Aaron Reddin onLife, Liberty, and Pursuit of Jesusness

Tonight at Real Life we will be working with our new teams for the first time.   I have a team of 4 really good teenagers who I look forward to working with.  They just finished their “basic training” for student leadership and all have some natural leadership characteristics visible.  As their leader, I wish to help them grow those leadership skills on a more personal level so they can continue to be effective for the Kingdom.   I shared with my interns today at the Men’s Recovery Center a message on pretty much the same topic.  This is something that has really been on my heart lately so I chose to share it also with my RL students.  Since I love you all so much too, I’m going to share the basics of this message with you as well.  I hope you enjoy, and I hope that it resonates in your heart as you seek to fulfill the great commission, leading and training other.  I could preach on this topic for a few days but below are just some of the simple thoughts that can be chewed on. 

Heart of a Leader

Psalm 51:1-13

From John Maxell’s Book, Leadership Promises for Everyday:

“All leaders make mistakes.  They are a part of life.  Successful leaders recognize their errors, learn from them, and then work to correct their faults.  A study of 105 executives determined many of the characteristics of successful executives, but one particular trait they shared was identified as the most valuable.  It was that they admitted their mistakes and accepted the consequences, rather than trying to blame others.”

“Most people don’t want to reap the consequences of their actions.  You can see this type of attitude everywhere.  A leader who is willing to take responsibility for their actions and be honest or “transparent” with their people is someone they will admire, respect, and trust.  That leader is also someone they can learn from.”

John Maxwell paints a great picture of how we need to be “aware” of who we are and where we are going.  If we don’t know where we are, we can’t get to where we want to be. 

We will discuss “awareness” many times in the coming weeks.  Our level of awareness can make or break our success as a leader.  But so can the choices we make in either action or reaction to those things we become aware about. 

Another great point he makes is about transparency.  If you present yourself as someone who is above others and super holy (set apart), then you can never connect with them.  If you can’t connect, then you can’t reach or help that person.  It is so important to connect with those we want to lead, that Paul even told us that he became all things to all people so that he may be able to reach a few. 

Sometimes we have to let down the walls we have built around ourselves (image) to allow others to really see who we are, and find ways to connect. 

                        Plumbing problem:  Call a plumber

                        Pregnancy:  Call a mother

                        Car trouble:  Call a mechanic

Others won’t respond to your help or leadership, unless they can already see you as someone who relate to them and identify with them in the things they seek your guidance in.  You have to let people see the real you.