# 10 "Self Leadership"

"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" 1 Samuel 30:6. There are times when you need to find your strength in God alone. In this passage, David returns from a victorious battle with his army, only to find that all the women, children and possessions have been taken captive. Their whole city was burned. He and his soldiers weep and cry out to God. But then, most importantly, HE GETS UP from mourning and finds strength in God. Friends, as leaders, one of the things that make us leaders is the ability to get up again. The ability to rise up from a loss is not common but as people of God it should be a natural reaction to a set-back. I call this "self leadership". It's the God-given ability to lead youself, especially when times are tough.

I once heard a friend say "with every new level, is a new devil". Funny but true. God leads us from one level of glory (leadership and influence) to another. However before we can lead others into this next level of glory, power and influence, we MUST lead ourselves. Allow God's grace to lift yourself out of self pity, victimisation and even depression. Something happens on the inside of a leader that causes him / her not to stay down. It's an ability to lead yourself into the call and purposes of God. I encourage you to stay bold and strong as you forge ahead into all that God has for you.

Happy leading.

# 9 "Little by little"

A well-known Bible teacher tells of a pilot friend who received word from the control tower saying, ‘You’re cleared for 5,000 feet.’ When he got there, he had to hold for further instructions. Next came the words, ‘You’re cleared for 10,000 feet.’ Gradually, the controller took him level by level to 35,000 feet where he was cleared to fly to his destination. God spoke to this Bible teacher and said, ‘I wish you would trust me like that. Instead you want to go straight to 35,000 feet in one thrust!’



Try to understand this: God sees the end from the beginning and He has already mapped out your journey. He knows that if you rise too quickly, there are dangers. You may be in the cockpit, but God’s in the control tower. And His Word for you today is: ‘Trust Me and I’ll get you safely to your destination.’ God’s plan for your life can’t be rushed. When you try to move too quickly, you end up in a tug-of-war with Him. And you lose every time!



1 Timothy 4:15 says ‘Be diligent so thateveryone may see your progress.’ Before God could trust David to lead thenation, He first had to see how he’d handle his father’s flock. It was here

that David built a relationship with God and developed the qualities that would sustain him through the tough times ahead when he was king. God will let you practice in a place where your weaknesses can be worked on, your gifts developed, and where your mistakes won’t affect too many others. That’s because He cares for them too! If God has put you on hold today, it’s because He loves you and wants only what’s best for you.



Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. And prepare for the future without fear! Never Give Up, Look UP!

Happy Leading !!

# 8 "Put a 10 on people"

Have you noticed how people rise to your level of expectation? I remember a very good leader who raised leaders around him, seemingly effortlessly. After a brief discussion with him, he said to me, "John, I tell people that they have what it takes. I tell people that I believe in them and that they have huge potential. I don't presume that they will answer the call to lead but I help them to, by telling them they can do it." What amazing leadership! I wonder how many more leaders (and more effective ones) we could have raised up if we had simply put this principle in place more intentionally? John Maxwell calls it "putting a 10 on people's head".

Jesus used the same principle. He chose leaders very differently to how we do today. He looked at potential and 'heart'. He even looked past small character blemishes. Where people saw Peter as an impulsive, inconsistent fisherman, Jesus saw a man willing to follow Him, albeit if he blows hot and cold. My challenge to you today is that you put a "10" on people form today. Watch them respond to you differently. See them rise up to their potential as you believe in them.

Happy leading!

# 7 "The Law Of Inclusion"

Man's greatest need is acceptance and to be loved. This is true regardless of age, economic status, culture or social status. There is a small key here that we can implement as leaders, that if we do this, on a regular, basis, we are sure to see followers soon become leaders alongside us. I call it 'The Law of Inclusion'. Everybody desires to feel included. We all desire a sense of belonging. Deep in the heart of all people is a desire to do something significant, meaningful and life-changing. One of the ways we can foster this desire is to make 'ordinary' people feel included in our world and in our 'sphere of influence'.

President Woodrow Wilson said "We should not only use all the brains we have - but all that we can borrow." So don't stop with just their brains, enlist their hearts and hands too! Another president, Lyndon Johnson, was right when he said, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves." We need to look at our callings as leaders and ask ourselves "who can I include?". We need to look at potential. Jesus did exactly this when He hand-picked 12 disciples. He included them into His world.

In the nursing profession it is common knowledge to live by a certain phrase, "watch one, do one, teach one." The principle refers to learning a specific technique, doing it and then letting the apprentice do it while you watch. Harvard Business Review produced an article on 30 successful executives and said that every single one of them learned their skills firsthand directly from a mentor. For people to learn from us, we need to include them and mentor them.

Take some time everyday to include new people into your tasks and responsibilities as a leader. Watch how they develop in your midst, simply because you cared enough to include them.

Happy Leading!