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Relying on the Lord…

David wrote, “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” This Psalm provides comfort, reassurance, and confidence.

The challenge is relying upon the promises and living by the hope provided.

We must learn to stop seeking, turning to, going for, or relying upon help based on our experience, education (formal and informal), or close friends.

These are good resources, but our first step should always be the Lord. Why? First, we have a personal relationship with our God. Second, He has authority over and controls all things in heaven and on earth.

He provides the help we need.

Stop Picking Up The Slack…

Who picks up the slack when someone fails to fulfill their responsibility? Usually, it is a leader.

When leaders take the responsibility because someone a) does not know how, b) is unwilling, or c) is too lazy to do the work, they create challenges to their leadership.

In order to turn the situation around, consider the following.

1) Evaluate all the details.
2) Learn the art of delegating.
3) Start with smaller responsibilities and increase as faithfulness is demonstrated.
4) Equip others with the proper tools.
5) Trust the job will get done, and reward accordingly.

These few steps help leaders move forward.

The Right Mindset…

Everyone wants to be happy, but what brings happiness? An attempt to answer this question fills every form of media. Dale Carnegie 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.”

Sadly, most believe happiness comes with success, material possessions, money, or a social image/status.

Rarely do we associate happiness with what we think. What do our minds dwell on daily? Read Philippians 4:8.

Leadership can influence happiness with the right mindset and helping others think on the right things.

Visual Leaders…

The eye is an amazing part of the body. As we age, it is common to notice that our arms do not extend out quite far enough to read.

Two conditions occur as we age, near-sightedness (the ability to see things close, but not far away) and far-sightedness (the ability to see things far away, but not close).

Figuratively, leaders must avoid both. They need the ability to see what is going on close and far away.

The ability to see near and far makes it possible to address current needs and plan for future success.

Unlimited Possibilities…

What would we attempt to do if we knew we could not fail? Anthony Robbins says, “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.”

An old Chinese proverb claims, “Limitations are the boundaries we place in our own minds.”

Leaders must know what they believe about themselves and recognize that with God all things are possible.

They must believe it, live as though they believe it, and influence others to believe it.

This is leadership!

God’s Word and Leaders…

Psalm 119 emphasizes God’s word and expresses a lesson for leaders.

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

The remainder of the text shares thoughts on how we fulfill this statement.

Seek God – With all my heart I have sought you.
Value His word – Your word I have treasured in my heart.
Speak His word – With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.
Find joy in His word – I rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies.
Give deep thought to His word – I will meditate on Your precepts and regard your ways.
Remember His word – I shall not forget your word.

Listen, learn, and apply.

A Considerate Leader…

A considerate leader stands out.

They have a heart for others. Leaders are challenged to consider the good intention of others first. We live in a skeptical world. We tend to question the motive or intention of everyone, including those who deserve our greatest trust.

A considerate leader thinks about the needs of others. The needs are hard to recognize when we only experience superficial relationships. Leaders must get below the surface and learn the real need and consider how to provide it.

Consideration should be a part of a leader’s daily walk in relationships. Doing so exemplifies the compassion of great leadership.

Memories…

Memories are good and bad. There are times, events, and people we remember fondly because of the joy experienced. There are also times, events, and people we want to forget because of the negativity experienced.

It would be wonderful if our only memories were positive and fond. However, we know it does not work this way. Memories serve to help us if we learn to do a couple of important steps.

Repeat what works and is successful.

Avoid the consequences experienced and overcome.

If we do so, the future holds greater memories when we recall them.

The End of a Matter…

Solomon said the end is better than the beginning.

From a leadership standpoint, we learn the value of credibility and confidence.

When leaders reach the end of a matter it is an indicator of success, and success breeds credibility for those who follow.

As well, reaching the end of a matter strengthens confidence in the leader. As victory is achieved, leaders grow with confidence to accomplish more.

Our leadership is no different. As leaders achieve success, they anticipate the next challenge or goal and work with tireless effort to build upon their confidence to strengthen their credibility.

The Power of Passion…

What is it that drives our lives, especially as leaders?

Steve Jobs once said, “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.”

While we associate passion with excitement or enthusiasm, there is much more involved.

Passion is from a Latin word associated with suffering or sacrifice.

When leaders are passionate, it is seen by what they are willing to suffer, sacrifice, or give up in order to achieve the goal. 

When passion is present, leaders persevere to see it through.