1) Being in charge DOESN'T mean you're a leader! Too many times, we assume because we're put in charge of something, that we're a leader. I think it's important to remember that there is a difference between the two. We can be in charge of tasks and projects. But leaders develop vision and people.
2) Leaders are readers - my pastor reminds us of this frequently. If we're truly leaders, we should be taking time to consistently invest in ourselves. Read books, blogs, listen to podcast, going to seminars, etc. Anything we can take in that will help us grow and develop. If we stop reading....we'll stop leading.
3) Cowards hide from issues, leaders solve them. Every time I log on to Facebook, I see several statuses that are negative, angry, or passive aggressive. And sometimes those statuses are even about me. As a leader, I've had to learn (and am still working on it) not to react to them. Or use social media/email to retaliate. I'm no where near perfect on this, but I've learned that, as a leader, if I'm not willing to talk with a person one on one to deal with an issue, and take to social media to air my frustrations, then I'm not leading. I'm just trying to act the part.
4) Respond timely and patiently - sometimes, as leaders, we get phone calls or emails that we dread. Or we walk into some voice mails that breed anxiousness in us. And it's natural to want to avoid those return contacts. But true leaders not only return the messages, but do so quickly and as cheerfully as possible. I was told once by a friend about a concept that I've held on to till this day - it's called eating the frog. No one wants to eat a frog - it's gross. But if we know we need to do it, and put it off all day, it just hangs over us like a dreadful storm cloud. Just like some of those messages. But if we can dedicate ourselves to eating the frog first thing in the day, our days can be much more productive. Do yourself a favor - eat the frog first thing in the morning. Get it done and out of the way.
**DISCLAIMER!! - In the effort to return calls in a timely manner, please make sure not to do so if you're emotions aren't in check. Sometimes, those calls are hurtful, or can cause anger in our hearts. Make sure to take the time to process those emotions before calling back. If not, the situation can compound into a larger issue, just because our emotions got the best of us. I feel much better apologizing for a late call than apologizing for failing to control my emotions.
5) Love those you lead. My prayer is always that my team and my students know that I love them. And not the feeling of love, but the verb. Choose to love them even when things aren't going well. I've learned that when a person feels loved and invested in by a leader, they're much more likely to overlook and/or forgive that leaders mistakes. Love them because that's what Jesus modeled for us. Love them because Jesus calls us to. Love them because without them, you're not a leader. You're just a guy out for a walk.
I hope that these help! Leaders are desperately needed in various areas, especially in the church. My hope and prayer is that the lessons I've learned through my mistakes, victories, and experiences will be of some benefit to you!
Selah
