Who we are and who aim to be reflect who we’ve been and who we always see — physically, relationally, spiritually.
“God does not called the equipped.
God equips the called.”
When we are called, will we answer?
If we answer, will we be ready?
Who can help us be prepared and ready?
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Leaders influence by how they choose to lead.
Similar to captains of a ship, leaders intentionally take on three tasks:
Build a Boat: Body-mind development allows them to live a lifestyle full of vitality, resources, and abundance. Self-awareness, along with a commitment to enhance physical health, increases their capacity to take on the chaotic nature of life’s oceans. Holistically healthy humans handle hardships handily.
Learn to Sail: Dedication to self-improvement, combined with sharpening skills in a given craft, allows them to resolve rough waters consistently, skillfully, and timely. Aimed at mastery, their ever-evolving expertise navigates life’s vicissitudes. Proficiency precedes precise problem-solving.
Plot a Course: They set a vision and then go on a mission. They stay true to their “Why?” They communicate a long-term destination as well as a short-term action plan. Storms do not deter their path because purpose overpowers panic. Their team contagiously catches their enthusiasm through the sea’s highs and lows, life’s ups and downs, their loves and lessons. Intention, integrity, and intensity influence individuals.
If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work… teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
— Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Dictators often influence negatively through threatening, coercing and corrupting. Directors often influence positively through casting a vision, setting a mission and storytelling. What separates “bad” leaders from “good” leaders: how and why they wield their influence to alter behaviors, shape decisions and sway outcomes. When a leaders heart is spiritually sound, his or her leadership abounds.
Dictators influence maliciously through threatening, coercing and corrupting. Directors influence effectively by casting a vision, setting a mission and storytelling.
How and why they wield their influence to alter behaviors, shape decisions, and sway outcomes remain the separating factors between “bad” leaders and “good” leaders.
When a leaders heart is spiritually sound, his or her leadership abounds.
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We lead and are led as friends, parents, and partners.
We lead and are led as members of a team at work and for our communities.
We lead as a result of being led first.
“Mark, people do not care about what you say as much as they care about who you are,” one of my mentors often reminds me. “Stay true to you.” What he means: authenticity matters more than allegation; embodiment matters more than explanation; consistency of intensity matters more than intermittency.
If so, influence increases.
If not, influence decreases.
Have we ever met, seen, or listened to someone that made us feel uneasy? We could not quite put words to why we felt a certain way; however, something felt off. We experienced bodily sensations telling us that person seemed inauthentic, not acting in full alignment with his or her personality, values and beliefs. Even if they spoke eloquently, we could feel a lack of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. This misalignment decreased our trust of that person; therefore, he or she had less influence on what we did next.
On the other hand, have we ever met, seen, or listened to someone who inspired us? We could not quite put words as to why we felt a certain way; however, something about them made us want to give more, try harder, and endure. We experienced bodily sensations telling us that person seemed authentic, acting in full alignment with his or her personality, values and beliefs. More than words, their enthusiasm gripped us. They came across as 100% honest, integrous, and truthful; embodied alignment increased our trust of that person and he or she influenced what we did next.
Only a select few coaches, teachers, and parents strongly influenced my story.
The ones I’ve kept in mind were always interested in their own spiritual growth as well as mine. What do I mean by “spiritual growth?” They cared what my energy was like, how I carried myself, and the influence I had on those around me.
When tempted and tested, I’ve always asked myself: “What would _____ do?” First, I put Jesus into that inquiry… followed by the rest of the best men and women I trust.
Call to Action: Think of a leader who deeply influenced your path from childhood to now. Which person comes to mind? What did he or she do or say to elicit enthusiasm within you? What was it about them that made you believe in their words, follow their footsteps, or adhere to their suggestions? By becoming aware of the attributes in role models we admire, we begin to understand how we may influence the hearts, minds, and spirits of those in our lives, too.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God.
— Roman's 8:14
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Environment dictates performance.
Setting shapes mindset.
We are not only the average of those we surround ourselves with (e.g. the top variable influencing someone’s income level is the average salary of the households in the zip codes a person grew up in), we lead others to the degree we invest time with other leaders. Similar to a sponge with water, what is near we tend to hold dear. Like-minded individuals spend time avoiding fear or invest time serving others. The latter embrace lacks of comfort with faith.
By constantly being around leaders, those who study leadership, and those who want to lead… we start to become more influential, as well. By constantly talking and walking with individuals focused on others… we continue to think about ourselves less. By routinely going to areas, locations, and places filled with powerful people… we realize and unleash our own power.
A shark contained in too small of a tank does not grow to its full potential. A tree planted too far from other trees will die quicker than a tree in the rainforest surrounded by other trees. A person’s power permeates or dissipates depending on the competence, confidence and status of those around him or her.
Why?
Atmosphere affects actions.
Whether we like it or not, we are always being influenced. For better or for worse, the individuals around us impact our behaviors. What we build, how we learn, and where we plot a course to next happens as a downstream byproduct of the individuals we grow or decay alongside of. Therefore, we must decide who will be in our lives for a season versus for a lifetime.
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Who influences us more, the people throughout or the Holy Spirit within? The leaders we follow influence the growth we make and contributions we give. Those we lead follow us for the same reasons: the growth they can have and contributions they can give.
Be led by enthusiasm: the spirit of God within.
A life well-lived derives from a life well-led.
- MG