Effective leaders inspire confidence in others
By George Yates
Church health strategist, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
John F. Kennedy inspired a nation and the leaders of a space program to put a man on the moon in less than 10 years.
Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a civil rights movement with a steadfast character and a speech that is still remembered 50 years later.
Jack Welch led General Electric (GE) for two decades in which GE became a global powerhouse in many areas of business. GE is filled with stories of men and women who moved forward with strong confidence during Welch’s leadership.
The list goes on and on. As we read of history or history in the making, great and successful leaders were and are the leaders who inspire others to reach for the best inside themselves for the good of the organization or nation.
Think back on leaders you have witnessed in your lifetime.
What is it about the leaders in your own life that cause you to consider them great or better than good leaders?
I believe one contributing factor you will find in all successful leaders is the ability to inspire others to do their best with their God-given abilities for the organization while increasing individual capabilities.
Those who utilize this leadership practice will see others increase in skill and competence — rising beyond even what the individual thought possible.
The bittersweet portion of this is the leader often says goodbye to these employees as they move on to greater positions. Yet the successful leader knows this is part of the leadership cycle and is indeed successful leadership.
An effective leader never wants to hold someone back from reaching his or her potential. That would be stealing confidence, not instilling it.
While losing good, quality people is tough, it is very rewarding to see and hear of future accomplishments.
Learning of former employees reaching far beyond what they ever could have at your organization will bring delight to any leader if you have had a hand in encouraging and inspiring that person in his or her skill set and competences.
What will you do this week to inspire others in your organization (church or family) to dig deeper and grow more confident in fulfilling their greatest potential? How can you improve your leadership of inspiration?
EDITOR’S NOTE — Adapted from “Effective Leaders Inspire Confidence,” a blog post at alsbom.org/newsroom.
_____________________________________________________________________________
‘I am thankful every day’
The month of November is a time when we turn our attention to the practice of thankfulness. In that spirit I’d like to share a short list of just a few of the many things for which I am thankful.
I am thankful every day to be allowed to work on the campus of the University of Mobile with the most talented and dedicated people in the world.
I am thankful for Alabama Baptists who support this university where, for more than 50 years, the mission has been to provide the very best in academics while seeking to display Christ in all we do.
I am thankful for parents who entrust us with their most precious assets. They save, they sacrifice and they pray.
I am thankful for our students. They are the future. With what I have seen, I feel very confident about that future.
I am thankful for the ministry of the local Baptist churches and the role they play in influencing the minds and hearts of our students.
I am thankful for our extended university family. They work, they volunteer and they donate. Without them we could not survive.
I pray your November will be a time of thanksgiving and that this will be your most blessed holiday season ever.
—Lonnie Burnett
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lonnie Burnett is interim president of University of Mobile.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Thanksgiving Thoughts
I appreciate the mother who says to her [child], “Say ‘Thank you,’” when the child is handed a gift.
Such training awakens the child to untold blessings and the beauty of gratitude. Such instructions form the first steps in becoming a grateful person.
God designed us to grow in grace until true gratitude flows from inside without the need for outward prompting.
The Spirit’s words through the Apostle Paul, “Be thankful,” may be taught as a command, but the deeper call is to become people who are so aware of the constant flow of grace and love from God’s heart to us that our praise and thanksgiving cannot be bottled up. The outward promptings come and go but true gratitude flows on and on.
Not only does unstoppable gratitude please the Father, it also cleanses the heart of cynicism and littleness and sends us dancing through the wonders of salvation living. No killjoys among the King’s children. No sour-hearted cynics. Just joyful children who know that even the dark days are saturated with the air of grace as surely as the earth turns after sunset.
Bob Adams
Retired pastor, Louisiana
_____________________________________________________________________________
Local, regional and foreign missions should never be treated as extracurricular activities for a believer.
Larry Hyche
Associate for men’s spiritual development, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
May there always be a sense of excitement and urgency as we work together to carry out our Lord’s command to go, make disciples, baptize and teach.
Larry Vinson
Associational missions director, Cleburne Baptist Association
The essence of faith is unreserved commitment to God, regardless of impressions and expressions which conflict with that commitment.
Morris Murray Jr.
Author and minister of music and outreach, Samaria Baptist Church, Jasper
Praise God that His plans do not rely on my faithfulness, His joy doesn’t hinge on my good behavior, His glory doesn’t depend on my performance.
Jen Wilkins
“None Like Him”
We must always remember the biblical mandate to pray for our leaders.
Pastor Michael J. Brooks
Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster
We can’t tell people to come as they are but insist they change before they arrive. Live in grace. Walk in love.
Pastor Glenn Sandifer
Deerfoot Baptist Church, Trussville
If trends in America continue … we must be ready to do more and more with less and less. Accomplishing our God’s Great Commission will be more visibly done together.
Dale Wood
Associational missions director, East Liberty Baptist Association
It is easy to allow the stress of pastoring and dealing with people to rob you of the joy of preaching and serving. … Preachers, let me challenge you today to get alone with God and remember the day that the One who knows your name called you into the ministry. Allow Him to pull you to Himself and encourage you. Give the Master Healer your wounded soul and be consumed by the joy of God’s call upon your lives.
Steve Sellers
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
In order to seek and find joy in real life experiences and relationships one must put down devices and look up. We must remember our children are learning how to navigate a digital world by watching our example. Set time limitations and clear guidelines on digital technology and reinforce the importance of face-to-face conversations. One of the greatest gifts we give our children is our undivided attention.
Donna Cicero
Children’s Minister, Circlewood Baptist, Tuscaloosa
We live in a day when being part of a local body of believers is not a priority for many families. … If parents really want to make a big impact spiritually then church must be a weekly priority. At the top of the list. Above sports. Above trips to the lake. Above sleeping in.
Dwight Everett
Associational missions director, Tennessee River Baptist Association
_____________________________________________________________________________
@MichaelHyatt
You will never have more of what you want until you become thankful for what you have.
@drtonyevans
God can use the mess you are in to bring you to the place of your destiny. Remember Joseph. Trust Him.
@DrRTKendall
You might not like God’s “ways.” But the God of the Bible is the only true God; He will not adjust to us; we must adjust to Him.
@DustinBenge
Even the most educated theologian isn’t always right and the greatest preacher can misinterpret Scripture. There is no room for intellectual pride when it comes to the limitless heights and depths of knowing God. A faithful student of Scripture is also a humble student.
@claysmith79
One of the great challenges of pastoral leadership is organizational focus. Many opportunities are frequently presented to you, all promising to be good ideas worthy of time and resources. But do they fit the vision? Saying “no” to the good allows us to say “yes” to the great.
@JonGordon11
Everyone says you can’t. Until you do. Then everyone wants to know the key to your success. The key is you don’t listen to everyone.
@ScottMcDowell_
Diversity shouldn’t be an initiative because of the culture of our denomination. It should be a strategic pursuit because of the culture of heaven. — @noaholdham @sendnetwork
@Jeff_Iorg
The gospel is not all we communicate, but it is the first thing we must communicate. We will give many issues some importance, but we will make sharing the gospel the most important thing we do — always.
@MBTS
“You might be a great thinker, but you can’t think yourself or others out of suffering. … Empathy and grace are the only help we have.” — Dr. Jeremy Muniz #MBTSChapel
@edstetzer
God’s will is the most important part of revitalization.
Share with others: