Few subjects hold the amount of significance and weight as the subject in today’s post. Without a doubt, a desperate need exists for more and greater leaders today.

A number of books address the next generation of leaders and how the future of the home, country, corporate world, and, above all, church requires our attention in this area. However, a major downfall is found in the approach to succession planning for the next generation.

What are we doing to prepare the next generation of leaders? Have we considered the consequences currently experienced in the church because previous generations lacked a plan? Are we willing to passively watch from the sidelines as another generation arises without the proper preparation and tools to lead?

We have much to consider and the longer we procrastinate the more difficult the journey becomes to equip the next generation of leaders.

A number of steps are essential to lay the foundation and walk into the future equipped to meet the problem head on and change the direction of tomorrow for the next generation. Next week, we will examine several steps needed for this foundation.

We all desire happiness, but what determines our happiness? Dale Carnegie once said, “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”

The discussion of what it takes to bring happiness is unending. Books, articles, blog posts, along with every other form of social media, tries to provide the answer to happiness.

Sadly, where most look for happiness is in one or more of three areas: 1) what we do (happiness comes with success), 2) what we have (happiness comes with material possessions or money), and 3) what others say about us (happiness comes with image or status).

Happiness is rarely associated with what we think. Yet, even God identifies the need for us to let our minds dwell on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, things of excellence and anything worthy of praise.

Leadership can change the direction of happiness in the lives of others by leading with this mindset and helping others learn how to think on the right things.

The eye is an amazing part of the human body. We do not have enough space to cover the complex intricacies of the eye.

However, as we begin to age, it is fairly common (somewhere around 40-ish) that our arm does not extend quite far enough to read the print on the page.

Two conditions normally occur around this time of life: 1) near-sightedness – the ability to see things up close, but not far away, and 2) far-sightedness – the ability to see things far away, but not up close.

In a spiritual sense, leaders must avoid both conditions. Leaders need the ability to see what is going on up close around them, knowing the present needs that exist. They must also have the kind of vision that makes it possible to see what will occur down the road. Perhaps the appropriate term is “insight.”

Leadership insight demonstrates the ability to see both near and far and makes it possible to address current needs and plan for the future in ways to overcome the obstacles in order to achieve success.

Leadership material abounds in every bookstore throughout the world. A number of styles, qualities, characteristics, and laws/principles have been discussed in an effort to help others learn the best approach to leading.

The idea of considerate leadership takes into account all four of these areas and indicates the power to direct the future.

Leaders must show consideration to the heart of others. The challenge is not in knowing the heart of others as much as learning to consider the good intention of others first. We have become a very skeptical world. As such, we tend to question the motive or intention of everyone, including those who deserve our greatest trust.

Leaders must also give consideration to the needs of others. The needs are hard to recognize when we are only involved in superficial or surface oriented relationships. Leaders must dig below the surface to learn what is really needed and consider how to be approach providing for the need.

Consideration should be a part of a leaders daily walk in relationship to others, and doing so exemplifies the compassion of great leadership.

A contrast of counsel is found throughout the Psalms and Proverbs. We are urged not to walk in the counsel of the wicked in Psalm 1. Later in the Psalms, David expresses the need to wait for the counsel of the Lord, because His counsel will endure forever.

Solomon claims a wise man is one who listens to wise counsel, and one who possess understanding will acquire wise counsel.

One of the best Proverbs about counsel is found in Proverbs 27:9 where we read, “A man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

Leadership should always provide a source of counsel that is based on the word of God, designed to provide guidance to spiritual success and an eternal reward.

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) Above all, God is glorified; 2) His people are built up in the faith; 3) leadership is strengthened in righteousness; and 4) the future is secured.

The consequences of not seeking wise counsel can be seen in the life of Joshua (Jos. 9). Let leaders learn today from his example, then pursue and provide godly counsel.

Observation of the events and people who participate in our lives on a daily basis is one of the most powerful exercises for leaders.

Leadership is about people, and unless we observe how God works in our lives to provide opportunity to lead, we will miss the possibility of God using us to help others.

A Chinese proverb emphasizes the way to a lifetime of happiness: “If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. If you want happiness for a day––go fishing. If you want happiness for a year––inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime––help someone else.”

Helping others can only occur when leaders observe the people God places in their lives each day.

Leaders must seek to discover what is going on in the lives of these individuals, why it is taking place, and how they might be able to show the light of Jesus by helping.

Take a few moments each day to simply observe the working of God through the opportunities provided in the lives of the special people placed on our daily path.

How often do we think about our potential, but then step back from achieving it because we are afraid of the unknown?

Esmeralda Santiago asks the question, “How can you know what you are capable of if you don’t embrace the unknown?”

Few enjoy the unknown. We see variables that play into the unknown. We develop scenarios, which usually focus on the negative or create a defeatist mindset. In the end, the cons outweigh the pros and we walk away from our potential.

What can we do to embrace the unknown and enjoy the possibilities?

Remember, reaching for our potential requires a level of risk. However, the benefits of reaching that potential are far greater than the risk involved.

Even if we fail, failure is not fatal. If everyone quit at the first sign of failure, imagine where we would be without electricity, phones, and hundreds of other luxuries.

Start small and gradually venture into additional unknown areas. A jump into the deep end of the pool is not required to reach our potential.

Maybe we can take a step or two in the right direction.