Leaders change the way we see the world

Leaders bring hope to the hopeless
Leaders make the impossible seem possible
Leaders find opportunity in the midst of obstacles
Leaders bring clarity out of confusion
Leaders inspire movement where there is stagnation
Leaders see potential in people
Leaders model the mission

Leaders change the way people see the world.

Amazing Grace - HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

I shed a few tears today over this video. Think you might too!



Thank God for his amazing restoring grace in your life right now.

Looking at the Life of the Apostle Peter

Further to my preaching today, check out this video on the life of the Apostle Peter. I know you will find it inspiring and helpful.

A look at the life of the Apostle Peter

Jesus impacted Peter's life to make an impact in the world around him. That is exactly what he wants to do in and through every believer. May Peter's journey of obedience, surrender, faith, forgiveness, courage, boldness and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit inspire us as Christians to carry the baton passed to us to share the gospel in this generation.

Building the Confidence of others around you

What’s the confidence level of the people around you? Is it high or low?

Let me ask you a question. Are you intentionally building the confidence of those around you? Your family, friends, work colleagues, or those you lead?

It is so easy to neglect or take for granted the good people you have around you in life. We need to take the time to encourage and build their confidence which in turn will help them achieve far more.

A note for leaders: People’s level of confidence is generally tied to the type of leadership they receive: Affirmation, communication and feedback help boost confidence, while criticism, neglect and lack of coaching deplete confidence.

This problem is often rooted in the fact that as leaders we get so focused on results that we fail to look more closely at the person who delivers those results. Ever been guilty of that?

Someone who lacks confidence will not deliver their very best results. So we need to find ways to boost their confidence as much as possible.

What can you do today to build the confidence level of someone around you?

NINE LESSONS IN LEADING CHANGE

Had an email from George Ridley Director of Lightforce International today who forwarded this to me. Check it out - Brilliant!

Came across the theme in a magazine so have taken the skeleton, added a thought or two and thought it might be helpful in the various environments of church, business, training and voluntary organisations in which we work and serve.

1. Cut hard and early – in challenging times always be ready to bite the bullet, face the situation and deal with it sooner rather than later.

2. Trust your instincts – often we over analyse and fail to use our gut instincts. Especially true when we face issues about people.

3. Outline your vision early- sometimes we fail to set out the vision for the change that needs to happen. Failing to lay out the clear picture of what needs to happen can often stop our staff getting on board.

4. Spot the terrorists – be clear about who is on board, sometimes the early allies can turn out to be saboteurs! Finding your real friends is one of the most important skill to develop.

5. The senior team in crucial – we must have a senior team around us who share the vision and work to bring others on board. Everything else will flow from this.

6. Be honest about unpopular decisions – change is often motivated by crisis. It is always necessary to be completely honest about the scale of the challenge we face.

7. Use peer mentors – impartial voices of experience are invaluable.

8. Bring in external input – use reliable, experienced people to help work through the process of change. These people can help you think the unthinkable.

9. Be totally honest with your Eldership/Board – if you want total support and backing it will come through being totally honest and walking together through the process.

Let others around you make decisions and GROW

Leaders are decision makers.

I heard someone say, “The leader gets paid the big bucks not to make the most decisions but to make the tough decisions.” However, there are some leaders who feel it’s their job too make most of the decisions and as a result hinder the development of others on their team. If you want to help potential leaders, give them some decisions to wrestle with. When you allow others to make decisions you GIVE them a gift and you GET great benefit.

When you give them the power to make decisions you’re GIVING them:

1. The opportunity to feel greater contribution and ownership
2. A greater sense of confidence
3. A greater feeling that you trust their judgment
4. The opportunity to gain leadership credibility among others experience, experience, experience

On the other hand you GET:

1. The opportunity to watch how they make decisions and see their leadership
potential
2. The chance to coach them before, during and after the decision
3. Leaders who are increasingly confident to make more difficult decisions
4. A potential successor who could one day take your place

A Challenge: What decisions can you give away this week?

gaining respect in your leadership

Most people want to be respected! I read a few challenging things from Mac Lake the other day that I think are well worth reading.

Every leader I’ve ever met wants to be respected and held in high regard. We feel this way in part because we know if people don’t respect us they won’t follow us. But sometimes we feel this way because of our insecurities.

An egotistical desire to be admired can cause a leader to act in ways that keep people from giving him the very thing he so desperately seeks. In fact the insecure leader leads out of a pride whose sole purpose is Image Management rather than Kingdom Influence.

One of the greatest dangers for us as leaders is to find our identity in our leadership rather than The One who called us to leadership. Those who lead from a spirit of pride ultimately discover that it destroys their leadership reputation.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 18:12, “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,but humility comes before honor.” The Hebrew word for honor is kabowd which means “abundance or dignity“. It’s interesting that the root of this word means “to be heavy or weighty.” In other words humility gives weight or credibility to your leadership.

The temptation of every leader is to try to impress, command, have all the answers, divert blame or brag in order to gain the respect of others. But secure leaders who find their sense of identity through their relationship with Christ are free to operate from a spirit of humility. They understand the long term respect needed to gain leadership influence is preceded by humility not image management.

So what is a disciple? (Part 5)

This will be my last blog on this...

A disciple is someone who:

5. Is dedicated to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)

These words are known as the great commission but sadly in many Christians lives and churches it is more like the 'great omission'.

The ultimate goal of our discipleship is to disciple others. We are not called to make converts only but to make disciples.

We can only disciple others in those areas in which we have become a disciple ourselves.

So....How are you doing?

There are other things I could continue to write about but feel my last 5 blogs are some of the areas in which I have been challenged about.