Tag: Wisdom

Learning Leaders

Everything that is learned about leadership simply indicates that there is always more to learn. It is amazing to consider the amount of information readily accessible.

Where do leaders turn?

First, turn to God. The best leadership book available is the Bible.

Second, turn to other godly leaders. Seek their help and learn from their wisdom.

Third, turn inward for reflection. Many answers can be found by reflecting on how God has worked throughout the journey to bring us where we are as leaders.

This does not exhaust the possibilities, but it does provide a few steps in benefiting from each learning moment.

Genuineness #2

As we began yesterday, several ideas can help develop or improve a leader’s genuineness. In addition to the three we have already considered, here are four more.

1) Fairness and impartiality are essential when working with people.

2) Always begin and end with something nice and complementary.

3) Address the issues in your personal life before trying to help others.

4) Seek wise counsel and follow the suggestions provided.

The purpose behind the seven ideas we’ve discussed is not simply to develop leadership character, but to demonstrate a genuineness that builds confidence in those we influence every day.

Godly Counsel

In the Psalms, David expresses the need to wait for the counsel of the Lord, because His counsel will endure forever.

Solomon claims a wise man is one who listens to wise counsel. One of the best Proverbs about counsel is found in Proverbs 27:9 where we read, “A man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) God is glorified, 2) His people are built up in the faith, 3) Leadership is strengthened, and 4) The future is secured.

Let leaders learn to pursue and provide godly counsel.

Time

From the day we are born to the day we die, we only know time: The time we sleep, the time to get ready for work, the time we spend at work, and the list goes on.

Once time passes, we cannot get it back. It cannot be regained or relived.

When we look at leadership, the value of time takes a sharper focus. From the time we prepare ourselves to lead and influence others to the time we actually spend in building those relationships, every second contains great value.

Let us use our time wisely and make the most of the opportunity to lead with care.

Leading Children

Life changes with each heartbeat. When raising children, these changes in life raise questions.

What will happen? How will we raise them? There are times we ask, “Why did this happen?”

These are questions we tend to ask when facing moments of uncertainty. Our faith is challenged.

Leadership begins here, in the home. The foundation of a mother and father who are dedicated to make sure their children are loved and raised to trust, honor, know, and follow God.

We pray from the moment we learn of a child’s conception. When they enter this world, we pray for the wisdom to lead them all along the way.

Navigating Rough Waters

No one likes leading during difficult times. No one seeks out rough waters to practice their leadership. For some, rough waters always seem to find them.

The true test of leadership occurs in these moments. They define who we are as a leader and the type of leader we become. What will help us navigate these waters?

Remember who we are at the core. Nothing should change our core values.

Trust in wise counsel. Others have sailed rough waters before us. Seek their counsel.

Be slow, diligent, and deliberate.
Defeat comes when we act before thinking and are slow to execute.

Problems and Solutions

All leaders will face problems. How we deal with problems makes the difference.

I commonly hear people speak of moving from one fire (problem) to another. When one fire is out, they are racing to the next.

What will help with these problems before they become emergencies?

Address problems when they arise. Problems do not resolve themselves.

Rely on wise counsel
. Solomon teaches the value of wise counsel.

Learn to delegate. Get others involved in problem resolution.

Our task as spiritual leaders is to provide a solution from God’s word. Here, and only here, can real solutions be found.

Healthy Leadership

Leaders who desire to please everyone, in reality, end up attempting to please only those who matter least.

Leaders need wisdom to identify the people who aren’t good for them. A few qualities stand out: negativity, cynicism, malicious, deceptive, self-centered, and venomous are unhealthy for any relationship.

The ability to walk away rests upon knowing the value of one’s own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and walking away takes courage.

The wisdom to know the people who aren’t good for us and the courage to walk away from them are steps toward a happier and healthier leadership.

Time and Influence

Time flies by much faster than I would like. I am constantly amazed at what appears to be the speed of time. We are already one month into the new year and nothing seems to be slowing down.

Since leadership is about influence, it makes sense that we would use the time we have to influence as many people as possible.

I remember hearing from a young age, “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” Nothing could be more true.

Are you using your time wisely? What impression are you making with your influence? Is it worth following?

Resolving Conflict

The challenges associated with conflict run deep and the resolutions do not come quickly. When conflict arises, what can we do?

1) Embrace the conflict. Conflict allows us the opportunity to learn from and grow through it.
2) Develop consistency. Hypocrisy is destructive, thus a consistent approach is the best start.
3) Listen to all sides. There are at least two sides to every story. Listen completely to both.
4) Respond quickly. Waiting to address conflict produces bitter and incorrect feelings.
5) Invite collective wisdom. Ask others who have faced similar conflict and learn.

This is not an exhaustive list, but with a good start we can find resolution more quickly.