“Leaders are made … (and) forged in times of crisis. It’s easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory…it’s another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.” (Where have all the Leaders Gone? Lee Iacocca)
In my coaching practice I’ve worked with displaced leaders, frustrated and fearful leaders. A common characteristic of a failing leader is trouble identifying and describing their abilities and achievements. Successful leaders on the other hand are able to talk about their spiritual gifts, successes, and the things they learned in times of crisis. The difference is knowing and building on gifting, skill and experience.
Paul tells us, “think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is leadership, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:3-8 NIV)
Effective leaders know their gifts, skills and strengths. They also have and work their plan to learn and improve. God gave each of us the skills we need to fit into his plan.
“What’s missing is leadership. Leaders don’t just take things at face value. They ask hard questions.” (Where have all the Leaders Gone? Lee Iacocca) As believing leaders, we need to prayerfully ask the hard questions of ourselves and the organization we work with. God’s Vision will not be achieved otherwise.
Leadership is … knowing your skills and that God has a plan for the use of those skills in your life.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com