Habits take 21 days to develop. We often have both good and bad habits. But, why does it seem so easy to break good habits and hard to break bad ones?

Aristotle is credited with saying, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Spiritual leadership is about excellence. Excellence is a habit worth developing!

Joy is an important and unique quality needed in leaders.

Paul could sing praises at midnight while imprisoned for Christ. He wrote from prison to the church at Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, rejoice.”

The letter to the Philippians also helps us see what happens when someone robs the church of that joy (Euodia and Syntyche).

Paul’s joy was based on his relationship with God, not his external situation, but he did not want anyone taking joy away from the church. Therefore, he instructed them to “live in harmony in the Lord.”

One of our tasks as leaders today is to have and instill joy in the church.

Tying a string to one’s finger does not really help. Mental exercises are often suggested, but few follow through because they forget. The older we get the more difficult it seems just to remember.

What can we do to help us remember? Leaders must connect to this need.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us to remember those who led us. Certainly, there is a need for leaders to remember also.

Remember there is accountability.

Remember souls are at stake.

Remember nothing is more vital to the development of God’s kingdom than leading.

Being a part of the team is special and powerful.

There are challenges, frustrations, thrills, high-fives, and throughout it all, a sense of accomplishment.

Teams are diligent in preparation, hungry to learn, and always focused on the priority.

Teams face the task of changing lives physically and spiritually.

Teams ask questions, discuss possibilities, work on solutions, and make decisions together.

One goal sets before them. One lifetime is given to accomplish the task.

Through it all, one opportunity has been provided to be a part of this team. The Lord knew the difference made by a team.

The most valuable commodity we have is time. The greatest gift we can give is our time. Leading people requires time. We all have the same amount. How we use it determines the difference we make as leaders.

Solomon said there is a time for everything.

From his birth to death, Jesus was on God’s time. Paul wrote “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son.” Approaching his final days, Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come.”

Paul instructs Christians to use their time wisely because the days are evil.

In this crazy, busy, scheduled life we live as leaders, how are we using our time?

Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.

The tougher an environment becomes, the more a leaders’ need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.

A leaders senses must be engaged, observant to the surroundings.

Their hearts must be touched with the situation of others.

The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.

Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like the great leader we have in Christ.

What will remain in the shadow of our leadership 20, 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Is our legacy as a leader intentional? Will our leadership be a shield to protect and provide for others? What legacy will we leave?

A legacy of money will eventually be spent.

A legacy of possessions will quickly fade.

A legacy of service will soon be forgotten.

A legacy of security will be destroyed.

Only a spiritual legacy influences this present life and the life to come.

Connecting with people is vital to good leadership. Several elements will help establish this connection.

1) Be transparent.

2) Provide hope.

3) Consistency is essential.

4) Relate to people individually.

5) Find ways to genuinely compliment others.

Leaders who connect lead with passion and integrity. They know and are known by others. Love for others drives a leader’s heart. Reaching the goal motivates a leader’s actions. Staying connected keeps a leader balanced.

Negotiation is an effort to reach an agreement or solution through compromise. Most often, there is give and take, thus, compromise.

Spiritual leaders need to exercise caution when it comes to negotiating. Far too often, God’s word is compromised in an attempt to appease a larger majority of people.

Attempts to negotiate, compromise, or change the word of God are futile.

Our leadership should not move people away from God and His word. Rather, our leadership should move people to God and His word.

Communication is challenging. We usually think others understand clearly. Often times, we even expect them to read our minds, the old reading between the lines.

However, others do not always understand. Thus, we need to communicate more effectively. Every leader must constantly work to improve their communication skills.

Learn to listen. Stop reading between the lines or thinking of what to say next.

Repeat back what was heard. This step ensures understanding.

Ask questions. This helps clarify areas we might have misunderstood.

Think before responding. Take time to consider a proper response.