Tag: SALT

Expectations

Most people tend to live up to the expectations of others. Regardless of what others think, however, we need to aim high. When we understand Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20, maybe, just maybe, we can develop a greater vision of what we can accomplish.

When leaders develop vision, one that sees our God correctly and sees ourselves correctly, we take steps to fulfill something beyond our capabilities.

Instead of allowing fear to control or dictate the decisions that ultimately limit our abilities, we need to rethink what we want to accomplish.

Passionate leadership fuels the future of growth and achievement and when it does, impossibilities vanish.

Words to Live By

While reading through a few leadership websites, I found an interesting thought by Terry Starbucker, “The Seven Most Important Words In Leadership.”

The seven words are “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

Leaders avoid the appearance of not knowing an answer. After all, leaders are supposed to know all the answers, right?

The transparency of acknowledging we do not know and the willingness to find the answer is critical.

First, people know we do not have all the information. Second, greater credibility and trust are established when we are honest with others.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

Happy Thanksgiving

From all of us at SALT, we are thankful for you and your support.

David’s Leadership

We could spend weeks talking about David’s leadership, but I simply want to examine one area: his respect for God’s will.

Even though David could have taken Saul’s life, he respected God’s appointment of Saul as Israel’s king.

Even though David was paying for the consequences of his sin, he understood and respected God’s answer in loss of his son.

Even though David was prepared to build a temple that honored God, he respected God’s decision that Solomon would build it.

One of the reasons his leadership was great is because he respected God’s will.

Strong and Lasting Leadership

Our leadership must demonstrate a consistency in life according to what we believe and proclaim. Hypocrisy destroys leadership more quickly than anything else.

The invariability of leading without fail and without exception is critical to the success of strong leadership. No matter what the cost, invariably, leaders will show up.

Followers need leaders with stability. Stability provides followers with security.

Regularity demonstrates a leadership that is fixed, unchanging, and unvarying. When others can count on their leader, they will follow them anywhere.

When we practice these qualities our leadership grows stronger and lasts longer.

Measuring Success

Various cultures around the world view or define success differently than other cultures. Oddly enough, even within the same culture, success is often defined differently.

Exploring the way God defines success is a bit more challenging, yet far more important to consider.

The most common factor defining success is quantitative. An increase by a specific number determines the measure of success achieved.

If we examine the Bible, we will find that the success is measured by those who followed the word of the Lord.

When it comes to defining success, as God defines it, a good place to start is 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

Scared or Sacred Leadership?

Why is leadership so scary?

Knowing that leaders deal with answering questions pertaining to goals, plans, maintaining morale, personality conflicts, providing resolution, etc., it does not take long to determine why the ground upon which a leader stands can be a scary place.

How do we move from scared to sacred ground?

Spending time communicating with God will help us reach a more sacred footing rather than one of being scared. Studying individuals throughout scripture who were able to overcome with God’s help, will help as we approach sacred ground.

It is a start and sometimes getting started is half the battle.

Joseph

Joseph endured adverse circumstances: rejection, slavery, temptation, false accusations, wrongful imprisonment, and forgotten.

HOWEVER, the entire account teaches us wonderful lessons about spiritual leadership.

No matter what happens, God is always with us. Throughout we find the phrase, “and God was with him.”

Remember God is always working toward a greater purpose. Joseph trusted God to be at work saving Israel, not just his own well-being.

Faithfulness will exult an individual and a nation. Joseph was eventually elevated to power over all of Egypt, which ultimately saved God’s people.

If we can learn these lessons, our leadership will move in the right direction.

Recovery

Think about the process of recovering from surgery.

Time and rest are involved. The body’s ability to recover is amazing, but healing requires time and getting the appropriate rest.

Repair prevents permanent damage. The design and purpose of recovery is to prevent problems of an irreparable nature.

Recovery requires following the physician’s instructions. We often overlook this point. The expert advice of a physician is critical to recovery.

If we follow the necessary steps for recovery, in the long run we can become stronger.

The same is true as spiritual leaders who need to recover from the battles of leading people through difficult and challenging times.

Successful Leadership

As leaders within the spiritual setting, the ultimate determination of success is realized at the throne of God. But, how can we prepare for such success?

1) Having SMART goals and plans to reach those goals.
2) Continuing to grow and develop our relationship with God.
3) Using the truth of God’s word for every decision.
4) Developing and strengthening relationships with others.
5) Assisting others in reaching their potential.
6) Equipping them with the right tools.
7) Knowing God…

If we can implement these few ideas from the beginning, success will follow.