It is not just a leader who needs to be encouraging in an organization. A leader needs to know how to surround themselves with a strong team that can also provide them with support when needed. A leader takes on a lot of responsibility. Because they have a position of prominence their actions are often criticized.
Who is encouraging you when you are having a bad day?
Encouragement should be a two way tool. When as a leader you develop an encouraging work environment you should be able to lean on your team for support occasionally. Encouraging words strengthen relationships and make you a stronger team. On days when challenges seem huge, that is when encouragement is most vital. A leader says to the team “Yes you can do it” and the team’s encouraging response is getting to work and believing the leader’s words. When things are going wrong, a leader who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to turn the situation around encourages without words. In cases like this, actions are more encouraging, earning a leader respect and helping to build stronger relationships.
Genuine encouraging words can only be spoken if believe in your team. People can quickly see through empty praise. If you are the type of person that struggles to delegate and prefers to do everything yourself, then you won’t find it very easy to be encouraging. The reason for this is that most of the time you will think you could be doing a better job yourself.
One of the best ways to encourage people is to give them responsibility. Simply trusting them to take on a task can be more encouraging than any words you may say. A second check is how are you engaging with your team? Do you know them as individuals? How do you know that you are encouraging them in the right direction unless you know their strengths and weaknesses? A good leader develops skills that will help the organization reach their goals. Put the right people in the right position and you will be encouraging them to succeed.
I didn’t attend worship last Sunday at the Mars Hill Baptist Church because I was being a father.
My son Josh & I were on a requiting trip at the University of Louisville. I’m excited to share pictures of his visit to the University of Louisville. It was an exciting trip and they have a great campus, field, and training facilities. The coaches were awesome and I love that they love to develop players & WIN!!! Enjoy it!
An encouraging word has the power to move mountains, yet harsh words can just as quickly kill ideas, motivation and inspiration. In The Message Bible puts it aptly: “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or truth – you choose” (Proverbs 18:21). Encouraging your team is an integral part of being an effective leader.
You need to be conscious of your words and constantly check to see if you are giving criticism in an encouraging way. Remember that part of a leader’s mandate is to build up the people that they lead. Some people are natural encouragers. Others have to work at developing skills of encouragement. The important thing is that you are conscious of the importance of encouraging the people you lead.
We all long for more of something in our lives. In our endless pursuit to feel worth and acceptance we find ourselves sacrificing everything for the promise to be a little more beautiful, a little richer, a little more powerful and successful, a little more loved.
How do we break free from these empty pursuits and start chasing the only Promise that will ever satisfy? How do we uncover the hidden idols that are driving us and turn our devotion toward the one true God?
Join Pastor and best-selling author Pete Wilson in discovering the joy and freedom that comes with seeking after God with your whole life. Learn how to replace, and not just relinquish, life’s empty promises by turning your focus and worship toward Him. It is the only thing that will set you absolutely free from the endless pursuit of everything else.
My Thoughts:
I became aware of Pete Wilson after reading his first book Plan B. I was at a crossroads in life and his book help me think through the issues. I was thrilled when I saw that I had the opportunity to review Pete Wilson’s new book Empty Promises. His first one, Plan B, is one that I frequently recommend to others and have been told it has changed their lives. I also love reading Pete’s blog and couldn’t wait to see what his next book held for me.
Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing addresses head on the issue of idols in our lives. Wilson notes that “idolatry is when I look to something that does not have God’s power to give me what only God has the power and authority to give. He then goes on to explain that we, including those in the church, are practicing idolatry on a daily basis not allowing us to achieve our purposes. Wilson then chronicles the common idols of our day, including the warning signs that we are worshiping at a false idol. These idols include; power, success, money, beauty and religion. Wilson notes that humans are inclined to worship and that only by worshiping God can we achieve our true purpose of reflecting Him. Wilson finishes with practical tips for connecting with God and throwing off false ones.
Conclusion:
Not every page in this book will apply to you. But this book is definitely worth the read. You will find yourself in some of those chapters and find out how to pray for those you know who can be found in other chapters of the same book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Best regards,
Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
