Tag: Influence

Value and Worth

Although the source is unknown, consider this thought, “Surround yourself with people who know your worth. You don’t need too many people to be happy, just a few REAL ones who can appreciate you for who you are.”

Confidence and esteem are lacking in general.

Leaders have the responsibility of showing appreciation for those who need to grow in their confidence.

Think about what it would do for the church to know the value and worth of our contribution and to help others see their value and worth.

Negativity is destructive. We must find a way to avoid negative influences and surround ourselves with positive ones that build worth.

A Leader’s Influence

Does leadership influence culture, or does culture influence leadership? There is a great deal of controversy over the answer.

There are times when it seems the culture influences leadership. At other times, leadership influences culture, as with Harry Truman during World War II.

Amazingly, the definition of leadership often changes in relationship to the culture and the current leadership.

While we may never have a definitive answer, one thought is clear: God intends spiritual leaders to influence the culture and not the reverse.

The task before us is to be the influence in our world. We must arise and accept the challenge with courage and boldness.

Leading with Gratitude

Two of the most important words in any language are “thank you.”

We live in a world often characterized by entitlement. While the youth are quickly identified by this thought, there needs to be consideration to where they learned it.

The age of entitlement influences everyone. We feel we have rights. After all, we are special, therefore entitled to receive. Others should want to give.

Think about the people who make a difference in your life and express appreciation.

We might be surprised at the difference it makes in their lives to do so.

A Leadership Environment

The influence of our environment is interesting and challenging. On one hand, the work environment we choose can provide encouragement and opportunities for stepping up to greater success.

On the other hand, our choice can shackle growth. Instead of spreading our wings and soaring to new heights of development, we are hindered from moving into areas that promote progress.

W. Clement Stone said, “You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?”

Choose wisely.

Live, Love, and Laugh

Live well – The application holds merit physically and spiritually. How well are we living? Are we simply living for the moment or living well with eternity in view?

Love much – Leadership will only succeed when those we are leading know we love them. Our desire for their highest good will be seen in our words and actions. It takes much love.

Laugh often – A good sense of humor is a vital characteristic for leaders. It is easy to get wrapped up in the struggles of daily life and forget the importance of laughter.

With these three expressions, we find greater influence in our leadership.

Past, Present, and Future Lessons

Several years ago, I came across a quote that I loved. It simply said, “The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson. Don’t give up in the middle.”

Based on the lessons learned, the wisdom gained directs the decisions, attitudes, and actions of our future. Here, we apply the lessons gained from past experiences.

The challenge is learning to never give up in between learning the lessons which are connected to our past and recovering enough to make the proper application of those lessons in the future.

Leaders do well to learn and apply accordingly.

Relational Leaders

Think about your personal influence as it relates to the development of others to lead.

Our paths cross with a variety of people from all walks of life. Throughout life, we may experience relationships with hundreds, if not, thousands of people.

During these encounters we make decisions about the individuals we want to spend more time with in order to develop a deeper relationship. These relationships make us vulnerable as we begin sharing our personal lives: failures, weaknesses, and even inadequacies.

Remember, the effort we put forth to develop these relationships extends beyond this physical life into eternal realms.

Comprehensive Leadership

All inclusive, complete, thorough, and extensive are a few terms that identify what it means to be comprehensive

Inclusive stands in contrast to exclusive. We need an inclusive approach to personal development and influential outreach.

A complete focus in leadership means assembling all the necessary parts to achieve the greatest extent or degree.

Comprehensive research involves thoroughly studying the material and people involved to determine appropriate conclusions.

Extensive leaders must think big, covering a large scope or scale, beyond their own thinking.

Comprehensive leadership involves an inclusive, complete, thorough, and extensive influence. When we make God a part of the equation, even the smallest plans become great.

Agreeable Leadership

Our culture thrives on the right or opportunity to disagree and argue. The result leads to dissension, division, discouragement, and disorder.

Joseph Addison said, “If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling in the world.”

This does not mean we agree with everyone, or that it is wrong to disagree. There may even be times we are required to discuss our differences with another person.

The far-reaching influence of leadership is determined by the manner in which differences are handled.

To make the greatest impact, let us begin by focusing on where we agree.

Leadership Compass

A compass is an instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it.

A number of other ideas are also associated with a compass: a moral compass, intellectual compass, spiritual compass, and the list goes on.

Leaders need a compass. There are elements of a moral, emotional, intellectual, economic, and spiritual nature that factor into our leadership.

Remember that, attacking someone’s character only damages our own, even if we are unaware of it. Speaking against others does not build our own esteem, but demeans it.

Pointing people to Christ is never accomplished by destroying them, but rather approaching them in biblical love.