Tag: Future

Transformational Leadership

Styles of leadership are numerous, one of which is transformational leadership. The idea is leadership that transforms the people around them, shaping the direction of the future.

Transformational leadership characterizes leaders who have integrity and exemplify consistency in their example. They encourage, support, and help followers look beyond their own self-interests and focus on the good of the team.

Of all leadership styles, this one connects to the heart of spiritual leadership.

Are we transforming others to live closer to God?

Are we striving to transform the lives of others by the character we demonstrate?

Perpetual Learners

Leaders must be perpetual learners.

Donald Norris, president of Strategic Initiatives, identifies perpetual learning as “much more than lifelong learning on steroids. It is different from lifelong learning in every way.” He clarifies by stating that it involves learning every day, viewing growth in knowledge as a way of life rather than an activity of life.

This type of learning produces three benefits:

…a better understanding of leading people.
…a better vision of the future.
…a better love for life.

When driven to learn from every person we meet, book we read, and experience in life, we grow as leaders.

Succession Planning

Christianity is a learned, taught system. This duplication process is how Christianity grows.

The same is true for leaders, especially spiritual leaders.

John Maxwell calls this the “Law of Reproduction.” He says, “If you want to grow, lead followers. If you want to multiply, lead leaders.”

Are we planning, grooming, and mentoring someone to lead when we are gone?

Too often, we find a lack of qualified men to lead God’s people. Why? There are several reasons, but one falls on the need for leaders to reproduce themselves.

Let us rise up and change the future by preparing others to lead today.

Seeing the Unseen

This statement deals with more than just “seeing” God. What exactly is involved? Consider a little background.

We must consider where we have been. Consider the past year. What mistakes were made? What successes were enjoyed? Was God part of the equation?

We must also consider where we are right now. Are we where we need to be at this time? Will this place provide a basis for where we need to go? Is God part of the equation?

Now we can formulate plans on where to go from here. Seeing God’s part in our past and present allows us to see His hand in our future.

If God is not part of the equation, we do not have a clear vision!

Who Motivates You?

Consider three questions:

What motivates us to lead? Leaders experience discouragement and discontentment. When this happens, a fire-lighter is needed, someone or something to motivate us.

How can we motivate followers? Leaders need a vision built on possibility thinking. Morale builds when impossibilities fade.

What is needed to keep followers motivated? Establish short-term goals that motivate followers to focus on achieving long-term goals.

Leaders need to develop plans that keep the fires lit. We must know how to keep ourselves and others motivated, both now and for the future.

Leading or Drafting?

Jon Acuff learned the following lesson from his father who had taken up cycling, “It’s easier to draft than it is to lead, but when you lead, you help somebody else go faster than they ever could have on their own.”

It might be easier to draft, coast along without much struggle. However, it does not bring the change needed for the spiritual success of others or ourselves.

Leadership provides a foundation for the future success of everyone, and it empowers others to achieve greater work without them.

Leadership makes it possible for others who cannot or will not step up and change the future.

Lead!

True Legacy

Life is temporary, and someone will carry on when we leave this life. The question is, to whom will we pass the torch?

Paul passed the torch to Timothy, his “true child in the faith.” Paul instructed Timothy to do the same.

We understand the value of our children carrying on the family name or traditions.

The church faces the crisis of preparing men to shepherd the Lord’s church, providing healthy and encouraging teaching, and training teachers for the future of our children.

It is all about passing the torch. Who will replace you and me? To whom will we pass the torch? Herein lies true legacy.

Leading Into The Future

Moving beyond the “here and now” presents its challenges. Visionary leadership is a rare commodity. Hanz Finzel said, “The higher one is in leadership, the more their work is about the future.”

Our work is about preparing others to move into the future and reach the goal(s) before them.

This requires us to consider a few questions.

Do we know where we are going?
What are our plans to reach the destination?
Are resources available to help us?
Have we assessed the abilities of everyone involved?

Leaders need an awareness of the present, but point towards a greater future.

Focus on the Future

We often view the past with great fondness.

We may look to the past with regret over words or actions we cannot change.

We also learn from the past with hope of greater opportunities for the future.

Our leadership must focus on the future. We do not lead people where they have been, but where they need to go.

Paul knew the regret of words and actions from his past, but he chose to focus on what lies ahead.

We, too, must remember the work of spiritual leadership. When it comes to the past, acknowledge it, learn from it, and leave it where it is.

Focus on the future.

Be Present

Following on the heels of yesterday’s post, a thought presented by Jessica Lange seems significant to consider.

“Be present. I would encourage you with all my heart just to be present. Be present and open to the moment that is unfolding before you. Because, ultimately, your life is made up of moments. So, don’t miss them by being lost in the past or anticipating the future.”

How often do we miss the importance of the moment we are in because we cannot overcome our past or we live in anxiety over the future?

As leaders, nothing can be more relevant than being present in our leadership.