As a leader where are you going?

As a leader where are you going? Questions to reflect on:

Why do you want to develop as a leader? 

What do you want to achieve?
What is your personal goal for the future?
Have you identified the essential steps in achieving your goal? 
Who will assist you in achieving your goal?

Some daunting questions to answer in one attempt; however it is essential for a leader to have a goal to aim for.  This is a tantalising glimpse of a possible future, your future! 

The following paragraphs perhaps best sums up the importance as a leader of working through others to achieve your goals.

'Thinking of the future could be like entering a dark cave, for example think of your future as ~ Aladdin's cave. 

 Aladdin’s Cave:

You wait, poised at the entrance.  The cave goes back into the darkness, swallowing the shadows cast by the pool of light at the entrance.  The atmosphere is full of possibilities; you hear stealthy sounds.  You know both treasures and dangers exist here, but neither what nor where they are.  Some objects in the cave are within easy reach and many people are content to stay at the entrance, happy with what they can take within easy reach.  However, to find greater treasure you need to trust yourself to walk further into the cave.

There is no light switch here, only your ideas can provide the light to see further, for you are the leader and there are others behind you waiting to hear what you find, or create.  You have an idea and it burns brightly for an instance, others see it and are inspired.  However, your idea is soon dissolved into the darkness.  Once again you have a bright idea, this time you make time to explain it to others, they too light up and see your goal and together you all move forward into the future, with a common goal.'

What I have done is simply told a story of how a leader influenced others to achieve a common goal.  As a leader you will have to take time to explain your intentions and when your team do not understand, you will have to take time to either explain further or develop people. 

Whatever your goal maybe it has two simple qualities: it inspires you to act, and it should involve and inspire others to act as well. 

Influencing others therefore comprises of many skills including, communication, developing others, motivating, delegation, coaching, time management, planning and many more. 

However you will only achieve your own and the churches goal/vision by working effectively with and through others.

Working through others is the trick part and at the core of why I see many ‘organisations’ in my line of work stumbling.  Oh! many say we are doing well, moving forward etc.  However like the duck swimming franticly against the strong flow of the river, it’s all seams peaceful on top however a quick glimpse under the water and we see frantic paddling underneath.  

As we look through the bible there are many examples of people who light for others and many who don’t.

Who in the bible apart from our Lord Jesus, illuminated the path ahead for you?

What was the passage or events that took you beyond?

What are the behavioural characteristics of that person?

What changes have you made in your personal or leadership style that engages others?

Remember it’s not how you look on the outside it’s what is shining out from the inside that matters.  In other words the quality of light coming from the inside will determine the quality of your speech, behaviour, attitude and how you influence others. 

 

How effective have you been today for our Lord Jesus?

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