“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Maya Angelou

Albeit a positive thought, the intent is to fulfill this very purpose. Without exception, all of us experience days that are not the most pleasant. These days can be clouded by the challenges of life, e.g. family problems, health issues, financial struggles, relational matters, and the list goes on.

Consider the difference when leaders are instrumental in taking those clouds and placing a rainbow there. These are the kind of leaders we should all want to follow and, better yet, emulate. Applying a few simple ideas can make all the difference.

Learn to smile more. A friendly smile can make all the difference in someone’s day.

Genuinely ask about someone’s day. People need and want to know someone cares.

Learn to listen to the words, tone of voice, and body language. We should listen with our ears, eyes, and heart.

Do something nice for someone who will never find out. While challenging to do, this practice is awesome and life changing.

There are more, but let us start here and watch how others respond to our leadership.

Reading through scripture provides a wealth of information concerning men and women who were influential in leading others, good and bad.

History also records numerous people who carried the same influence in directing the course of history.

Proceeding through time to the present day requires us to consider several factors involved in the foundation of our own influence in leading others.

First, we all have influence. A number of authors claim we influence a minimum of four people everyday. Knowing this fact should move us to consider how we can best influence others for the cause of Christ.

Second, our influence is either good or bad. Our words and actions carry the weight of influence into an arena that is either “for or against” the Lord. If we knew that each word or decision would make the difference in someone’s eternity, would we think more first?

Third, proper influence is based on preparation. We must prepare our minds and discipline our lives to be the kind of influence that leads others to an eternal goal.

We need to focus on providing influence that changes lives for the Kingdom.

Most are familiar with the concept of faith. Granted, it may be misplaced or misguided, but faith is a fairly common word.

Biblically, we read about “the” faith, a reference to a body or standard of truth upon which someone believes and adheres to in life, such as Galatians 1:23.

There is also a reference to “personal” faith, the idea of one’s convictions. This might fall in line with the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). This faith moves us to action.

Passages like 2 Corinthians 5:7, however, can raise a minor issue when considering these ideas. Paul writes, “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

At first glance, we might think we live our life on the basis of personal convictions, yet Paul’s expression involves a body or standard of truth, i.e. “we walk by the faith.”

When our assurance and convictions in life are based on that body or standard of truth, then life is directed by that which is objective, not subjective to feelings (or sight).

The power of faith from this perspective changes the nature of how we live and lead others.

A craft is often associated with the activity of making things with one’s hands. The idea also refers to a skill for carrying out one’s work. Here is where we will focus with leadership.

Several questions come to mind: 1) How do leaders hone the craft of leadership? 2) What skills are needed in the craft of leading? 3) Is leadership really a craft?

The answers to these questions are varied and complex, depending on the source we might read. There are, however, a few ideas that benefit those who consider how to approach this idea in leadership.

Understanding the idea of a craft in relationship to a skill is foundational. We all possess certain skills and developing those skills in leadership improves the craft.

Leaders abound who exemplify leadership. They spend years working to develop their leadership and provide a great example to emulate. Spend time with these leaders.

Practicing our developmental skills is crucial to understanding the craft and improving our skill set in leadership.

Nothing comes quickly or easily, but with a little time and effort, our leadership craft matures into something beautiful.

Socrates was first credited with the idea that we have different personalities. He associated it with one of the four blood types.

Most scholars recognize four basic personalities: Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholy and Phlegmatic. We can have all the classic traits of one or be a healthy, or annoying, combination. If we know someone’s basic personality traits, however, we can better understand how to lead.

The one we consider today is the first in the list: Choleric.  Positive traits include headstrong, dominant, strong-willed, decisive, and a doer.

The negative traits include opinionated, bullies, “my way or the highway,” arrogant, and condescending.

Choleric’s are motivated to get it done (and this is another of their traits) even if they have to do it themselves. They struggle with delegating and can be hard to deal with, thinking they can do it better. If mixed with another type they can warm up and be the best worker.

