Tag: Honesty

Substance

Substance involves a quality of being important, valid, or significant. Simply stated, substance is the stuff that makes up leadership.

What is the substance that makes up the character of our leadership? Integrity? Work ethic? Honesty?

Is there something significant that stands out giving credibility to our leadership substance?

Can others see the substance of our leadership?

The substance of spiritual leadership must not be ego-centric, but people-centric. The quality that validates the importance of leadership is not built upon I, but you. The substance of great leadership uses we.

As important and needed as leadership is today, it is worth our time to focus on the substance.

Primal

Do leaders think from a primal perspective? Before we drift into the early stages of evolutionary development, primal carries the impetus of something that is essential or foundational.

Nothing could more essential and foundational to eternity than spiritual leadership.

How does the idea of primal apply to the surroundings of leadership?

The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life intellectually, physically, emotionally, and physically.

These elements are the building blocks of all leaders and include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

Transparency

Terry Starbucker’s e-book Leadership From A Glass Half-Full: The 5 Lessons You Need To Learn Before You Jump Into The Pool talks about the seven most important words in leadership.

The phrase is simply, “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

The reality is we do not like not knowing the answer.

Worse still is the attempt to bluff our way through areas we know nothing about.

The transparency of acknowledging we do not know something and the willingness to find the answer is critical to great leadership.

We gain greater credibility and trust is established when we are are honest.

Learn and live by these seven words.

Words to Live By

While reading through a few leadership websites, I found an interesting thought by Terry Starbucker, “The Seven Most Important Words In Leadership.”

The seven words are “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

Leaders avoid the appearance of not knowing an answer. After all, leaders are supposed to know all the answers, right?

The transparency of acknowledging we do not know and the willingness to find the answer is critical.

First, people know we do not have all the information. Second, greater credibility and trust are established when we are honest with others.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

Leadership at the Bottom-Line

What is the bottom line in our leadership?

Are our goals self-serving, or are we striving to bring about what is best for those who follow?

Is there an agenda behind our actions, or a simplistic, pure love for the betterment of God’s kingdom?

When we study various subjects, are we striving to learn the truth, or find a way to justify our position?

We have to ask hard questions, examine ourselves honestly, admit mistakes, act Christ-like, and pray for God’s strength to do what is right.

This is why it’s called the bottom line!

Integrity

Integrity goes beyond just being honest. It involves having strong moral principles and uprightness.

In Psalm 15 we learn the necessity of walking with integrity if we are to dwell on God’s holy hill. Walking indicates a lifestyle characterized by integrity.

There is an incorruptible nature to a spiritual leader who demonstrates integrity. They take responsibility for who they are, what they say, and what they do.

Walking with integrity involves an undivided and unshakeable character of Biblical soundness. This character is built in humility and follows a path of consistency.

Integrity stands for truth, speaks truth, lives the truth and will not change, even if it must do so alone.

Honest Leadership

Honesty is critical to leadership, but not all leaders are honest. At times, they tend to tell “half-truths.”

Biblically, we know the necessity of honesty as a Christian virtue. Therefore, the application of honesty in biblical leadership is a natural reflection of what is expected by God and others.

Honesty is characterized in the words of David, describing the the power of biblical leadership in the one who “walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart” (Ps. 15:2).

The emphasis of David provides a platform for leaders, describing both who they are and what they do.

Authentic Leadership…

Being genuine, or authentic, is highly desired. However, selfishness, personal agenda, money, power, and position often hinder our authenticity.

Consider a few ideas that increase the growth of genuine and authentic influence for leaders.

1) Think before speaking or taking action.
2) Use good judgment in all decisions.
3) Deliver honest criticism in a spirit of biblical love.
4) Demonstrate Fairness and impartiality.
5) Always begin and end with something kind and complimentary.
6) Before helping others, take care of personal issues first.
7) Ask for assistance and follow the suggestions.

Primal Leadership…

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

For leaders, it is essential to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place in order to achieve success.

These building blocks for spiritual leaders include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

Additional elements may exist, but these are the “primal” ones of leadership.

When leaders build on this foundation, their strength of character provides hope for everyone who follows.