by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 10, 2012 | regular
9. STAYING TOO BUSY.
I’ve too often made the mistake of assuming that since I’m busy I’m adding value.
It’s very possible to be constantly busy and be completely ineffective. By the way, email can be the biggest trap of all. If I wanted to, I could spend every hour of every day processing email and getting absolutely nothing accomplished.
It has been said, “never mistake motion for progress.” Throughout the day we must stop and ourselves, “is what I’m doing adding value to others or helping me reach my destiny?” If so, keep doing what you’re doing. If not…well, you know what to do.
How do you know when you’re too busy?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 9, 2012 | regular
Leadership Guru, John Maxwell is known for saying: “Everything rises & falls on leadership.” Even though I’ve been in various leadership roles for about 25 years now, I’m still learning what it takes to be a good leader. Because of that, I feel awkward trying to tell other leaders how to lead because I’m still trying to figure it out myself.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to take a different spin with this post. With the help of some friends, I’ve compiled a list of the “10 Dumbest Leadership Mistakes I’ve Made.”
In other words, rather than sharing all of the enlightening leadership principles I’ve discovered through the years, Over the few weeks, I’m going to confess all the dumb mistakes I’ve made.
If you are fascinated by grown men baring their souls and confessing their deepest, darkest secrets, then you may want to consider sharing some of your mistakes.
OK, HERE WE GO:
10. SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON THE DETAILS RATHER THAN THE DREAMS.
Check out Genesis 11:31-32. Terah intended to go to Canaan. Instead he stopped in Haran. He got stuck there for 205 years. Then he died. Why? Was it disobedience? Did he lose sight of God’s vision? Did he just get too comfortable? Did he settle for less than God’s best?
When I get too focused on responding to the urgent, I lose sight of the big picture. And, frankly, my tendency is to settle into a routine that’s very comfortable but doesn’t accomplish the full mission God has for my life and my ministry.
What mistakes come to mind after reading this post?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 5, 2012 | regular
It appears I hit the right nerve judging from your response to “Getting To The Next Level.” Thank you for sharing the articles with others via Facebook and Twitter. I’m humbled and happy that others are able to experience what you have. If you haven’t read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them HERE and HERE.
Getting to the next level is a GOD-THING and not OUR-THING. He alone determines who’s prepared and elevates them at the appropriated time. No better person illustrates this important principle like Joshua.
According to The Book of Numbers, Moses and Aaron had disqualified themselves from entering the land of promise when they had failed to honor the Lord by striking the rock at Meribah in the Desert of Zin (Numbers 20:12). Aaron had already died (Numbers 20:27-29) but the Lord now allowed Moses a glimpse of Canaan from afar. Rather than lapsing into self-pity as a lesser man might have done, Moses expressed his concern that Israel have a good leader to take his place.
He implored the God of the spirits of all mankind to select this leader. This unusual title of God (occurring only here and in Num. 16:33) refers to God’s omniscient understanding of everyone, which guaranteed the wisdom of His choice. The leader, Moses said, should be like a shepherd who would lead Israel. The Lord’s response was immediate: Take Joshua son of Nun.
This Spirit-filled man, who had already demonstrated his qualities and capabilities, was an ideal successor to Moses. His appointment must be public, however, so the community would know Joshua was entitled to the same respect as Moses and was to have some of Moses’ authority. Joshua’s appointment answers the question: When is the right time for next level leadership.
When Is The Right Time for Next Level Leadership?
You may argue that Joshua was fortunate in that he knew his purpose on earth. Many of us spend a lifetime trying to figure that out. How do you know when it is time to step up into a next-level leadership role? The answer is to prepare yourself for next-level leadership but to wait for it to be assigned to you. In other words, don’t have an agenda of self promotion.
A good leader is focused on empowering others and they will see when you are ready for next-level leadership. In the meantime read up as much as you can on servant hearted leadership. Find a mentor to work with and encourage you. Spend time studying God’s word. These things will take your understanding of leadership to the next level.
Further Reading Inspiration and References:
Scripture verses:
- Wait for appointment to next-level leadership – Proverbs 25:6-7
- God appoints the next level of leadership– Numbers 27:15-19
- Tools for next-level leadership – Romans 12:9-13
- Fruit of next-level leadership – Galatians 5:22-24
Other Reading:
- Developing Leaders Around You – John C. Maxwell
- How the Mighty Fall. And Why Some Companies Never Give In – Jim Collins
- A Force for Change – John P. Kotter
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 4, 2012 | regular
Monday’s post on getting to the next level created a lot of interest. Although it’s not reflected in the comments section, I received several encouraging emails and text messages from people aspiring to get to the next level. If you missed it, you can read it HERE.
When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top. It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness. Guess what: God alone decides who’s prepared and ready to go to the next level.
Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, (Proverbs 25:6-7 New Living Translation).
I love The Book of Proverbs because it contains nuggets of wisdom applicable to all. Proverbs 25:6-7 tells us: Don’t push your way into a situation. Wait for the invitation. If you belong there, it will come. Go ahead and re-read that statement…If you belong there, God will make provisions for it to happen. In the meantime, the question remains unanswered: How a Next-Level approach affects your Leadership?
What is the next level of leadership? Once in a leadership position many leaders realize that what they know is minimal compared to what they need to know about leadership. There are so many different aspects that influence leadership. Unless a leader is working developing their skills on the next level they can easily be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the day.
A leader is an integral part of any team. They provide direction and inspiration. It is also part of a leader’s task to raise up team players to the next level and help them grow into leadership roles. In the same way a leader needs to be looking up to the next level, seeing how they can improve their skills and knowledge so that they can better manage their team. To get to the next level a leader needs to seek out the right kind of inspiration.
Join me tomorrow as I share when is the right time for next level leadership?
Further Reading Inspiration and References:
Scripture verses:
Wait for appointment to next-level leadership – Proverbs 25:6-7
God appoints the next level of leadership– Numbers 27:15-19
Tools for next-level leadership – Romans 12:9-13
Fruit of next-level leadership – Galatians 5:22-24
Other Reading:
Developing Leaders Around You – John C. Maxwell
How the Mighty Fall. And Why Some Companies Never Give In – Jim Collins
A Force for Change – John P. Kotter
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 3, 2012 | regular
No matter what you’re doing, there comes a time when you are going to want to take things up a notch. Maybe it’s your career — even if things are going along fine right now, ultimately you’d like to get a promotion, increase your client base, or reach a larger audience. ”Getting started with anything can be a struggle, but once you reach a certain level of success, it can be hard to figure out how to make whatever it is you do truly remarkable,” according to Lifehack.
Leadership books, blogs, conferences, and websites mainly talk about getting to the next level. If you buy their book, read their blogs (including mine), attend their conferences, and peruse their websites – you’re well on your way to getting ‘there.’ Everyone desires to get to the next level, but many don’t know how. Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that works for everyone. Today I’d like to share what kind of leadership is required to get to the next level.
What is the Next Level of Leadership?
When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top. It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness.
Yes you may be allocated more responsibility and in a way that may give you a greater leadership position in the organization. But remember that true leadership culture is more about serving those you lead and less about status. So preparing for next-level leadership is not about how to get promoted. It is about learning how you can better serve encourage and empower those that you lead.
Behind every successful and influential leader is a team, and within that team are potential leaders. Take for example my Savior Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years, yet it started with him putting together a team. During those three years he taught, mentored and served the disciples.
Then when he ascended literally to the next level, back into heaven, there were people capable of carrying on the mission. Jesus knew the importance of investing in others. He knew what he needed to do to raise them up to the next level to become leaders.
What are you doing to get to the next level?
