Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“You have made some mistakes, and you may not be where you want to be, but that has nothing to do with your future.” Zig Ziglar

More than a few people struggle with the mistakes of the past. Guilt makes us wish we could return to the past and make corrections. Often times we regret not starting earlier to do what we know should have been done.

The challenge is overcoming the desire to live in the past or allowing the mistakes of the past to dictate our direction.

We cannot go back and live in the past. We cannot change it. We can only learn from it and use it to make decisions that determine a different future.

Nothing from the past or our present circumstances has anything to do with the future. The future is determined by the choices we make now to shape tomorrow.

If we make decisions built on a spiritual foundation, the direction of tomorrow is one that assures an eternal destination prepared for those who make the proper choices in the present.

Measure Twice, Cut Once…

This timeless piece of advice is familiar to most who find themselves involved in carpentry. If you are like me, this is one of those lessons learned by experience.

We might easily trust the first measurement and memory only to learn after the cut is made that an additional cut is required or another piece completely.

Serious medical diagnoses are generally followed up with a second opinion. When someone’s health is potentially in peril, circumstance demands additional counsel.

The lesson behind this advice extends beyond the field of carpentry and medicine. In fact, the application is fitting for most areas of life, especially leadership.

Leadership credibility increases when decisions are based on additional information gained or counsel received indicating the time taken to measure twice.

How different would the outcome have been if biblical leaders like Saul, David, Peter, and Paul had taking time to investigate further before making a decision compromising their relationship with God and influence of His people?

Measuring twice makes it possible to insure accuracy before making decisions with great consequential impact.

Our relationship with God and leadership rests in the balance of this advice.

Critical Evaluation…

One of the most significant components of goal setting and achievement is evaluation. Evaluation is based on time set aside to reflect, assess, or make a judgment about the amount, number or value of something.

Once goals are established for any individual or organization, an effective way to determine progress is through evaluation.

Evaluating progress monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, and yearly provides leaders an opportunity to accomplish the following:

Measuring the amount of progress. Knowing what has been accomplished is foundational for each area of the plan.

Assessing changes that need to be made to reach the goal. This assessment may mean making adjustments by increasing or decreasing the goal.

Implementing phases of the plan. Reaching any goal requires a plan and the contingency of implementing the various phases of that plan at the right time.

Building morale of stakeholders in the process. Everyone who has something invested in this task thrives on the success of progress. An accurate evaluation keeps them informed and on board.

The profit gained by time spent evaluating each essential part of the plan determines its ultimate success.

Leadership Word Of The Week…Reminisce

Indulging in an enjoyable recollection of past events is where reminiscing begins.

The significance of this idea, as it relates to leaders, is to recognize the value of reflecting on the positive events accomplished.

Memory is one of the most powerful functions of the brain as designed by God. The ability to remember affords us the opportunity to consider areas in life where mistakes were made, and by simple reflection it can prevent us from making the same mistakes.

Memory also opens the portholes of our mind to reminisce about the events and decisions of life that provided comfort and success.

Leaders who are able to reminisce about past events that build upon achievement and victories over trials or failures can strengthen the morale that motivates others to dig deeper to find something inside that drives who they are and where they want to go.

The power of reminiscing makes the difference between being consumed with regret over past mistakes and the elation of knowing something better is ahead.

Oh To Be Like Thee… Part 2

As we discussed, we sing the song but often fail to recognize the implications of the message we sing.

Examining the life of Jesus and the necessity of following His example, how shall we walk in His steps?

Our first consideration is the nature of people with whom Jesus spent His time. Jesus was not one to focus on reaching out to or spending time with the rich, popular, political or religious leaders of the day.

Jesus claimed that He came to “seek and save the lost.” He came for the “sick.” Jesus spent time with the outcast, unwanted, and unlikely to succeed of society.

He did not participate in or condone the activities of sin. He worked to influence and show a better way. He gave people hope.

If we seek to be like Him, we must consider those we are striving to reach. This does not mean we shun or avoid the wealthy. All have sinned.

History and experience clearly indicate, however, the challenges of reaching the affluent. Such a walk will not be comfortable, but who are we really trying to be like?