“Become addicted to constant and never-ending self-improvement.” Anthony J. D’Angelo

An area of leadership that should drive all of us is the basis for today’s thought. The thought today presents an interesting twist to the idea of personal growth and development in leadership.

An addiction is defined as a dependency on something, an inability to stop without incurring adverse effects. Imagine what would happen if each one of us approached our own self-improvement with this thought in mind.

Obviously, there are unhealthy addictions: alcohol, drugs, food, electronic devices / internet, and the list goes on.

There are, however, healthy addictions that physically, mentally, and spiritually help us improve our quality and quantity of life.

When we set our mind on those kinds of improvements, the results are amazing. A few changes in the habits that form our daily routines make all the difference in developing an addiction “to constant and never-ending self-improvement.”

The time and effort are worth the benefits if we can exhibit a little diligent determination.

One of the key lessons in leadership involves surrounding ourselves with wise counselors.

The account of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12 stands out as a powerful example of a leader who failed to follow wise counsel and, as a result, divided the kingdom of Israel.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon speaks of the benefit to leaders who seek wisdom, especially the wisdom of listening to many wise counselors.

Why is it so beneficial to surround ourselves with many counselors?

1. Personal wisdom is usually developed on limited education and experience.

2. Many counselors provide a wiser approach to making well-informed decisions.

3. The strengths possessed by others will compliment our weaknesses.

4. The idea is sanctioned by the wisdom of our God.

Personal knowledge and experience should remind us of the value of having many counselors.

When we seek to promote our own agenda, further our own advancement, or seek a position of authority, then we are in danger of leading down a destructive path. Listen to the wisdom of those who hold the knowledge and experience to guide us to greater achievement.

These three words provide lessons everyone needs to learn.

Too often, we speak without giving thought to our words and their impact in the lives of others. Sadly, we often do not care as long as we get to say what we want.

Two lessons stand out that should be considered as it relates to this post.

First, once we speak, we cannot take our words back. As they fall from our lips, messages are formed based on the actual words used, our tone of voice, and our body language. We may regret what we say and apologize, but when our words cut to the quick, the scars remain. Think first.

Second, words that are well-chosen follow a biblical pattern. A soft answer turns away wrath. Words, when seasoned properly, bring encouragement and give grace to those who hear. Think first.

Solomon said the power of life and death is in the tongue. James identifies the tongue as an unruly evil that no one can tame. Such thoughts require us to be careful about what we say and how we say it because the results have eternal implications. Think first.

A number of terms are associated with being innovative: fresh, creative, inventive, and pioneering.

The very thought behind these four words, as they relate to innovation, plays a significant role in the realm of leadership.

Fresh ideas help leaders in addressing the incredible changes occurring every minute of the day.

Creative development sets leaders apart from a stagnant approach of the “way we’ve always done it.”

Inventive leaders strive to use original thinking for establishing plans to achieve goals.

Pioneering leaders live to “go where no one has gone before.” They love walking in new territory.

Combined, these ideas comprise the innovative spirit needed in leadership. The desire to be innovative is  fueled by the following suggestions:

Spend time with innovative people.

Evaluate the principles that drive innovation.

Work in a team. Creativity thrives in a group.

Do not be afraid to take a few risks in the area of something new.

Tons of advice prevails when considering ways to grow in innovation. Leaders need to bring an innovative spirit to the table and use this fresh, creative, inventive, and pioneering mindset to assist development.

Time is probably the most valuable commodity available. We cannot comprehend anything that is not factored by some measure of time.

The challenge, however, is not simply understanding time. The challenge is learning how to use time effectively.

Time management is one of those areas that is often talked about, but it is rare to find those who make proper application of good time management tools.

Most of us tend to work until we are ready for bed, then we find ourselves wishing we had more time in the day to work more.

A few years ago, Paul Myers developed several timely tips, a few of which might be helpful at this point:

1. Get a real calendar and use it. Establish deadlines and work to meet them accordingly.

2. Work and finish something everyday. Looking back on what is accomplished boosts morale.

3. Do not allow electronics to control the time. Turn off the gadgets that cause hindrances.

4. Start early. An extra hour in the morning adds up in finishing projects.

Attitude is the difference maker when managing our time. Thank you Paul for the reminder.

