We can avoid many of the traps that cause insecurity and ineffectiveness by starting with the most excellent way to lead!
My book, The Most Excellent Way To Lead, was born from this concept. I have always found it interesting that 1 Corinthians 13 is sandwiched in between a chapter having to do with spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues. I know all of us have probably heard it read at a wedding. However, what if we took this same passage and applied it to our leadership (honestly, I think it was written more for church leaders and not wedding ceremonies)? Here we go...
1. “Love Is Patient”
Am I giving others the same room to make mistakes as I want them to give me?
2. “Love Is Kind”
Do the people I lead actually like being around me?
3. “It Does Not Envy”
Am I automatically jealous of anyone who has a great idea and constantly perceiving others
as a threat to my position?
4. “It Does Not Boast”
Do I feel like I always need to remind people of my previous victories? If we are obsessed
with the past then we’re not advancing towards the future!
5. “It Is Not Proud”
Do I feel that I am the only one in the organization that has all of the answers?
6. “It Is Not Rude”
Am I always cutting people off mid-sentence as soon as I discover that I do not like their
idea, or am I willing to hear them out? People don’t always have to be right as long as they
feel like they’ve been heard.
7. “It Is Not Self-Seeking”
Who is this about—really?
8. “It Is Not Easily Angered”
Are people afraid to bring me information that is true and accurate because they know I will
lose my mind and begin to yell? Don’t shoot the mailman!
9. “It Keeps No Record Of Wrongs”
Do I remind people of their past failures or encourage them in their current condition?
10. “Love Does Not Delight In Evil But Rejoices In The Truth”
Can people be honest and open with anyone in the organization, including me?
11. “It Always Protects”
Am I quick to throw people under the bus, or will I take a stand for those I work with? It’s
very discouraging to work for someone who demands loyalty but will not extend it.
12. “Always Trusts”
Do I believe the people who lead their assigned areas can make day-to-day decisions
without my input?
13. “Always Hopes”
Do I always automatically assume the worst or the best about people? It is amazing what
can happen on a staff when the leader believes in the people he leads.
14. “Always Perseveres”
Am I quick to give up on people after they make one mistake, or am I willing to teach them
through it?
15. “Love Never Fails”
Do I have a high turnover or low turnover in the number of people who work with me/for
me? If the number is high then maybe it isn’t the people failing...