The best path to being able to teach someone something is by learning then doing then do it some more so that you actually understand it then you might be ready to actually teach it.
Way too often we learn about something by reading about it or hearing about it and assume we are the person to teach on the subject. But the reality is, without experiencing it, we really shouldn’t try to teach it. Whatever the subject is. So before we try teaching, let’s do. And let’s do often enough that we really understand first. Then we might be ready.

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In today’s society we are contin
ually looking for what we will get out of things. We buy, borrow, or trade for something and use it up the discard it. Unfortunately and usually unwittingly we sometimes do that in relationships.
So, to Edison’s point, let’s purpose in our hearts and minds to leave things better than we found them. Let’s leave folks better than we found them. Let’s add value to everything we touch and everyone we meet rather than taking away.

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As leaders we assume that the whole reason we are in the position we are in because of what we know. Therefore, it must be that we should tell people what we know. In fact, we tend to jump out there and tell people right away.

Look, there are lots of reasons why we end up in leadership positions. For example; elected, appointed, to fill a vacancy, effort and reward. Regardless of how we found ourselves in the leadership position we are in, what counts is what we do once we get there. Now that we have clarified that, let’s talk about the “now what”.
Our people are generally ready to hear good instruction and direction. But first they have to trust you. It’s the same for you right? You aren’t going to follow someone without first knowing you can trust them right? Well it’s the same for the folks that follow you. It’s your job to develop the relationships with the people you lead. Leading by “position” will only get you so far. Leading by “permission” is what takes you the distance. Let your people know you care about them. Work for them, know them, earn their trust. Then they will be ready to hear what you have to say. And far more likely to act on your instructions.

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Titus 1:8 NIV
Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Proverbs 16:32 NIV
Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
1 Timothy 3:2 NIV
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

I really don’t see the need to add anything to these quotes.
Be blessed.

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The other day my son said, “dad, as long as I can remember these people have criticized you and accused you of having hidden motives. How can you not be mad at them for how they’ve treated you?” I said, “son they criticize what they don’t understand. They don’t understand true genuine caring and concern while taking a stand for what is right.”
It’s easy to get defensive when someone wrongs you. It’s easy to react and justify the need to ‘get them back’. Anyone can do that because it’s a natural reaction.
But how about we take a different road? Let’s go against our nature and see beyond the offense. Let’s gain an understanding of what causes people to do things that might hurt. Let’s look at their heart instead of their actions. Let’s remember that we, too, have done wrong and said wrong things and needed forgiveness and understanding. And let’s remember that we will likely need it again.
Be blessed.

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- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To think about it is good. To meditate and plan, even better. But if all we do is think about it and talk about it, we and others will never reap the benefits of our gifts. Yes we all have gifts and they come in all shapes, styles, and sizes. But if we only think about using them, where is the benefit? If we only talk about it, what’s the point in having it. We weren’t given our gifts to hide them away or put them in a box for only us to know about them. We were given gifts so that we could use them to benefit those around us as well as ourselves. Don’t we teach our kids to share the gifts we give them? Let’s share our gifts and make a difference in our world.

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As leaders, we are involved in many things. And, we are involved in many conversations. We are also responsible for staying in contact with those that we lead and those who lead us. And, we communicate in many ways, most of which are tied to the electronics we carry around. How many times have you tried to have a serious conversation with someone only to be interrupted by a call or text or email? By your phone or theirs?
The truth is, there are all kinds of books or classes on communication and ways to phrase things or package a message for your audience. But the most valuable form of communication for a leader is the skill of listening. As leaders we are pretty good at telling or explaining or maybe even teaching. But we HAVE to be good at listening. If we don’t learn how to effectively listen to our team we are essentially going it alone.
So, the next time you are having a conversation with a member of your team, put your phone on silent. Ignore it for the conversation. Trust me, you can’t afford not to. Also, learn good listening habits like eye contact and non verbal responses like a nod. Give feedback to let the person know you hear them and understand.

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Words can be very inspiring. They can move our emotions and they can muster our courage to take a step. But after that step we are on our own. Well there is great reward in inspiring others to take a first step by our words. It is good to see that you have moved someone.
However, your actions can move someone far beyond thar first step. Your actions can inspire someone to take an entire journey. And it can be done with very few words if any.
Live a life that inspires. Walk a walk that encourages others to do the right things.
Be blessed

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Traditionally, when we reach a point of leadership we feel that we should have the answers. And it’s easy to reach that conclusion because we find that people are coming to us for help, advice, direction, etc. Chances are we are trying to live up to the example of someone we looked up to that seemed to have all the answers and assume that means we should too.
The truth is, the leaders that have the most real answers are the ones who have the best learning habits. The essence of leading is forging ahead. Leading people to a place they haven’t yet been. To continue to lead you must continue to learn. And a good learner can learn something from anyone or any circumstance.

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