Tag: Growth

Perpetual Learners

August 22, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

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.

Measuring Success

July 10, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

What determines success or failure?

Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. It is further identified as the attainment of popularity or profit.

While this is broad, it is also revealing. How often do we consider success only in terms of fame and fortune? By a number? Quantitatively?

In leadership, we need to remember that true success is defined as…

Remaining true to the course…
Learning from mistakes…
Seeing growth in a positive direction…
Growing each person into their potential…

Most may measure success by a profit and loss column, but not in spiritual leadership. True success is measured by God.

Criticism (part 2)

July 9, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Criticism abounds, and yesterday we talked about how leaders must give criticism, but another challenge addresses how to receive it.

We cannot exhaust the list, but as leaders, a few suggestions for receiving criticism include:

Keep a record and review the criticism.
Always receive criticism gracefully. Be genuine.
Learn to ask questions for clarification.
Do not quit! Instead, accept criticism as a challenge to improve.

When leaders learn how to give and receive criticism, the results bring growth for all.

Live Holy

May 1, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Far too many believe they cannot overcome their past. The failures and, at times, successes experienced tend to consume the whole of one’s focus.

When this happens, we are blinded to a better way for moving forward because we cannot think about anything but the past. We remain stuck and stagnant to greater growth possibilities.

Remember, past successes or failures do not define us, and the future is determined by how we direct today.

Today, I am all in.

Today, I will live holy.

Today, I will lead.

Patient

February 20, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Does it surprise anyone when we pray for patience and then experience challenges? The problem is we want patience, but we want it now and without trials! Hmmm!

Too often, we expect growth and maturity to occur as though we were ordering a meal at a drive-thru window. We place our order on one side and expect to have it waiting for us when we reach the other. No patience required, right?

Church growth requires leaders to be patient. Being patient is a powerful lesson for all spiritual leaders.

In time, the demonstration of such patience and gentle guidance will yield fruit to the glory of our God.

Spiritual Evaluation

December 18, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Most organizations require a quarterly report. This is an evaluation of the work. Corporate leaders want to know the facts and figures contributing to the success or failure of plans to reach projected goals. Nearing the end of the year, we should also evaluate the year overall.

With spiritual leadership this quarterly or year-end report is just as valuable.

Evaluations are usually difficult. They cause us to examine what we do not want to face and take an honest look at reality. They are necessary. Our integrity will be demonstrated and challenged.

However, a spiritual quarterly report helps us prepare for the next step in growth.

Wisdom and Courage

August 13, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Wisdom and courage are both critical to the development of leaders.

Mark Amend increased our understanding when he said, “Wisdom is learning to let go when you want to hang on. Courage is learning to hang on when you want to let go.”

How many projects have we held on to that were destructive, when wisdom said we should have let go long before?

How many times have we let go when the courage to hang on one more day or week would have delivered success?

We need to develop a posture of learning. Wisdom and courage provide great benefit when we learn from them.

Practice

July 29, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

“Practice makes perfect” is a common expression to most. I also heard someone add that “perfect practice makes perfect.” Would you agree?

The level of perfection may be subjective to each individual. However, the need for practice must be a part of our growth and development as leaders.

Olympic athletes prepare from a young age. The drills, routines, or exercises are perfected through hours of daily practice. Their life is dedicated to one purpose, performing for those few minutes without giving way to pressure.

Several qualities of a leader may actually be inherent, but one thing is certain, developing the ability to lead must be practiced continually.

Confidence

July 5, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Confidence in one’s ability diminishes when leaders experience failure, suffer discouragement, or they are harshly criticized by others.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal” is the powerful thought expressed by Winston Churchill. Recognizing that the only time failure exists is when we give up helps us redirect our thinking when success is beyond our reach.

Suffering discouragement generally follows moments of failure. We begin to overcome discouragement by evaluating the cause and seeking help to address it.

Criticism, even when harshly given, provides growth benefits if we are able to see them in this way. Instead of “reacting,” we need to “act” appropriately as a spiritual leader.

Wilderness Leadership

June 24, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A common thread found among the leaders of God’s people is time spent in the wilderness physically and emotionally.

Consider the time Joseph spent in Egypt, from slavery to the dungeon.

Think about Moses, who, after fleeing Egypt, spent 40 years in the land of Midian.

Then, we have Jesus who spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.

What is it about time spent in the wilderness that helps prepare someone to lead God’s people?

This time identifies a need for and dependence upon God.

A walk through the wilderness is neither desired or pleasant. However, the time provides opportunities for growth and prepares us for leading God’s people.

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