The work continues! Along the way to significant leadership and our destiny, we have a few tests to pass. One is our willingness to hear the Word of the Lord and to obey, even when it is painful, even when it is humbling, even when it is embarrassing, even when it is a sacrifice and costly. Without passing this test, no leader is ready… Read more »
The inner work of a leader is often elusive. The inner work includes patterns that will feed and fuel the leader’s soul. Learning to be disciplined in reflective prayer, learning to sit with scripture; not to produce a lesson, but to invite the Lord to shape the heart and soul are essential. Years seeded with hours upon hours of alone prayer and reflective reading catalyzes a… Read more »
The inner work is often elusive. Our tendency is to live “externally,” thinking that our challenges and obstacles are “out there” among others, hence our lack of resources, our setting, etc. Human nature is to look outside of our hearts, as opposed to in our hearts and souls for the key breakthroughs. The inner work, for some leaders, remains elusive their whole life! The only… Read more »
The inner work of the leader is the most challenging work. It is also the work that will eventually produce fruit. As we do the inner work, the Lord will trust us with opportunities of greater impact (he who is faithful in little…). The inner work is difficult as it puts our hearts and minds under the spotlight. The inner work uses life setting, people,… Read more »
The inner work is the most significant work of any leader. Learning to lead ourselves is a precursor to leading others. Learning to discern what is going on in our own souls is essential to understanding the hearts of others. This inner work may be described in a few sentences, but it will take a lifetime of focus. This inner work will include… Read more »
The inner work of the leader is the most challenging and the most essential. As a leader, you will be targeted by the enemy. You must know your Achilles heel! You must know where the enemy will likely come after you. You must do the hard work of reflecting upon your past and asking for the Lord to do work there that will protect… Read more »
Holy and Healthy – those two are connected. Emotional health powers spiritual holiness. When leaders are not emotionally healthy, under stress, angry, hurt, in need of support – the enemy lurks. We are created human; a mystery full of wonder as the scripture declares. Being holy is far more than doing or not doing things. It is about patterns of worship, intake of the Presence… Read more »
I recently was with a leader whose organization was struggling. On the good side, he wanted to lead well – to create future. On the down side, his struggle was now pouring shame into his mind and soul. “What is wrong with me?” “Why can’t I…?” As I sat with him, fire stoked in my soul. It occurred to me that this was… Read more »
Recently I was in a hot meeting. High stakes, strong emotions, people seeing differently. The good news is that they were people of integrity. Finally at one moment, I turned to a leader who was outspoken, strong and intense – all good qualities! My challenge was for him to lead. Lead the moment! Lead the way home so that those… Read more »
Leadership is influence. When leaders lead, others are influenced…for good or bad. The source of that influence is the focus of this lesson. Leadership begins when we lead ourselves, when we live a life worthy of our calling and lead out of that inner world. Here is a frightening truth: THE FOLLOWERS ALWAYS EXPERIENCE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE… Read more »