Do we know anyone like this? Are we leading by helping someone be better at what they do?  Think leadership!

“You don’t have to be inspired to be inspiring” Chase Turner

As simple as this thought may seem, the depths of its implications are far greater than these nine words appear at first glance.

Biblically, we are aware that God inspired the authors of the Old and New Testaments to write with accuracy the words penned throughout each book and letter comprising the Bible. This process of inspiration was guided by the Holy Spirit given to the writers as they recorded each word and phrase.

God did not remove the style, history, or culture of each person. He insured that what was written was accurate and complete.

As a leader, there is no discussion needed concerning the completion of what God provided in His word. Leaders should, however, consider how they can inspire others to reach their potential. Taking time to guard their example, choose their words carefully, and make decisions for the greater good of each individual and the whole of the organization are a few ways to provide such inspiration.

With a little work, each of us can achieve so much for the cause of our Lord.

Transparency in leadership is a vital component in the power needed to make things happen. In a Forbes article dealing with transparency in leadership, five specific areas are identified in connection to what happens when leaders are transparent.

1. Problems are solved faster.

2. Teams are built easier.

3. Relationships grow authentically.

4. People begin to promote trust in their leader.

5. Higher levels of performance emerge.

Relationships take shape as problems are encountered and resolved together. When this happens, the trust factor is promoted and the performance levels increase.

Combining these five areas provides a transparency that enables followers to understand and assist leadership in ways that move an organization toward greater achievements.

How can leaders become more transparent in their leadership? Several answers can be found through numerous resources, but it all comes down to one powerful thought: communication.

When leaders communicate the good and bad to followers, transparency increases. Remembering that everyone is an adult and should be treated with respect enables open communication to develop.

The time invested to produce a system of solid communication raises transparency and its benefits.

The concept of leadership lends itself to numerous interpretations. One consistency, however, involves the nature of adding value to our leadership.

What kind of value is needed to enhance our ability to lead?

How can we add the greatest value to our leadership?

Why does adding value mark the difference in long-term development?

The value needed to enhance our ability to lead involves respect. Leaders need to respect themselves, but as importantly they need the respect of those who follow.

This value is added to our leadership over time and demonstrated by our integrity during critical decisions, which has the greatest impact on others.

The reason this value marks the difference in long-term development is because respect is elicited as a result of a leaders’ abilities and achievements.

While the emphasis on leadership does not end with these few ideas, the concept of adding value to leadership is essential to the long-term nature of helping others reach their potential.

Respect is one value that, when added to leadership, changes the emphasis of our leadership.

A snapshot is an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera. While we can define the word, the challenge rests in determining an application of this idea to our leadership.

Usually, the formal moments of our leadership are characterized by the pomp and circumstance of following a predetermined path. We practice what we “say and do” to insure we cross every “t” and dot every “i.” We make certain everything is perfect.

Informally, we tend to let our guard down. In those moments, our true self springs forth and a snapshot of who we are is taken by those who see us.

These snapshots are the most important to our leadership influence. Here, when people see us in the most vulnerable moments of our character, we formulate our identity as a leader.

Those who see us only in formal settings make decisions that may or may not have much accuracy. When they see us in those informal moments, a snapshot of the true self, we establish a consistency that gains followers who determine their trust in our leadership.

What kind of snapshot are others taking of us?

Each Monday for the next few weeks, we plan to feature a guest writer. Because they choose to be anonymous, we are simply sharing a “ghost post.” Enjoy!

Someone once said that “character matters; leadership descends from character.” If this is true, then what or who we are when no one is watching is where leadership begins. We must have or develop good character traits to be a good leader.

We can all rise to the top when on the stage of life, but when we are alone and no one is watching our every move and we still do what is right and appropriate; this is character.  Good character traits translate into good leadership skills.  Not only should we take people where they need to go as leaders, we need to be the kind of person that can be looked up to and lead by the example of our character.

What do people around us say about our character?  Are we thinking about leading?  We are, whether we know it or not.  Let us be good leaders with good character traits that all will want to emulate.