Why is it so hard to be good listeners? Why do we strive to be heard? Why is it more about winning the argument than listening to why we argue?

It is a fairly common problem in communication. People want to be heard, but often realize no one is listening. It can be frustrating.

What can be done to improve our listening ability?

Remove distractions. This seems easy enough. It is hard for me to listen to you when I am focused on something else.

Find a quiet place. This should naturally follow. Time in a quite place makes listening much easier and beneficial.

Devote time to listen. We are a busy people, always rushing from one project to the next. We need to set aside time to specifically listen to each other.

Stop thinking of a response. This can be difficult. It is much easier to think about what needs to be said next, than to listen first and then think of an appropriate response.

These are a few suggestions. However, if we apply them well, our ability to listen increases and communication improves.

“A most important key to successful leadership is your ability to direct and challenge the very best that is in those whom you lead.” Anonymous

More than a few articles have been written about the key to successful leadership. As such, I hesitate to use a thought describing one area to encompass the whole of successful leadership.

However, this quote describes a powerful connection between leaders and followers.

Leadership cannot succeed alone. As others have pointed out, if no one is following, we are not leading, but simply taking a walk.

Since leadership depends on followers, it only makes sense to understand the need to find a way to draw out their best.

A former employer of mine used to say; “if you take care of those who are under you, they will take care of you.”

Adjustments may be required for leaders to develop the ability to challenge followers to draw out their very best. The ability to do so can make the difference between success and failure.

Planning is vital to achieving goals. The challenge of leadership is developing the plan. The right plan depends on the answer to several questions.

What goal(s) are we trying to reach?

Why is this goal important to the overall program, or is it?

Who will help carry out the plan? Will there be enough?

Are adequate resources available for each stage of the plan? If not, can they be obtained?

When will evaluation of the progress be scheduled? Are we prepared to make adjustments?

How can we achieve maximum involvement? Will we be able to get everyone on board?

Where do we go from here? Once the goal is reached, what will be done to follow up?

If we can determine the answers to these questions, we will have the foundation for a solid plan.

Ultimately, spiritual leadership is involved in helping lead others to heaven. God established a plan from before the foundation of the world, and the answer to every question is given in His word.

It is all in the plan. If we will follow we can lead others in reaching the goal.

Creativity can be frightening. Creativity brings change, and change makes us uncomfortable.

While change is Biblical (e.g. repentance), we do not always understand change and, thus, stifle creativity.

We associate change with a departure from Scripture, adding to or taking away. We often describe it as binding or loosing where God has not.

Interestingly, people who have taken such action do not recognize their departure from the truth.

Is it possible for leadership to encourage creativity without the fear of this kind of change? Yes!

Create a “safe” environment. People need to know it is okay to discuss, and even disagree, where there is no violation of Scripture. At the first sign of disapproval, creativity will stop.

Equip people with the right tools. It is difficult for people to creatively develop ideas if they are ill equipped. However, if they know the tools will be provided, creativity will soar.

Give heed to personal advice. If we want to encourage creativity, then we need to be careful about promoting our own ideas.

Remember, we are trying to help others achieve success. Creativity can make the difference. Encourage it!

December is the time of year when we generally think about giving and receiving gifts.

We know it is more blessed to give than to receive, but we do enjoy the feeling of knowing someone else is thinking about us.

The idea of generosity is characterized by this incredible thought. The greatest Giver (God), with the greatest motive (love), gave the greatest gift (His only Son), for the greatest need (our sin).

Leaders should exemplify generosity. We understand the value of generosity because of the example of our God.

Leadership is built on giving.
…our time
…our energy
…our money
…our emotions
…our ability

When leadership demonstrates generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, our generosity must be checked.

Intention: What is the motive behind our gift?
Object: Where is our generosity directed? Work? Family? Lord?
Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?
Action: Are we ready to start giving?
Self-examination: What are we losing by holding on to it?

What suits our giving? Do we give what is left over, easy and convenient, or is our generosity suited by the best?

