An Approved, Pure, Blameless Heart For Leadership

02 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Heart, Humility, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Servant

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“Great leadership usually starts with a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to make a difference.” – Mac Anderson

This past week during our Wednesday night Bible study we looked at Philippians 1:10 and the focus on three words of the verse: approved, pure and blameless. While each of these has a spiritual connotation as to how we should live our lives, I began thinking about how each of them could help us live our leadership.

Each of these three words can describe if your leadership has a pulse or is dead leadership walking? There is a two-part test to determine which you have. One is to take a self-examination and admit short-comings. The other is allowing others to give us our grade. Whenever we begin to look within ourselves, while at the same time allowing others to see our leadership, it starts to take on a whole new perspective.

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As we look at each of the words, take time to consider the value they can bring to your leadership.

Approved
Is it authentic? Or, maybe we should ask, “Is it the real deal?” I like the word “genuine.” Having our leadership approved by others does not equate with having popularity. Having it approved by others means that it is what it says it is. Approved leadership is tested time and time again, always yielding the same result. Its value is consistent and will be rewarded over time with proof that it is real.

Pure
The idea here is finding out if your leadership passes the test when it is held to the light. We are talking about real light from the sun and not lights that are fake. Ever notice what all a sunbeam shows? It shines on everything and shows everything in its path. It is tough to hide weak leadership when the light shines on us. Bottom line… pure is on the same level as sincere. Do others see your leadership as sincere?

Blameless
Our leadership should be seen as blameless. Well, how does that work? Leaders should make every effort to make sure there is no wrongdoing. We should strive to make sure our leadership is appropriate. That is the meaning behind blameless. Is it the right thing for the right time? Or, does it provide guilt? I would dare say most people by nature do not enjoy feeling guilty unless you are just that evil of a person (but there are those who are). We need our leaders to be seen true and right, appropriate for what it should be.

When all three of these words are united within your leadership, it will not only be seen but also felt. Too many leaders carry the mantle of leadership title only without carrying the authenticity, sincerity and the appropriateness, especially toward and for others. Let your leadership be approved, pure and blameless. Have a heart for leadership.  You and everyone around you will be better off, and they will thank you for it.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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¿United or Divided?

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Culture, Freedom, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Observation, Opportunity, Passion, Purpose, Sacrifice, Servant, Understanding, Unity

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Below you will find the lyrics to the new song by Christian artist, Mandisa, “Bleed The Same.” The other day I heard it for the first time on KLOVE riding down the road. Like many things, it made me start thinking…

We say this, and we say that, only to get and keep the same results. We say we want more or better, but we do not put the effort in to change. Many times we might even be influenced by others who do not want to change. I/we want to…. I/we wish… I/we… The “want list” just goes on and on.

When it comes to the lives we live, they are the sum collections of thoughts created from experience or instilled as a way of life. However, the funny thing is, we are all in this together. At some point, we must acknowledge that everything in one way or another, affects everything else. The ripple effect might have diminished very small by the time it got to us but rippled it did.

Our world of humanity has its foundations based on morality. Sooner, rather than later, we should all know the difference between right and wrong. Yet we continue to make the same choices that enable our lives to stay the same, while at the same time always wanting more or better. The system can only be blamed so much. The issue becomes that we want the spotlight on others and their faults. We never want to turn the spotlight on ourselves. The last thing we want is for our inadequacies to be shown in the light.

I figure the best way to handle all of this, is to start with me. What am I doing to make it better? The “it” is anything that divides. It is united we stand. Can we (you, I, whoever) choose to work for a greater good? How many times does each of us have that one opportunity to do just that? Actually we have many opportunities.  We just wait on someone else.

As you read the lyrics below, I would dare say that each of us would agree with everything it says. So many solid truths. Whatever change you want, let it start with you. Most of all, let others see it. Go out and prove it. Your essence of leadership does one of the two… it unites or divides.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page

 

If you want to listen to the song, click here:

 

We all bleed the same
We’re more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Woke up today
Another headline
Another innocent life is taken
In the name of hatred
So hard to take (hey!)
And if we think that it’s all good
Then we’re mistaken
‘Cause my heart is breaking

Are you left?
Are you right?
Pointing fingers, taking sides
When are we gonna realize?

We all bleed the same
We’re more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided
If we’re gonna fight
Let’s fight for each other
If we’re gonna shout
Let love be the cry
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Tell me, who are we
To judge someone
By the kind of clothes they’re wearing
Or the color of their skin?

Are you black? (black)
Are you white? (white)
Aren’t we all the same inside? (the same inside)
Father, open our eyes to see!

