Tag: SALT

Leadership Regret

At times, we all regret our participation in something we’ve said or done.

However, the bigger picture is not painted by the few moments we experience regret, but rather the whole of life.

Zig Ziglar once asked, “Will you look back on life and say, ‘I wish I had,’ or ‘I’m glad I did’”?

The bigger picture of leadership influence is shaped by how we answer this question. Looking back, our leadership should never be identified by what we wish we had done or said. Rather, our joy and hope of a better tomorrow rests in the fact we were glad we did it.

Uncertainty

Life can change in heartbeat. Tragedy often strikes in a moment. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, and a hundred other areas often create uncertainty.

What will happen? When will these events occur? Why do they happen?

These are questions we ask in moments of uncertainty. However, when our faith is challenged, we can find the blossoming leadership of godly examples that surround us.

We pray earnestly before, during, and after tragic events. We must trust those prayers will be answered and know God will work through our lives and the lives of others to lead in ways that point to the Father of all.

If Only

Too often we sit and think about the hypothetical possibilities of what could happen…if only.

Walt Disney amassed an empire on the foundation of a mouse. His thought? “If you can think it, you can do it.”

Do we limit what can be accomplished, or perhaps limit what we believe God will accomplish, because we’ve convinced ourselves we cannot do it?

In the Old Testament the thought is expressed, “Is the power of the Lord limited?” Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.”

Instead of thinking, If only, maybe we can think, “With God on our side, there is nothing we cannot do.” Dream Big!

Survival, Success, and Significance

Meditate for a few minutes on each of these words. The majority of people only seek to survive, looking for the next meal or how to pay their rent/mortgage.

Others seek a level of success. While subjective, no matter how it is defined, people desire success in their families, academically, or on their jobs.

There are far too few who realize that the limited time we have on earth is about making a significant difference. Significance requires thinking beyond ourselves and wielding our influence for the purpose of making an impact that is significant.

How would you describe your leadership? Are you striving to survive, enjoy success, or make a difference that is significant.

Communication

Communication faces numerous challenges. Simply because we speak the same language does not necessitate that communication has occurred.

Amazingly enough, the advances in technology have not improved our ability to communicate. Worse still, is the fact that most people believe themselves to be good communicators, when in actuality, they are not.

Leadership requires the ability to both effectively communicate and communicate effectively. The nature of effective communication involves the means we use. Communicating effectively involves understanding.

Both take time and practice.

While it might appear to be easy, one of the most difficult tasks we face in leadership is communication.

True Leadership

Difficulties often cause leaders to: a) step out of the leadership role, or b) never enter into a leadership role.

God never promised a carefree, problem free life. If anything, God ensures us that life is going to be filled with problems, difficulties, and suffering.

True leadership learns how to deal with those challenges in the most godly, Christian manner possible.

Rely upon God for guidance in approaching these challenges.

Develop a strong determination to lead no matter how difficult the road.

Seek help from seasoned leaders who have faced difficulties.

Above all, understand that they are only temporary.

Win or Learn

We live in a competitive world and winning dominates every sport. Individuals and teams desire to be winners at all cost. Losing is not an option.

Nelson Mandela said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” Imagine this mindset. The concept of losing doesn’t exist, but rather learning.

When we think in terms of losing, we miss the opportunity to improve. We can easily fall into the trap of compromise in order to win. We cut corners, minimize relationships, and view people as objects to our own end.

We must learn, improving who we are and what we do for the benefit of God’s church and His glory.

Spiritual Growth

We want our children to learn how to read and write, understand history, and gain a perspective of math and science. Of course, there are other subjects.

However, do we grasp the urgency of a spiritual education?

We must take a more serious look at the situation and how to better equip God’s people.

We are responsible not just to teach, but to teach others how to learn from God’s word in order that they might teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

If we value what we learned from someone who took the time to teach us, then we must imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Two Questions

Two words with three letters each. The most powerful questions to be considered.

The first is why? The implication is to determine the purpose behind decisions being made and actions taken.

Why does this task require leadership?
Why should we pursue this direction?
Why is this work important?
Why is this the best course of action?

The second is how? Once we understand the purpose, we must determine how we will fulfill it.

How do I become a better leader?
How will we accomplish the task?
How should we handle obstacles?
How can we get others involved?

Nothing could be stronger from a spiritual perspective.

Near and Far Sighted

The eye is an amazing part of the human body, but there is not enough space to cover its complex intricacies.

However, as we age, our arm does not often extend quite far enough to read the print on a page.

Two conditions normally occur: 1) nearsightedness – the ability to see things up close, but not far away, or 2) farsightedness – the ability to see things far away, but not up close.

Spiritually, leaders must avoid both conditions. Leaders need the ability to see needs that exist up close (present), and they must see what will happen far away (future).

Seeing both near and far makes it possible to address current needs and plan for the future.