Action not position
Influence not power
Character not charisma
Integrity not intelligence
Inspiration not domination
Sacrifice not reward
Serving not being served
Relationships not acquaintances
Building up not tearing down
Humility not pride
About others not you
About needs not wants
About giving not getting

Do you like to get things done?  So do I.   Getting things done is important but don’t forget, our relationships, words, and interactions with each other while we get things done is more important.  The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 everything we do must be enveloped, fueled, and sustained by love.  Enjoy the journey today and focus on your interactions with those God puts in your path.  

In my position as a business leader, I often struggle with faithfully exercising accountability.  In examining the effects this has on my leadership I see a continual result it has produced.  I leave people in the game to long and I dodge the difficult conversations.

We have all seen the baseball game were the coach is hesitant to pull the star pitcher.  The team is in a difficult position but the pitcher has pulled through so many times before,  Then the opposition gets a hit,  an another,  the coach begins to walk to the mound,  the pitcher looks at him and says ” I got this coach”.   As the coach sits in the empty stadium after their loss he quietly hopes that their star pitcher will have a better game next time.

So how do you know when to replace your pitcher?  Every situation has its own intricacies  but here are a few things I have found helpful.

1. Clarify expectations – know what you expect and take lots of time to articulate that to those you lead. Even small expectations matter.
2. Keep a short list – schedule regular times when you review expectations and results.  At least every few months,  once a year in not enough.  Trying to cover to much in one meeting always leads to frustration for both parties.
3. Ask others about their expectations for you – be willing to be held accountable to expectations from those you lead.   Being a leader does not put you above being accountable.

Helping someone through a difficult transition in their life can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have.  When the fit fizzles, take the time,  have the difficult conversations,  and lead people through the seasons of change.

I had the amazing opportunity yesterday of  spending time with my Aunt who has been diagnosed with  terminal liver cancer. I learned a lot.  During our conversation we both commented on how one certain word kept coming up.  The word default.  The overall context was that she was facing great difficulty in staying in the present.  If she did not fight against it her mind would by default begin to think about the future and how bad it might get, what things she may miss, and much more.

As I continued to ponder this after our time together I began to consider my own defaults.    I never have to convince myself to lay on the couch for the afternoon,  it takes not effort to eat a bit to much,  no convincing is required to have a bad attitude, I catch the weight of worry without lifting a hand.   These, and many more,  are all defaults of mine and I must actively fight against them.

In Psalms 119:11 David writes that he has hid God’s word in his heart to protect against sinning,  2 Corinthians 10:5 says we are to take captive our thoughts,  Ephesians 6 exhorts us to put on the whole armor of God.  As we lead each day,  let us actively fight against the defaults we find ourselves slipping into.  Yes it is a battle, yes some days we may feel like we are losing, but don’t settle for your defaults. May you be encouraged this day to dive into the scriptures, take your thoughts captive to Christ, and put on the full armor of God, remembering through it all, the victory is in Jesus.

You don’t know the impact that you are having on those around you.  This morning I have been thinking about one of my early employers, Gary,  I worked at a gas station when I was 17 years old.  Gary was the owner and worked with me pumping gas and serving customers.  I never knew it then but Gary displayed for me and taught me a truth about leadership.  That truth is kindness.  Kindness is required in leadership.  I never purposed to learn how to be kind.  I just followed what I had been shown,  It is only after looking back over the 23 years since I worked for Gary that I can see the impact that he had on me.  My question for you today,  what will someone say 23 years later when they look back at the time when you led them?  You don’t know the impact your are having but I say with certainty, you are having an impact.

Leadership that has an impact requires being driven by a purpose.  If you can’t think of the purpose you lead, then take a step back, carve our some time and figure it out.   Some may call it their why, others may call it their reason.  No matter what you call it, or how you define it,  you must be able to clearly articulate it to those that you lead. Knowing why you do something is just part of the equation of leadership,  the difficulty often lies in overcoming the obstacles we face in relating that purpose to those we lead. If I was to ask those that you lead what your purpose is behind your leadership what would they say?

As a leader it is vitally important to realize there will be times that you don’t know what to say and you don’t have answers to questions or situations.  Don’t make things up,  wait patiently upon God in prayer,  and watch as God speaks thru you and for you.