Developing the Leader within you - ServiceYouCanTrust.education

Summary and Commentary

John Maxwell Leadership Principles

Developing the leader Within You 2.0

by Patrick Montgomery

September 25, 2018

The apostle Paul clearly states the responsibility we have as Christians to use our gifts to help others and be a witness for Christ.

In Romans 12:4-7, he writes “For as in one body, we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

Paul continues “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”(I Cor 12:4-7)

What are you good at? God has given everyone of us special talents and gifts that we can use for the

“common good” What are you passionate about? What do you really enjoy doing? I am passionate about teaching and really love to do it. I believe God has given me special abilities to be an effective teacher. And my goal is to influence others to follow Christ and grow in their faith. All of us as believers are subject to the “Great Commission” given by Jesus “Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all men.”(Mt 28)

What are you doing to witness for Christ? What kind of influence are you on the people around you?

Are you positive adding value to people or are you negative, pessimistic and complaining

John Maxwell teaches that “everyone is a leader because everyone influences someone else for good or for evil. Sociologists estimate that even an introverted shy person will influence over 10,000 people in his/her lifetime. Amazing! Every day you influence others and you are influenced by others. That means no one is excluded from being both a leader and a follower”(4-5)( Developing The Within You 2.0)(all pages references to this book)

How many of you have had a grandparent who was a big influence on your life?

My grandfather Rodolph P. Liipincott was a major influence in my life even though I was only 11 when

he passed away. I am still following his example to this day. He retired from pastoring a church in Cadiz, Ohio after 35 years. But soon he became bored playing golf and sitting in his apartment watching TV. He took another church pastorate at age 74 and worked there the rest of his life. He really loved what he did as a pastor and told me that it didn't feel like work because he enjoyed it so much. Even though I was only 11 when he passed away, his influence on my life is profound. Like him I refuse to retire and plan to teach the rest of my life. I enjoy teaching so much that it does not feel like work to me. Some of you may think that your days of doing good are over because you are older. That

is simply not true!

He goes on to say that everyone can grow to become a more effective leader and to have more positive influence on people. Why has leadership become so important? Because people are recognizing that becoming a better leader changes lives. Everything rises and falls on leadership. The world becomes a better place when people become better leaders. Developing yourself to become the leader you have the

potential to be will change everything for you.”(1-2)

Maxwell emphasizes that you have to be intentional about the process. You have to make a

commitment to growth. He says the best investment for your future that you can make is not stocks or real estate but in yourself to develop your influence.(6) Maxwell says”I want you to find the joy of growth and apply that growth to your purpose. I want you to make a difference. And I want you to do it by developing the leader within you so that you can reach your full potential, not only as a leader but in every area of your life. Growing into your leadership potential will take great time and effort. You will need to be highly intentional. You will have to work for it. You will have to spend your time and money to achieve it...Effective leadership doesn't happen on its own. You must go after it.”(221-222) “Growth's highest reward is not what we get from it but what we become because of it.”(214)

Paul describes in Philippians, “And I am certain that God who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phil 1:6). When we

receive Christ as our Savior, God begins a “good work” in us. As we follow His ways we become more and more like Jesus Christ. Part of our “good work” is reaching out to others and helping them. As Jesse was telling us a few weeks ago, we are all “a mess” but we can also help someone else “address

their mess”We have answers and solutions to “messes” or “problems” that can help someone else. Part of the “good work in us” is becoming aware of the gifts and talents that God has given us and using them to help others. Part of the “good work” is increasing our influence and leadership abilities so that we have more to give and to help others.

Having committed ourselves to personal growth and developing our leadership, we need to be self-disciplined in the process. We need to control our emotions in the moment and take a longer view of life. Maxwell says “If I were to ask you , 'Do you want to improve your life?' of course your answer would be yes. The question isn't if you want it to happen. The question is how do you make it happen.

