Tag: Attitude

Get Out Of The Box

The Arbinger Institute’s book Leadership and Self-Deception is amazing. There are numerous lessons, but here’s the main point.

When we know the right decision, but do not make it, we betray ourselves and get into a box of self-deception.

When this happens, we elevate our own virtues and inflate the faults of others, casting blame on their motives, abilities, attitudes, and work ethic.

This vicious cycle keeps us in conflict. We blame others for the problem, yet ignore the real problem centered on the choice we made and our need to justify that choice. 

How can we get out of this box? Read the book.

AARP

If you are old enough, you probably remember receiving your first AARP application.

Perhaps you threw it away, denying the reality of aging. Maybe you were excited to receive the benefits associated with an older lifestyle.

While AARP stands for American Association of Retired Persons, if you are like me, you may not feel quite there at any age. Consider a leadership angle.

Accomplish: Leaders make things happen.

Attitude: Leaders set the tone for everyone.

Respect: Respect is earned and given. To receive it, be willing to give it.

Presence: Show up! Presence provides security and direction.

The Power of Attitude

Our attitude and approach to leadership influences the type of work we accomplish.

Charles Schwab once said, “I have yet to find a man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”

If leadership is dictatorial, negative, and critical there are consistent challenges to reaching goals.

Our leadership excels with a spirit of positive approval and affirmation. The world has plenty of critics. It seems natural to offer criticism, even when praise is necessary.

God intended the church to be a refuge. If we want success in our leadership, the thought here is worth considering.

Change

What would you change, if you had a chance to do 2024 over?

Would you change your words? Would you change your attitude? Would you change your actions?

The way we approach this thought plays a significant role in leadership.

Spiritual leaders must learn from the past and make the appropriate changes for the present. Upon making these changes, everyone can move forward.

Never excuse or justify mistakes. Instead, make the necessary changes.

It is not the past we need to change, but the future. Whatever comes to mind, now is the time to consider how change the direction.

Reason or Excuse

Is there a difference between a reason and an excuse?

When we examine how we live life (words we use, attitude we display, places we visit, how we treat our family, and our attendance to worship) would we have a reason or excuse for the choices we make?

When we think about our allegiances to friends and family, would we give a reason or excuse for placing those allegiances above our loyalty and faithfulness to God?

More questions could be asked.

Our time, life, and allegiances all need greater consideration as we must one day give an account for how we prioritize them. Let us lead with the same consideration.

Lead Like Jesus

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped twelve men in preparation for the work He commissioned them to fulfill.

Teach: Teaching often falls short when it comes to application. Information is good, but how to use that information is better.

Encourage: The power behind encouragement motivates people to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing the necessary tools to fulfill a given task and responsibility leads to the success of followers, especially as they are prepared to lead.

Tenacious Leaders

Grip, determination, and persistence are a few of the words associated with tenacity.

Being able to grip something, or hold on to it firmly, is crucial for long term success in leadership.

The quality of being determined presents an attitude of strength to endure the distractions.

Without persistence leaders find themselves easily ready to give up and move on.

Tenacity, as defined in these three areas, demonstrates the ability of leaders to take a group of individuals who might not otherwise continue and motivate them to heights unknown.

Leaders who approach the establishment of goals and the development of plans with tenacity, provide confidence for those who follow.

Optimistic Leaders

Optimism serves leaders in much greater ways than the skepticism and negativity so rampant in the influences of our daily life.

Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

Three words stand out as part of this statement: faith, hope, and confidence. Each word feeds on the other and they are interdependent in the relationship between them.

Hope represents an earnest expectation. The confidence that exists in the arena of hope is fueled by the faith that drives the optimism needed to achieve incredible results.

Ask yourself, “What can I do to further develop this optimistic attitude?”

I Can

Eliminating the word “can’t” from the vocabulary is vital to the development of strong leadership. We have all heard, “It can’t be done.”

Bo Bennett said, “Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done.”

The way we see our families, the church, the world, and even ourselves takes on a new perspective when we realize we can do it.

Instead of approaching it like Moses, “Who am I that I should go and deliver this people?” we need more like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.”

Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Teach, Encourage, Admonish, Equip

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped twelve men to go and make disciples.

Think about how Jesus individualized each word.

Teach: People will only do what they are taught to do, and our teaching must include application. When provided, everyone learns how to fulfill the task.

Encourage:
Encouraging others motivates them to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing tools to fulfill each task and responsibility are vital to the success of followers, especially as we prepare them to lead.