Tag: SIBI

Timely Advice

Measure twice, cut once.

The lesson behind this advice extends beyond the field of carpentry and medicine. In fact, the application is fitting for most areas of life, especially leadership.

Leadership credibility increases when decisions are based on additional information gained or counsel received indicating the time taken to measure twice.

How different will outcomes be if we take time to investigate before making decisions that compromise our relationship with God and His people?

Measuring twice makes it possible to insure accuracy before making decisions that carry great consequential impact.

Our leadership rests in the balance of this advice.

Evaluation

One of the most significant components of goal setting and achievement is evaluation. Evaluation is a time to reflect, assess, or make a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something.

Once goals are established for any individual or organization, an effective way to determine progress is through evaluation.

Evaluating progress monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, and yearly provides leaders an opportunity to measure the amount of progress, assess necessary changes, implement phases of the plan, and build the confidence of stakeholders in the process.

The profit gained by evaluating each essential part of the plan determines success.

The Power of Memory

Memory is one of the most powerful qualities of the brain as designed by God.

Memory also opens the portholes of our minds to reminisce about the events and decisions of life.

Leaders who are able to reminisce about past events that build upon achievement, victories over trials or failures, and the strength of morale will motivate others to find something deep inside that drives who they are and where they want to go.

The power of reminiscing makes the difference between being consumed with regret over past mistakes and the elation of knowing something better is ahead.

Leading Like Jesus

Jesus was not one to focus His time on the rich, popular, political or religious leaders of the people.

Jesus spent time with the outcast, unwanted, and unlikely of society.

He did not participate in or condone their activities. He worked to influence them and show a better way. He gave them hope.

We must consider who we focus our time on, if we seek to be like Him. This does not mean we shun or avoid the wealthy. We may not always be comfortable with the outcast, unwanted, or unlikely, but history and experience indicate they are the most receptive.

Fire-Lighting Leadership

Who are the fire-lighters in your life? We all have them and we need those who are able to say or do that one thing that excites the passion within us to act and achieve.

Leaders also need to light the fire in others. Whose fire are you lighting?

Your words and actions have the power to create motivation in the lives of others. The result changes the world.

When you extend a helping hand, speak an encouraging word, or give the most valuable gift, you make an eternal difference.

Be the leader God called you to be in this world.

Influential Leader

A word expressed or action taken can change a situation in ways that leave a lasting impression.

People always watch and listen. They measure the strength of our character by the consistency of our words and actions.

Before we speak, think about the consequences. Once the words are spoken we cannot take them back.

Our actions have a similar impact. Interestingly enough, we may participate in an activity that does not characterize who we are, yet when seen, the consequences are nearly impossible to correct.

Our influence is too valuable to give little thought to the consequences of our choices and influence.

A Uniting Leader

The uniting agent that makes us one deserves more attention than usually given.

Our common purpose is summed up in Jesus. His blood covers our sins, makes us one, and points us in the same direction.

Consider the implications connected to sacrifice.

First, work harder and more patiently to help others reach their potential.
Second, always speak well of people publicly and address major concerns with them in private.
Third, remember this is not about us, but helping others.
Fourth, our pride is not worth dividing God’s people.

We have a common purpose and the value of maintaining unity is worth the effort.

Simple Leadership

Simplicity can be explained by the following: 1) understanding, 2) clarity, 3) definable, 4) plain, and 5) natural.

The opposite of simplicity is complex and tends to leave people in a fog. When leadership is complex, people deal with confusion or convolution.

The challenge is learning how to bring simplicity to leadership?

Identify the main thing (priority) and keep it the main thing.
Narrow the focus to one primary task.
Simplify and clarify terminology.

A few simple ideas will benefit and strengthen our leadership in ways that will simplify what we strive to achieve to the glory of God.

Imitating Christ

Scripture instructs us to be an imitator of Christ. Peter identifies that Jesus left an example that we should walk in His steps.

What exactly does that mean? In context, Peter’s statement to Christians related to suffering.

Hopefully, we possess a conviction to walk in His steps, even when suffering.

Our prayer is that we draw closer to our God, understand more fully the example left for us to follow, and then live our life as a reflection of His example.

Where will it take us? If we follow it through, we might just find an amazing path before us.

Dangerous Procrastination

Too often, leaders convince themselves they are not quite ready, and so they wait, and wait.

Lemony Snicket tells us, “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”

What exactly will get us ready? More money? More education? Greater opportunity? Time?

There will always be more questions than answers, but at some point we have to ask, “How will we know we are ready/”

Patience is a virtue, but if we keep waiting, chances are we may never be ready.

The decision is ours. Let’s not wait.