Tag: Sunset

Agreeable Leadership

Our culture thrives on the right or opportunity to disagree and argue. The result leads to dissension, division, discouragement, and disorder.

Joseph Addison said, “If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling in the world.”

This does not mean we agree with everyone, or that it is wrong to disagree. There may even be times we are required to discuss our differences with another person.

The far-reaching influence of leadership is determined by the manner in which differences are handled.

To make the greatest impact, let us begin by focusing on where we agree.

Progress or Progressive?

Progress involves an attribute associated with the development of an organization.

Progressive tends to fall into an area that describes a gradual step by step movement away from a conservative foundation to a more liberal one.

Numerous emotions are attached to the direction associated with both words. Considering the original definition of these words, however, points to a significant development in relationship to our leadership.

When leaders advance with a gradual step by step approach in an effort to move toward a destination, the opportunities for long lasting success are more secured.

Quick movements tend to only satisfy short-term needs.

A Leader’s Response

How will leaders in our world respond to the tragedy in Ukraine?

How will leaders in the Lord’s church respond? Tragedy tends to bring opportunity, opportunity most often met with physical provisions. Will we be satisfied to send money, food, water, and clothing?

These are needed, but this tragedy should remind us of the opportunity to help people prepare for something the future holds.

Many lives have been lost and more injured.

Spiritually, the opportunity is ours. Jesus warned us of a great day coming. All will stand before Him. Are we prepared? Are we preparing others?

Relevant Leadership…

In education, one motivating factor that contributes to learning is relevance of the material. When the objectives are clearly relevant, students are more driven to learn.

On a spiritual level, if any generation is to be reached, we must show how God’s word is relevant. The message never changes, but how we present the relevance of the message does.

Engaging others to follow our leadership hinges on relevance.

The beauty of God’s word is based on the fact it was written with every generation in mind. The challenge is relevance.

Leading as God designed requires an understanding of how to make the message relevant.

Inner Strength

Jim Kwik once said, ”If an egg is broken by outside force, Life ends. If broken by inside force, Life begins. Great things always begin from inside.”

Who are we at the core? When an inside force breaks through we find a strength able to withstand the dangers that threaten from outside forces.

Without a doubt, outside forces will come. Sadly, they are not always from expected forces. There are times when those closest to us present the greatest threats. This is where leaders must display the depth of their inner strength.

This kind of force is found in three words: Trust, Conviction, Desire.

Leadership Safety

Click it or ticket? We’ve all seen it. Seat belts. My intent is not to debate. I know of those who would have died had they been wearing a seat belt. I also know of those who would have died without it.

Regardless of our like or dislike for specific laws, seat belts were designed with a purpose. Spiritual leaders also have a purpose.

Think about the similarities with the seat belt.

1) We must be there when the need exists.
2) We must connect with people to be useful.
3) We must protect without being uncomfortable.
4) We must create a signal when someone is unprotected.

Conscious or Conscience?

Some words always seem to be difficult when determining their use. Effect or affect? Insure or ensure?

Another pair that falls into this category is conscious or conscience.

However, these words are significant when thinking about leadership.

Consciousness involves an awareness or ability to respond to one’s surroundings. Leaders understand the need to demonstrate an awareness of surroundings when making decisions or actions in response to specific situations.

Conscience, oddly enough, relates to that inner voice that acts as a guide regarding right and wrong behavior. Specifically, the conscience of a leader must be exemplified by the moral decisions made each day.

Leading With Boundaries

Boundaries are welcomed by some and frightening to others. Boundaries mark the limits of an area or activity.

On one hand, these limits can inhibit the creativity of those who need to develop their abilities and opportunities to explore beyond the norm.

On the other hand, these limits provide safety and security in ways that prevent drifting into areas that represent risk, danger, and defeat.

Leaders need to know how to use boundaries properly. Followers need opportunity to spread the wings of creativity and explore beyond the status quo.

At the same time, there must be strategic lines that minimize the risk of loss.

Servant Leadership

I recently heard Patrick Lencioni say, “There is no such thing as servant leadership. Leaders are servants. They either serve themselves or they serve others.”

Gillian Anderson said, “Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need.”

Among the numerous qualities of a servant, a few qualities are difference makers.

1) Empathy
2) Building community
3) Commitment to people
4) Stewardship

Leaders who serve follow the example of Christ and can change the world.

What Do You Believe?

People believe a lot of things. Bigfoot? Elvis is still alive? UFOs? Aliens? Theory of evolution?

This post is not be designed to discuss these matters at any level. However, it causes me to wonder about what we believe and why we believe it.

Getting straight to the point, when we believe something, we talk about it to others. We express why our belief is so strong. When we do not believe, there seems to be no purpose.

Paul told the church at Corinth, “I believe therefore I speak.”

Communication allows us an avenue to share a belief system based on the evidence of truth. Make it count!