putting out “brush fires.” We lose sight of our purpose and goal. We must remember, and followers need to be reminded of, the main thing.

Be driven by it.
Determine to succeed.
Establish unity in the work.
Promote it at every opportunity.
Never quit.

Impossibilities disappear when we keep the main thing, the main thing.

Before we speak, write, or act, think first. Two words easier said than done.

We live in a reactionary world. We tend to react to our circumstances. Life is unfair and we react. Someone’s words or actions are inappropriate and we react. We do not like a situation and we react.

Leaders must learn how to act. If we stop reacting, maybe the fallout can be prevented.

Therefore, we must “think first.”

Before we send a word through electronic airwaves or write on a piece of paper, think first. How will others perceive it?

Before we speak about family, personal, or professional matters, think first. Once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back. We may wish we had not said them, apologize, or try to explain, but it’s to late.

Do I have the right attitude? Will my words offend? Is it possible they could be taken the wrong way? Think first.

Our actions are the same. Before acting on any given situation, think first. Others are watching. How will my actions be perceived? Will my intention be known based on what is seen?

Two powerful words needing application. Think first!

Nehemiah is one of the great leaders of the Old Testament. Several qualities rise to the surface about Nehemiah and his leadership. He was a man of prayer, passionate for God and his people, courageous in the face of opposition, and the list goes on.

One area about Nehemiah’s character is found in being discouraged, but not distracted. From the conditions of the wall needing to be rebuilt, threats from external enemies, ridicule, to plots of ambush, it would be easy to get discouraged. Nehemiah, however, was not distracted. The work was vital, his faith was strong, and he would allow nothing to keep him from finishing the task.

Leadership brings many challenges, some greater than others. In times when the trials of life are overwhelming, it is easy to get discouraged.

Satan wants spiritual leaders to be discouraged. He knows if he can create enough discouragement, the chances of quitting increase. This is his goal.

We need to be determined, strong in faith, prayerful, passionate about our God and His people, courageous, and unfailing to finish the course.

Never give the devil opportunity!

Italian TV dinner, Fazoli’s, Macaroni Grill, Massimino’s Cucina Italiana, there is a difference.

Arapahoe Community College, _________________ State University, Harvard, Oxford, there is a difference.

Church on the Move, Church of Body Modification, Foothills Bible Church, Crossroads church of Denver, Church of Christ, __________, there is a difference.

Regardless of what we might think; when considering where we eat, receive our education, or worship, there is a difference.

The same is true in leadership. It can be seen politically, corporately, educationally, and spiritually. There is a difference.

As spiritual leaders, are we making the difference? Have we allowed the mindset of complacency to hinder our leadership? Are we victims of an apathetic world and indifferent about our leadership? Will the future be different because of our leadership?

Just as there is a difference in all of the areas above, there is a difference we can make if we choose to do so. Let us provide the leadership needed today for a better tomorrow and eternity.