Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites . . . he shall be chief and captain . . . ” Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. ~2 Samuel 5:8-9
In this world of rapid change, the leader must be out in front to encourage change and growth and to show the way to bring it about. Managers usually are more skilled in the technical requirements of change, whereas leaders have a better understanding of the attitudinal and motivational demands that the followers need.
Note the difference: In the beginning, the skills of a leader are essential. No change will ever occur if the psychological needs are unmet. Once change has begun, the skills of a manager are needed to maintain needed change.
A good exercise when you face change is to make a list of the logical advantages and disadvantages that should result from the change, and then make another list indicating the psychological impact. Just seeing this on a sheet of paper can be clarifying.
A Bigger Vision Drives God’s Leaders
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.~Psalm 67:1-2
God’s blessings follow leaders who adopt His vision for the nations for the world. Psalm 67 contains both the “top line” and the “bottom line” of the covenant God invites us to enter. The top line represents God’s blessings for His people; the bottom line represents the natural response to that blessing. When God blesses us, we are to turn around and bless all the unblessed nations of the earth. The “top line” is that God would bless us, and the “bottom line” is that we would make His name known to all of the earth.
God blesses His people so that they can bless those who have yet to be blessed. Godly leaders feel driven by this vision. Maintenance is not the goal. Getting blessed is not the goal. World conquest motivates God’s heart, and He accomplishes this mission through leaders who cast vision for participating in bottom-line living.
[tags]Leadership, Managers, John C Maxwell, Bible, God, Leading, People, Personal Development, Influence, Rapid change, Growth, Technique, Psalm, Samuel, Lead People, God Heart[/tags]
