Month: March 2014

Let Leadership Develop

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The leadership gift takes time to develop… kind of like a photo from a polaroid camera. Objects start to develop slowly; you can make out an outline, a face, a smile. With time, the picture gets stronger, and at a certain point it reaches completion.

This truth has a nice parallel to the Christian hope of eternal life, expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:12: Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

In your own life, and in the lives of those around you, remember: it’s often more important to head generally in the right direction, than it is to have everything laid out and perfect from the beginning.

Set the course for your life, imagine what you’re aiming at, and move steadily and consistently toward it.

Adapted from the “Love Takes Action” talk by Bob Goff at the Global Leadership Summit 2013. Part 2.

Do Stuff

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This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us, and so we ought to do for our brothers and sisters… Let’s not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (Paraphrase from 1 John 3:16-18)

Love God… love people…. and do stuff! We make a difference that counts when we take action, when we get involved with people.

Who are you? What do you want? What difference can you make that no-one else can, right now? Answer those and you will live well, and you will lead well.

In Matthew 5, we are taught to love even our enemies… so that we become like children of God, and become perfect like He is. Struggling with the earlier questions? Try this: Who is God? What does He want from you?

Live life worthy of the calling that YOU have received. Love God, love people, and take action, today.

Adapted from the “Love Takes Action” talk by Bob Goff at the Global Leadership Summit 2013. Part 1.

 

The Courage Required to Finish Strong

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Leadership is tough.

You will face bitter criticism, heart-breaking disappointments. You will likely face the reinvention of your organisation; and the reinvention of your leadership style. You’ll have difficult succession conversations.

All these things are tough… but you must keep going.  We need ONGOING COURAGE.

Aim for the end; aim to finish the race. “Fight the good fight… finish the race… keep the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). You gotta know this: God saves some of the sweetest things for the very end!

DO NOT BAIL ON YOUR MISSION!

Adapted from “The Courage That Leadership Requires” by Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit 2013. Part 6.

The Courage to Establish and Enforce Values

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There comes a point where VISION must become VALUE. Enough talking – it’s action time.

Who are we? What is not acceptable here? What will define us?

True community has always been an essential part of human life and is desperately needed now. Social media can create an illusion of community, without providing the real thing. Communities have boundaries, definitive life-patterns, values. For a community to stay healthy, to head toward an envisioned future, and to be a place where people truly belong, these boundaries, patterns and values must be put firmly into place.

There comes a point where it’s no longer “this COULD be”, but “this WILL be”. The original vision must become a “like-it-or-leave-it” value.

Adapted from “The Courage That Leadership Requires” by Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit 2013. Part 5.

The Courage to Build a Fantastic Culture

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Fortitude (courage in great difficulty) is needed to shape a healthy, flourishing, God-honouring culture.

You’ll need to communicate consistently, and clearly. You’ll have to make difficult apologies. You’ll be involved in tough situations and tricky conversations.

This isn’t something to be delegated. Do you want to be defined by generosity? Live generously! Or, by Christ-like attitudes (humility and sacrifice, eg. Philippians 2:5-8)? Model those attitudes! Would you like an encouraging culture? Encourage! Deal swiftly with anything that works against the culture you’re creating.

Some people are culture-builders; some are culture-busters. You must help people take ownership of your culture, and not be afraid of making a tough call when needed…

How healthy is your team culture?

Adapted from “The Courage That Leadership Requires” by Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit 2013. Part 4.

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