Tenacity identifies someone who is determined. A tenacious person possesses a certain ability to hold on to something tightly with an incredible determination.

Look around. It does not take much to see how people demonstrate tenacity in all areas of life, from recreation to religion. When we examine our priorities we generally find our tenacity.

Biblically, when considering the definition of tenacity, we tend think of the apostle Paul. Remember his words to the church at Corinth, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

What an incredible statement. Paul demonstrated tenacity in all areas of his leadership among the Lord’s people. Through his writings we continually see this driving force. Perhaps a few thoughts will help us understand how to be tenacious.

Be passionate and remove the impossibility factor…

Know what is worth dying for…

Have a clear vision of God…

Challenge self and others to do something great!

These few ideas can create a whole new approach to our leadership and move others to greater heights of fulfillment in the Lord’s kingdom.

Is it not time for leaders to get around to it? Procrastination can be one of the most destructive and deadly traits in anyone’s life, especially leaders.

Too often, the grave tendency exists to put a decision off until tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year. This might not be a problem if the decision is inconsequential. If, however, the decision carries consequential value, then procrastinating can move followers to follow someone else.

Why the idea of “putting off until tomorrow what can be done today” exists is beyond logic. Consider the reasons most often given for procrastination:

1) fear of making the wrong decision,
2) lack of adequate information,
3) not a priority to the decision maker(s),
4) need for 100% agreement,
5) comfortable with the status quo.

There are hundreds more, most of which carry little significance or reason.

When procrastination appears to be a common approach, confidence in leadership wanes and apathy results. Why care about anything if making a decision takes too long?

The time is now for leaders to get around to making those decisions before its too late.

“You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions, not words, that matter.” Nicholas Sparks

As powerful as our words can be, Sparks’ analysis of our actions being the heart of the matter is true.

Words are twisted and construed as meaning something different than were originally intended. They are taken out of context and used against us. The same was true of Jesus, as the religious leaders did everything in their power to trap Him in His words.

Even though they never did, the greatest conflict they struggled with was determining what to do with the fact His actions were amazing, miraculous. Peter reminds us that Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10).

What a lesson for leaders to learn today. The battle of wit with our words can never be won as long as our actions fail to align.

Say what we will, the end of the matter rests upon what leaders do or fail to do that leaves a lasting impression in the minds of followers.

Life in the middle of the road generally appeals to those who prefer to avoid leaning too far to the left or right. The sense of balance comes to mind with this phrase.

We live in a culture that is easily characterized by extremism. This vortex is hard to avoid. We see a post from someone on Facebook that drives a political agenda that we disagree with and we just cannot help but take them to task. We hear someone address a personal viewpoint that seems so far off the beaten path of our own logical soundness that we are compelled to straighten their twisted thinking.

Is this needed? Are we really influencing the element that needs to hear our rant? Better yet, will our push for personal self-righteous fulfillment leave others with a taste of a Christlike spirit?

More than ever, we need balance. Life in the middle of the road is not about being uncommitted, complacent, politically correct, or compromising. Rather, it involves balance, learning to think before we speak, considering the feelings others, recognizing that the goal is helping someone get to heaven. Think Souls!

Over the years, the idea of a “lost art” regarded a skill or trade that is not as common as it was once-upon-a-time. But what if we made a little twist to the idea as it applies to leadership?

The intent of today’s post is to lay a foundation for several posts that involve this twist. We will not explore the “lost art” of leadership, although numerous articles and books address the subject. Instead, our intent to to examine some of the parts, or components, that seem to be missing – lost – from the type of leadership God needs for His people.

If we were to ask, “What part of leadership is missing today?” how would we respond? What kind of answer would we give? What is missing in leadership today?

Perhaps we would begin with courage, patience, wisdom, character, vision, compassion, or even decisiveness.

These are a few of the areas we will discuss in the weeks ahead. While considering how these parts make up the “lost part of leadership,” we hope to explore ways we can develop these parts into a beautiful vision of tomorrow’s leaders.

The English word and Greek word translated “devoted” have similarities, but there is a powerful difference.

The English definition speaks of being loving and loyal, but the Greek involves “insisting on staying close to someone or something.”

I understand that to be loving and loyal involves being close to someone or something. However, the power is seen in the first part of the Greek definition; “insisting on staying close.” Devoted spiritual leaders will…

…insist on staying close to people. Through a leader’s devotion they learn the needs of the people closest to them, followers. Helping others reach heaven demands a leader’s devotion.

…insist on staying close to the plan. The plan is really the map. It helps everyone know how to reach the goal. Leaders must not deviate from the plan, or the goal is unreachable.

…insist on staying close to the Lord. Leaders know the true source of their strength is not in themselves, but the Lord.

Through a leader’s devotion to the Lord, the plan, and the people who follow, a foundation can be laid to great achievement.

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!