Discover Your Design

Self-awareness is definitely a key to leadership. Strong leaders know where their strengths and limitations lie. You are a unique being, and even if you have an identical twin, there will never be another person exactly like you. God has shaped your personality and temperament in a particular way and this design is intentional. Just look at the stunning variety of characters Jesus first selected for his service: from doubting Thomas to aggressive Peter to sensitive John to compulsive Martha and outgoing Mary. We almost get the impression that Christ was purposefully assembling a mosaic of personalities, each offering something that could advance the purposes of God. Rick Warren suggests that people of God are like different pieces of stained glass through which the light of the Lord pours in brilliant array. The “glass” that is you may need polishing. It may be cracked or chipped in places. But your design matters. Understand these truths and your leadership will be stronger.

THE SURPRISING SIDE OF LEADERSHIP

Servants of Jesus are not to be motivated by the lure of control or power, or by the need to fill a personality self-worth deficit-disorder. Beware of those dark sides of leadership. Surprisingly, a true leader finds joy and fulfillment in empowering and equipping others so they can contribute in service – you can read about it in Ephesians 4:11-13, Mark 10:35-45, and John 13:1-17. The freedom/courage to be a servant-leader like Jesus, who stooped to wash feet, comes from being secure in your mission, and in your identity as a child of God.

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE

Helping Others See – Visionary leadership is the art of picturing God’s preferred future for people in terms that inspire their souls and invigorate their wills. It also helps people discern and discipline themselves to the principles and practices God uses to transform that dream into reality