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The Change Within


“One key to successful leadership is continuous personal change. Personal change is a reflection of our inner growth and empowerment.” – Robert E. Quinn

The word “change” is a popular word when it comes to leadership discussions.
  • We hear about changing an organization.
  • We hear about helping change followers.
  • We hear about taking a group of people through a change process.
It seems the one place we don’t use the word “change” enough is when we’re speaking of a leader themselves.
We don’t talk near enough about the constant and consistent change that must happen inside of a leader.
  • As leaders, we must be continually changing and adjusting to the culture, our followers, and the people around us.
  • Leaders must consistently be open to the change of ideas, concepts, and theories.
  • Leaders must be willing to change their own thoughts and opinions in order to keep up with rapidly changing ideas, technologies, and programs.
Perhaps, the “change” must occur within the leader before it can effectively happen in the organization.
Your thoughts?
Go!
11
Feb 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership

DISCUSSION 12 Comments
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Why Leaders Should Never Be Comfortable with ‘Comfortable’

I wrote a guest post today over at RaiseTheeUp.com. RaiseTheeUp.com is the site of author and blogger Michael Holmes. It was a privilege to contribute to his ministry.

I’m not a morning person. I have to set my alarm earlier than necessary because I know I’ll hit the snooze button several times each morning. Why? Because the bed’s comfortable. I’m more comfortable staying in bed than getting up, taking a shower, and beginning my day.

A lot of leaders are stuck in the bed. They’re comfortable with past progress, the people around them, and drawing a pay check. They’re comfortable with the life they’ve made and have no aspirations for getting out and continuing their journey.

Quite possibly, comfort is a leader’s biggest adversary…….

To read the rest of the post, click here

09
Feb 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership

DISCUSSION No Comments
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I @sk: Define Vision

Last week, I asked this question on Twitter:
Define vision in 140 characters or less…
I got a lot of answers, so I thought I’d share the ones that said it best…
@martimusprime Vision is hopeful dreaming turned into passionate
purpose.

@psalmist4ever the ability to see things in advance that have a
purpose and/or meaning and significance.

@TonjaC Vision=Seeing what others don’t yet see and being able to show
them how to get there.

@scottb42 dreams and imagination.

@revkevgcc seeing what could be.

So it’s your turn…
Define vision in 140 characters or less (I’ll even allow a few more if you need em).
Go!
09
Feb 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership

DISCUSSION No Comments
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I @sk: Leadership Characteristics

A few days ago, I threw this question out on Twitter:

“What characteristics do most good leaders have in common?”
I got a lot of leadership nuggets from some good leaders.
So, I chose a few to share here.
They said it better than I ever could have…
@pamfidler The ability to listen to others and most importantly to
listen to and be obedient to the direction of God

@natewesterfield humility and compassion

@jeffholton they’re humble

@glyndiavera Visionary minded to advance the kingdom of God & glorify
him is one that comes to mind.

@savedsister7 infectious passion

@righteousgogetta Leaders have a plan. They have a desire to obtain and
keep authority w/o abusing

@bjhewitt be a good servant to begin with, be good followers

themselves, good listener, enthusiastic, energetic, love what you do

@wayneliew Able to get subordinates together and move them forward
towards the common goal as a team.

A wide range of responses, but the common element seems to be vision for the organization and love for others.
Now, it’s your turn…
What common characteristics do most good leaders have in common?
Go!
27
Jan 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership

DISCUSSION No Comments
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What Makes A Leader?

I meet and see a lot of self proclaimed “leaders.”
It’s almost as if everyone these days has been given the title of a “leader.”
You don’t have to go through too many Twitter bios or Facebook profiles to see the term “leader” being used.
While it’s a title we like to use, I wonder, what really makes a “leader.”
A leader is not…
  • A leader is not someone that decides one day to put “leader” in their bio.
  • A leader is not someone that has been given the title by the people around them.
  • A leader is not even, necessarily, someone in a position of power.
  • A leader is not someone who manipulates people into getting a task completed.
A leader is…
  • A leader is someone that makes the people around them better.
  • A leader is someone who leads people to a unified goal.
  • A leader is someone who cares about the people they lead and invest in their lives.
  • A leader is someone who’s willing to do the work and not take the credit.
  • A leader is someone who makes decisions with others’ interest at heart.
  • A leader gets results
So, are you a leader?
13
Jan 2010
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Leadership

DISCUSSION No Comments