Leaders will generally work longer and harder than anyone else. This is not to say it is bad, just a statement of reality.

As well, leaders will be responsible for picking up the slack when needed. The difficulty that is created from this situation draws leaders away from the areas they should be working to accomplish.

A common expression is to stop taking someone else’s monkey. When leaders take someone else’s monkey they are taking the responsibility someone else either a) does not know how to do, b) is unwilling to do, or c) is too lazy to do. Either way, it creates a situation where someone has to pick up the slack.

There are several ideas that might help when this situation occurs:

1) Evaluate the details of the situation and need.

2) Learn the art of delegating.

3) Start with smaller responsibilities and increase as faithfulness is seen.

4) Equip others with the proper tools to accomplish the task(s).

5) Trust the job to get done by empowering others and reward accordingly.

These are just a couple of steps among many that can help leaders move forward.

Dale Carnegie is known for having 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 media, tries to provide the answer to happiness.

Sadly, where most are seeking 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. There is not enough space in any blog post or series of posts to cover the complex intricacies of the eye.

However, as we begin to age, it is fairly common (somewhere around 40ish) to begin noticing that our arm will 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 is going to occur down the road.

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

“What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”  Anthony Robbins

A number of questions come to mind regarding the thought for today: What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? Do we limit the power of God because we think too small? What do we really believe about ourselves?

The thought relates to a billboard sign from a few years back: What would we do if we knew we could not fail?

Before answering, think about the implications, because with God we cannot fail. An old Chinese proverb claims “limitations are only boundaries we place in our own minds.”

With God, all things are possible. The difficulty leaders must deal with involves knowing what they believe about themselves and recognizing that, with God, we can do all things.

We must not only believe it, but live as though we believe it and infectiously influence the lives of others to believe it also.

This is leadership!

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. The emphasis throughout this Psalm is on the Word of God.

While there are a number of facts about this Psalm and how it is developed, one thought expressed near the beginning has great application in leadership.

The Psalmist writes, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word.”

This thought should scream to be heard among leadership. The remainder of this section emphasizes some key phrases to show how we can fulfill this statement.

Seeking God – With all my heart I have sought you.

Placing the highest value on His word – Your word I have treasured in my heart.

Telling others of His word – With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.

Finding joy in His word – I rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies.

Giving deep thought to His word – I will meditate on Your precepts and regard your ways.

Remember His word – I shall not forget your word.

The lessons on leadership are rich if we will listen and apply.

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

The idea of leading with consideration takes into account all four of these areas and indicates the power of leadership 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 best 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.

To remember is to “have in or be able to bring to one’s mind an awareness of someone or something that has been seen, known or experienced in the past.”

The challenge is how to deal with memories when they are brought to mind.

Memories are good and bad. There are times, events, and people that we hold fondly in mind because of the joy experienced with them.

There are also times, events and people we wish we could forget because of the negativity associated with them.

The manner in which we react regarding the recall of those memories influences how we are seen as leaders and the leadership we provide for others.

It would be wonderful if the only memories that came to mind were positive and fond. However, we are all aware it does not work this way.

Memories serve to help us remember both so we can learn to do a couple of important steps.

1) Repeat what works and is successful.

2) Avoid the consequences experienced and overcome.

If we can “remember” to do so, the future will hold greater memories when we recall them.

Solomon expresses how the end is better than the beginning.

This can be challenging, at least on a personal level. However, the thought expressed is one that does indicate the satisfaction and joy that accompanies the achievement of the goal.

From a leadership standpoint, Solomon’s statement indicates one of credibility and confidence.

When leaders are able to reach the end of the matter it is an indicator of success; and success breeds credibility for those who are following.

As well, reaching the end of the matter also strengthens the confidence of the leader. As each victory is achieved, leaders grow with confidence for setting out to accomplish the next goal.

The idea is demonstrated by several individuals throughout the Bible; men like Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Peter, and Paul.

Our leadership will be no different. As leaders reach success at the end of the matter, they will anticipate the next challenge or goal and work with tireless effort to build upon their confidence to strengthen their credibility for others.

“It [what you choose to do] has got to be something that you’re passionate about because otherwise you won’t have the perseverance to see it through.” Steve Jobs

There are a couple of key words to this thought, but the primary word is “passionate.”

When was the last time we were so excited about something that we could not sleep? What is it that is driving our lives, especially as leaders?

While passion is most often associated with the excitement or enthusiasm associated with an individual or project, there is so much more that relates to it.

Passion is a word that comes to us from the Latin language and it reflects the idea of suffering and sacrifice. This is why Mel Gibson titled his 2004 movie The Passion of the Christ; it was about His suffering.

When leaders are passionate, it will be seen through what they are willing to do, to suffer or sacrifice, in order to achieve the goal.

This is why when passion is present, leaders will persevere to see it through.

Much is said about counsel 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.