“A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist.” Eleanor Roosevelt

While this week’s posts have already featured the stepping stones of success, the idea presented by Eleanor Roosevelt has powerful implications.

Pessimists continually look at the negative and impossible nature of accomplishing anything. They tend to see the worst in everything and suck the air out of hope for anything better. Worst still is the fact that a pessimist believe the world is bad and that evil will overcome.

Optimists stand in direct contrast to the pessimist. There is hope and confidence in the future, knowing that good will ultimately prevail over evil.

With an understanding of these two philosophies, the thought of the day has more significance. If a pessimist is looking at the worst of every situation, then everything is viewed as a stumbling block, where an optimist will use every situation as a stepping-stone for something greater. There is hope of a brighter tomorrow.

Leaders must be dealers in hope, optimists of the future ahead.

Leadership involves risks. The risks can be great and challenging, but it does not mean we can avoid the risks that accompany leading others.

The test of our leadership is directly related to the level and nature of risk we are willing to take. A couple of factors need to be considered.

Not everyone is going to agree with the decisions made by leadership, regardless of the risk. Trying to please everyone is impossible, so leaders need to consider all the necessary factors involved and decide if the risk is worth the potential results.

The risk may be greater to not make a decision. The idea of remaining neutral or opting out for keeping everything status quo often carries more risk than is evidenced on the surface. Sadly, it is usually when it is too late to make correction that the impact of the risk is felt.

The risk factor is primarily limited by the size of our faith. The risks become minimal when we believe that our God is great and that He is involved every step of the way.

With God, the risks are worth taking.

Everyone wants to enjoy some measure of success. Tons of material has been written, both electronically and in hard copy, addressing ways success can be achieved.

We would be hard pressed to find anything written that suggests only one step to the pinnacle of success. Most material emphasizes steps ranging from three steps to twenty-five steps.

Ten of the most common ideas expressed are as follows:

1. Preparation must come first.
2. Do the homework.
3. Keep a learner’s mind.
4. Create strategies for achieving the goals.
5. Establish good time management.
6. Use failures as a guide.
7. Abide by the rules.
8. Make a list of one’s values.
9. List out dreams and goals.
10. Find a mentor.

More could be listed, but these few steps will help all of us. The list is not written in order of priority. Each one should be considered and evaluated as to its application.

As each becomes a natural component in developing the direction of the organization, it is critical to follow and communicate the steps to others.

Success does not have a magic formula, but with a little hard work and time, the results can be exciting.

On the heels of yesterday’s post, it seemed fitting to consider the need for exploring the idea of expansion in our leadership.

Expansion is the action of becoming larger or more extensive. Unless we are able to think bigger, plan larger, trust more, and implement the options to achieve expansion, we will not grow beyond the shadow of our own leadership.

The challenge for leaders today is to eliminate the “status quo” and move forward to greater heights.

We should not be surprised that God commands us to do so (2 Pe. 3:18). If that was not enough, He also expects us to grow (He. 5:12-14). In the final analysis, God designed the church so that it would grow (Ep. 4:11-12).

Expansion, whether we like it or not, is a part of God’s plan and we are privileged to participate in that plan if we are but willing to do so.

Let us set our eyes on a greater horizon, a more global mindset, and implement plans to expand the borders of the Lord’s kingdom.

The pioneering spirit is a rare quality in the world today. Leaders are often intimidated by the idea of going where no one has gone before.

While we can build upon the successes and failures of others to improve who we are and where we are, we still need an edge to our leadership.

Please do not misunderstand this to mean that we are suggesting we implement change for the sake of change. This is not the point.

We do, however, need to realize that God can take us places and open doors for us in areas that have never been reached if we be a willing tool in His hands.

Since God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think, we need to start thinking bigger and stop placing limitations on God.

We need to see it in our minds, pray that God will bless it and open the doors for it, and then we need to set our hearts and bodies in motion to fulfill it.

Adventuresome, pioneering, or any other word we choose, leaders need to walk this path.