The answer is by living each day with intentionality. That requires self-discipline. Self-discipline moves you from good intentions to good actions.”(186-187)

President Truman said, “In reading the lives of great men, I have found that the first victory they won was over themselves...Self-discipline with all of them came first.” “Good leaders practice self-control before they try to engage others. I need to get a grip on myself first before I get a handle on leading others.” (185) Maxwell's main point is that we need to change our thinking to be positive, to give up bad habits, and to develop good habits. “If you want to become the leader you have the potential to be, you need to pay the price of self-discipline.”(201)

Maxwell suggests that you focus on your strengths and passions and what you love to do. If you are doing what you are passionate about and what you love to do, it will be easier to be self-disciplined. Your passion becomes your “why”, your purpose in life which motivates you to develop good habits and succeed.

The third key quality of effective leadership is character. Character is knowing who you are, what your values are and having integrity. Solomon writes in Proverbs “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”(10:9). And Paul encourages believers to do the right thing in 2 Cor. “For we are taking pains to do what is right not only in the eyes of God but in the eyes of men.” (8:21) Leaders need to do what they say and build trust with their followers. Integrity is doing what you say you are going to do. If followers trust and respect you they will listen to your suggestions. Maxwell says “It is the leader's responsibility to build trust in his followers, to trust them and to take steps to earn their trust.”(56) Part of integrity is choosing your values and then

standing by them when you are challenged.

How many of you have lost a pet and hoped someone would find him and return him? How many of you have lost a dog? How many of you have lost a pet? How many of you have lost a dog? Right after Easter our beloved

black Labrador retriever Monkey Joe (MJ) passed away suddenly after 12 years. We had him since a puppy and were very close to him. His little brother Balto a six year old Siberian Husky missed him a lot and would go out on the deck and howl especially when we were away. My son Josh talked about buying another puppy in a year or so. But after 100 days we were pretty much done grieving MJ.

Then the next day my wife Laurie and I were driving home along Norpoint Way when we saw a puppy that looked a little like Balto running at full speed. Laurie said “Let's stop and see if we can find his owner.”Another lady joined in the chase until we finally stopped the puppy and gave it water. Well-kept and nice blue collar but no tag. The other lady said she could not take the puppy home so we offered to.

We introduced him to Balto in the backyard and they got along well from the start. Josh said 'This puppy is a blessing from God, well-trained and even house-broken. If we can't find the owner, I want to keep him as my own.” On Monday, I had already driven around 12 neighborhoods looking for a “lost dog” sign, but no luck. Laurie took him to our vet to look for a microchip and found the original

owner and name “Koda” of the puppy. But the current owner was still unknown. The microchip people said wait 4 days before changing the registration. In the meantime, Balto was very happy with his new playmate and we were enjoying being a 2 dog household again! We decided as a family to not take Koda to the Humane Society if we could not find his owner.

Then on the evening of the 4^th day just when we thought Koda would be ours to keep, a friend of my son Ian found a lost dog poster and sent a picture. We were lamenting giving up a dog we liked so much but trusted that God had a purpose even with Koda's brief visit. One of our strong values is that if you find a stray pet you should try to find the owner and return it to him.

With sad hearts, we called the owner in the morning and arranged for them to come pick up the dog.

When the owner arrived, he spent a long time outside talking to Laurie. Then when he came in, he said

“Koda seems happy here with your dog. At our home, he fights with our other 2 dogs. And both my wife and I will be gone all day next month to new jobs. We are worried what the three dogs might do with no one home! Would you like to keep Koda?” Laurie and I were both shocked. We said “Yes!” and were overjoyed!

My point is that when you do the right thing, even though it is hard, as it was for us offering to return Koda, to his owner, you feel good about yourselves knowing that you have done the right thing. Paul encourages believers to do the right thing in 2 Cor. “For we are taking pains to do what is right not only in the eyes of God but in the eyes of men.” (8:21)

How many of you have lost a pet and hoped that someone would find him and return him? How many of you have lost a dog? How many of you have found a pet and tried to return him?

Right after Easter our beloved

With sad hearts, we called the owner in the morning and arranged for them to come pick up the dog.

