Tag: Passion

Leading a Movement…

A movement exists when individual experience, or passion, takes on a life of its own within a diverse array of individuals, and grouping in such a way that it sustains and reproduces itself toward a common end.

The following characteristics are critical to a movement’s success.

First, movements come together to achieve a common goal.
Second, personal, structural and ideological ties hold them together
Third, committed members use existing and significant social relationships to recruit others.
Fourth, an identity-transforming experience brings about a lifestyle change.
Fifth, overall unity in such a diverse collection requires a common ideology.
Sixth, opposition is part of the glue that holds this diverse collection together.

Knowing God…

Biblical leadership involves qualities, traits, virtues, and principles that guide character formation. As such, a biblical leader is one who desires to know God.

Scripture is filled with passages that emphasize the need to know God. Jesus said eternal life is aligned with knowing God and the One who was sent by Him.

Paul counted everything as loss for the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8). His heritage, material possessions, academic achievement, and religious position were worthless when laid alongside this knowledge.

Biblical leaders are driven by a passion to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

The Power of Passion…

What is it that drives our lives, especially as leaders?

Steve Jobs once said, “It [what you choose to do] has got to be something that you’re passionate about because otherwise you won’t have the perseverance to see it through.”

While we associate passion with excitement or enthusiasm, there is much more involved.

Passion is from a Latin word associated with suffering or sacrifice.

When leaders are passionate, it is seen by what they are willing to suffer, sacrifice, or give up in order to achieve the goal. 

When passion is present, leaders persevere to see it through.

Strength of Leadership…

Is this urgent or essential? What should you stop doing? 

In Forbes magazine, Mike Maddock asks another question, “What makes you feel strongest?”

Great leaders focus on their strengths. Numerous sources claim that leaders should focus 80% of their time on their strengths and 20% on weaknesses.

While this may sound opposite to what we consider, great leaders prove the theory.

Focusing on the areas of passion and strength makes a good leader great, and makes a great leader outstanding.

Leaders must take time to ask the right questions and make sure they provide answers that help them reach their greatest potential.

Passion for Thinking Big…

Imagine what would happen if leaders thought big. The passion that drives greatness can be nothing short of global.

Nelson Mandela once said, “There is no passion to be found playing small––in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Far too often, we place limitations on what God can do through us, because we have settled for less than our capabilities.

Avoid the “grasshopper syndrome” demonstrated by the spies in Numbers 13:33. The way they saw themselves directly influenced the way others saw them. Think about it! 

Leaders must not fall prey to this limited, small-thinking mindset. Think Big!

Primal Leadership…

Primal comes from a Latin word meaning “first.” The idea relates to beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life.

For leaders, it is essential to understand the primary / first elements that must be in place in order to achieve success.

These building blocks for spiritual leaders include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

Additional elements may exist, but these are the “primal” ones of leadership.

When leaders build on this foundation, their strength of character provides hope for everyone who follows.

Essentials of Leadership…

What is essential is necessary, which moves leadership to a new level.

However, what is essential and what is not?

Character: General Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is the potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”

Passion: Passion involves sacrifice, or what we are willing to give up to achieve the goal.

Vision: Vision is about seeing the unseen, or insight. We might call that faith.

Goals: David Swartz said, “Goals are as essential to success as air is to life.” Goals help us know where we are going. 

These are four essentials to our leadership.

Suffering Leadership…

A leader with passion and little talent will always out perform a leader with talent and little passion. E.M. Forster said, “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.

However, our modern definition of passion leaves much to be desired, because we often limit our thinking to enthusiasm or excitement.

The word is originally derived from a Latin word that means “to suffer.”

Leaders need enthusiasm. They need to be driven to achieve their goals, but when leaders are passionate they willingly make sacrifices.

Leadership is never easy, but the results of passionate leadership are always life-changing.

Real Leadership…

Real leadership involves authenticity, being genuine, even transparent.

While not always popular, it is essential.

A good friend once told me people want to see the same guy up front preaching that they greet at the back door.

Give this some thought.

We should not take on a different personality when we preach or teach, and we must not excuse such by calling it passion.

If our personality is not passionate outside the pulpit, then why would it become so in the pulpit?

Leading others brings many challenges and this one is difficult. However, if we want to lead others, then we need to BE REAL!