Tag: Leadership

Stress and Leadership…

What creates stress in our lives and why does it seem to increase? Three major contributors are age, education and finances. 

It is amazing how these are connected to who we are, which is directly related to what we do, what others say about us, and what we have.

Only when we recognize who we really are can we overcome this misconception. Leadership must help remove this struggle with stress. 

We all face success and failure. Others speak well of us and against us. We also deal with times when we have and do not have things. 

Whatever happens, we must remember we are the beloved of God.

Frustrated Leadership…

What is it that frustrates us the most? While the list is endless, here are a few possibilities. 

Incompetence?
Arrogance?
Hypocrisy?
Deception?

Do we get frustrated when we see any or all of the above?

Leadership is not unique when it comes to frustration. Followers get frustrated when they see leadership involved in any of these areas also.

John Maxwell is credited with saying, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” 

It begins with us as leaders to set the example, providing a standard to follow. We must demonstrate patience and understanding in gently leading others to this standard, not condemning or acting condescendingly concerning their actions.

Leading to a Promised Land…

We’ve heard about the land God promises His people. In the Old Testament it was a “land flowing with milk and honey.”

Today, we live with anticipation of a land God has promised, a land beyond anything we can comprehend. This land will be one of rest where there will be no sickness or death.

Two great truths: 

One, we live in a world enslaved to sin. They need someone to lead them to a better land.

Two, God’s people need leaders who will help them keep their focus on this promised land. 

The world and the church need leaders who can see the promised land and are willing to lead others there.

Greatness in Service…

Leaders face many challenges. One of the greatest is learning that we are all leaders. With this in mind, how should we lead?

Dale Archer said, “When you’re always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness.”

We lead because people need hope. We lead because salvation is at stake. We lead because God needs leaders. We lead because it makes a difference.

Since this is true, let us not conform to how the world sees leadership. Let us rise up and establish a foundation of greatness, leading as the servants God has called us to be in His kingdom.

Protective Leaders…

We protect many things in life. We keep them safe.

Have we ever consider the importance of providing the kind of leadership that ensures safety? Developing the 3 C’s is one approach. 

Communication: Developing effective communication––speaking and listening––is essential to safety.

Consistency: We must guard against hypocrisy. What we profess and how we live should match. Consistency is vital.

Compassion: Do others know we care about them? The compassion we demonstrate can be one of the most important areas of protection.

Our efforts to help others feel safe ensures growth and development for the Lord’s kingdom.

Loving Leadership…

“Welcome to McDonalds. I’m lovin’ it. May I take your order.”

We’ve all heard it and wondered, “Do they really love it?” Does the tone of voice indicate otherwise?

The idea here is formidable for our leadership. We should express our enthusiasm and demonstrate our love for God through our leadership of others.

This does not mean we will always have good days, that life will be filled with comfort and convenience, or free from tragedy, illness or difficulty. 

It means our joy is found in knowing we can face the challenges of life with confidence, because the outcome of completeness and a hope of an eternal dwelling are far greater than anything this life offers.

The Risk of Leadership…

“This is the world of white water where we have to change to survive; where we have to develop to thrive; and, paradoxically, where the very act of change increases the risk that we won’t survive.” Randall White, Phillip Hodgson and Stuart Craine, The Future of Leadership: A White Water Revolution

This quote speaks to the incredible changing world we live in and the need to make changes to survive in it. We must grow, develop for success, and know the very risk we take could be the end of us.

Saying, “yes,” involves a risk, but the opportunities for growth and changing the eternal destiny of someone else are worth it!

Leading In Global Times…

No longer is it a matter of if or when, globalization is here, and now! We often hear people say, “It’s a small world.” 

With the touch of a button, messages can be sent to the other side of the world.

However, we need to ask a few questions.

Are we aware of the changes globally? Economically? Politically? Socially? Religiously?
Have we considered how to embrace these changes?
Does our current plan involve a domestic or global approach?
How are we preparing spiritual leaders within a global context?

As the Lord’s church, we need to answer these questions and take steps to lead with a global perspective.

SALT Fun Fact #7

“In biblical Judaism, salt was mixed with animal sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). This salt was a symbol of wisdom, discretion, and an enduring covenant. In the East, salt is an expression for the league of mutual amity. When the Arabs make a covenant together, they put salt on the blade of a sword, from whence everyone puts a little into his mouth. This constitutes blood relations and they remain faithful to each other, even when in danger of life. Leadership is a continual commitment, a covenant of sorts, to sacrificially exercise wisdom and discretion.” Wayne Roberts

Thank you Wayne for filling our bucket with amazing and powerful thoughts related to leadership and its connection to SALT. May we commit ourselves to the covenant of leading. May we give, and give up, whatever it takes to proceed with such wisdom and discretion.

SALT Fun Fact #6

“Michelangelo’s ‘Last Supper,’ shows Judas knocking over a salt shaker, which is meant to symbolize an act of the devil (the reason some throw salt over the shoulder…to blind the devil). When good leadership opportunities are wasted, the devil has his way with people. Great leaders stand over the shoulders of others to guide, train, and warn against Satan’s traps.” Wayne Roberts

The thought here does not encourage nor support “lording” over others. This was condemned by Jesus and Peter. Leaders must learn to distinguish between lording over others and the process of guiding, training, and warning against Satan’s traps.