Tag: Confidence

Genuineness #2

As we began yesterday, several ideas can help develop or improve a leader’s genuineness. In addition to the three we have already considered, here are four more.

1) Fairness and impartiality are essential when working with people.

2) Always begin and end with something nice and complementary.

3) Address the issues in your personal life before trying to help others.

4) Seek wise counsel and follow the suggestions provided.

The purpose behind the seven ideas we’ve discussed is not simply to develop leadership character, but to demonstrate a genuineness that builds confidence in those we influence every day.

Express Confidence

Imagine what happens when people believe in themselves. Imagine what happens when leadership promotes this thought.

Sam Walton said, “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

Develop others in ways that creates this kind of environment.

Express confidence. A word of encouragement helps others accomplish great work.

Give responsibility. Give responsibility and allow them the opportunity to achieve the task.

Handle failure appropriately. Help people learn from it, evaluate, pick up, and move forward.

Express confidence. Begin and end with telling others how much you believe in them.

Confidence and Credibility

Solomon expressed how the end is better than the beginning.

The thought expressed indicates the satisfaction and joy that accompanies the achievement of a goal. His statement also indicates confidence and credibility.

Reaching the end of the matter strengthens confidence in the leader. As each victory is achieved, leaders grow with confidence for setting out to accomplish the next goal.

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

When we enjoy success at the end of the matter, it builds confidence which strengthens our credibility.

Primal Leaders

Primal comes from a Latin word meaning “first.” The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life: intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

When thinking about leadership, the need is evident to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place for success.

A few elements that are building blocks for all leaders include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

These are the “primal” of leadership.

Using these as a foundation, leaders can build strength and character providing hope for everyone who follows.

Confidentiality

One of the most critical areas in leadership involves an understanding of confidentiality. Leaders must know how to keep something in confidence.

Followers need to know they can place their feelings, even their very lives, into the hands of someone they trust.

The ability to keep something in confidence makes leaders approachable and strengthens the bond of relationships.

Confidentiality is a privilege that provides guidelines for developing greater leadership.

Leaders must guard what has been placed into their sacred trust. When they do, the character they develop builds a leadership worth following.

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.

Value and Worth

Although the source is unknown, consider this thought, “Surround yourself with people who know your worth. You don’t need too many people to be happy, just a few REAL ones who can appreciate you for who you are.”

Confidence and esteem are lacking in general.

Leaders have the responsibility of showing appreciation for those who need to grow in their confidence.

Think about what it would do for the church to know the value and worth of our contribution and to help others see their value and worth.

Negativity is destructive. We must find a way to avoid negative influences and surround ourselves with positive ones that build worth.

No Retreat

At times, it can be easy to give up on something before finishing it, to turn and go the other way. The decision to go the opposite direction can seem quick and easy.

Leaders must possess a different mindset. We cannot, we must not allow the challenges of reaching our desired goal prevent us from finishing well.

Remember the greater good of the cause for which you are working, surround yourself with affirmations that point to reaching the goal, and make sure the right people are involved in doing the job.

Avoid the retreat mentality and move forward with confidence.

Letting the Dust Settle

The general tendency is to think of “dust” figuratively in reference to turmoil or difficulty.

The implication of this phrase is key to how leaders impact the lives of those within their sphere of influence. How?

After the dust settles…

…next-step decisions are made for moving forward with greater confidence,
…the learning curve on accomplishments and challenges comes into focus,
…resolutions are more quickly reached because turmoil has passed, and
…opportunities to adjust course direction are made more easily.

The main thought here directs our attention toward allowing the dust to settle before making rash decisions that impact the lives of everyone around.

Perceptive Leaders

Leaders are aware how important perception is to their leadership. The perception of followers concerning the words and activities of leaders is vital to the credibility and confidence placed in leadership.

The idea extends to a leader’s insight of individuals, situations, and plans.

Consider the impact of a perceptive leader that has and shows good judgment. Their discernment is exemplified as credible and perceptive.

A perceptive leader is valuable in any organization and this is certainly true when applying scripture to the development of the church and our lives as Christians.