By Chuck Lawless
I want to be the best leader I can be. I know I’m not there yet, and I still have much room to grow. So, as I write this post, I write as a student more than a teacher. Here are some steps I’m taking to improve as a leader in 2020.
- Develop a “leadership development” team. Enlist 2-3 people you respect, who know you well, and who will speak truth into your life – and ask them to evaluate your leadership at least twice a year (my preference is once per quarter). Listen non-defensively, and learn from them.
- Reach out to leaders you respect. Some will be inaccessible, but you never know until you ask. Take the risk – send an email or make a phone call. Ask at least this simple question: “What three things have you learned that make you a better leader?”
- Read biographies or autobiographies of great leaders. You can learn much from historical leaders. I look for books that are (a) brief, because I’m busy, and (b) focused, because I want to learn about leadership. Do a Google search for “best leadership biographies” to find some options.
- Spend time with your co-workers. Isolation does not make a good leader. In fact, it’s dangerous. The quality time you spend with your co-workers will build them up and strengthen your team.
- Record and review one of your presentations. Regardless of your role, I assume that you preach a message, teach a class, lead a meeting, or spend some time in front of folks you lead. Video-record it, and review it with someone you trust.
- Serve somebody. Leadership is indeed about being in front, but it’s also about being a servant. Choose today to do something for someone, and do it in such a way that few people know about it. Serve someone humbly and quietly.
- Affirm somebody. No leader who succeeds serves alone. Go out of your way to say “Thank you” and “I appreciate you” to someone today.
- Get more training in some area. Go to a conference. Take a free online class. Start doing another degree. Do something that pushes you to grow.
- Take responsibility for failures, and point to others for successes. Good leaders don’t throw others under the bus, and nor do they steal glory from others. They promote others before themselves.
- Pray 15 minutes a day about your leadership. Focus on nothing but being the leader God wants you to be. Confess your failures. Repent of any sin issues. Every day, ask God to make you a better leader.
What else do you do to be a better leader?
Posted on January 1, 2020
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Answers to provide advice and counsel for church leaders.
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18 Comments
Hello there, I am very appreaciative of pray and go motivation,but I am not able to buying this book due to poor income,can you help give me it as gift for Jesus’ sake?does it exists in ebook ? Please help!
God bless you!
Theofilo,
Pastor/ Tanzania/East-Africa,
My boss asked me to become a team leader in one of his accounts; that’s why I’m thinking of attending a leadership virtual speaking service. I agree with you that it would be great to reach out to three people whom I trust the most, and ask them to evaluate my leadership skills. You’re also right that isolating my self from my co-workers will never hone what I’m trying to aim.
Excellent Article! Especially enjoyed #4 & #10.
Yes, prayer to me is #1. Spend time with your co-workers is also one of great steps.
We best lead as we model the “servant leadership” of Jesus. Great leaders “influence” people.
#1 on my list is to become a better husband and father. Everything else flows from that.
All of us could/should make the same commitment, Ron. Thanks!
These are wise suggestions. Maybe prayer should be #1 instead of 10. Thanks for sharing these.
CJ is right on. Praying should be number 1. I don’t think there is a better leader than Holy Spirit!!!
No question that prayer is #1. These are not ranked in order of priority. Thanks, CJ and Tom.
Excellent points.
Thank you for the post.
Thanks Chuck. Do you have a couple of recommendations for new books on leadership for this year?
Here are two (that aren’t exactly new) that I think are important to read as leaders:
https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Life-Connecting-Distracting-World/dp/1631466836/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31418GURND7QC&keywords=a+praying+life+by+paul+miller&qid=1577912049&sprefix=A+Praying+%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Common-Rule-Habits-Purpose-Distraction/dp/0830845607/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PQ4HVGF1MU6L&keywords=common+rule+habits+of+purpose+for+an+age+of+distraction&qid=1577912086&sprefix=common+rule%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1
Along with #2, find mentor.
Thanks, Leu. I’m a strong believer in mentoring.
Listen to the people around you. Of course you have to listen to those above you, but I am referring to those (Undesirables) beneath you. Sometimes they actually do know what is really going on. You can ignore them but it may be at your own peril.
Thanks, Mark!
Exactly what I was going to write—listen. The people have experience and wisdom that is often unappreciated because leaders fail to listen.