Recently, while reading some of John Maxwell’s material, I came across three powerful words: Survival, Success, and Significance.

Meditate for a few minutes on each of these words. The majority of people only seek to survive. They may only look to where the next meal will come from or how to earn a few dollars to buy food. The matter is one of trying to survive life.

Others seek a level of success. Perhaps they want success in areas of financial security. Maybe they desire success in athletic or academic levels of achievement. In whatever way success is defined, they strive to obtain it.

There are far too few who realize the limited time we have on earth is about making a significant difference. Significance requires thinking beyond ourselves and any kind of inward, self-centered approach. Leaders should understand the power of their influence and wield that influence for the purpose of making an impact that is significant for eternity.

How would we describe our leadership? Are we striving to survive, enjoy success, or make a difference that is significant.

We live in a competitive world and the number one goal appears to be “winning.” Winning dominates every field of sports. Individuals and teams desire to be winners at all cost. Losing is not an option.

Several years ago the negative impression of losing was summarized in the statement, “Second place is the first loser.”

Nelson Mandela once said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Imagine the difference in this mindset. The concept of losing does not exist, but rather learning.

Leaders can benefit from the desire to learn. When we view failure or loss as final or fatal, we miss the opportunity to learn how to improve who we are as leaders. When this mindset exists we can easily fall into the trap of compromise in order to win. We often cut corners, minimize relationships, and view people as objects to reach our own objectives or agenda.

Leaders must view each day, activity, and task as an opportunity to learn. We learn how to improve who we are and what we do for the benefit of the church and the glory of God.

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 the 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.

A contrast of counsel is found 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.

Observation of the events and people who participate in our lives on a daily basis is one of the most powerful exercises for leaders.

Leadership is about people, and unless we are observing how God works in our lives to provide opportunity to lead, we will miss the possibility of God using us to help others.

An ancient Chinese proverb emphasizes the way to a lifetime of happiness: “If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”

Helping others can only occur when leaders observe the people God places in their lives each day.

Leaders must seek to discover what goes on in the lives of these individuals, why it takes place, and how they might show the light of Jesus through their help.

Take a few moments each day to simply observe the working of God through the opportunities provided in the lives of the special people placed on our daily path.

Speaking from experience, few people like the idea of any form of test. Students preparing for their field of work would prefer to skip any and all tests.

However, tests are certainly biblical and spiritual leaders will always face various levels of tests throughout their leadership.

Abraham is one great example from the Old Testament that was specifically identified with the testing of his faith. “God tested Abraham” is how the text begins with the command from God to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering.

The New Testament also speaks of the testing of one’s faith. James reveals the purpose of this testing is to produce endurance which ultimately results in completeness.

How should we respond to tests within leadership?

Prayer is the best place to begin. Seek God’s guidance and wisdom throughout.

Hold fast to the word of God. Read about Abraham and remember the purpose of tests from James.

Seek the counsel of spiritual and godly leaders who passed tests in their leadership.

Remember to trust God is working to make us into the leaders He wants us to be.

Yesterday serves as a powerful day of remembrance in the history of our nation. The closer people are to the individuals who lost their lives that day, the stronger the remembrance. Regardless of where we were we remember the tragic events of 9-11.

One of the most powerful memories of that day involve the incredible benevolent, servant, and sacrificial acts of leadership connected to those events. Our country continues to remember and honor those heroic acts.

Even though it may be a lesser comparison, we must consider how our leadership will be remembered. Will it be the benevolent acts of service demonstrated toward those in need? Will the sacrifices of our time, energy, and talent as leaders be remembered?

We need to note that it is not always about heroic levels of leadership that are remembered in the highlight reels of life. Perhaps the greatest mark left on the world is the simple and selfless acts done on a daily basis that touch the lives of those in need. Please read Matthew 25:34-40.

Never let an opportunity slip by to touch someone God places on our path in life.

The idea of mission assumes many forms and definitions. A mission often relates to accomplishing specific tasks within a designated time frame. These tasks connect to military tactics, political advancements, corporate positioning, and religious direction.

The most important mission refers to the work of our God and His directives for those who follow Him. We often refer to this as the Great Co-mission. However, God’s mission goes back much further than the Gospel accounts.

God’s mission was established before the foundation of the world (Ep. 1:4), promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-4), prophesied concerning a descendant of David (2 Sam. 7:12), fulfilled in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Mt. – Jn.), and directed through the apostles for the church (Mt. 28:19-20; Ep. 4:11-16).

Leaders play a significant role in the mission of God. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God instructed leadership. Specific individuals were directed by God to lead His people to a better place.

If our mission today does not align with His mission, then we need to refocus our purpose.

Preparation is essential in every area of life. The lack of preparation most often results in consequences that damage our influence and leadership.

Sadly, there are those who prepare to lead for the purpose of gaining an advantage over others, or to simply achieve their own agenda. These efforts may create situations where a leader gains a position of power or strengthens their popularity.

But, beware of the long term consequences. God never intended our leadership to be self-serving. Rather, He designed leadership to be self-sacrificing, one of self-denial where others are more important than self.

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is a quick read, but one filled with depth about the type of influence leaders were intended to have through an “others-centric” style of leading.

The right mind (humility), the right example (Christ), the right design (interest of others), and the right motive (abounding love and grace).

With this combination, leaders prepare themselves to lead with significance. The result makes an eternal difference.

Before we can experience success, we must understand what we mean be success.

The definition of success on a personal and corporate level takes on different dimensions accordingly. We also find that the definition of success often changes with the stage and development of one’s life. Based on the generic dictionary definition, success is “an event that accomplishes its intended purpose, an attainment that is successful.”

A problem tends to enter the picture when we consider success strictly from a position of fame or prosperity.

Most of us know this intellectually, but still find it difficult to determine how we define success otherwise.

One thought, however, should be considered in the realm of leadership. If we do not know how to define success, creating a vision for the future will be met with great challenge.

When we do not know the destination, how will we ever know if we reach it? Beyond this, why would anyone be passionate about pursuing the vision?

Unless we first define what we mean by success, any thought to our vision crumbles with a sense of mediocrity.