Monthly Archive for January, 2008

INSPIRE ME!

Published
by
ryan russell
on January 15, 2008
in leadership
. 3 Comments

Of the key ingredients to being a successful leader you must add balancing INSPIRATION with DETERMINATION.

Inspiration is non-negotiable! Who wants to just work without a reason, without a why? Combine a vivid picture of the outcome of your mission with some heartfelt passion; your personal beliefs. Keep it in front of your followers and be willing to live it out with everything that you have. Personally walk alongside your key players and show them how their part of the whole matters. Show them the difference that they can make using their skills, gifts and talents. Give them insight into how they can be a vital part of your organizational mission. Believe in them. Let your passion come alive. Have a dream for where you are going and where they personally play a vital role.

Determination gives your inspiration substance. Don’t let your inspirational moments become the ‘rah, rah’ speaches that your followers come to mock because they never see you really willing to do the hard things necessary for the dream to become reality. Challenge your people to become their personal best and give their personal best. Set goals beyond where you are currently… and then add a next level beyond that. Make commitments that will stretch you and your team. Learn deeper. Think harder. Work with focus. And most importantly, hold everyone accountable — especially yourself.

GUEST POST ::: Take the lowest place first

Published
by
ryan russell
on January 2, 2008
in leadership and next leaders
. 1 Comment

In the form of what I hope for this blog to become, I am excited to begin 2008 with a post from my friend and fellow leader, Perry Emerick.

Take the Lowest Place First I have often noticed people who promote themselves as leaders  push for themselves to be placed in a particular leadership position. Once in that position, if they don’t seem to perform the necessary leadership needed for the position, it  leads to disappointment in the self promoting person who was so quick to speak of their leadership prowess, but was unable to deliver the goods when it mattered.  More often than not, that person is than “reassigned” in a very painful and difficult way. 

Though probably taken out of context as far as leadership goes, there is a story in the bible found in Luke 14 where Jesus is having a meal at the house of a “prominent Pharisee” and after observing the situation for a while,  shares these words: “7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ”When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

The principle is simple, if you desire to be in leadership, then take the lowest place first and humbly work at demonstrating you ability to lead. There is much to be learned and developed by starting at the lowest place and often you have a greater opportunity to demonstrate your true leadership potential. 

John Maxwell in his book “360 Degree Leader” talks about the ego challenges of being hidden in the middle of an organizations. He makes this statement, “Remember that consistently good leadership does get noticed.”  And when the leader of an organization notices a young leader who distinguishes himself by his consistent hard work and effective leadership, in time he will invite that person to a greater level of leadership, perhaps replacing someone who eagerly promoted themselves into a position they weren’t really ready for.