It’s a matter of trust: Get it
Issue #29, April 14, 2010 How much do your followers trust you? Your answer to that question will determine to a large degree how effective your leadership will be. Trust is so vital to your leadership that we will take the next three issues to examine how to get it, how to keep it and […]
Tough Times Call for Servant Leaders
Issue #28, April 1, 2010 Everyone recognizes that we are living in tough times. The world economy has affected all of our lives in one way or another. Job losses and budget cuts are a part of daily life for leaders everywhere. How do servant leaders respond to our times? I recently asked several business […]
Leading on Thursday Morning
Issue #27, March 17, 2010 What do servant leaders do on Thursday morning? They work at their calling! A few open the church door and enter their office. But many report to an office, others show up at a bank, many of them step into a classroom full of students, others sign in for a […]
Leaders With a Limp
Issue #26, March 3, 2010 A friend of mine sat in my office and said something I’ll never forget. He leaned forward in his chair and said with intense feeling, “Don’t follow a leader without a limp.” For months I have been reflecting on the implications of his powerful statement. The analogy of leading with […]
Share the Vision
Issue #25, February 17, 2010 In previous issues we examined how Nehemiah saw God’s vision for the people and how he took time to allow the vision to be shaped. Finally, we can learn from his example how to share the vision with others. Notice again how he communicated, “Then I said to them, ‘You […]
Shape the Vision
Issue #24, February 3, 2010 In the last issue we looked at the characteristics of the vision Nehemiah saw for the people of Jerusalem. Now, let’s step back a moment to look at how this vision was shaped in the life of Nehemiah. Just prior to Nehemiah’s public announcement we find these insightful words, “The […]
See the Vision
Issue #23, January 20, 2010 Servant leaders inspire others to follow a common vision which fulfills God’s purposes for the organization or group. Nehemiah was a leader that did it well. Here’s a part of his story, “Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its […]
Don’t Stop!
Issue #22, January 4, 2010 At the beginning of the year I want to shift my focus and write you a personal note of encouragement. Leadership is a demanding and challenging task. Giving to others, serving them, laying down our lives, developing our own gifts and abilities, keeping our relationship with God fresh and growing, […]
Redeeming Time
Issue #21, December 16, 2009 In the last issue we examined ways that servant leaders view time differently. With that foundation, let’s look at some practical steps every leader can take to better manage time. Paul writes that we are to ‘redeem the time’ (Col. 4:5). To redeem is to buy back or reclaim that […]
It’s About Time
Issue #20, December 2, 2009 All effective leaders recognize that the way they use time will greatly determine their level of success. While many time management principles are universal for all leaders, servant leaders seek to manage their time well for different reasons. The writer of the Psalms said, “Show me, O LORD, my life's […]