Tag: Sunset

Excellence

One of the most compelling words associated with leadership is excellence. By definition, excellence refers to “the fact or state of excelling, superiority, eminence.” The concept is often identified as the pursuit of a place or position that is superior in nature to a previous one.

However, leaders are challenged to develop and identify excellence a bit differently in their leadership. Marcus Buckingham says, “Excellence has its own pattern, you have to learn and study it.”

To think of excellence as a position or destination falls short of recognizing the lifelong pursuit characterized by the passion to continually grow in excellence.

Take the Step

I remember the old adage “one step forward and two steps back.” The idea represented the challenges of moving forward in the face of setbacks.

Naeem Callaway reminds us that “sometimes that smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”

What steps will you take that may become the biggest steps of your life?

Lead someone, mentor them, give a coworker a nudge to step up or step out in ways that will move them toward their potential.

The time to do so may be the biggest step you take, so take it!

MVP

The idea is often thought of as the most valuable player, a person recognized for their outstanding abilities, contribution, or accomplishments to the team.

Generally, they are a stand-out person, one that everyone sees leading others to a specific measure of success.

However, when we think about leadership, the MVP may not always stand out and be in front of the rest. Their contribution may be minimal in the eyes of many, if not most, but what they give is critical and vital to success.

Think about what the mother of a boy with five loaves and two fish taught him. Who is the MVP where you lead?

GRIT

I came across a thought expressed by Shayne McClendon that has great implication for leadership, “I will breathe. I will think of solutions, I will not let my worry control me. I will not let my stress level break me. I will simply breathe. And it will be okay. Because I don’t quit.”

I specifically found it interesting because it directly relates to one of the strongest books I’ve read in recent years written by Angela Duckworth, Grit. This one is worth your time.

The power of passion and perseverance in leadership cannot be overstated. No matter what happens, GRIT is the core of success.

Actions of a Leader

How we are defined as leaders is based on our actions. Patrick Ness said, “You do not write your life with words… You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.”

We may have the noblest of intentions. We may have abundant talent. We may even possess the highest IQ. If our actions, however, do not display exemplary character, then our intentions, talent, and intelligence represent little, if anything.

Let our actions define the true nature of our leadership.

When

Leadership is a combination of many components that come together to help followers get from where they are to where they need to be and when they need to be there.

While these components will vary based on the people and situation, one of the most critical pieces to good leadership is knowing When.

Moving too slow causes frustration and moving too fast creates tension and anxiety. Like the story of the Three Bears, when we get it just right, everything works and moves to the benefit of everyone involved.

The Destination

Time seems to move at incredible speed as we approach the last quarter of the year. As each day flies by, we must continue to evaluate our leadership and our influence on those who follow. Do we know where we are headed? If not, how will we know if or when we get there?

Ken Davis once said, “Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time. Know where you are going and you can take anyone with you.”

Others are following, and when we know the destination, we can point others in the right direction.

Listening

As a leader, how well do you listen? Several barriers can hinder our ability to listen: phone, computer, television, responsibilities, hunger pains, future plans, and so on.

Our minds can wander and we can get distracted.

Leaders have a responsibility to listen. Consider two major types of listening techniques.

Active listening involves observing behavior, body language, tone of voice, and words spoken.

Reflective listening involves a greater focus on specifics of what is said, but with an added twist. One is required to repeat back what was said to confirm understanding.

Imagine the impact on our leadership if we learned to practice both.

Next Generation Leaders

Tim Elmore wrote a book, Habitudes, using images, relatable stories, and experiences that are designed to help the next generation of leaders form the right habits and attitudes.

A couple of questions need to be considered within the realm of spiritual leadership.

What are we doing to make a difference in relationship to the future of the church?

How are we preparing the next generation to lead?

We need more than a conviction of the situation. We need to take legitimate steps to change the crisis we face in the current generation.

Let us lead with that in mind.

Leading Change

Our bodies constantly change from birth to death. The earth changes with every turn on the axis. And every decision in any organization produces change.

The idea of change often represents moving into a bad place. Maybe it’s because the approach was to tear down or destroy something in the past.

The positive side of change can be realized if we do not remove the old, but use it as a foundation to build something new.

Dan Millman says, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

Great things can be accomplished by looking through a different lens.