John Maxwell A Day of Leadership

Our life in two dimensions 1. Physical 2. Spiritual Proverbs 9:6 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” Col 1: 10 So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

My ‘life of meaning’

• Workplace
• Motherhood
• CHINA – God called them to China, her husband was in the diplomatic arena

Romans 15: 13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less” J. Oswald Sanders

Proverbs 9:9 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Psalms 92: 14 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

Leadership has two dimensions

1. You are servant leader
2. Others being served by you.

Servant-leadership focuses on the well being of people and communities.

Gal. 5: 13b But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

The heart of leadership
YOU
• You don’t want just an ordinary life, you want a ‘life of meaning’
• Taking action is the remedy to indifference

OTHERS
• Your choice will influence others
• By becoming a leader, you change yourself but you also change your nation.

Characteristics of a Leader

1. Character
2. Compassion
3. Courage
4. Competency
5. Convictions
6. Commitment
7. Charisma

Joshua 1: 9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Where do we begin?

• World 7.5 billion
• China 1.4 billion (18.5% of the world’s population)
• Canada 37 million
• Barbados 280,000

Mat 12: 21
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Where do we begin?

1. Do you notice problems?
• In communities
• In businesses
• In families

2. Can you address these problems?

• If not you, then who?
• Not to be criticized, do nothing, be nothing
• Leaders operate by faith, hope and optimism. We are to be the salt and light of the world

Mat. 5: 13-14 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

What gives you the authority to tackle problems?

Gen. 1: 26 – 27
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

James 4: 17
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

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

Romans 15: 13
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. Leadership starts with a NEED
2. The need sparks a PASSION
3. The leader takes ACTION
4. The leader’s action INFLUENCE others to cooperate

Where do we begin?

• Your passion gives you the authority to influence a situation
• Your passion helps you to discover your purpose

What are your excuses for not influencing or leading others?

Fear of:
• Being inadequate for the task
• Feeling inferior?
• Being intimidated?

John 8:44b
He (the devil) is a liar and the father of lies.

Elements of leadership

1. COMPASION
• Does serving others bring you satisfaction?
• Are you willing to help even if it costs you?
• Are you willing to take action?

James 4: 17
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

2. CONFIDENCE

• Avoid comparing
• Avoid competing
• Avoid seeking approval of others
• Avoid criticizing yourself of others
• Avoid being a control freak
• Focus on your strengths

Proverbs 28: 1b
“… the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

What can you contribute?
1. Talents & Gifts – something you are good at, a natural thing in you.
2. Skills – that are developed
3. Your purpose -
4. Your vision – for your family, your community, your church, your country, the region or the world.

Excellence in the life of a leader

1. You value excellence (not perfection)
2. Pay attention to details
3. You live up to your commitments
4. You possess integrity - do what you are suppose to do when no one is looking.
5. You show genuine respect or others
6. You go the “second mile’
7. You never stop improving
8. You devote yourself to what you do best – be you
9. You accept pressure – there will always be pressure, accept it, pray on it and sleep on it!
10. You have a consistent lifestyle

Greater sense of responsibility

1. You are responsible for how you treat others
2. You are not responsibility for how others treat you
3. You take the ‘high road’ and lead people by choice, not by emotion.

You are the right leader

1. Abilities: in the area where there is a need
2. Trustworthy: INTEGRITY = doing the right thing when no one is looking
3. Teachable: mentors, books, seminars, workshop
4. Initiative: you step forward, you take risks, you are the first one
5. Get results: you get the job done
6. Influence: your friends your colleagues your volunteers
7. Serving others: (servant leaders) with a patient generous compassionate heart

Alarm bells for leaders

• Do you have the passion to serve?
• Are you accountable to anyone?
• Are you over- concerned with building your own image?

1 Peter 5: 6
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

• Are you aware of your weaknesses?
• Are you overly impressed by either criticism or flattery?
• Are you a ‘loner’ and ‘independent’ in your work or community?

Rom 12: 10
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

The inner circle… why?

1. Leaders have a higher standard
2. Leaders have weaknesses
3. Leaders get criticized
4. Leaders can become depleted
5. Leaders can be corrupted by power and popularity
6. Leaders might forget to develop other leaders

The inner circle

1. Family
2. Mentor
3. Committed friends
4. Apprentice/Trainee

Checklist to serve others

1. Humility, humility, humility

Phil 2: 3
“ VALUE others above yourself”

Proverbs 27: 2
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

2. Refusing to become a celebrity,
3. Not being self sufficient, self reliant
4. Not trying to be powerful , in charge
5. Being secure in your self
6. Being an example to others
7. Not following what others thing or do
8. Having the freedom to make choices and be different
9. Loving people – developing deeper relationships

1 John 4: 19
“We love because he first loved us”

10. Acknowledging human weakness
11. Giving without any expectation of return
12. Serving from greatfulness and with graciousness
13. Nurturing consistency and stability in yourself

How long and where can we serve?

What are your goals and objectives?

• Life long
• Next 3 – 5 years
• Next year
• Next 90 days
• Next step

Together Everyone Achieves More

One is too small
Interaction fuel action
Reproduce leaders within your team

The heart of leadership

“The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others”
Dr. Albert Schweitzer,

Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.