Posted on April 14th, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
As leaders or influencers, we have to address issues of the heart and the soul that determine how and why problematic behavior is being practiced. Jesus modeled this essential discipline of effective leadership. Peter had failed Jesus miserably. Overwhelmed by intense pressure, he had abandoned his mentor and friend in the moment Jesus most needed his friendship and support. How humiliated and degraded Peter must have felt. But Jesus reconstructed Peter.
The single loop tends to be the easy one. We can teach a person to modify his or her angry outbursts. But the second loop forces the person to deal with the anger that generates the outburst. The second loop is essential to solving the problem but more difficult to address.
As leaders who are committed to God’s best for our followers, we must learn well the lesson of double-loop learning. First time around the loop – behavior. Second time around the loop – values and attitudes that drive behavior. Great leaders don’t stop after one lap around the loop.
Self-discipline may be defined simply as that quality that allows a person to do what needs to be done when he or she doesn’t feel like doing it. Composure, presence of mind, coolheadedness, patience, self-possession, restraint – only a few people display these qualities, and those who do usually make effective leaders.
If you want to be an effective leader, identify the habits you need to build into your life so you can lead with diligence – habits such as physical fitness, balance between work and home, financial and personal accountability, and the like. Disciplined habits will give you the momentum you need to not only move forward, but also to run your earthly race with strength and purpose.
Posted on March 4th, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
Encouragement
Keeping hope alive is one of the few functions a leader performs. During those times in which others are lost in a dark and seemingly endless maze of despair, effective leaders will drive away the darkness with positive projections for the future. They’ll infuse those around them with optimism regarding themselves, others and the future of the organization. They know when to draw alongside someone. They sense whether a team member needs a quick admonition or a shoulder on which to cry.
Effective leaders sustain hope by offering words of support. And a little bit of encouragement can go along way toward motivating those around you.
Posted on February 25th, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
Humility
As a leadership train, humility is a heart attitude that reflects a keen understanding of your limitations as a leader to accomplish something on your own. It gives credit to forces other than your own brilliance or effort when a victory is won or an obstacle overcome. A leader with a humble heart looks out the window to find and applaud the true causes for success and in the mirror to find and accept responsibility for failure.
Posted on February 23rd, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
Planning
Looking ahead into the future is an integral characteristic of effective leadership. Spontaneity is valuable and sometimes necessary, but the consequences would be disastrous if most of our life’s direction were left to serendipity and happenstance. Although, as a leader you may not possess a crystal ball to foretell what the future will bring, you can and should be planning what it may bring.
Planning and evaluating performance with long-term goals and objectives in mind requires discipline but this discipline inevitably leads to greater freedom.
Leadership suggests movement. “Where are we heading?” is a question that every responsible leader must answer in order to have the courage to summon others to follow. Take some time to discover the direction in which you and those you lead are headed.
Posted on February 22nd, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
Decision Making
Decision Making is one of leadership’s core competencies. Decisions reveal values and intelligence. They require obedience to and dependence upon God. Making decisions affects just about everything else leaders do. Where can a leader go to get help in this essential component of life and leadership?
Decision makers must understand complicated matters, but they also need God’s perspective in deciding how to act. All wisdom comes from God. Using His wisdom to make good decisions is something God wants to help us learn to do. We make decisions everyday, and the patterns established by the small decisions shape the course of the larger ones. It’s crucial to make wise decisions, but no decision is wise if it is made independently of God.
Posted on February 20th, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in Leadership
Leaders need courage to make the tough decisions they’re faced with everyday. From time to time, good leadership requires excursions into unexplored territory, and draws on a leader’s courage.
The same sources of courage that empowered Joshua are available today for any leader who will accept them. When faced with a risky decision, the godly leader will look to God in prayer and to God’s revealed Word for the perspective and courage needed to make the right choice.
What situation are you facing now that requires courageous leadership? Let God’s words to Joshua supply you with the courage you need.
