First Know your People, Then Lead

Coming into a new Company or position can be very stressful for you and your "new" team.
Over the years I have had many opportunities to meet new leaders and one of the earliest lessons I learned is that a new leader coming into the organization is just as stressed as their team is. So much apprehension and uncertainty surrounding the team and what changes may be coming and how they are going to "get along" with the new "guy".

The worst thing a new leader can do is step in and start making changes. This is a process that is best shared with your new team.

Another very common mistake people make is trying to lead before the people see you as their leader.

You need to be prepared to lead your team and that takes time. You need to build relationships with your team members. Don't get me wrong your position on the team comes with some basic responsibility and authority, but those do not make you a leader it makes you a manager and there is a big difference.

Try spending time getting to know your employees and their families. Building an authentic relationship with them is key to building trust. Try to spend time with your team outside of the work environment, this will allow them to see you as a person not the "boss". Make sure to have fun.

Spend one on one time with each of your employees, find out what makes them tick, where the life has taken them, where they are heading and what matters most to them. Engage them where they are at right now to start achieving some goals for success. Show them you are willing to sacrifice the same way they do, you don't have to be able to do the same job as them, just be willing to pay the same prize for success.

If you can build an authentic relationship and gain their trust, the leading part will come naturally.

God Bless.

Circle of Influence

Do you live you life in darkness? Do you live your life as if the world revolves around you? Do you sometimes say I can do it on my own, I don't need anyone else's help?

In this day of computers, cell phones, ipods, pizza delivery,television and telecommuting; you can very easily find yourself never leaving your house. Your "friends" become a list of names on your favorite social networking website and the only time you see them is when their picture pops up on your computer screen. We have even made it easy to get "Fast Food" from God, we don't have to leave the house to get our Sunday morning sermon.

Is this the life that god intended us to live, free of personal interaction with others?

Do you believe that you can survive spiritually living your life on your own?

God said that we are to reach every last person on the planet and deliver his message of peace and everlasting love. I don't believe that he meant for us to do that by using the internet, dropping flyer's from 30,000 feet or driving by with a load speaker bolted to the top of your SUV. I believe that in order to have the greatest impact the message needs to be shared through personal human contact on a daily basis, while sharing life together.

Hebrews 10 it says,
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If we are to survive this world and grow spiritually, we need to surround ourself with friends and family that we trust to hold us accountable for our actions. We need to live our lives openly for Christ sharing everything with them, the good and the bad. We can not carry the burdens, or fight our battles on our own. The quickest way to stumble and fall is to keep our struggles to our selves and not ask for help. The bible says in Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. If we lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ through fellowship, worship and prayer; we will stop the enemy in his tracks.

If you are living your life through technology and not through people, If you are getting your spiritual "fix" from the one sermon on your TV Sunday Morning. If you don't have people you can lean on, to share your life with. You can not live the life Christ commanded you to live.

The group of people you meet with in your church and small group are your spiritual mentors and your personal team of prayer warriors. They have the greatest opportunity to speak Gods truth in to your life. They are your Circle of Influence.

God bless.

Leadership 101

Are you still confused about what a leader is? Do you have difficulty believing that you are a leader? Then take this short quiz?

1. Do you step in and help out without being asked?
2. Do you offer assistance to those who need it?
3. Do you believe that your actions alone can change the heart or attitude of someone else?
4. Do you set a positive example for your family, friends and co-workers.
5. Do you enjoy serving others?

If you answered yes to any of these then you are a leader. You do not have to be in charge to influence those around you. You just have to be willing to set the example.

What is you motivation? As a leader it should be to complete the task. This doesn't mean you need to do it all yourself, it does mean do whatever it takes to get it done. If you're actions are selfish in origin; such as self promotion, limelight, money or just to make yourself feel important, then in the long run you will not be a successful leader.

Your motivation should be the completion of your task by successfully influencing the people around you to join in the vision that was set before them.

A leader doesn't need to prove themselves to anyone. They willingly help others achieve their potential even if it means the people they help will ultimately pass them in skill and knowledge. They know that their true role in the team is to serve, not to be served; by doing this they can focus on giving not receiving. They remain real about who they are, never worrying about a image they need to "keep up". They are authentic and transparent; willing to show their faults for the success of the mission.

I believe that if you are a willing servant in Gods kingdom, and are doing you part to fulfill the Great Commission then YOU ARE A LEADER. You have stepped forward and have freely offered your resources through stewardship and faith; in doing so you are influencing the people around you and your actions will ultimately LEAD them to a better understanding of who Christ is.

Keep up the good work and continue to give the Glory to God.

A Servants Heart

What makes you a leader? It is your skills, your experiences or your position(title). What do you look for in your leader? Is it their willingness please you. Wait did I say that right? Are they there to give you what YOU think you need?

Although the leader's heart should be about service, if they just do what you want, if they are just trying to please you. Then they are not doing their job. If this is what you expect from them then you aren't looking to be led.

I think in order for you to understand how you should be leading, you need to understand how you want/need to be led.

I feel that the people that are leading me need to fit into this description.

Someone that is selfless, a mentor, caring, understanding and willing to forgive. Someone that is looking for excellence not perfection. Someone who lives their life through Christ and is willing to be taught and learn from me. Someone willing to do whatever it takes to bring peace and clarity to a situation. Someone who believes that two head are better then one and a team of heads get the job done faster. Someone that is willing to meet me where I am today and help me reach my potential. Someone that is willing invest their time in me, and in turn allow me to invest in them.

So, what kind of leader are you looking for? If you can define that, then you should be able to see a clear picture of the person you need to be in order to be an effective leader.


GOD BLESS

Where do you belong?

Have you found yourself wondering if you are doing the thing that make you the happiest? Have you ever wondered if you are doing the "thing" that God has planned for you. Do you find yourself wanning in your spiritual growth, feeling stuck in a position that you volunteered to do but are not happy doing it.

There are a few things that you can do to help clarify the situation.

1. Prayer - Raise up your concern to the Lord our God.
2. Self assurance - If you are not confident in the things you can do, you can become rigid and unwilling to meet changes head on. Instead you need to be secure in you abilities and gifts the God as given you.
3.Self reflection - get to know your self better, asked for feedback from your team and leaders. Take some time to truly understand and meet your abilities face to face.
4. Look to your mentors - The people you have allowed to be an influence in your life will be your greatest asset if you trust them enough to tell you the truth.
5.Look to the vision - You need to see the big picture, once you understand where you and your team is headed then placing your skills and abilities in the picture will be easier. Be careful to make your decision based on a servants heart, if you are doing things for personal gain, your motives will derail the progress.
6.Trust your experience - The only way to really know if the thing you are doing is coming from your heart and bringing joy to you and those around you is to jump in feet first and do it. You may not successed at first, but that is ok; learn for the experiences STRETCH and GROW yourself.
7.Prayer - Continuous prayer is the only way to really get to know God and what he has intended for your life. Be deliberate in your walk with God and you will find everlasting joy.

Philippians 1:6 says
...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Live life for Christ, Live life for others and Live life with others in Christ.

God bless.