Tag: Heart

Compassionate

Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.

The tougher an environment becomes, the more our need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.

Leadership senses must be engaged, observant to the surroundings.

Their hearts must be touched with the situation of others.

The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.

Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like Christ.

Serving Others

Lewis Carroll claims that “one of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.”

The approach to life in determining what is in the best interest of someone else must drive our leadership.

Biblically, this idea becomes a common thread throughout many of the individual books written to God’s people.

The mind of Christ involves a humble spirit that seeks to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but one that regards others as more important than self (Phil. 2:3-5).

This is the heart of leadership. May we always strive to serve.

Genuine Interest

A genuine interest in others is easier said than done. As well, there are some individuals we are more genuinely interested in than others.

Having a genuine interest in all people requires a few key components.

Genuine interest requires the ability to listen. Learn to listen with your ears and your heart.

Genuine interest requires eye contact. When there is disinterest, focus on good eye contact.

Genuine interest requires appropriate questions. Who? What? When? Where? How? and Why? all help identify interests.

A few key components, like a genuine interest in others, makes an effective leader.

Head and Heart Leadership

Using our head in leading means we:
…think before we speak or act.
…consider the short- and long-term consequences of our words and actions.
…weigh the evidence and ask evaluating questions before making decisions.

Using our heart in leading means we:
…devote ourselves to learning and serving the needs of others.
…prioritize our time toward relationship development.
…risk temporary satisfaction for eternal gain.

If we work to develop and practice a more “others-focused” approach, the future will take on a whole new perspective.

Integrity

The Hebrew word translated integrity refers to “what is complete, entirely in accord with truth and fact” (BDB, 1977:1071). Integrity moves toward an application of the ethical uprightness of one wholly devoted to God (TWOT, 1999).

When integrity characterizes our leadership, imagine the impact. When people look to us and see an example of integrity, they see a leadership worth following.

The strength of our relationship with the others is based on character that emulates God as our Father. The desire to speak and act with integrity portrays a desire for truth, followed by an ethical uprightness of a heart wholly and completely devoted to God.

Questions for the Heart

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” Henri Nouwen

Imagine a congregation where, at the end of the day, everyone took the time to answer these questions affirmatively. If we focused on putting the needs, concerns, cares, worries, and desires of others first, the church and this world would sure be a different place.

A Loyal Leader

Loyalty is a vital characteristic in leadership. Leaders must be loyal to those they influence. How can leaders build the kind of loyalty needed to lead?

Demonstrate trust: The trust we have in God must be exemplified in our service. We must also learn to trust in others.

Develop consistency and integrity:
The decisions we make in leadership must be made with a consistent standard of integrity.

Dedicate the heart: Dedication involves the highest level of commitment. We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.

These are three of many steps, but if we use them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty.

The Heart

The heart is the innermost vital part, or essence of something.

Building on this understanding, the heart of leadership takes on a completely different picture. Consider the growth of the early church. Leadership was the innermost vital part and the essence of its growth.

If we really want the church to grow today, maybe we need to pay attention to the heart of leadership. Perhaps leaders need to take a greater role in fulfilling the God-given task of being the innermost vital part and essence of the church.

When this happens, we will see a revival.

Four Steps

Reflection, remembrance, consideration, and gratitude are words all leaders should know.

1) Now is the best opportunity to reflect on how we started, where we are now, and what steps brought us here.

2) While reflecting on our accomplishments, remember that God placed us in this position at this time. Let us be faithful.

3) We need to consider the lessons learned. We should also consider those involved in helping us reach this point.

4) Of all the steps, none holds more significance than gratitude. We need a thankful heart that expresses an understanding that where we are is because God has placed us here. Let us honor Him!

One Second Changes Everything

The value of time is measured differently by each individual, but we tend to focus on what needs to be done next week, next month, and next year.

Life is filled with many activities. As a result, time flies and we wake up one day wondering where the time went.

If light can travel 372,564.8 miles in two seconds, imagine how we can change the world with a few simple ideas.

A smile can warm the heart of one who is struggling.
Consider the power of a hug at just the right moment.
A kind word can encourage success when failure looms.