When the owner arrived, he spent a long time outside talking to Laurie. Then when he came in, he said

Commitment to growth, self-discipline and character are the foundations of effective leadership. Just as a house has a solid concrete foundation, so these are the building blocks of being a leader. Your leadership will be like a house built on the rock. Jesus describes the house built on the rock and the house built on sand in Matthew 7:24-29“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Commitment to growth,

self-discipline and developing good character is the work within you that needs to happen before one reaches out to others. How can you lead someone if you haven't been there yourself?

Titus in his letter describes the qualities of a Christian leader:

7Since an overseer manages God’s household,he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.8Rather, he must be hospitable,one who loves what is good,who is self-controlled,upright, holy and disciplined.9 He must

hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.(1:7-9)

People follow more what the leader does more than what he says. The leader is an example in the whole way he lives his life. Maxwell says, “To develop character and become bigger on the inside than the outside, I must deal with my weaknesses. I must embrace failure and learn from it. I must choose the better path forward.(67) The essence of self-leadership is doing the right thing even when you don't want to do it.

The last piece of the foundation as you get ready to lead others is priorities. Once you have determined your values, then you set goals and priorities of what you are going to do with your life. Maxwell advocates the “Pareto Principle” which basically states that if you spend 80% of your time working on the top 20% of your priorities you will accomplish 80% of your production-most of what is really important. “If you want to be successful as a person and as a leader, you must make choices. You must prioritize. You cannot have it all. No one can”(31) Jesus reminds us of what is most important, as Luke describes “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.“ (2:29-31) Ultimately our main priority as believers is to seek the Kingdom of God and live by Christian values.

For leaders, Maxwell recommends focusing on the three R's-required, return and reward. First determine what is required of you as leader that no one else can do. Second determine return-what are you good at, I mean really good at?”Knowing what activities give you the greatest return is vital. What do people continually compliment you for doing? What tasks or responsibilities do colleagues continually ask you to take on? Finally figure out what is most rewarding to you? What do you like to do so much that you would gladly do it for nothing. What are you passionate about? Then learn to do it so well that people are happy to pay you for it.”(38).

Now that your foundation is laid, you can move out into the world influencing others by bringing about positive change, solving problems, serving people and creating a vision for people to follow. In the process of reaching out, one needs to express a positive attitude believing as Paul writes in Philippians“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(4:13)

In the process of reaching out to others, having a positive attitude is key. Why is it so important?Because your followers see what you are doing and model their behavior after you. If they see you being negative, complaining and pessimistic, they will become the same way and nothing gets done. So being optimistic and confident is key to success as a leader. Solomon writes in Proverbs,”A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”(17:22). If one is optimistic, one is joyful.

And Paul says in Philippians,”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”(4:6) Our confidence comes

from God who enables us to be effective through the power of the Holy Spirit. As leaders we can be confident that God is working through us. We can be at peace and not worry. The prophet Isaiah

encourages us,”Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.( 41:10). Our confidence is not in our own abilities but in what God can do through us! Because we are confident and at peace, we can have “joyful hearts” and be a positive influence on our followers.

Maxwell stresses the value of emotional intelligence (EQ) the importance of being able to recognize and understand emotions in others and to apply this awareness so that you manage your behavior and your relationships with others. “There are few abilities more important than EQ when it comes to leadership.”(40) EQ helps us add value to people and influence them for good.

Valuing people is part of building character. “By placing others first, you take the focus of yourself and therefore have a more difficult time being selfish. That builds your character.”(70)

A key part of valuing people is to not judge and criticize them for their weaknesses. As Jesse reminded us last month we are all “messes” and need the help of others to deal with our “messes” or weaknesses. If you criticize or condemn someone that really puts them off and makes them unwilling to receive your help. Jesus reminds us “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye. How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Mt 7:1-5) As leaders especially, we need to deal with our own “planks” and weaknesses first and then help our followers in a kind non-judgmental way deal with their “specks”.

