Tag: Challenges

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders…

What are we doing about the present condition of leadership? What are we doing about the future of leadership? What are we doing to develop biblical leaders?

Challenges exist in every effort to improve the situation. These attempts are often viewed with skepticism.

Enthusiasm to learn and implement something new or different is dismissed as youthful, but lacking long-term substance.

What are we doing to change eternity if the only thing we are doing is exactly what we have done for the past 50 years? The results speak for themselves.

We need to recognize where we are, where we are going, and what we must do to get there.

Overcoming Challenges…

Internal and external challenges face every leader, which can cause them to question their ability, opportunity, position, and purpose in leadership.

Confidence in one’s ability diminishes when leaders experience failure, suffer discouragement, or when they are harshly criticized by others.

Remember that failure only exists when we give up.

Learn how to overcome discouragement with self-evaluation.

Instead of “reacting” to criticism, “act” with an appropriate response.

While these are limited ideas, overcoming the challenges is possible. Seek to walk the right path.

Facing Leadership Challenges…

Challenges are an active part of leading. Therefore, it serves leaders well to know how to approach them.

One place to begin is communication.

Google articles on communication in leadership abound. An article from Forbes shares ten secrets about communication in leadership. Let me share two.

1) Speak not with a forked tongue: Communication and character go hand in hand. When leaders demonstrate hypocrisy, people lose trust and will not follow.

2) Speak to groups as individuals: Leaders who establish a personal atmosphere when speaking, build a rapport where a leader is heard.

Check out the Forbes article for more.

Evaluating Leadership…

Evaluating 2020 causes confusion at best and concern at worst. It has been quite a year for leaders in every arena. How can we deal with the challenges of leading during such a time as this?

The first step is an awareness of the needs. Unless we can see the need to improve the steps that follow have no value.

The second step is a resolution. Without the resolve to make changes, recognizing the need is only a wish in disguise.

The third step is implementation. The difference-maker is a plan to implement our resolve. How will we accomplish the goal?

Self-aware Leaders…

David often expressed the impact of his actions on his relationship with God. He acknowledges his failings and the division it caused with friends, family and enemies.

In the midst of his penitent suffering, David says of his enemies, “They oppose me, because I follow what is good.”

David exemplifies a leader with self-awareness and reliance upon God.

Godly leaders face many challenges. They often fear people leaving, speaking against them, and facing opposition. Remember to follow what is good, even in the midst of the most difficult challenges.

David concludes, God will not be far away. He is salvation and deliverance.

Leading with Hope…

Daily challenges often cause leaders to step out of leadership and discourage potential leaders from taking the role.

Life is filled with problems, difficulties, and suffering.

If the greatest leader who ever walked this earth dealt with challenges, we should never think our life and leadership will be exempt from them.

True leadership learns how to deal with those challenges. How?

Rely on God for guidance.
Develop a strong determination to lead.
Seek help from seasoned leaders.
Above all, understand challenges are temporary.

Better days ahead. Let us lead with such hope.

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.

Surviving Leadership…

Few areas are more significant than the need for and priority of survival.

Leadership survival is a matter of extreme urgency for the church today.

Leaders struggle to survive challenges in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders must survive false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against forces that would divide Christians.

The idea is often expressed, “Its lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being at the top, leaders in the Lord’s church still face a measure of loneliness.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept the role and responsibility.

A Leader’s Sharp Edges…

There are many significant thoughts relating to leadership. One of significance comes from Donald Rumsfeld, “Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.”

We often go to great lengths to avoid what we consider “sharp edges.” We do not search for those challenges, or recommend them to others. 

While leaders do not like dealing with these edges, they know their value to leadership development. 

Sharp edges exist and we will face them at different times and ways. While we do not look for them, we do not avoid them, but learn from them and allow God to work through them to shape us as His leaders.

Leading To Calmer Waters…

No one likes the storms of life. However, there are no exemptions.

Because leaders must face and navigate these rough times, what is needed to help still the waters?

Know we are not alone. Others have faced rough waters before. Learn from and encourage one another when these challenges are encountered.

Reflect on the previous victories. Rough waters help us grow stronger in our relationship with God and others. Each victory strengthens that growth.

Remember to keep the proper priorities. The danger is to drift back to old habits, associations, and involvement in activities that weaken our leadership.

Rely on the navigational instrument God provides where we find the courage to face challenges and steer to calmer waters.