As the New Year begins, so does my next writing project, Abound, A Call to Purposeful Leadership. This is not just another leadership book to read, but one to work through. My hope is that not only will you work through it, but you and your team members will learn more about each other as you work through it together and take your leadership to the next level through daily assignments. With only four chapters: The Call, The Walk, The Leap, The Team, this book will be manageable for any team no matter what season you find yourself. Although some are born with a natural bent towards leadership, it can be learned. Regardless of where you find yourself, effective leadership requires each of us to develop our skills and deepen our knowledge. Psalm 86:11 tells us, “Teach me Your ways, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.”
3 Steps to Purposeful Leadership
- Teach me Your Ways – It all starts with allowing God access to your heart, mind, body and soul. You and I must yearn to live for Christ, cherish His Word and strive to put it into practice. Once you commit to knowing the Father’s heart through the (daily) study of His word, you will be able to apply it to yourself and your team. Whether or not your work is in ministry or a secular environment, it will dramatically impact your leadership more than any other book or resource. Ask God to open your mind to understand scripture (Luke 24:45). The greatest leaders are the closest followers of the one true Leader. Purposefully live out what you learn as an example to your team.
- Walk in Your Truth – Here lies your walk. . . Emulate Christ’s character in how you live. It is what drives your purpose. It is your true North. What you believe deep in your core, will dictate how you walk. It will affect your reactions, responses and motives. Not only do you want to walk out your calling with great purpose, but you want those you work with to walk it out as well. But you, as their leader, must show by example. Leadership is a tough road to walk at times. It is one that you will need to draw strength from One higher than yourself. Purposefully walk with excellence and intentionality as your guide.
- Unite Your Heart to Fear His Name – Desire to have an undivided heart that is completely devoted to the Lord, above all else. To love Him as your first and forever love. Strive to allow your heart’s desires to fall in line with the Lord’s, continually testing your motives against His will. Bear each others burdens and share in each other’s joys. In Romans 15:5-6 we read, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Purposefully commit to unite your heart with God’s will and pour out that same love to your team members.
“May you and I not get so distracted by the work at hand, that we lose sight of the One who gave us the work to accomplish.”
Have a fabulous and prosperous 2018!
Journeying with Him,
Jessie