We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We’re more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided
If we’re gonna fight
Let’s fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we’re gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for?
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more, said
Only love can drive out all the darkness
What are we fighting for? yeah
We were made to carry one another
We were made for more!

We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We’re more beautiful when we come together (let’s stand united!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided
If we’re gonna fight
Let’s fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we’re gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same(we all bleed the same) (bleed the same)
Let’s stand united (let’s stand united)
Let’s stand united!

So Father God, I pray
That our families will come together right now
And seek Your face
You will forgive our sins
And You will heal our incredible land
In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ
Amen

Intentional Leadership for Others… ACTS

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Clarity, Communication, Deciding, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Power, Purpose, Servant, Transparent

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“Leadership is a way of thinking, a way of acting and, most importantly a way of communicating.” – Simon Sinek

When you convey your leadership to others, what comes to mind about it? One of the most important ideas to remember is our leadership should be about others. It is never about you. With that being the case, the question of how should we deliver our leadership is important. Is it intentional? Does it carry a positive servant attitude? Does it…?

As a Christian, I learned an acrostic to increase and have a more purposeful prayer life. It is ACTS. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. A prayer life that models this style enables you to make sure everything has the correct place and is meaningful.
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Now, what if we applied that same acrostic to making our leadership intentional? What would each letter signify? It could go something like this:

Intentional Leadership for Others… ACTS

ACKNOWLEDGE – When we provide leadership, do you focus on yourself or others? Steven Canfield, Lead Teacher for Life Action Ministries, said: “We should never look past others.” When I heard him say this, I had to camp out on it for awhile. Why is this important? If we are providing leadership, it should be for the benefit of those around us. When we acknowledge everyone in the room, the receptiveness of the group increases.

CONSIDERATION – Acknowledgement leads to consideration. It is one thing to acknowledge someone, but not to consider the value they could or can bring creates a downer. Considering others allows the quality of your leadership to enhance. Which allows the empowerment of others. If you want the attention of someone, acknowledge and consider them. Their thoughts and willingness could be a great addition to your leadership.

TRANSPARENT – Everyone needs help in some area. Thinking that you have it all together with your leadership leads to arrogance. What weaknesses we have should not be a secret. That is why transparency is crucial to leadership. People do not want to be around fakeness. Your leadership value strengthens when others see the example your leadership brings with transparency. True leadership is when you can express your weaknesses or acknowledge the weaknesses of others and help them. Weak leaders can do neither of these. Let others see the true you.

STEP – Go where you need to go next. Sometimes that might be a step forward or a step back. Know your audience. Trying to force your leadership usually backfires. Let your leadership be a living conversation that can go and change direction as needed. Be willing to adapt. Part of great leadership is doing what is best for others. Know where to step. Just make sure you do not step on others. (Thanks to Allen Marett for helping me figure out a word for “S”)

This acrostic might seem silly or simple, but how many times do we know if we are reaching our audience? If you do not ask yourself this question, then admit it is all about you. The next time you have the opportunity to provide leadership, try ACTS; acknowledge others, consider their thoughts and who they are, be transparent and know where and how to step next. Each one is intentional and builds on the other. When we do that, a connection is in the making.

Here is the idea of leadership… You can know right, do right, and still not be right.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page.

New Opportunities…

12 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Heart, Humility, Inspiration, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Opportunity, Passion, Servant

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“We cannot control the when of opportunity, we only control what we do with it.” – J. Clay Norton

 

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“Oh, I wish I could go back and…”

I have made that statement many times in the past. You know what, I cannot go back and neither can you. We can only learn and put ourselves in a position to do better when a new time comes. Believe it or not, most times, it will come back around again.

I am not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Our pastor, Dr. Greg Belser stated once in a sermon that “… if something was important to do, then go ahead and do it.”

I believe this is pretty solid advice. We live in a world of instant gratification. We want a lot of stuff now, so why is it typical for each of us to wait to do something for others or for ourselves?

So, why does a new year matter? I can only answer for me. Maybe you can have a thought or two on this as well. A new year matters because it allows for opportunities that should never wait.

  • An opportunity to understand even more that it is not about me.
  • An opportunity to appreciate the little things that make someone happy.
  • An opportunity to be kind-hearted and serve.
  • An opportunity to care and value others.
  • An opportunity to just do the right thing.
  • An opportunity to…

The above list can go on and on. Most importantly, we must understand that each of these can and should add quality to your life. If you want them, why not put them into practice? Why wait? Your opportunity to do any of this is waiting for you.

 

Also, wanted to say thank you to everyone who subscribes to the blog and to those who read it via email. Your support is very appreciated. To those that follow on Twitter, thanks as well.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page.