As one reaches out to others to lead them, one can create positive change. “Being able to turn an organization around by being a positive change agent is the true test of a great leader.”(72) Getting people to change is difficult, but if one builds credibility and then introduces the change gradually, one is much more likely to succeed. It is human nature to want things to stay the same. People feel awkward and self-conscious, they are reluctant to give up familiar ways, they are afraid of being ridiculed, they personalize change and feel alone in the process. Maxwell says,“As leaders we can become impatient and want them to get a grip and get over it. Instead we need to show patience. Acknowledge their humanness and work with them...How far you can travel isn't the point; it's how far you are able to take your people. That's the purpose of leadership”(77-78) People need time to process the change and people are always at different levels in their readiness to change. While not everyone will accept the change, many will if you are willing to help them.

One needs to plan the process of change ahead of time: determining exactly what needs to be done,explaining, it clearly and simply, outlining the steps to take to make the change and the priorities that need to be adjusted. Next one needs to identify the key people that need to be included in planning and carrying out the change; then allow time for people to accept the change. One needs to begin the process of change and expect to deal with resistance as it comes up. During the process of change it is important to acknowledge successes and continually evaluate how things are going.

Another way to impact people is to become a problem solver. Everyone has problems or “messes” as Jesse described a few weeks ago. We can establish ourselves as leaders by helping people solve problems. But first of all we need to turn to God for answers. As the apostle James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given

him.(1:5)

We present the problem to God in prayer and trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give us an answer. M. Scott Peck writes in his book The Road Less Traveled,” This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it has been accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”

Maxwell continues,”It is true that life is hard for everyone. And if life is tough for individuals, its difficulty is multiplied for leaders. A leader's life is not his or her own. Leadership is not about you it's about what you can do for others”.(95)

Maxwell writes;”My hope is that this simple, practical advice helps you step up and gain credibility in the quickest way as a leader.”(96) By taking a pragmatic approach, one can take what others see as problems and use them as opportunities. Problems introduce as to ourselves, to others and to opportunities. A key strategy Maxwell suggests is to believe that there is always an answer to every problem and there is more than one solution. Maxwell says we need what he calls “mental agility” and that we can develop that ability by believing that we can solve problems. “If we believe that we can find answers to problems that we think are worth solving, we will be motivated to keep working at them until we find an answer. And the more we succeed, the more tools we will develop to solve problems. When leaders of good character face problems, they rise to the occasion and are often defined by their response. Raise him in abject poverty and he becomes an Abraham Lincoln. Strike him down with paralysis and he becomes a Franklin D. Roosevelt. Oppress them in a society filled with racial discrimination and they become a Marian Anderson or a Martin Luther King Jr.”(101)

“As a leader, you need to pay attention to how your people respond to problems and you need to help them respond correctly if possible... And you need to spend time helping them learn to deal with problems positively. You can't solve problems for them. If you do, you'll be forever solving their problems. You must solve problems with them-at least until they get the hang of it.”(104-105)

As you seek to solve problems, list as many solutions to a problem as possible. The more options the better because problems continually shift and change. No matter how difficult your circumstances may seem, there is likely a solution that not only resolves the problem, but has the potential to improve your

life and your leadership.(114) The best problem solvers don't work alone. They enlist the aid of other thinkers to help them. And they use the Socratic method of asking questions to gain from other people's thinking. This method helps them become better problem-solving leaders.(110)

Good leaders are solving two puzzles at the same time. The first puzzle is the immediate problem, the situation that needs to be resolved. They work on that but at the same time, they also look at the puzzle of the big picture-of their organization, of the industry, of trends. They look at how the small problem relates to the bigger picture and all it's complex pieces.(99).

Through all this process of problem solving, we need to turn to God as the Psalmist exhorts,” And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”(51:5) And we need to trust Him that everything will work out for the good as Paul writes in Romans,”And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”(8:28)

During all this positive change and solving problems, a leader has to maintain a positive “can-do”attitude and be willing to do “whatever it takes” to get the job done. He needs to trust in God'sgrace to carry him though difficult times. "But he sad to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'..."(2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV) So where we are weak, God is strong and carries us through our weaknesses.

No leader can be strong all the time so we need to trust God to carry us when we are weak or don't know what to do. “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, of power and of a sound mind.”2 Tim 1:7 We need not be afraid in difficulty but need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit

within us and the wisdom of God to carry us through. Scripture says God’s grace is sufficient. The word sufficient simply means competent, enough or qualified. That means you always have whatever you need by His grace. You will never face anything that God’s grace cannot empower you to move through.

