January 12th, 2010
Review & Refocus
As we begin a new year, if you’re a leader, I want to encourage you to review last year and refocus your leadership this year in two ways… not just one.
First, in your personal life. Effective leadership requires effective living, which requires good SELF-leadership. To realize our full potential, we have to discover, develop, and discipline ourselves to live out the right vision, purpose, values, and strategy for our lives. No easy task. (As a believer, I thank God that He has given us everything we need for this process in His Word and by His Spirit.) Practice good self-leadership.
Second, in your leadership of others. Effective leadership is all about moving a group of individuals forward toward a worthwhile vision. Of course, the difference is found in its increased difficulty. As we all know from our personal experiences and failures, good self-leadership is VERY difficult. When you add a group of people together, it multiplies the difficulties. This helps to explain why leadership is so hard and so few are truly effective at it. It also sheds light on the old saying “speed of the leader, speed of the team.” After all, if an individual isn’t effectively practicing self-leadership, there is no way that they will be able to effectively lead others over the long haul.
First, practice good self-leadership. Then, focus on your leadership of others. Because without the first, the second will always fall short.
I’d love to hear any thoughts or expanded ideas you have on my line of thinking. I’d also love to know if and how you approached these two practices this year.
Happy New Year!
Categorized: Leadership |
Victor West
Unfortunately (that is a word,, right) I usually live by the saying those who can’t do teach. I struggle with self leadership while running a business. It is always quite evident when I am not doing as well as I could, as everyone else suffers. I like how you put it. It is much easier to lead others when you are practicing good self leadership. The bigger the group the more importatnt it is to have an effective leader. Any one can lead a couple of sheep, but few can handel hundreds.
bob burnside
God showed me self-leadership,however, He knows I still have work to do.I serve the Prison Ministry at NorthRidge and am always blown away by our friends after they have served time,they come to the accept Lord through His grace, our ministry and our outreach programs The SELF- leadership part I get through the owners manual, our Bible and the Pastor/leaders and training made available.I’ve noticed that serving Him is led by Holy Spirit.I say this because my friends/Brothers/Sisters in Christ can spot a fake.I would not want to be the Bernie Madoff of self – leadership .Pastor asks in his post how we are going to approach this practice this year.Me,I’m going to stay connected to God,His Truths’ and stay involved with serving Him.If you don’t you may get life w/o parole.
Barb
Working in a retail environment and being one of the many managers of 5 on a team in one store has its challenges. Especially since not everyone being on the same page. Just focus on what you think is right and nothing can over come you. It’s extremely challenging when trying to motivate employees when everyone seems to be against you. I try to do my best even though I am on the lower end of the food chain. Nobody likes an un – motivating boss. (Believe me I know, I have one.) Nothing I ever do is good enough. But that doesn’t seem to bother me so much, because in reality I’m not working for her. So Chrip up and overcome your everyday challenges by trusting that god will guide you through it, not man.
cherilans
Brad, I’m in agreement with your comments above. It really does take knowing one self well and continuously improving year to year to maintain effective leadership. The world continues to change and the people a leader deals with do also. It helps to manage others and help them grow when our own strengths are maximized and our weaknesses are recognized, minimized and/or corrected. You really made me think about my own goals for 2010. I usually ask myself: Are my personal goals in sync with what God wants me to do both at home and at work? Then, after prayer and introspection, I am able to strategize. Then I feel I am ready to continue to lead my group at work and in my Bible study. I always remember, though, that no matter how hard I try, it is God that has called me and allowed me to lead others. Looking forward to more from you in your blog as you continue your most effective leadership!