Tag: Success

The Beginning

Is the beginning better than the end?

The reputation of a successful leader is often measured by goals achieved. However, a leader has an important task before achieving success.

What must be done to create buy-in? How can excitement be created for the goal? Will people work the plan?

The answers unfold in the beginning. To earn great victories, there needs to be a great beginning.

Believe in the plan.
Paint the picture and set it before others.
Examine every possible detail.
Pursue the course with enthusiasm.

Is the beginning better than the end? If we start correctly, yes!

The Right Foundation

Jesus spoke of a wise and a foolish man. The difference between the two was the foundation upon which they were building.

When the bedrock of our leadership is based on spiritual qualities and characteristics, then people have a solid foundation to follow.

We must know who we are following. When we follow the leadership of Christ, we move in the right direction.

We must develop consistency between our words and actions. More than one leader has lost credibility because their actions contradicted their words.

The eternal success of our leadership is determined by the foundation upon which we build and help others stand upon.

Failure (part 2)

Dealing with failure has never been easy. How we deal with it makes a powerful statement to the development of our leadership.

Building on the suggestions from yesterday, consider the following.

Do not hesitate to act. Hesitation comes with a high price. Waiting to act creates a perception of apathy.

Learn from failure. Study the strengths and weaknesses of the present circumstances. Determine and implement the changes needed to overcome and prevent the same mistakes.

Make necessary adjustments to move beyond the failure to build confidence in others toward leadership. Work to build a series of successful events or programs to reassure the strength of the leadership.

Failure (part 1)

Who or what determines failure? Why is failure seen as negative? How can leaders deal with failure in ways to improve and benefit their leadership?

Consider a couple of steps:

First, recognize failure is inevitable. No matter who you are or where you are, failure takes place.

Second, acknowledge it and take responsibility. Do not ignore, deny, or cast blame when failure occurs.

Third, failure is not fatal. Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

The Power of Attitude

Our attitude and approach to leadership influences the type of work we accomplish.

Charles Schwab once said, “I have yet to find a man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”

If leadership is dictatorial, negative, and critical there are consistent challenges to reaching goals.

Our leadership excels with a spirit of positive approval and affirmation. The world has plenty of critics. It seems natural to offer criticism, even when praise is necessary.

God intended the church to be a refuge. If we want success in our leadership, the thought here is worth considering.

Faith

Moses was noted for his faith in seeing Him who is unseen. Spiritual leaders are people of faith, primarily faith in God.

However, faith involves additional factors key to successful leadership.

Leaders must have faith in people. Even with our flaws, God entrusted His work to people.

Leaders must have faith in the purpose. God has provided us with the greatest purpose.

Leaders must have faith in the plan. We need to believe these plans will accomplish God’s purpose.

Leaders must be people who see Him who is unseen. This is leadership insight that leads to success.

Measuring Up

Who determines the scale between 1 and 10? Does it differ from one person to another? Is there a consistent standard allowing for accurate evaluation?

How would we rate on a scale of 1 to 10?

Consistency is a needed virtue. Therefore, consider a couple of factors:

1) People rate our leadership (like it or not).
2) The rating is determined by ability, decisions, relationships, and success.
3) We will give an account for our leadership.
4) The standard is God’s word.

A change in our rating is up to us. Again we ask, “How does our leadership measure up?”

Respect

Respect is often a two-way street, but the challenge involves earning respect.

A few simple ideas can help leaders approach this subject with greater success.

Be dedicated to the Lord: Focus on Christ and make the souls of others a priority.

Be consistent: Posner and Kouzes say, “The video needs to match the audio.”

Love people: A deeper understanding of love might help us understand why it covers a multitude of sins.

We could argue whether respect is earned or demanded. However, applying a few simple principles to our leadership will answer the questions.

Developing Others

Spiritual leadership should be based on a thought expressed by Harvey S. Firestone, “It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.”

We must equip and train others to lead. Who will replace you and me? Are we preparing them for the work?

From a worldly perspective, leadership is inward focused. One must be self-centered in order to make one’s own way.

Jesus developed the apostles for a task that was quite different. The success of their work continues today.

The success of our leadership, and the future of the church, rests on developing others.

Success or Failure?

Although the origin is unknown, I’ve heard several versions of this thought, “I do not know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

Many do not lead because they are afraid to fail. If everyone had this attitude, where would we be spiritually? If no one had the courage to lead, what would happen to the church? We know it is impossible to please everyone.

Therefore…

Lead with the Bible as the basis for all decisions.
Make decisions with confidence.
Communicate decisions clearly.
Express why the decisions are made.
Understand not everyone will like or agree with all decisions.