Every successful leader knows how to make lemonade. Let’s be honest, life is filled with lemons. It’s just plain difficult at times and hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel, but if we’re going to witness the hand of God, then we have to trust, endure, and find a way to make lemonade despite the hand we’ve been dealt.… Read the rest
A leader does more than pray, but he doesn’t do anything until he prays. Nothing happens without it, and nothing is more powerful within it. People can reject our appeals, our arguments, ourselves, but they are totally defenseless against our prayers. It’s just fun to think about.… Read the rest
You want to live, you’ve got to give. We are most like Christ when we are giving our lives away. By the way, nothing is more fun and fulfilling.… Read the rest
Do what frees people up, not what fires you up. I’ve been guilty of putting my passion before people. It’s easy to do. This doesn’t mean we forgo passion. Just remember, every day we work with people – of which I’m one.… Read the rest
It’s been said, “The size of your dream determines the size of your God.” Now, I’m not encouraging us to be ridiculous in our belief – just that we don’t limit God with our faith. Jesus said, “According to our faith it shall be done.” Maximize your faith and minimize those fears. Let God be bigger than anything of man.… Read the rest
We’re all messes. We’ve all made mistakes – that’s just a fact. God’s love always looks beyond the hang-ups and sees the person. When life is all said and done, may we be able to say, “I loved unconditionally.”… Read the rest
Ask yourself: What brings our team back week in and week out? Have we fostered an environment where ideas are welcomed and actually wanted? Strong morale is built upon a foundation of mutual respect and appreciation for the talents and gifts each person brings to the table.… Read the rest
We must lead with an OPEN MIND. Martha Stewart once said, “Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.” The Bible says, “Cynics look high and low for wisdom – and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep” (Proverbs 14:6). A true heart of open-mindedness is that we can learn in any situation from any individual person.… Read the rest
Always remember that leadership is CAUGHT, not TAUGHT. When we engage our team with a servant’s heart, we foster a big-picture mentality rather than a lone, isolated piece of art. We are most like Jesus when we are serving.… Read the rest
A leader with a servant’s heart is not absorbed in centering the organization on his or her needs, but in being a facilitator in order to make those around them successful. The mentality is NOT, “What can you do for me?” Rather, “What can I do for you?”… Read the rest
We must lead with a SERVANT’S heart. Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life away for many” (Mark 10:45). We’ve talked about this often – leading is serving, and until we get this, there’s nothing else.… Read the rest
Make moments. I think we forget that every day is a gift; therefore, we must learn to live with a grateful heart, making every moment count. One of the saddest realities for me, as a pastor, is how many times I’ve heard families express regret at a funeral. Death has a way of helping us see what’s most important. Unfortunately, death is always too late in looking back. So don’t live in regret when you have today to live for Christ. Make moments.… Read the rest
Loving the lost is always worth any labor required. I have to be honest, in my line of work, people can be difficult (and, of course, I can be difficult). But I’ve watched people walk away, curse God’s Name, and literally spit in my face. But later, they become some of my greatest allies. Love is always worth the labor. Love endures.… Read the rest
Love always gets involved. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is to give up, walk away – but true love cannot. I’ve come to learn, and believe, what the Bible teaches: “Love does cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). And in the end, love always wins. Don’t give up – get involved – stay the course – and watch what God can do.… Read the rest
Lost people matter to God. When it’s all said and done, the greatest thing we can do is lead someone to Jesus. Never lose sight that leadership must have an eternal resolve. My greatest joy is when God privileges me to help another discover His love and His grace. To imagine winning a National Championship – knowing that some of the team will be separated from Christ forever – that’s a LOSS.… Read the rest
Living for a cause is always greater than any conflict you face. Conflicts are a part of life, and we must never allow them to become distractions from what we do. Leaders face battles; therefore, they face them and learn from them – and then continue to lead, fighting the fight, and finishing the race.… Read the rest
Little irritations erode great relations. Everything a leader does involves people in some sort of way. And anytime people are involved, there’s going to be conflict. Thus, leaders pick their battles – and never sweat the small stuff.… Read the rest
Life happens by choice, not by chance. Leaders never consider luck. They don’t gamble – there’s too much at stake. They do their homework, they look at every possible scenario – and then they pull the trigger. They understand that their decisions carry great responsibility – what’s luck got to do with it?… Read the rest
Leaders should always say, “What can I do to make others’ lives better?” Leaders are investors, not just mere contributors. We want results – that’s what makes us leaders. And the results we want should be the betterment of another. This is the fundamental reality of a leader. Imagine if every day we gave ourselves to helping others achieve their dreams, to discover a better life – is there any greater joy than that?… Read the rest
Leaders protect their plans from premature death. I’ve always wondered how many dreams God has given that will never come to fruition because the dreamer gave up too early. We need to make sure our dreams are worth dying for. “If only” should never be a part of a leader’s vocabulary. It’s not ‘could have, would have, should have’ – when it comes to leading, it’s all about a matter of WHEN. “We must run in such a way that we win” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Don’t start something you’re not willing to finish.… Read the rest
Leaders not only see what is, but what can be. “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 19:18). We have to learn to dream big dreams. Life was never intended to be survived, but lived – that requires vision. Think about it this way: If you have no vision, then where are you taking those you lead?… Read the rest
Leaders have the courage to confront. Saying the difficult is never easy. And sometimes, saying it right can even be harder – but saying nothing is never an option. When working with people, there are always times we have to have those eye-to-eye, painful discussions – but that’s what growth is about. Leaders have to care enough to help someone else grow. Remember, first check your heart – if you couldn’t take it, then don’t dish it.… Read the rest
Leaders don’t work alone. The key to true, effective leadership is always team. It’s sort of ironic though – if you choose to work in isolation, all you really have in the end is a whole lot of perspiration.… Read the rest
Kindness is the most powerful force we have in today’s world. It can, and will, change anything. Kindness leverages the ability to speak into another’s life. People are always more open to a message, even a painful one, when it’s wrapped in kindness. “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). So kill ‘em with kindness.… Read the rest
Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost – so be like Jesus. “I have not come to invite good people, but sinners to change their hearts and lives” (Luke 5:32). We have been given a mandate by God to reach our world around us. Whatever venue in which we are privileged to lead, it still comes back to the same call – be light in a dark world – that they too may know.… Read the rest