Tag: Influence

Leading Technology

Be familiar with newer and emerging technologies.

Leadership (being a great leader) is not contingent on using or keeping up with emerging technology. Many leaders from the past and many in the future may never use technology.

However, we cannot deny the incredible opportunities that technology presents in the development of our leadership.

Tools for training, mentoring, guidance, and encouragement are available to everyone.

If we have the opportunity to utilize the tools of technology to grow in our leadership and influence thousands, if not millions more, will God not hold us accountable for such?

Leadership Resolve

Numerous ideas play into who we are and what we do, but generally speaking, a resolution involves an improvement in some area of life. At times, these improvements better our personal lives and sometimes they improve the lives of others.

Leaders focus on resolutions that include a need to improve who they are, but to also influence others in ways that improve their lives.

Let us all be encouraged to use this opportunity to consider how we can make resolutions that expand our leadership in ways that influence ways to improve life now and eternally.

Leading With Proficiency

Numerous qualities are needed to lead others. Nothing strikes more true to the core of leadership than the need for proficiency. A lack of proficiency leads to a loss of credibility, which destroys leadership influence.

Leaders must be skillful, competent, accomplished, and adept. Proficiency can be learned, but it involves time and requires hard work. Mastering proficiency is worth the effort

Leaders must demonstrate an ability to do what is needed and achieve a quality level of performance that can only be described as proficient.

When leaders are characterized in this way, they are capable and efficient.

Leading by Priority

Kingdom priority relates to the church Jesus built.

How much priority do we place upon God’s kingdom? When we look at our brothers and sisters in Christ, what priority do they see in that relationship?

When a need exists among our family, do we place an urgency upon that need?

With all the negativity surrounding the church today, where do we rank our response to kingdom priority?

As we read about unity, forgiveness, and demonstrating compassion, how are our priorities seen?

The way we treat people establishes how our priorities are seen and it demonstrates the reach of our influence as leaders.

Sustaining Leadership

Sustainability involves maintaining a certain rate or level and includes the idea that something can be upheld or defended.

Sustainability is used in circles ranging from ecology to missiology. The application to leadership is evident.

With the figurative ebb and flow of leadership in political, educational, religious, and corporate arenas, we are challenged to understand how best to sustain leadership.

Several answers can be discovered with a little research, but the common thread to any level of sustainability in leadership involves consistency of character.

All other qualities of leadership further cement a future of leadership that is instrumental in influencing the direction of the world.

Leading with Influence

We all have influence. John Maxwell claims we influence a minimum of four people everyday. Knowing this moves us to think about how we can influence others for the cause of Christ.

Our influence is either good or bad, for or against the Lord. If we knew that our words and actions would make the difference in someone’s eternity, would we think more first?

Proper influence is based on preparation. We must prepare our minds and discipline our lives to be the kind of influence that leads others to an eternal goal.

We need to focus on providing influence that changes lives for the Kingdom.

A Lesson in Leadership

Some of the greatest thoughts on leadership have come from some of the most amazing people in my life.

Our oldest son, Rob, once said, “When we don’t understand the LESSON at the right time, life makes us understand the same LESSONS at the wrong time.”

The thought holds such merit when it comes to leadership. When we do not understand the lesson at the right time, we find ourselves dealing with them at the wrong time.

To be sure, the lesson here is to pay attention and learn it right the first time around. When we do, our leadership influence grows.

A Snapshot of Leadership

A snapshot is an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera, more recently with our phone. How does this relate to leadership?

Formal moments in our leadership are characterized by the pomp and circumstance of following a predetermined path. We practice what we say to ensure we cross every “t” and dot every “i.”

Informally, we let our guard down. In these moments our true self springs forth and those who see us take a snapshot of who we really are.

These snapshots are the most important to our leadership influence. What kind of snapshot are others taking?

The Leadership Line

Everyone has a line, a specific line that influences what we will or will not do. The line may fall into areas that involve our moral, ethical, or legal character.

The line is often adjustable and once moved, an effort to rationalize our decision ensues.

Our task is one of great magnitude and requires an understanding of where to draw the line. Consider the following.

1) God has already established and provided the line.
2) Consistency is critical in the development of godly character.
3) Remember the long-term consequences.

If we think first, where we place the line may make the difference.

Five Minutes A Day

Imagine the difference five minutes a day can make in our leadership.

1) Take one minute to pray about something or someone and notice the change.
2) Before jumping to conclusions, take one minute to think first before reacting.
3) Take one minute to ask for or offer help to someone in need.
4) Spend one minute to write a note of appreciation, make a to-do list, or log daily activities.
5) Practice one minute every day to build up someone’s morale.

Five minutes a day makes a considerable difference for everyone influenced by our leadership.