Tag: SALT

When Leaders Fail…

Regardless of our political position, developments within the administrative system of our country seem to raise questions about leadership.

It is fascinating to see quotes and principles regarding leadership and what happens when leaders fail to be trustworthy.

On more than one occasion, news reporters express the idea of accountability. Specifically, one analyst expressed that what leaders do when mistakes are made is “confess the mistake, take responsibility, and let the chips fall where they may.”

Leaders will experience failure. They make mistakes. How leaders strategically maneuver during these times determines the level of trust to be gained or lost by those who follow.

A Tenacious Leader…

One who stands firmly and possesses the quality of determination is tenacious. When leaders have tenacity in relationship to the truth, spiritual development will result.

Think for a moment about the nature and application.

When talking about how to face challenges, work through personal problems, establish direction, develop plans, achieve goals, and guide through tough decisions, leaders must exemplify tenacity.

The persistent character of tenacity to pursue a solution until it is successful takes time. Leaders who possess tenacity lead with perseverance and lay a foundation for success.

Developing this powerful quality is worth our effort when leading others.

Unscriptural or Uncomfortable…

A thin line exists between the two and leaders are challenged to recognize the difference. How?

Know the book. When knowledge of God’s word is weak, leaders will not know if something is Biblical or not.

Seek wisdom through prayer. This is not a prayer before a meeting, but a “without ceasing” approach to seek God’s guidance.

Ask the right questions. Asking why we do something opens a door to greater understanding.

Be patient. Decisions should rarely be made in one meeting. Give it time, but be careful not to procrastinate.

A few steps will help us determine the difference in what is unscriptural versus uncomfortable.

A Healing Leader…

A thought expressed by a good friend is worth sharing. 

“I find a leadership lesson in the experience of helping the church heal. Leaders cannot allow themselves to see people as groups, as factions; we must see them individually. As leaders, we may preach to a congregation, but we teach one soul at a time. For, we never know which one might become the next leader.” Paul Myers

Read the last line again and let it sink in for a moment. We may proclaim the word of God to multitudes, but leadership is developed through transforming one soul at a time. 

Who might be the next leader where you serve?

A Spiritual Leader…

How should we define “spiritual” leadership? 

Here are a few possibilities. Spiritual leaders…

1) Move people to be more like God.
2) Rely on grace found in the blood of Christ.
3) Work to accomplish the will of God.
4) Encourage the fainthearted.
5) Admonish the unruly. 
6) Strengthen the weak.
7) Seek first the kingdom of God.
8) Pray without ceasing.
9) Search the scriptures daily.
10) Trust fully in God’s providential working.

These are only 10 suggestions, but take a lifetime to develop as leaders. God’s word challenges us to grow into His spiritual leaders.

A Band of Leaders…

A friend of mine once said, “Always remember, you can’t make it on your own.” 

Solomon reminds us that “two are better than one.” Why? 

  1. Good return for their labor
  2. Help the other up when someone falls
  3. Keep each other warm
  4. When alone and overpowered, two can resist 

He concludes with this thought, “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Eccl. 4:9-12). Alone, we are vulnerable, but there is strength in numbers. 

Leaders must encourage one another, grow to maturity, and defeat the enemy together. The strength gained lays a foundation for a greater future.

An Objective Leader…

Objectivity carries the thought of being uninfluenced by personal feelings or opinions when considering and representing facts. The ability to lead objectively is rare, if not impossible.

Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24).

From this thought we learn several lessons.

Examine the facts carefully. Make certain all the facts have been gathered.
Study more deeply and diligently. Emotions tend to rationalize truth. Dig!
Ask penetrating questions. Good questions develop depth to the information.

One word that should characterize the quality of all leaders is objectivity.

A Strong Leader…

Leaders will always encounter times of discouragement, but how do we survive and grow stronger?

Here a few suggestions to consider.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Focus on one area at a time.
Learn the value of knowing when to walk away.
Seek counsel with other survivors.
Remember to seek the good in all situations
.

Leaders cannot avoid, ignore, or ever neglect adversity. Instead, learn how to survive the fallout when adversity exists and become a stronger leader.

Believing in Ourselves…

As leaders, we need to see the value of helping others believe in themselves.

Sam Walton said, “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

How can we achieve this?

Express confidence. A word of encouragement motivates people to accomplish great work.

Give responsibility. Responsibility shows we trust them to achieve the task.

Handle failure appropriately. Help others learn from it, evaluate, pick up, and move forward.

Express confidence. If we begin and end with telling others we believe in them and what they can accomplish, greatness will result.

Destructive Nature of Procrastination…

Perhaps you’ve heard the statement, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” A dear friend, Paul Myers, shared this thought with me about 10 years ago.

Procrastination can be destructive to leadership. Why?

Because there is no better time than now when it comes to…

Leading others to Christ.
Telling someone you love them.
Helping someone mature spiritually.
Strengthening the weak.
Improving ourselves as leaders.

We must fight the desire to procrastinate and use the present to achieve greatness.