Tag: Goals

Incidental Leadership

The word “Incidental” means to accompany something without being a major part of it, but what does that mean for leadership?

Incidentals are never planned when leading. At times, the unexpected happens.

We find incidentals in various areas surrounding leadership. People and plans are directly connected to every organization, but not always a major part of goal planning. However, they are essential to assist the ability and opportunity to move along more smoothly.

Incidentals may not always occur when we want, nor the way we want, but they can provide a wealth of benefit in leadership when understood and used correctly.

Inspiring Leaders

Defining leadership becomes more complex by the day. Books, blogs, and dictionaries are constantly modifying ways we think about leadership.

For the past 100 years, definitions seem to indicate the same challenges. Each decade introduced new political figures and challenges to the country that influenced the way leadership was defined.

One consistent fact about leadership, regardless of the time, country, or political power, is the influence leaders have through inspiring others to act toward achieving a goal.

When leaders exercise this ability, they unite a force that keeps everyone focused on the goal and the implementation of plans necessary to reach the goal.

Leaders in Progress

When we think of progress, we often think of a forward movement toward a specific destination. However, we must also think in terms that can be measured.

One of the challenges leaders face in making progress is the result of thinking qualitative, rather than quantitative. We have a vague idea, but can’t really determine if we are making progress or not.

Leaders must establish short- and long-term goals that enable everyone to see progress. Here is where we ignite enthusiasm and greater involvement follows.

Get out of the status quo rut and take the initiative to lead from the front.

Leading with Respect

Regardless of the environment or situation, people want leaders who respect and value how they contribute to the achievement of organizational goals.

Few areas, however, gain respect more quickly than by showing respect to and for others. A couple of suggestions include: 1) attention given to work accomplished, 2) time to build relationships, 3) accepting responsibility and giving accountability, 4) transparency, and 5) trust.

Leaders who strive to gain, earn, and achieve respect lead with heart. They touch the lives of those who follow and change the power of teamwork in the growth of any organization.

Directional Leaders

Direction is the course taken to reach a destination.

What steps are needed to establish a consistent direction to reach our goals? Formulating steps provides direction for everyone involved in the project.

Do we, as leaders, know the direction necessary to accomplish the desired goal? If the answer is no, then we need to evaluate what we do and where we go.

Is the direction clear enough for others to understand and follow to reach the desired goal? Again, if the answer is no, then we need to think about communicating the direction more effectively.

Having direction is essential for reaching our destination.

Defining Leadership Character

What characteristic defines our leadership? When we examine that characteristic closely, are we able to recognize what makes it distinct?

The defining nature of our leadership sets us apart as leaders. This distinctiveness enables us to have the kind of influence needed to help others reach their potential, to become all God wants for them.

Leaders carry the responsibility of developing the kind of character that creates a distinction for their influence. This distinction provides defining qualities of leadership that make a difference.

Consider the following:

1) Learn what is necessary to achieve the goal.
2) Determine to do whatever it takes.
3) Be patient.

Complexity of Leadership

Life is complicated. Just when we feel like we have a good handle on it, something changes. Even when we have a vision, spend hours setting goals and establishing plans, there seems to always be that one item that throws us a “curve ball.”

Leadership can be tricky. As complicated as life can be, when leading others, the complexities increase.

Providing structure is essential to understanding the nature in which all the components required to achieve our vision are implemented.

This structure keeps everyone focused and active.

The work can be difficult, but when it is accomplished, everyone grows.

Don’t Change the Decision

There is no doubt we all face obstacles in this journey through life. The difference is made in how we choose to deal with those obstacles.

I appreciate Zig Ziglar’s thought, “When obstacles arise you change your direction to reach your goal, you do not change your decision to get there.”

At times, obstacles arise and create situations that cause us to feel as though we have no choice but to quit, and many do.

The greatest challenge, however, is realizing that the direction can be changed and still reach the goal without changing the decision to get there.

Phases of Leadership

The planning phase is where we dream, research, and organize everything involved in reaching specific goals.

The activation phase is where we implement the activities needed to accomplish those goals.

The evaluation phase is where we examine what has been accomplished to ensure we are on target.

The completion phase is where we reach the end of the project, the goals have been completed, and the rewards enjoyed.

These four phases have application for nearly every area of life, including our relationship with God and leadership in His kingdom.

Measuring Our Leadership

We tend to gauge success by tangible measurements, but is everything that easily measured?

How do we measure someone’s knowledge? How do we measure the long-term impact of the gospel once the seed is sown? How should we approach our leadership within the church?

Leave the measuring to God. He has an accurate way of measuring what happens.

Be consistent. Measure growth in another location by the same standard in our own.

Remember, goals are important and our job is to plant and water.
God will give the increase.

If we do our part, God will do His and the measurement will always be right.