Tag: Change

Change the World

Perhaps it is only a dream. Maybe it is a scam or an incredible sales pitch. Can it be true?

As long as we limit our thinking that the opportunity to change the world is an impossibility, we never will.

Change occurs one person at a time, but if we take that one person and guide them to do the same, we multiply our sphere of influence.

The power of possibility is magnified to incredible heights.

This is how we change the world and it all begins with you and me. May God use us to do so!

Extending Our Comfort Zone…

Success in leadership depends on the ability, or maybe the flexibility, to recognize the limits of our comfort zone and how life begins at that point. Neale Donald Walsch said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So if you’re feeling uncomfortable right now, know that the change taking place in your life is a beginning, not an ending.”

Leadership operates the same. We are not talking unscriptural changes, but when ideas and plans are introduced that make us uncomfortable, maybe life is just beginning.

Yesterday and Today…

Between yesterday and today, leaders dream about the future, envision possibilities, and plan ways to achieve greatness in the Lord’s kingdom.

We cannot change the past. We can only learn from it, look ahead, and make the right changes.

Remember three simple principles.

1) No matter where the road leads, God is with us and for us.
2) It is worth whatever the price to leave an example worth emulating.
3) The strength to achieve any task is measured by the desire to succeed.

The moment between yesterday and today is an opportunity to make a difference for tomorrow.

Godly Leaders…

William Arthur Ward said, “The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”

Learning, growing, changing, overcoming, caring, serving, daring, befriending and giving are key elements found in the activity of great leaders.

Additional words are also significant: adventure, purpose, nature, challenge, essence, opportunity, secret, spice and beauty.

Each word is intricately positioned and lends to the development of godly leaders.

Change and Leadership…

We have become a bit more familiar with change. Resistance, opposition, denial, and rejection characterize the approach of many when it comes to change, while others accept it.

We often hear that change is bad, but it can also be good. It is safe to say, change is part of our daily existence.

As leaders, our task is to determine the best way to navigate these times of change. Leaders need the following.

1) Growth-mindset: Growth always, and I mean always, involves change.
2) Flexibility: Without knowing when to be flexible, change can be destructive.
3) Discernment: Leaders must distinguish between the negotiable and non-negotiable.

Trust…

Good leadership requires trust. In his book Canoeing the Mountains, Tod Bolsinger writes, “No one is going to follow you off the map unless they trust you on it.”

Introducing change challenges any leader to their core. The resistance to change discourages leaders, yet it is inevitable.

While not absolute, often times the problem exists because leaders have not gained trust while leading on the map in order to have people follow them off the map.

Trust is built over time and leaders do not gain trust simply because they have a title or position. When they demonstrate credibility and competence, trust grows.

Contingent Leadership…

The one consistency facing leadership today is change. Apart from technology, science, medicine, etc., people change!

When leaders cast the vision, point others to the goal, and establish plans, change occurs. Several questions should be considered.

What contingency is in place when changes occur?
Are the consequences of a contingency minimal?
Will the contingency create a loss of morale?
Who will implement the contingency during the transition?
How will the contingency affect the overall vision and goals?
When is the appropriate time to initiate the contingency?

Answering a few questions can help negotiate challenges that occur when change is inevitable.

Leadership Instant Replay…

Instant replay slows down the action to examine every angle of a tackle or pass, a pitch or batter’s swing, a three point shot or gliding slam dunk, and the same is true with other events.

Think about a leadership instant replay.

How would it change our leadership if we could review our words and actions? 

What would the future look like if we could carefully examine each play?

While we cannot change the past, we can evaluate and make changes. Learn from mistakes of the past. Recognize warning signs. Think before speaking and acting, especially if angry.

In some ways, it is a leadership instant replay.

Consistent Leadership…

We’ve all heard, “If you don’t like the weather, stick around. It will change in five minutes.” 

Inconsistency appears to be consistent when considering the weather. What about our leadership?

Do people see us one minute in perfect form and the next cold and stormy, leaving everyone wondering what they should do or say?

Often times, uncertainty exists among followers because inconsistency reigns among their leaders.

Leadership involves a process by which we learn to demonstrate the consistent qualities of godliness so followers know exactly what to expect.

When we do, the strength of our leadership will shape the lives of others with the same standard.

Learning from Yesterday…

I am aware we cannot live in the past, nor can we return and change it. If we all had a chance to live yesterday over I am sure there are areas we would change.

Yesterday provides a benefit to our leadership in several ways.

1) We learn from the successes and failures.
2) We plan a better future based on history.
3) We establish measures to prevent duplicating mistakes.
4) We lead others on a straighter course.

I know we all strive to survive the present with an anticipation of the future. However, we also need to stop occasionally and benefit from the past.