Tag: Compassion

Developing Leaders

Confidence. Courage. Compassion. Integrity. Each of these qualities are a vital part of developing the type of leaders needed today.

Douglass MacArthur said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”

If leaders today will demonstrate the type of qualities identified and the integrity to stand behind those qualities, their leadership will always stand strong and point others to the God who brought them to this position.

Ambition

Our ambition must have a spiritual focus, pleasing the Lord!

When our leadership is about pleasing the Lord it changes our approach to every area of life.

Relationships within our families are shaped by Biblical principles.

Our conduct on the job is influenced by a God-fearing attitude.

Approaching people outside of Christ is filled with a greater level of patience and compassion.

Beyond everything else, we worship with a greater understanding of our sovereign God.

When our leadership is driven by this kind of ambition the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

Leadership Character

What image describes good leadership? Based on many leadership discussions, the canvas would be filled with images of character, service, compassion, vision, and more.

The image of character is a wonderful place to begin.

Character is a choice made by each individual. Wayne Dyer said, “Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made.” Therefore, when we blend all our choices together, we find a picture of character.

Maybe this explains why Joshua urged Israel to make the choice he made for his family, one of “serving the Lord.” Perhaps, it is the choice we should make also.

Preoccupied Leaders

Leaders must be preoccupied with a path that leads to godliness, see through the eyes of mission, possess a heart of compassion, and minister with the legs and feet of a servant.

Leaders must be preoccupied with the Gospel, understanding the urgency of reaching each soul, leaving no stone unturned or challenge unmet, and overcoming every obstacle because the salvation of others takes precedent.

While preoccupation is a two-way street, and can easily lead to a negative side, the point for leaders is to be preoccupied in the right and positive ways to change people’s lives eternally.

Leading by Priority

Kingdom priority relates to the church Jesus built.

How much priority do we place upon God’s kingdom? When we look at our brothers and sisters in Christ, what priority do they see in that relationship?

When a need exists among our family, do we place an urgency upon that need?

With all the negativity surrounding the church today, where do we rank our response to kingdom priority?

As we read about unity, forgiveness, and demonstrating compassion, how are our priorities seen?

The way we treat people establishes how our priorities are seen and it demonstrates the reach of our influence as leaders.

Compassionate Leaders…

One of the qualities Jesus demonstrated, instrumental in drawing others to Him, was compassion.

Mentioned several times, Jesus was compassionate to both those physically and spiritually in need.

His compassion was more than sympathy about someone else’s distress, it moved Him to act in ways that met the need.

An awareness of pressing needs is an important component, but compassionate leaders seek ways to get involved to help meet those needs.

I pray God will give us all the compassion to be aware of our environment and help meet the needs.

Dealing Out Hope…

After spending several hours contacting numerous shelters to find housing for someone in need, an overwhelming realization of the hopeless condition among our population was apparent.

A compassionate heart quickly recognizes how people can feel so hopeless. A number of explanations may be given as to the cause, but the need for leaders is to provide hope. Napoleon is credited with saying, “leaders are dealers in hope.”

Leaders extend hope by learning to listen and express concern.

Leaders need to offer hope that someone is trustworthy.

Leaders possess a responsibility to demonstrate care by action.

People follow leaders who provide hope.

Self-Aware Leaders…

An amazing inward benefit occurs when we outwardly recognize the pains and struggles of others.

Amyra Mah said it this way, “As I learned to accept myself, I began to relate to people on a deeper level and saw that everyone comes with their own pains and struggles. I learned to appreciate them for their flaws as much as their strengths, which in turn helped me to accept myself more.”

Self-perception benefits leaders with an awareness of their strengths and weaknesses, along with an understanding of how to help others with the same.

The beauty of this discovery results in compassion, sympathy, empathy, and patience.

Compassionate Leaders…

Compassion means “to suffer together,” and no one understood this better than Jesus.

The University of California, Berkley claims that something special exists when compassion characterizes a leader: a feeling of sympathy aroused by another’s suffering and the motivation to relieve the suffering.

The guiding hand of compassion considers the suffering of someone else and acts accordingly.

The compassion of Jesus was represented in several ways. He prayed for them, healed them, fed them, and taught them.

Leaders who follow these guidelines lay a foundation that lasts into eternity.

The Lord, Our Example…

Nearing the end of Psalms we find a poetic passage that highlights several areas about the Lord, declaring why He is worthy to be praised. He is…

Creator of heaven and earth.
Executor of justice for the disadvantaged.
Provider of sustenance for those in need.
Healer of the afflicted.
Exalter of the downtrodden.
Compassionate to the upright.
Protector of strangers.
Supporter of the orphan and widow.
Frustrater of wicked ways.
Ruler of all.

These ten words are laced throughout the Bible and provide strength to the weak, comfort for the discouraged, and protection for the vulnerable.
Leaders understand and practice the same.