I live in a part of the world where I can easily identify direction. The mountains are always in the West, at least from where I live. Therefore, if the mountains are on my left, I know I am traveling north. If they are on the right, I know I am headed south.

I have also lived in and visited places where I had absolutely no idea of direction. I could not identify north from south, or east from west. It does not take long to recognize why it is so important to have direction.

Pilots fly by what is known as IFR (Instrument Flying Rules). IFR involves relying on a plane’s instruments instead of one’s own senses. Certain conditions can create a false sense of direction causing pilot error.

Leaders are involved in the task of providing direction for others. If we are to provide the right kind of direction, preventing error, we must use the true God given instrument.

God’s word is the only instrument needed if we are to provide true spiritual direction.

Know your people and look out for their well-being.

Two ideas are presented in this principle of leadership. The application of this principle holds true in both the secular and spiritual realms of leadership.

Is it possible to spiritually lead others without knowing them? Leaders must know the dreams, aspirations, hopes, and personal goals to provide leadership.

The second part of this principle involves looking out for their well-being. A employer from years ago used to say; “if you take care of those under you, they will take care of you.”

The reason these two parts are connected is because a leader cannot look out for the well-being of people without knowing them.

Nothing is more important than knowing the needs of others and leading in ways to provide for those needs.

The four basic needs of all people consist of physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Our culture generally uses this order. However, spiritual leaders understand the necessity of reversing the order.

We must be given to task of focusing on the spiritual needs of others. Think Souls!

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”  Mark Twain

You may have heard this quote before, but I cannot help but think of how powerful it is for leadership.

Leaders will influence small and large groups of people. Their influence is going to be measured by the level of honesty perceived.

When leaders are seen as being dishonest, people will not follow.
When leaders are seen as honest, the opposite is true.

I remember hearing “honesty is the best policy” throughout my life. I have certainly grown to understand and appreciate the value of this thought, even when it might seem easier to bend the truth.

Because leaders are going to be involved in the lives of so many people, Mark Twain’s statement carries even greater implication.

There is never a need to remember what was said about someone or some situation if we always rely on the truth. It eases the need to exhaust our memories to figure out if we were honest or dishonest.

The result of practicing this truth has lasting repercussions on our leadership.

A recent gift was very thought provoking. One might think a kids toy (barrel of monkeys) would not mean much. However, the idea behind this gift is why it is so thought provoking.

It is not uncommon for leaders to take on more work than they are capable of handling. We often hear “it is just easier and quicker if I do the work myself.” Thus, the idea behind the gift and taking on more monkeys. We seem to keep adding more monkeys until we cannot carry any more and something breaks.

Is this right way to lead?
Do we help others reach their potential if we add more monkeys to ourselves?
Can significant growth occur if only a few (or one) do the work?

The thought to be learned is how to delegate and how to distribute the work load into the appropriate hands.

If everyone is doing their part, the entire barrel can be carried. When leadership continues to take on the responsibility of others, or cannot delegate new responsibilities appropriately, eventually a breaking point comes.

Guard against taking on more monkeys!

Moses is an obvious choice for several reasons.

The fact he led the children of Israel out of Egypt up to Canaan, even through the challenges of their excessive grumbling, we would rank him as a great Biblical leader.

Looking at his character, more humble than any man on earth, we see a great Biblical leader.

Recognizing his willingness to follow the advice of Jethro, preserving his mental and physical faculties, we find a great Biblical leader.

However, it is not for these reasons we should consider Moses today.

Moses is an example of a great Biblical leader because he started like most of us, denying himself and God’s power to use him to lead His people. When Moses finally submitted himself to God’s authority and direction, we find Moses becoming what God needed him to be.

He had flaws, needed patience, and needed to treat God as holy.

The objective for us is to learn how God can use us with our flaws and imperfections. If we will submit to God’s authority and allow Him to make us into the spiritual leaders we need to be.

Set the example.

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new to the Leadership Fund. Nestled in the idea of this principle is an understanding of influence. We are going to influence people everyday. Some we will influence for what is right and others for wrong. The difference is bound up in the example we are setting.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying we must become the change we want to see. To think we can demand of others what we are unwilling to do is to fall into a Pharisaical approach to leadership.

Setting an example is also associated with an understanding of servanthood. The only time Jesus claimed to have given an example to be followed was wrapped up in being a servant. He told the apostles on several occasions the greatest among them would be the servant of all.

If we desire to be the leaders God needs today, then we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

“No one ever finds life worth living—he has to make it worth living.” Unknown

Wow! However we make application, this statement is powerful. The value of life is determined not by what we find, but what we make.

Leadership is not about finding worth, hoping others will follow. It’s about making life worth living for those who are following.

Our task is to make the rough path smooth and the crooked straight. It is not easy, but it is worth it.

We live in a dysfunctional society. Families, schools, businesses, government, religions, and more, are dysfunctional, i.e. they are not functioning properly.

Too many are spending their time searching. As a society, we are trying to find something of value.

Instead, we need to lead and make life worth living. Our role is to give hope. Our work is of such a nature, we cannot allow the world around us to influence and direct our thinking. We must use the opportunities we are given to help others see the “so what?” and the “now what?” in life. The answers to these questions are what make life worth living.

These two words are connected to several thoughts. In a wedding ceremony they are part of the vows exchanged, as the conclusion states “until death do you part.”

We also find these words used by Jesus in speaking to the church at Smyrna, as He concluded “…be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.”

The idea behind the usage of these words indicates a level of dedication. There is an understanding of commitment deeply tied to this phrase.

I find it also significant to notice the reward stated by Jesus is only given to those who hold true to their dedication and commitment.

In several areas of life, even leadership, when difficulties arise, events change, distractions and interruptions occur, or someone fails to measure up to expectations, our culture looks to bail.

Consider the difference that could be made if we all honored our commitments.

Can you imagine the lives we could change by having hearts with such dedication?

There is much to be said for men and women who build on a foundation defined by these two words…until death!

The Bible is filled with examples of those who served as leaders. Examining them reveals a wealth of information regarding the motive, attitude, and activity of leadership.

Noah is one of the first I look to in leadership. Why Noah? He never led a large group of people; his wife, three sons and their spouses. One might even discount his leadership, arguing they were family.

Look closer at Noah and his leadership.

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Very few in scripture could match his character.

Ability to follow: The text of Genesis emphasizes that Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God. Before anyone can lead they must learn to follow.

Fortitude: Noah was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was 120 years during the building of the ark. While he never converted anyone else, neither was he swayed from his work. Leaders must stand on what is right, even if they must stand alone.

Perhaps we could say more, but these three areas show Noah to be an example of a great Biblical leader.

To improve is to work at making someone or something better.

Athletes practice daily, working to improve their skills. They are working to get better.

Professionally, people take continuing education classes in an attempt to improve their abilities at whatever level needed. We should desire to be a learner, improving our minds and abilities.

Religiously, we follow the teaching of Paul in being renewed daily. Doing so improves our abilities to fulfill God’s will for our lives.

For spiritual leaders, our role is to lead in ways we can improve others. Our leadership must not be about us. It is about others. It is about leading them down paths of improvement.

When we improve life spiritually, the physical side of the equation cannot help but improve. We improve the lives of others when we:

…share the hope found in Christ,
…point to the reward of heaven,
…and teach application in word and deed.

We all need to improve. The challenge is learning to understand the greatest way we can improve ourselves is by improving the life of others. Think Souls!