Tag: Influence

Spiritual Choices…

The journey through life is filled with choices. As amazing as it sounds, there is one choice that determines all others, both consequential and inconsequential: the choice of Christianity.

The choice of Christianity informs every decision, our career, who we marry, raising children, where we live, and more.

When leaders provide an example by their choices, spiritually, as demonstrated in their physical choices, they are taking a step in the right direction of leadership as God intends.

Now is the best time to start making the kind of choices that will change the direction of our lives and the influence we have with others.

Leaders Who Excel…

To excel involves being exceptionally good at or proficient in an activity or subject. Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica to “excel still more.”

Leaders should always strive to excel, to improve their character and influence.
Leaders need to encourage followers with an appeal to excel still more in their work.
Leaders should remember that striving for excellence does not mean they will be perfect.

We must desire to improve who we are and what we do, no matter how good we are or how well we are able to achieve any task.

We should always seek God’s help to excel.

The Right Mindset…

Everyone wants to be happy, but what brings happiness? An attempt to answer this question fills every form of media. Dale Carnegie said, “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”

Sadly, most believe happiness comes with success, material possessions, money, or a social image/status.

Rarely do we associate happiness with what we think. What do our minds dwell on daily? Read Philippians 4:8.

Leadership can influence happiness with the right mindset and helping others think on the right things.

Leadership and Technology…

Advances in technology have changed the way we communicate and carry out leadership.

Leaders must learn how best to use technology to assist in their leadership.

First, do not deny, reject, or excuse the technology that exists. Technology is here to stay. Embrace it.
Second, be open to and take time to learn. Seek help.
Third, use areas of technology where followers are engaged. If they use Facebook, then get on Facebook.
Fourth, always approach and use technology as a tool for building up others.

If we use technology appropriately, it can be a tool of great influence for the kingdom.

Team Leadership…

A narcissistic leader creates destruction. When leaders constantly use ‘I’ in reference to their own abilities, achievements, or plans, influence is lost.

Peter F. Drucker claims, “The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say ‘I’. And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say ‘I’. They don’t think ‘I’. They think ‘we’; they think ‘team’. They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don’t sidestep it, but ‘we’ gets the credit…. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.”

Nothing could be more powerful for spiritual leaders than learning to live by this thought.

How Did We Use Our Time?

Today marks the beginning of a new month and, hopefully, positive steps toward the end of a pandemic.

Have you wondered where the time went? 

Perhaps a more pertinent question is, “What did we do with the time to influence lasting change in the lives of others?”

We should ask ourselves, “Did we introduce someone to Jesus? Did we provide a greater influence for the kingdom?”

Although the pandemic may not be completely over, we must always think about our influence and how we lead others.

A Choice of Leadership…

Colin Powell once said, “You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.”

When leaders make choices for others, it can lead to resentment. An increase in certain expectations develops when leaders make decisions for others. Making choices for others also leads to an unhealthy dependency.

Leading is about relationships and leading others involves helping them make the right choices, not making choices for them.

Leadership has the potential of influencing others for a greater purpose. Let us always lead with the desire to help others see and make the choice of heaven.

Catalyst Leadership…

When leaders serve as catalysts amazing developments occur.

In their book, The Starfish and the Spider, Brafman and Beckstrom researched several areas concerning leadership and the qualities of a catalyst. 

Consistent with each was their desire to help others. The examples reflect something of a spiritual catalyst in nature.

Spiritual catalysts provide powerful influence because they desire to help others. 

Catalysts help others see their potential in the Lord’s kingdom.
Catalysts help others implement plans to reach their potential.
Catalysts help others connect with people to assist them in reaching their potential.

The need for catalysts is significant in the development of the Lord’s kingdom.

Successful Leadership…

We are told that we influence a minimum of four people everyday. Kenneth Blanchard said, “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”

But, what kind of influence are we exercising?

We need to guard our influence because it effects the character, behavior, and development of others. Our influence can either be good or bad. 

If we have opportunity to influence others by bringing them to Christ, or influence Christians in faithfulness, should we not do so?

The time we have on earth is limited and fleeting. Each day that passes can never be regained or relived. Now is the best opportunity to ensure our influence for Christ.

Taking Control…

Control is the power to influence and direct people’s behavior or the course of events.

At times, someone needs to take control. We know people who are controlling. We preach about self-control. We even discuss the need to be in control

What does this mean and why is it important? 

Leaders must know when to take control. Without being controlling, they should epitomize self-control. And when someone needs to be in control, they should be our guide.

When leaders use their influence in a Biblical and godly way, the course of events can be shaped in ways that change eternity.