How many times has an opportunity been missed because of the desire to remain safe? Granted, there are often times when remaining safe prevented an oncoming train wreck, but today’s post is not going down that track.

The idea of “nothing ventured, nothing gained” is an idiom directly connected to risk. Few areas in life witness true and great success without some level of risk.

What prevents leaders from stretching their thinking in a direction involving risk often ranges from the fear of change to the fear of failure.

Sadly, discussing the very thought of venturing into such areas evokes a fear of liberalism and compromise of scriptures. The willingness to take risks, however, can be related to an area that simply allows God to demonstrate the greatness of His power, exceeding our ability to think.

Instead of hiding behind a fear that inhibits our growth and development as the church, leaders need to explore the possibilities of what can happen if we just allow God to work through us, beyond the comfort zones of our past traditions and extend our abilities into areas that promise faith and hope.

“Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it’s business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don’t love what you’re doing and you can’t give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short.” Al Lopez

How true! Life is too short to do something we do not love. The challenge often relates to the crossroads of our talent and what we love to do. When these two combine, we find a beautiful combination in a lifelong pursuit of success.

However, we too often find ourselves trapped in a job we do not love, and the difficulty of getting up and going into work can lead to discouragement and depression.

If money is the driving force behind our life’s pursuits, we can easily fall into this trap.

Our post is not advocating the opportunity to abandon responsibilities for a “carefree” life. When we eliminate, however, the drive of financial or monetary gain, striving to accumulate more “stuff,” then perhaps we can find a way to lead in areas of our talent and passion.

Traveling on the airlines often means looking for some way to connect to the internet. It is amusing to think how disconnected it feels when there is an extended period without having the internet.

The connection is not about the internet. The internet is the tool through which we connect to family and friends. Without this connection something is missing, even empty.

The world has become dependent on the internet. A culture all its own has been created and it connects people around the world.

Since we are talking about the internet, try a Google search about leaders being connected. Within seconds you will discover seven million plus articles on the subject. We cannot exhaust them all in a few lines.

Leaders must be connected to those who are following, but how? Here are 5 suggestions.

1) Get involved in their lives.
2) Be more transparent.
3) Give others something to believe in.
4) Relate individually.
5) Give genuine complements.

This connection creates a demonstration of love. It is not easy connecting to others. However, when we find ways to connect, it will work every time.

A plaque carries this familiar phrase. How much thought do we give to the idea behind these three expressions.

Live well – The application holds merit physically and spiritually. How well are we living? Neal Pollard’s grandfather said; “an old man lives with what a young man does.” Are we simply living for the moment or living well with eternity in view?

Love much – Leadership will only succeed when those we are leading know we love them. Our desire for their highest good will be seen in our words and actions. Parents have the supreme task of leading their children to heaven. It will take much love.

Laugh often – A good sense of humor needs to be a strong characteristic for leaders. It is easy to get wrapped up in the struggles of daily life and forget the importance of laughter. Solomon said it is medicine to the body. We need to learn to find joy throughout life.

When these three expressions find root in our existence, we will see a greater influence to our leadership. Others will see the difference. Live well, love much, laugh often!

We have discussed several areas concerning fear in the past, but as fear relates to leadership deserves consideration as our word of the week.

Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Adding a historical element to fear includes the idea of a mixed feeling of dread and reverence.

Knowing the definition of fear helps us recognize that fear can be good or bad. A healthy fear can be instrumental in delivering us from the danger of pain or threat. Without fear, especially in relationship to God, it can lead to eternal consequences.

There is a negative side to the relationship of fear when it comes to leaders. Some leaders rule with an iron fist, a strong arm approach to keep others afraid. They lead by intimidation and the result is destructive.

The last thing we need is to have others follow because they are afraid of their leaders. May we always understand how to demonstrate a healthy fear for God and lead without an unhealthy intimidation that keeps others under our power.

Life can be discouraging when we feel we are taken for granted. If we understand that feeling, then perhaps we can relate to how others feel when we take them for granted.

