Four Dangers of Only Looking at the Future
Last week, I blogged about three dangers of only looking at the present. Wise leaders lead and execute in the current day, learn from the past, and plan and prepare for the future. Leaders must be aware of three spheres of time; past, present, and future, and lead with a view of all three. Many […]
Three Reasons Leaders Must Constantly Ask “Why”
Wise leaders constantly ask “why.” Not because they find joy in questioning everything but because they want to ensure the thinking beneath the decisions is sound and the motivations beneath the actions are pure. Instead of mindlessly executing, they think deeply about what is beneath the execution. Instead of simply implementing, they care about the […]
3 Characteristics of People Leaders Should Listen To
Several years ago I found myself in a conversation with a political consultant who has run national campaigns for candidates seeking election. We were on a flight, and he asked about my profession. I tried to explain “executive pastor” to him, and after a few more questions he concluded, “Sounds kind of like a chief […]
6 Nuggets of Wisdom for Leaders
The following is a guest post by Selma Wilson. Selma is one of the vice presidents of LifeWay, leading our B&H Publishing Group. I am honored to serve alongside Selma and consider her to be an incredible leader. “Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22 Every leader needs […]
Do You Lack Vision?
The following is a guest post by Eric Mason. Dr. Eric Mason is co-founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pa. In addition to his role there, he serves as president of Thriving, a ministry dedicated to aiding ethnic minorities to be resourced and trained for ministry to the urban context. Are you one of […]
15 Tips for Successful Leadership
The following is a guest post by Faith Whatley. Faith serves on our team in the Church Resources Division at LifeWay and is the director of adult ministry. She is an incredible leader and it is an honor to serve churches alongside her. While some of her articles on our leadership channel are directed to women […]
Leadership and “Placing Bets”
For the last three years, I have enjoyed regular coaching conversations with Steve Graves. Steve is a Christ-follower and a consultant/coach. He recently recounted a conversation he had with a leader of a multi-billion dollar global company who shared with him that “leadership is really about placing bets.” As leaders, we are constantly confronted with […]
3 Thoughts on Delivering Bad News Well
Because we live in a fallen and imperfect world, a world subjected to futility, leaders will face difficult and trying seasons. Budgets won’t be met. Teams will struggle. Strategic and tactical decisions will prove not to be the best. Plans won’t be executed as well as they should. Contexts will change. Some of the difficulties […]
4 Spheres of Personal Development
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people [Luke 2:52] Jesus’ teenage years are essentially summed up in the above verse. He grew in wisdom, physically, relationally with people, and in favor with God. Christian educators have referenced the verse to show how we grow and develop across multiple spheres: […]
Delegating or Dumping?
A wise leader delegates both responsibility and authority to others. Doing so broadens the reach of the organization or ministry and helps develop the people within it. In Exodus 18, Moses was confronted by his father-in-law (seldom an enjoyable experience) because of his unhealthy approach to leadership. Moses was feeling the burden and the weight […]