Tag: Mentor

Take the Step

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!

Assessing Leadership Growth

How can leadership be accurately assessed for growth?

It is hard to determine a more difficult question to answer, but here are a few possible suggestions.

First, consider the activity of those who follow. If there is no activity, then our leadership may not be growing. Growth can be measured by application.

Second, examine carefully responses given in feedback. Positive and negative feedback have a powerful place when assessing our development.

Third, find a mentor. The value of having someone examine the growth and advancement of leadership is immeasurable.

Leadership development is critical to the growth of any organization.

Developing Others to Lead…

Managers within the Chipotle food chain are promoted on the bases of how they develop leaders among their employees.

Instead of being consumed with the fear of being out-performed, shown-up, or otherwise replaced, imagine the growth of the church where leaders constantly develop others to lead.

Imagine what would happen within the church.

Jesus demonstrated this in developing the apostles for the task of evangelizing the world.

Paul instructed older men to set an example of a godly life and older women to teach younger women matters of the home.

We influence others everyday. Let us mentor them to lead.

Producing Leaders…

A simple observation indicates that the church is reaping the consequences of little planning over the past 40-50 years for future leaders.

Ralph Nader said, “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” And John Maxwell said, “If you want to grow, lead followers. If you want to multiply, lead leaders.”

We need to… 

Encourage the young and old to prepare themselves for leadership.

Provide opportunities to learn how to lead.

Mentor leadership within the family and church.

Meeting tomorrow’s needs begins with preparing leaders today.

Assessing Our Leadership…

Leadership development must have a means by which we measure or determine specified growth or advancement.

But how can we assess our leadership accurately?

First, consider the activity of followers. If there is no activity, we are not growing. Growth is measured by application.

Second, examine feedback responses. Positive and negative feedback have a powerful place when assessing growth and development.

Third, find a mentor. We cannot overstate the value of a mentor who will examine our leadership and provide feedback to grow.

While there are many other suggestions, leadership development is critical to the growth and advancement of any work.