A leader's attitude is imitated by followers so a negative attitude will be “catching” and create a depressive atmosphere in the organization. But on the other side a positive “can do” attitude will be imitated by followers and motivate them. Paul exhorts us in Philippians to not worry but pray to God. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”(4:6) As we lead people we need to be an example of calm and trust knowing that everything will work out. We have to be careful too of our face because people can read our expressions and know what we are thinking. Solomon tells us in Proverbs that if we are positive (glad) in our heart we will have a cheerful face.

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.(15:13) Even when things don't go our way as expected, we need to rejoice and trust God as Paul describes in his letter to the Thessalonians,”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (5:16-19) Leaders need to maintain a calm positive attitude no matter what happens and keep moving forward despite negative issues.

Maxwell's main points on attitude are to have a teachable spirit as Paul writes “Put into practice what you have learned”(Phil 4:9)Also Maxwell says we need to take responsibility for our attitude to focus our mind on good things, to meditate on the positive and to practice good things. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Phil 4:8) Take the high road, not the low road. When some hurts you forgive them and treat them kindly. Do not return evil for evil. Understand the value of attitude.

A key part of attitude is to speak positive words as Solomon describes in Proverbs.”A man has joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season how good it is”(15:23) Our spoken words create a reality, an atmosphere around us positive or negative. When you are hearing someone complain and moan about something, how do you feel-maybe sorry for the person, but the atmosphere is negative. James says,”But no man can tame the tongue, It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.” (3:8-9)But as leaders we need to encourage people not curse them or discourage them. Isaiah writes,”The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I may know how to sustain him who is weary with a word.”(50:4) Our duty as Christians and especially as leaders is to build each other up and encourage each other by speaking positive words and reminding others as Paul describes,”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”Phil 4:13 And sometimes we just need to be quiet and

listen.”In the multitude of words sin is not lacking but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov 10:19

By the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us as Christians, we can restrain our anger and speak life to ourselves and to those around us. Those that complain and keep saying negative things about themselves such as “I can't do anything right” create negative consequences in their lives. We tend to believe most what we hear ourselves saying.

As Solomon describes “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...”Prov 18:21With the positive words that we speak, we build a positive attitude in ourselves. And Maxwell explains,“Good leaders understand that a positive attitude creates a positive atmosphere, which encourages production. Furthermore Maxwell encourages us to learn from our mistakes, improve and try again.”Every time I tried something new and failed, I tried to learn from it and apply it to my life so I could improve.”(140)

He also encourages leaders to follow their passion. “The best career advice I can give any person is “Find your passion and follow it”. That's what I have done for fifty years. Because I am passionate about what I do, I feel like I've never had to work a day in my life. I've simply done what I love to do-which is adding value to people through writing, speaking and investing time in my companies.”(128)

One of Maxwell's main points in leadership is that it is not about you but it is about the people who follow you. Leaders can get preoccupied with their status, their title and how important they are and what they have achieved. They also tend to put their personal interests ahead of those they are leading. “Jesus called to them(his disciples) and said You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles, lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, But whoever would be great among you must be your servant … For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” (Mark 10:42-45) Jesus himself was a “servant leader”. And Paul writes in Philippians “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. (2:4)

Servant leadership is a very effective style of leadership because people see you looking to their needs over your own. They see you as willing to sacrifice your own interests so that they might grow and advance. Thomas Greenleaf in his book Servant Leadership explains“The care taken by the servant-first leader is to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served. The best test...is Do those served grow as persons? Do they while being served become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants...”(146)

Maxwell realized early in his career that the heart of leadership is based on serving others, not himself. He started to change his focus to empowering others to do what he was doing. Paul writes in Eph 4:11-12,” So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Maxwell realized it wasn't about making his congregation great, but that he needed to equip people in his church to do God's work and build up God's church.

The servant leader asks, What can I do for people to help them succeed and what do they need from me that they may not be asking. The servant leaders also seeks to improve himself so that he can serve people better. He focuses what he does best that allows him to serve people best. In other words his strongest good quality is his most effective way to serve others. Finally by his example, he wants to inspire other people to be servant leaders.

