Tag: Leadership

Need for Strategy…

Strategy is a plan of action to achieve a desired aim or goal. General Norman Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”

While character is the essential to leadership, strategy is also needed. Without strategy, we have no goals, or plans to reach a goal, regardless of the goal(s) set before us.

Few areas in life exist where strategy is not involved at some level.

Leaders must establish a strategy for reaching goals with specific plans, leading with the future in mind. Time will not be wasted in the field of strategic development.

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders…

What are we doing about the present condition of leadership? What are we doing about the future of leadership? What are we doing to develop biblical leaders?

Challenges exist in every effort to improve the situation. These attempts are often viewed with skepticism.

Enthusiasm to learn and implement something new or different is dismissed as youthful, but lacking long-term substance.

What are we doing to change eternity if the only thing we are doing is exactly what we have done for the past 50 years? The results speak for themselves.

We need to recognize where we are, where we are going, and what we must do to get there.

Leading Through Adversity…

No one enjoys adversity, but how we view adversity and lead through it makes a difference. Health, family, financial, and hundreds of other challenges cause us to reflect on who we are, why we are here, and how we will endure.

Walt Disney said, “All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

There are times when adversity is beneficial. Leaders who understand this are better equipped to help others when they face adversity.

Merry Christmas

From the Turner family and the Sunset Academy of Leadership Training (SALT)

Merry Christmas

The Right Leader…

Solomon was certainly right when he said, “The writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body” (Ec. 12:12).

God’s word reveals information sufficient for what is right and the right leader to follow.

No greater leadership qualities are identified than those in God’s word.

No greater example can be found than the example left by Jesus.

The best way to honor and glorify God is by leading with our eyes focused on Jesus and our hearts devoted to following His word.

When followers have this example in spiritual leaders, they will follow the right leader.

The Sign of Our Times…

Are leaders able to know the signs of our times? Are they aware of the cultural changes developing daily?

The direction of our world can be frightening and exciting at the same time. The opportunities have never been greater. The needs have never been more pressing.

The message never changes, but the methods we use to approach our current time needs attention. If the methods we use are outdated, the effectiveness is limited.

Can we see the signs of the times, or are we doing the same things in the same ways expecting different results? It deserves thinking about.

Cultural Power…

Culture is a relative term. We do know that culture is a word connected to cultivating, gardening. Culture is defined as the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society, group of people, time and place. Culture is also characterized by a way of thinking, belief, or behavior.

Our world is a multi-cultural place, and there are numerous cultures within cultures.

Leaders work to understand the culture, but changing the culture is far from easy, if not impossible.

Jesus seems to follow a good approach with the 1st century culture. How will we lead in the 21st century culture?

Mentoring Leaders…

The purpose and design of mentoring is to create a relationship that nurtures learning. One of the key components required is responsibility.

A learner takes responsibility for the priorities, learning, and resources for achieving self-direction. The idea expresses moving “from dependence to independence to interdependence” (3).

Several elements are also essential to a learning-centered mentoring program: reciprocity, relationship, partnership, collaboration, mutually defined goals, and development.

These elements are designed to promote relationships that motivate, inspire, and contribute to development and growth.

For more information, read Lois Zachary’s book, The Mentor’s Guide, Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships.

Walking Away…

Robert Tew wrote, “Sometimes walking away has nothing do with weakness, and everything to do with strength. We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own.”

Satan wants us to believe our worth is summed up in achieved success, what others say about us, and what we have materially. No greater lie exists.

When we understand we are God’s children, made in His image, our worth changes incredibly.

Resist the temptation to find worth in the temporal things of this life and realize the greatness of God. Walking away from sin is eternally worth it all.

Leadership Potential…

Potential involves the possibility of something occurring if the right conditions or circumstances are in place as well as the capacity of someone to become or develop into something in the future.

How do leaders determine someone’s potential?

Three basic areas exist.

1) Actions. What has been done in the past lays a foundation for the future.
2) Abilities. No one can grow beyond their abilities, but they can change with training and practice.
3) Attitude. When a positive attitude exists, along with determination, potential is unlimited.

When leaders recognize potential, they can set greater goals for the future.