This happens in families, at school, on the job, around our neighborhoods, and hundreds of other places on a daily basis. Generally speaking, we become so comfortable in our relationships with others, or we become complacent about the feelings others, to the point we do not invest in the relationship. We begin saying and doing things without thought as to how our words and actions affect others. We take for granted they will understand or they know us, therefore, justifying our behavior.

Whether we are taken for granted, or we are taking others for granted, as leaders we have a responsibility.

Without investing in these relationships, we lose the opportunity to influence others in ways that lead to lasting friendships and eternal rewards.

We cannot always change the words and actions of others, but we can look at ourselves and address what needs to be changed to eliminate taking others for granted.

“The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson. Don’t give up in the middle.” Unknown

There are many reasons why the past is the best learning ground, but the primary reason is because experience teaches us what works and what doesn’t.

Based on the lessons learned, the wisdom gained directs the decisions, attitudes, and actions of our future. Here, we apply the lessons gained from past experiences.

The challenge is learning to never give up in between learning the lessons which are viewed in our past and recovering enough to make the proper application of those lessons in the future.

If we do, the difference between what has been and what will be is an incredible transition into a leadership that establishes credibility and deserves respect.

One last twist: when we learn lessons from the past experiences of others and make the right application in our lives for the future, we are demonstrating the wisdom of God’s intended purpose in the revealed word. Let us read to learn from the past, guide our steps in the future, and persevere until then.

A leading question is used to invoke conversation, an attempt to get someone else to communicate about their understanding of facts, knowledge, or feelings. From a legal perspective, a leading question is often used to get someone to answer the question in a specific way, leading them to often incriminate themselves or someone else.

At times, leaders may need to use both. However, the primary approach for today’s post is to consider the need for leading or opening questions to promote communication.

The purpose behind encouraging communication with others is threefold:

1) When others are encouraged to communicate, they respond in interesting ways. Suddenly, their confidence level increases. They feel appreciated and important. Is this not the purpose of leading?

2) We learn more by listening to others. We learn about how they feel, their desires, struggles, joys, sorrows, and what motivates them. Knowing these areas aids our ability to lead them.

3) Another significant result is a powerful learning environment. Leaders will be surprised with what is learned when the creative minds of followers are unleashed in this setting.

The results are worth the effort for leaders.

Today, my wife and I celebrate our anniversary. While this day will always be special, it is what I learn from her each day that continues to amaze me.

She teaches me the importance of focusing on the present. I find it easy to get consumed with tomorrow, thinking about the future and disconnecting from the present. She reminds me not to miss any moment.

She teaches me the value of service. If there is someone who exemplifies the servant’s heart, it is her. Every word and action is chosen on the basis of how it better serves others.

Above all, she teaches me what love means. From the first day, her love for me, her children, and now her grandchildren, stands as an example to emulate. The true biblical definition of seeking the highest good of others above herself is continually demonstrated toward all who know her.

To say that I am blessed is the greatest understatement of the millennium. I am not only thankful for her guidance, encouragement, example, and love, but I praise God for the opportunity to know a woman of such character. Happy Anniversary Sheryl! I love you TTBOTM.

If it is essential it is absolutely necessary. The importance-factor of what is essential moves leadership to a new level.

However, the challenge is determining what is essential and what is not. Spiritually speaking, there are a number of components that play a key role in the area of essentiality.

1) Character: The late General Schwarzkoph said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.” Character is essential to success.

2) Passion: Although we often think of passion as enthusiasm or excitement, the origin of the word involves suffering and sacrifice. The willingness to sacrifice is essential for leadership.

3) Vision: Vision is not about what is seen, but seeing what is unseen, about insight. Faith is the factor necessary for the development of leadership vision and vision is essential to spiritual leadership.

4) Goals: David Swartz said, “Goals are as essential to success as air is to life.” Without goals we have no way of knowing where we are going.

These are only four areas, but they are essential to our leadership.