Eugene Habecker in The Other Side of Leadership was a major influence on Maxwell. He writes,” The true leader serves. Serves people. Serves their best interests and in so doing will not always be popular, may not impress. But because true leaders are motivated by loving concern rather than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price.”

What can you do to be a servant leader? Maxwell recommends not to rely on your position but to meet people on common ground and believe in them and in their potential. You need to see things from their perspective and encourage them. Finally you need to evaluate your success not on your accomplishments but on how much value you add to others.

Finally the leader needs to cast a vision for his/her followers. He has to see the big picture, to see what his followers don't see. Then he needs to communicate the vision in such a way that they get it. ) People do what people see. That is the greatest motivational principle in the world. In other words, people depend on the leader for visual stimulation and direction. If we want to possess a vision for our leadership, we need to prepare for it. Know that what you see determines what you can be and what you see is what you are prepared to see; and what you receive is largely based on what you see (perceive)(168) Leaders need to believe it before they can see it!“Good leaders see more and before others and they work to increase that capacity on an ongoing basis”(170)

Maxwell urges leaders to develop their ability to see more and before others by being around people that inspire you to see more and before. They help you expand your vision and make you want to be more than you are. I find that true for myself. Being

around John Maxwell inspires me and makes me have a bigger vision for what I might do as a leader. He advises us to ask questions of these inspiring people which will help us exchange greater ideas and expand our vision.

Maxwell encourages us to look within to find a vision and to personally own it. Look within and what do you feel? What fires you up. What makes your blood boil? What gives you great joy? Maxwell says our vision needs to come from within because there will be pressure from the outside or distractions. You need strength from within to keep going. Secondly a vision that comes from within rings true and authentic to others. Thirdly a vision that comes from within carries the weight needed to do something significant. Weight gives them credibility,gives them joy in the journey and guides them like the North Star. Psychiatrist Carl Jung said' “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside dreams. Who looks inside awakens.”(177)

Look behind you, what have you learned. What have experiences from your past, successes and failures taught you about leadership. Look around you what is happening to others? Once your vision is born, you need to pay attention to the people you want to help you implement your vision. Good leaders watch the people around them to know how and when to present the vision. Timing is key. Good ideas can become great when the people are ready but rushing the people will delay the vision or drive them away. People need to buy into you as a person before they buy in to your vision. Good leaders adapt their pace to the slower pace of their followers waiting until they are ready.

Look above you. What does God expect of you? Maxwell writes “I believe God's gift to me is my potential. My gift back to God is what I do with that potential. I believe great leaders sense a higher calling, one that lifts them above the crowd. It compels them to try to achieve something meaningful, something significant for others. To people of faith, that calling is God ordained” (179) Ask God to help you discover your vision. Look ahead of you. What is the big picture? What is your long range plan?As a leader you have to paint a clear picture of your vision and then mobilize your followers to join you in making the vision happen.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.” Maxwell goes on to say,”As a leader when you discover your vision, it becomes your fire, your inspiration, and your guide. When you find your vision nurture it,embrace it, own it and paint a compelling picture of it to

others. Vision is the absolutely necessary quality of leadership and that vision enables you to reach your full potential as a leader! (183)

Finally as Christians we need to look to God to find our vision, our calling, what He wants us to do with the gifts and talents He has given us.

First of all we need to pray and seek God as Solomon advises in Proverbs:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

Then we need to Him seeking His will and asking Him to give us ideas and direction for what we are to do with the gifts and talents he has given us.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” PS. 127:1

Finally, we need to rely on His strength to help us accomplish our vision:

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”I Cor 10:13 and “Jesus looked at them and said,'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'.” Mt 19:26

God had given you gifts and talents. What are you going to do with them? What kind of leader and influencer do you want to become? How are you going to help others solve their problems using your gifts and abilities?

Our vision is absolutely necessary for effective leadership. And it enables us to reach our full potential as leaders. It enables God working through us to “finish the good work” in us begun by Him when we received Jesus Christ as Savior.