Category: Daily Leadership

Complex vs Simple

Depending on the individual, there is some subjectivity. On one hand, an older generation recalls the simplicity of dirt roads, no cell-phones, growing what was eaten, and a life without technology.

Adding technology, a black-top/concrete way of life, cell-phones, and then eliminating the garden, life can become a bit more complex.

On the other hand, a younger generation recognizes these advances as a means to simplify life and increase health and wealth.

Imagine leading people with both mindsets. We should remember that both mindsets exist in the world and the church.

Our task is not to place one above the other, but lead with both in mind.

Balance

An ever present danger exists in our world today and everyday: extremism. Balance is a commodity difficult to find in almost every arena.

Our country is polarized politically and religiously between liberalism and conservatism. Party politics divides people nearly as often as we see in religion.

The challenge of leading within these extremes weighs on the mind of every individual who finds themselves in leadership.

How can leaders actively approach the task before them when such extremes exist?

It requires leading with a divine standard that was intended to provide balance.

A Question

I first saw this question on a church building sign.

The question challenges the depth of our faith and the strength of our vision.

The question requires a deep reflection into our soul to determine where we are and where we want to go.

The question brings a responsibility to act, requiring us to get up and do something.

The question applies to every individual and congregation. It stretches across every generation, culture, and era.

Before you read the question, remember to give serious consideration to the question before answering.

The question is simply this: “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

Born or Made?

Whether leaders are born or made continues to occupy discussions on several levels. On one hand, some circles claim leaders are born with natural abilities, a giftedness of talent from God. Romans 12:8 seems to support this idea.

On the other hand, several claim that leaders are made. A number of authors indicate that leadership can be learned. The thought is based on the development of certain leadership skills over time.

Regardless of which direction we support, we all influence others and lead at some level. It serves us well to develop our abilities, great or small, in ways that provide the best leadership possible.

Time

From the day we are born to the day we die, we only know time: The time we sleep, the time to get ready for work, the time we spend at work, and the list goes on.

Once time passes, we cannot get it back. It cannot be regained or relived.

When we look at leadership, the value of time takes a sharper focus. From the time we prepare ourselves to lead and influence others to the time we actually spend in building those relationships, every second contains great value.

Let us use our time wisely and make the most of the opportunity to lead with care.

Empathy

We often fail to recognize that most of what we see in life is biased by who we are: how we were raised, the environment, culture, and hundreds of other areas, rather than reality.

Interestingly enough, how we see things becomes reality to us. Because this is true, we become entrenched in our beliefs to the point of dogma.

No one is exempt, but we need to understand the importance of patience and love when attempting to help others grow.

Leadership requires us to have empathy, the ability to understand and enter another person’s feelings. The more we do so, the greater our influence.

Legacy

How do you want others to remember you? If you know the nature of words you want spoken when you leave this earth, it is vital to live that way now.

The good you want others to remember does not happen by accident, but it involves the effort you put forth now to make a difference in the lives of others.

Engrave on the hearts of those who know you the type of words and actions that demonstrate your love and care.

Leadership involves a special role and when we lead others in the way of integrity, righteousness, and truth. The legacy lives on in future generations.

Responsibility

The concept and practice of seeking the best in other people and putting their needs above our own is rare.

Marvin J. Ashton said, “Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.”

We do well to follow this example in our relationships with others.

Consider the responsibility. God entrusted us with the lives of people, and nothing more fulfilling can be done than to make their lives better than we found them. This is great leadership!

What I Can Do

Edward Everett Hale claims, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

We often fall short when it comes to doing something about what we can do. We want others to take action because we convince ourselves we are unable to do anything on our own. Maybe we excuse the situation by saying we cannot make a difference.

Hale would disagree. There is value in realizing what we cannot do without allowing it to prevent us from doing what we can.

Becoming More

Do we see life as a gift? If so, what stewardship goes with the gift?

Since there is a privilege, opportunity, and responsibility attached to this stewardship, what will we do? Are we content with the status quo? Will we strive to excel in using our God given abilities to the fullest potential?

Life is not an opportunity to focus on self. In fact, when we focus on ourselves, our view of life is biased and we are more about taking than giving.

We have a great gift and it is up to us to do something that benefits the lives of others by becoming more.