Tag: Words

Think First

October 28, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Think first. Two words. Simple enough to say and so difficult to do. Think before we speak, before we write, and before we act.

We live in a reactionary world. We tend to react to situations. Life deals an unfair hand and we react. Someone speaks inappropriately and we react. Others take advantage of us and we react.

Leaders must learn how to act. If we can stop the reaction through our words and actions, then maybe the fallout can be prevented.

The only way to learn this lesson is to “think first.”

Actions of a Leader

October 9, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

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.

Confident Character

February 19, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Confidence is connected to both the words and actions of an individual. Thus, there must also be a strong consistency in one’s character.

The lesson for leaders is nothing new.

For leaders to build the type of relationship with followers where trust exists, their character must be defined by consistency, which lays the foundation for their confidence.

This may be one of the truest approaches to defining integrity for spiritual leaders.

Leaders need to position their words and actions in such a way that their leadership portrays the confidence of someone whose life is consistent.

Consistency

August 7, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Leaders need to be consistent in every area of life.

When there is a purpose that drives our life, we then align our words and actions with that purpose.

From this point, we develop greater consistency because there is a purpose behind our thoughts, which become our words, which influence our actions.

In our homes, neighborhood, on our jobs, or anywhere we go, people recognize consistency.

Consider the definition: “An attribute of a logical system that is so constituted that none of the propositions deducible from the axioms contradict one another.”

I thought you might like to ponder that thought for a while 🙂

Potential to Grow

July 4, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

The following expression is significant: “Every conversation is important. When a specific wording is missed or an inappropriate judgment made, it can temporarily or permanently stunt another person’s potential to grow in leadership.”

If we understood how our words might promote or hinder the leadership potential of another person, would we give more careful thought to what we say?

Solomon reminds us that the power of life and death are in the tongue. With our words we either build up or tear down.

We must not allow anything to influence our words in such a way that it would discourage someone from reaching their leadership potential.

Salt and Light

April 20, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth….you are the light of the world.”

Salt and light make a difference when present. The analogy for Christians indicates that our influence should make a difference for good.

Outside of the Gospels, the word salt is used only twice and both times (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12) it directly speaks to the influence of our words.

The use of light addresses our conduct (Mt. 5:16). Peter spoke about the type of conduct that contributes to the salvation of others (1 Pe. 2:12).

Let us use our influence (words and conduct) to lead others to Him.

Head and Heart Leadership

October 19, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Using our head in leading means we:
…think before we speak or act.
…consider the short- and long-term consequences of our words and actions.
…weigh the evidence and ask evaluating questions before making decisions.

Using our heart in leading means we:
…devote ourselves to learning and serving the needs of others.
…prioritize our time toward relationship development.
…risk temporary satisfaction for eternal gain.

If we work to develop and practice a more “others-focused” approach, the future will take on a whole new perspective.

Testify, Magnify, and Glorify

June 10, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

I once saw an email tag with this phrase: “let my words testify…let my actions magnify…let my heart glorify the Lord.”

The words we speak, the actions we demonstrate, and the attitudes we portray become the building blocks for our leadership.

The church, the world, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and our family are all watching. They measure our character by the words and actions that display our attitude.

Spiritual leaders must constantly and diligently guard every aspect of life.

Let our words testify…Let our actions magnify…Let our hearts glorify the Lord.

The Actions of a Leader

April 25, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Words can be twisted to mean something different than were originally intended. They can be taken out of context and used against us. The same was true of Jesus, as religious leaders tried to trap Him in His words.

However, their greatest struggle was determining what to do with the fact His actions were amazing, miraculous. Peter reminds us that He went about doing good.

Nicholas Sparks said, ““You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions, not words, that matter.”

A great lesson for leaders.

Letting God Down

January 6, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Few people think about what happens when they let someone down.

Sadly, our desire to not let someone down leads us to try and please everyone. Even though we know it is impossible, we still try.

Have we ever considered how our decisions, words, or actions let God down? Spiritual leadership carries some of the greatest responsibility on earth and we never want to let those we lead down. Above all, we never want to let our God down.

If we focus on Him and pursue His will, we may let someone down, but our relationship with God remain secure.

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