What will remain in the shadow of our leadership 20, 30, 40, or 50 years from now? Is our legacy as a leader intentional? Will our leadership be a shield to protect and provide for others? What legacy will we leave?
A legacy of money will eventually be spent.
A legacy of possessions will quickly fade.
A legacy of service will soon be forgotten.
A legacy of security will be destroyed.
Only a spiritual legacy influences this present life and the life to come.
Is it too much to ask for directions?
Jesus said, “I am the way.”
John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus. Why do more not point to Him?
Looking into the eyes of people around the world, including our own country, reveals the same.
We often see physical needs. We provide food, clothing, transportation, housing, or training to develop work skills.
No one is opposed to helping others with physical needs. Jesus provided an example.
However, there is a great imbalance in our approach to the physical versus spiritual.
We need to show people the way to spiritual and eternal life. This is the task of spiritual leadership.
I remember the old adage “one step forward and two steps back.” The idea represented the challenges of moving forward in the face of setbacks.
Naeem Callaway reminds us that “sometimes that smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”
What steps will you take that may become the biggest steps of your life?
Lead someone, mentor them, give a coworker a nudge to step up or step out in ways that will move them toward their potential.
The time to do so may be the biggest step you take, so take it!
Weeks clip by amazingly fast and before you know it we face a new year. But, before we get ahead of ourselves, lets consider the last three quarters.
Instead of adding another activity, responsibility, or assignment to our full-plate, what if we considered ways to eliminate something that helped simplify our lives?
The thought can be frightening, because it is challenging. However, if we prioritize life just a bit, we might find that removing areas on the fringe not only simplify life, we also de-stress it.
Imagine the benefit to our leadership.
People often want to not only have the best, they want to be the best. We hear thoughts like, “Be the best you can be,” or “Do the best you can do.”
The challenge comes in how we define “best.”
Pursuing excellence is a different mindset, yet one worth pursuing.
The pursuit of excellence provides consistency to leadership.
Pursuing excellence acknowledges the present situation and need. It demands that we strive to learn and improve. And pursuing excellence strives to constantly make proper application.
We should give thought to the direction of our leadership.
Making a difference in our life and in others is an excellent pursuit.
All of us, at one point or another, face fear. While we would love to be fearless, to possess an attitude or mindset of having no fear, or the absence of fear, the challenge is daunting.
We need to consider, however, a possibility as it relates to leadership.
Reverse the order. Think about having less fear.
There is an element of doubt when thinking that a leader will have no fear or even eliminate fear. Life and leadership will always present times of fear. During those times we can demonstrate less fear, but what makes it possible to do so? Read Hebrews 11:1 – 12:4.
Is there a difference between a reason and an excuse?
When we examine how we live life (words we use, attitude we display, places we visit, how we treat our family, and our attendance to worship) would we have a reason or excuse for the choices we make?
When we think about our allegiances to friends and family, would we give a reason or excuse for placing those allegiances above our loyalty and faithfulness to God?
More questions could be asked.
Our time, life, and allegiances all need greater consideration as we must one day give an account for how we prioritize them. Let us lead with the same consideration.
Each day we are given an opportunity to live on the stage of life. Others witness every word and deed. Images are embedded in their minds by what they see, just like a photograph.
As they recall the days gone by, they remember these images and the impact left by them.
We do the same with others we see every day.
Consider the following question: What would the photograph others take of us look like?
There are times the perfect shot can only be taken in a moment of time. We may only have a moment for others to take that perfect picture that changes their lives forever.
Examining the life of Moses indicates the preparation of a godly leader who represents wisdom, strength, and tenacity.
Notice his appeal in the last sermon of Deuteronomy.
As Moses addressed the nation of Israel he presented them with a blessing and a curse, life and death. He urged them to choose life that they might live.
Amidst the challenges of leadership in this postmodern, excessively individualistic world, perhaps the simple approach to the choices offered by Moses can redirect our attention to the heart of the matter.
As leaders, our task is to appeal to choose wisely, choose life that they might live.
Do leaders think from a primal perspective? Before we drift into the early stages of evolutionary development, primal carries the impetus of something that is essential or foundational.
Nothing could more essential and foundational to eternity than spiritual leadership.
How does the idea of primal apply to the surroundings of leadership?
The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life intellectually, physically, emotionally, and physically.
These elements are the building blocks of all leaders and include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.