Links for Leaders 11/10/17

Five Actions of a Godly Leader—Chris Brown

A sincere compliment is so unusual that it immediately sets you apart. A simple nod or smile showing your approval will do. Or take a few minutes and write a personal note. How about recognizing them in front of their peers? These simple gestures can create magic in a matter of moments and can easily be started today.

The One Thing Great Leaders Can’t Escape—Dan Reiland

It’s natural for a leader to want to be right. We want leaders to be confident about what they believe. But not every issue is black and white, and when being right becomes more about ego or pride than helping people, it becomes a problem, not an attribute. The point isn’t that being wrong doesn’t matter, it’s about being right in order to be helpful. Being forceful to win is never better than being humble to be helpful.

Teaming Up With Sports Families—Chuck Peters

Be careful to not discourage, disparage, or disengage from your kid-athletes. Most sports seasons are just that: seasons. They come and go quickly, and your travel sports kids will be back in your Sunday services before you know it. When we can look at athletics as an opportunity for ministry instead of a threat to it, we may find creative new ways to engage with kids and families on a deeper level.

How Leaders Accomplish More By Doing Less—Matt Perman

Why do 40% of new executives fail within 18 months? One of the most helpful books that I’ve read on leading in an organization is Scott Eblin’s The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success. Eblin points out that 40% of new executives fail within eighteen months of being named to their positions.

Lessons From Rural Pastors From Bob Ross—Jay Sanders

Pastor, there will be Sunday mornings in your church when the worship service feels a lot like a taping of the Joy of Painting. You’re doing a good thing, people are listening, people love it, but they aren’t planning on living out what they hear. They’re just there for the show. They’re there to escape. To relax. As a result, you’ll start to feel like you’ve done a better job of gathering an audience than training up disciples.