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.

Share/Bookmark

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.

Share/Bookmark

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.

Share/Bookmark

- 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.

Share/Bookmark

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.

Share/Bookmark

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

Share/Bookmark

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.

Share/Bookmark

Share/Bookmark

Have you ever been discouraged? Or saw someone achieve something amazing and think to yourself, “man I wish I could do that”? I know I sure have.
I recently watched the movie “Soul Surfer”. It is an amazing true story about a young woman who was a surfer and well on her way to being a pro. That is, until she lost her entire arm to a sudden shark attack. For the average surfer that would be the end of a career. And rightfully so. But not to the one who believed. She truly believed that she could surf again. And just as important, she had family and friends that believed that she could do it also.
We were created to be able to endure and accomplish incredible things. We all were. So the real question is, do we believe we can. I haven’t come face to face with a shark. But I did nearly loose my arm when nearly 1000 pounds of glass fell on me. My shoulder muscle was completely severed in half and my arm was almost ripped from my body. After several hours of surgery and well over 150 stitches, I was put back together. But the surgeon proceeded to tell me that I would loose a considerable amount of the use of my arm. I, like the young surfer, was young enough to believe anything is possible and that I would recover 100%. The doc said, 6 weeks to heal, 6+ weeks to rehabilitate, and as much as 25% use loss. The result was, 4 weeks to heal, 2 weeks self rehabilitation, 100% recovery.  Doc was a bit surprised to say the least and said that if I had taken the easy slow road to recovery his estimation would have been likely the result.
So does that mean I’m special? No, I just simply believed it could be done and was willing to do the work. Do I believe in divine healing? Of course I do. And I also believe that we were designed in an amazing way with real purpose. And was surrounded by people who believed the same.
What am I saying? Our drive to achieve, endure, survive, and overcome is directly linked to what we ‘truly’ believe.
Mark 10:27

Share/Bookmark

— Bill Gove —

In some areas of my life discipline comes easy. For example, brushing my teeth every morning after the bowl of reasonably healthy cereal and 2% milk. Daily talks with the Lord throughout the day. Daily reading the Word. Telling my wife every day that I love her. Well, you get the picture. We all have things that we do every day that we believe are good for us. And, we probably have things that we are sure not to do each day that we feel would not be good for us. Anyway, those things we do each day, do they really represent discipline? Or, have we been doing them long enough that they are now habits?
Let’s be real, these things that we do easily because we’ve been doing them a while, they are habits. They are good things but they are habits. So let’s be careful that we don’t throw out a shoulder patting ourselves on the back for doing them.
Shifting gears, quite often I determine in my thinking that I am going to get back to a regular exercise. Then, when I do finally get on the elliptical or treadmill, I am quickly reminded why I hadn’t started doing that yet. The truth is, I am having a hard time converting desire into action. I know I need to. I know it’s good for me. And I really want to do it. The simple reality is that I have not been “disciplined” enough to push through the pain and suffering to the point that it becomes a habit again. They say that if you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit. Well, even if it took a little longer, it’s worth it.
Let’s face it, if it’s easy, it doesn’t take discipline. But if it’s tough and it does take discipline, it’s bound to be worth the effort.
Now, the same thoughts can be applied to anything in life that should be done but is tough to do. It will take discipline to start and keep it going long enough to become a habit. But that’s what it takes to keep moving forward; to keep learning and growing; to become a champion. If all you do are the things that are already habits, you are just maintaining at best.

Be blessed.

Share/Bookmark