Leadership Thought Of The Day…

“If you plan for a year, plant a seed;
If for 10 years, plant a tree;
If for a hundred years, teach the people.” unknown

This thought was shared by a good friend who has been a mentor for some time. The idea behind this thought leads to the direction of changing, not just the future, but generations to come. 

Fads are quick to come and go, often without much remnant as to their influence. This is why it is fairly easy to plan for the short-term.

Thinking more long-term, however, requires more extensive consideration to the goals and plans to bring about the kind of transformation that influences our grandchildren’s children.

Now we are looking at a strategy that is more outward and others focused, one that examines how the future can be sustained beyond the present generational consumption that gives little thought to anything beyond the here and now.

This is where leaders are needed. The global culture that is developing requires leadership to step up and act in ways that will teach people. Here is where life changes, where the future changes, where generations change!

Too Much Of A Good Thing…

Is it even possible that there can be too much of a good thing? 

Before we jump to any conclusions or provide any answers, maybe we need to consider exactly what is meant by a “good thing.”

A “good thing” is generally subjective to each individual based on their worldview. Obviously, this introduces a number of challenges to the task before us.

When we consider the range of mindsets from self-serving to self-denying, we realize quickly that a “good thing” can either be about what benefits “me” or “others.”

From a biblical perspective, the servant leadership model is one that focuses on the benefits of others, placing their needs above our own.

If everyone understood and practiced this form of leadership, would it be possible to have too much of a “good thing?” 

The answer seems clear and certainly one that requires each of us to examine where we are on the spectrum of evaluating the idea of a “good thing” and how we apply what is needed to influence the people within our “worldview.”

If We Only Had One Shot…

This post relates to more than hunters, but since hunting season is not too far off, they will certainly relate to the idea of having only one shot. When the opportunity is present, there may only be one shot, so it needs to count.

Metaphorically, the same is true when considering the opportunities God provides in reaching out to others with the gospel, leading them to Christ. If we only had one shot, we can understand the necessity of making it count. What factors need to be considered to make it count?

The priority must be focused on Christ. Scripture is clear; Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6).

The reality is we do not know how many opportunities will be provided, yet the need is the same. People need to know Jesus and we develop those relationships in hopes of sharing a message that will change their lives eternally.

One shot may be all we need, so we need to be ready for it and make it count!

Leadership Word Of The Week…Micro-manage

The idea of controlling every part, however small, of a project or activity defines the word of the week.

In the realm of leadership, there are those who practice a micro-management style of leadership. They want to have a hand in every intricate part of the project or activity. 

There seems to be a level of fear involved if something happens they are not explicitly involved in controlling. 

They also fear, perhaps above all, the idea of losing control and, ultimately, losing their job.

At times, there is even the idea of having such responsibility they need full control.

We need to rethink the approach we take in leading others for the sake of our Lord and Savior. We need to reassess our role and that of our God.

We plant and water, remembering that He is the One who will make it grow. If we can focus on doing our part, He will do His!

The challenge enters when we think we are responsible for God’s part and micro-manage our influence in leading others. Trust God to do His part, as we do ours.

Taking Care Of Business

Day in and day out, we rush about our busy lives trying to take care of business. Sadly, most of us are working to take care of “business” that provides the financial means to pay the bills.

Please do not misunderstand, providing for our families and the means to keep in good standing in our communities is necessary for the influence of our leadership as Christians.

Thinking about the early life of Jesus, however, raises an interesting thought about “taking care of business.” At the age of 12, Jesus was aware of the setting in the temple, and when his mother approached him about the situation, He asked her this question: “Did you not know that I had to be about My Father’s business” (Lk. 2:49 KJV).

Considering the focus of Jesus at this point in His life is a reminder to all of us about the “business” we need to be focused on…our Father’s business.

When we lead others with this in mind, it changes relationships. Let us always lead others with the Father’s business in mind.