Risky Leadership...

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”, if what Edmund Bruke says is true, then passive neutrality will never overcome evil in this world.

Risky leadership is unafraid of moving forward in the face of uncertainty. The apostle Paul went from city to city so that some may hear his message of hope. He became all things to all people so that he might save some.

When a leader is driven by core convictions rather than circumstances or consequences their visions and their future are not determined by their resources. In fact, Peter Drucker goes as far as saying that the best way of predicting the future… is to create it.

Leaders learn from their failures as well as their successes. The only real failures are those where one violates their own hearts and do not make the most of opportunities presented.

Leaders act not because something is easy, but because it is right. They are willing to die trying, knowing the streaks and stains of their blood, sweat, and tears, might point others to what it means to fully live; just as the living God did.

My wife and I have risked, and will continue to risk, to create the future.

For the latest comments and entries see SolarCrash

Leaders see people differently...

Leaders see people as they really are, as God’s workmanship crafted with a unique purpose in human history.

Whether a believer or not, leaders see every human being as a reflection of the Creator, brimming with potential. Leaders look into people’s hearts and lives and help reveal to them their beauty and worth.

What do you really see when you look into the eyes of those around you?

(and yes, from the above photo, apparently leaders wear makeup as well).

For the latest comments and entries see One Life.

Dysfunctional Leadership...

Christian leadership can often be a haven for dysfunctional people. Moral integrity is a primal baseline for leadership. Without an inward life that is whole and healthy, the act of leadership can often be merely an escape route. Leadership can become a way of avoiding issues of sin or even lead to unnecessary overcompensation in the good one might attempt to do.

The Scriptures call for leaders to “be above reproach”. Just as God is worthy of all of our lives, when our character is aligned with his, our character is what makes leaders worth following. Character must always be in the process of refinement.

Why do you lead, and what makes you worth following?

latest comments and entries at One Life.

Leaders take responsibility...

Leaders must not only take responsibility of their own lives, but that of others around them. As leaders progress in their journey they see things as they really are. They become highly tuned to their own strengths and limitations. However against the backdrop of a dying world, what they see most, is their God-ordained role of bringing life to those around them.

This clear sense of reality drives them to serve others, as Jesus did. Jesus took responsibility of things that were not his fault – unlike Pilate who wiped his hands clean, Jesus had his hands nailed for humanity. Real leaders do not point fingers or blame circumstances or even their own inadequacies, but they take ownership of that which they can influence and serve with humility.

For the latest entries and comments see One Life.

Leaders need community...

Leaders must feel that they need the community, as much as the community needs them.

Leaders must have the humility to acknowledge that they too are human beings with an intrinsic longing for community and belonging. Leaders need to allow others to speak into their lives and say the things that they may not be able to say to themselves.

Leaders must not mask their needs and their struggles from people. In doing so they lose out on the grace that God gives them through community. Not only that, seemingly perfect leaders can also indirectly demean the needs and struggles of others in the process. Leaders need relationships of all types from other leaders, peers, and followers in order to remain relationally healthy in the leadership journey.

Who do you need in your life right now? Who do you go to vent to, for encouragement, and how might we increase or deepen these types of relationships?

For the latest comments and entries see One Life.