One of the key elements, and most challenging, in communication is the ability to listen.

We love to talk. What we have to say is important. We want others to listen. So, when someone else is talking we are just waiting to express what we have been thinking.

As a result, we are not really listening.

Add to this the fact we are easily distracted by our cell phone, computer, local environment, and a hundred other factors.

We often think of leaders as those who are out front, giving instruction, direction and orders.

However, there are several reasons it is necessary for leaders to learn the art of listening.

Learning to listen helps us connect with people.

Learning to listen helps us gain a better understanding of their needs.

Learning to listen helps us develop stronger concentration.

We must listen with our ears, eyes and heart. The message is not always conveyed through the actual words spoken. Tone of voice and body language also play a significant role in the message.

As challenging as it can be, learning to listen will change the nature of our leadership.

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” Winston Churchill

We live in a culture much like other cultures in generations before us. People desire greatness, but want to avoid responsibility. We do not want to be responsible for our words or actions, especially if there are related consequences. If there are rewards, we are quick to take credit.

Yet, we find several unavoidable applications to this idea of responsibility.

Responsibility involves duty over someone or something.
Responsibility brings accountability regarding this duty.
Responsibility indicates an obligation connected to our work.
Responsibility carries with it an opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization.

The question is simple. Are we willing to take responsibility?

The answer determines greatness. Only when leaders take responsibility are there opportunities to achieve greatness.

Yes, leaders must take responsibility for their actions. There is an accountability issue at stake. However, when leaders are responsible and willing to take responsibility it inspires others to follow.

The opportunities are there. The decision is ours to make. Greatness it the prize.

Responsibility is price to be paid.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Now is the acceptable time.

However, we are masters in procrastination. When approaching projects, problems, and everyday life, we tend to think; “why do today what I can put off until tomorrow.” No longer!

Is there something in our life we have been waiting to do?
Is there an area of responsibility we have been putting off?
Is there a task we have been pushing to the back?

It is time…

It is time for leaders to stand up and lead.
It is time to be men and women of God.
It is time to fulfill our role as husbands / wives; fathers / mothers.
It is time for Christians to speak up about their faith.

We cannot change the past. We do not know the future. All we have is right now, and it is time.

Do not waste what God has given us.
Do not wait until a new year begins.
Take advantage of the time we have been given and begin now!

It is time to make a difference.

I grew up hearing; “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

The idea is to persevere, never give up. Numerous illustrations have been given to paint the picture of perseverance.

Basically, to persevere is to be steadfast in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

It would seem the greater the goal, the greater the difficulty and challenge to succeed. However, regardless of the goal, or the task to reach the goal, facing difficulty or defeat can quickly dishearten anyone from finishing the course.

Spiritual leadership involves dealing with the personal application of perseverance, but also helping others persevere for themselves and the group.

The diligence of giving it one more try can make the difference in moving forward or stopping in our tracks.

If the goal is worth the effort, then give it one more try.
If we have the needed resources, then give it one more try.
If there is an opportunity, then give it one more try.

When we think we have reached the end of the line, perhaps giving it one more try, will change it all.

Perhaps you have heard; “what is urgent is seldom important and what is important is seldom urgent.”

In spiritual leadership, matters of true importance tend to be set aside for matters with the appearance of urgency. A friend of mine calls it the “tyranny of the urgent.”

These matters distract our focus and what should be most important.

They may come as an e-mail. Can we hear or feel the indicator; “you’ve got mail?” Do we immediately begin thinking, “I need to check my e-mail,” even though we are working on a project with a pressing deadline?

They may come as a phone call, text, IM, or a hundred other possibilities, all with the same result.

We allow situations to arise to the forefront, placing immediacy, a sense of urgency, in taking care of them “first” when, in reality, they are not important.

When we examine our spiritual leadership, what is really urgent? What requires our immediate attention and action? Do these matters distract us or aid us in what is most important?

We need to take what is truly important and make it urgent! Think Souls!!!