Edit · Comprehensive Leadership and Self-Leadership Principles for Christian Leaders

Leadership definition (Lead Like Jesus, p. 4)

Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader.

What is the I.T. Factor?

The Christian Leadership Model: I = Influences (WHO leaders lead) and T = Truths (HOW leaders lead).

What are the two leadership elements of the I.T. Factor?

Influences (Who leaders lead: Self, Individual, Team, Organizational) and Truths (How leaders lead: the 10 truths from Kouzes & Posner).

4 Influences of Leadership (Who leaders lead)

Self-Leadership, Individual Leadership, Team Leadership, Organizational Leadership.

List the 10 Truths of Leadership (Kouzes & Posner)

1 You Make a Difference; 2 Credibility is the foundation of leadership; 3 Values Drive Commitment; 4 Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart; 5 You Can't Do It Alone; 6 Trust Rules; 7 Challenge is the Crucible for Greatness; 8 Lead By Example or Don't Lead At All; 9 The Best Leaders Are the Best Learners; 10 Leadership is an Affair of the Heart.

Key verse on servant leadership in the I.T. Factor lecture

Matthew 20:25-28: 'Not so with you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'

Truth #1: principles of 'You Make a Difference'

Leaders believe their leadership matters; believe they can influence others positively; confidently answer 'Do I believe I make a difference?' Confidence comes from knowing who you are.

The #1 question people want a leader to answer

Who are you?

If leaders can't lead themselves effectively...

They can't lead others effectively.

What leadership truth does David reflect in 1 Samuel 17:32-47, and how?

You Make a Difference. Lead where you are (v.32); draw from experience (v.34-37); know your strengths and weaknesses (v.38-40); look to and trust God (v.45-47).

What is Self-Leadership?

The lifetime process of aligning 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am.'

'Who I am' includes...

My identity, my purpose, my value, whom I serve/worship.

'Whose I am' includes...

Ultimate authority/leader, primary audience, source of security, to whom I belong.

How does Moses' story (Exodus 3:1-15) reflect self-leadership?

Moses: 'Who am I?' (v.11). God: 'I AM with you' (v.12). Moses: 'What if?' (v.13). God: 'I AM what you need' (v.14). When Moses wanted to know who he was, God told him who He was.

How does Christ's baptism and temptation (Matt 3:16-4:11) show self-leadership and 'you make a difference'?

The Father was Christ's source of identity, purpose, worth, and service ('my Son,' 'I love him,' 'I'm proud of him'). Christ knew to whom He belonged, answered every challenge with 'It is written,' exalted the Father as His primary audience, and gained confidence to make a difference.

How did Christ align 'who He is' with 'Whose He is'?

When challenged about who He was, He responded with who God was ('it is written'), acting from the authority and security of Whose He was. (Moses questioned who he was; God answered with who He was.)

How does Self-Leadership make 'You Make a Difference' more effective?

The more I align 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am,' the more I'm secure in making a difference as a leader.

What does E.G.O. stand for?

Self-leadership shifts my E.G.O. FROM 'Edging God Out' TO 'Exalting God Only.'

Edging God Out or Exalting God Only as my...

Object of worship; source of security, value, and worth; ultimate audience and authority.

What are the two daily self-leadership questions? (think EGO) (confirm wording in your notes)

Am I Edging God Out or Exalting God Only today? Related pair: Who am I? / Whose am I?

What does self-leadership 'shift'?

My E.G.O.: from Edging God Out to Exalting God Only.

Who does the aligning of 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am'?

The transforming work of the Holy Spirit in and on my heart, mind, spirit, and strength.

Role of the spiritual disciplines in self-leadership

One of the primary ways of aligning 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am' (keeping E.G.O. in check). They place us before God so He can transform us; by themselves they do nothing; they are God's means of grace.

How did Jesus prioritize self-leadership over ministry demands? (Luke 5:12-16)

Even as crowds came to hear and be healed, 'Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.' Model: best connecting time, best connecting place, best connecting way.

Name the 7 pathways to connect with God

Relational, intellectual, serving, contemplative, active, creation, worship.

What did Thom Rainer (LifeWay CEO) say about spiritual growth?

'If spiritual growth isn't happening in the leader, it won't happen in the church.'

'You are the most difficult person you will ever lead.' Which influence does this relate to?

Self-Leadership.

Truth #2: Credibility is the foundation of leadership. Definition of credibility

Leaders consistently aligning their actions with their values.

What are the four qualities of leadership credibility (Kouzes & Posner)?

Honest, Forward-looking, Inspiring, Competent.

The #1 quality people want in their leaders

Honesty.

Kouzes and Posner's First Law of Leadership

'If you don't believe in the messenger, you won't believe the message.'

What does credibility look like behaviorally?

DWYSYWD: Do What You Say You Will Do.

Proverbs 22:1 and credibility

A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.

Ethics (definition)

A standard of right and wrong, good and evil. What I SAY I believe is right. (confirm labels in notes)

Morality (definition)

A lived standard of right and wrong, good and evil. What I ACTUALLY DO. (confirm labels in notes)

Integrity (definition)

The extent to which my ethics and morality are integrated: what I say I believe aligns with what I actually do.

How does Daniel 6:1-11 reflect 'Credibility is the foundation'? (confirm with instructor's answer)

Daniel was trustworthy with no corruption or negligence; enemies found nothing against him except his faithfulness to God; he kept praying despite the decree, so his actions matched his values.

Joseph and Potiphar's wife (Gen 39): what 4 observations about integrity?

God's favor is no excuse for lack of integrity (v.1-6); fleeing is sometimes your only option (v.8-12); integrity doesn't always produce immediate positive results, be a person of integrity anyway (v.13-22); the ultimate purpose of integrity is to honor God (v.7-9).

How does Self-Leadership make Credibility more effective?

The more I align 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am,' the greater my 'credibility capacity.'

Willow Creek examples were used to illustrate what statement?

'The local church is the hope of the world and its future primarily rests in the hands of its leaders.'

What are values?

What you believe in, what you stand for, what you care about, what you are motivated by.

Truth #3: principles of 'Values Drive Commitment'

People follow when they understand the leader's values; leaders must clearly and authentically articulate their values.

Christ and the rich man (Mark 10:17-23): why wouldn't he follow? (confirm in notes)

He valued his wealth; Christ valued following Him and treasure in heaven. Their values didn't match, so no commitment.

Christ and the disciples (John 1:35-49): why did they respond? Common value? (confirm in notes)

They shared Christ's values; their common Jewish value was the Messiah and the fulfillment of Scripture (Moses and the prophets).

When does becoming a leader begin? (Kouzes & Posner p. 31)

When you come to understand who you are, what you care about, and why you do what you do.

What leadership influence best helps the process of becoming a leader?

Self-Leadership.

Ways to discover one's values (5 ways)

Who: reflect/meditate on the Lord and His Word; What: monitor my emotions; Why: examine my motives; When: evaluate personal experiences; Help: confide in others you trust.

Discovering values: Reflect/meditate on the Lord & His Word is the...

'Who' (Psalm 1:1-3).

Discovering values: Monitor my emotions is the...

'What.'

Discovering values: Examine my motives is the...

'Why' (Psalm 139:1-3, 23-24).

Discovering values: Evaluate personal experiences is the...

'When.'

Discovering values: Confide in others you trust is the...

'Help.'

How do Self-Leadership and 'Values Drive Commitment' work together in discovering values?

The more I align 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am,' the more my values become clear.

Truth #9: Leadership can be learned (K&P p. 120)

Leadership is an observable pattern of practices and behaviors and a definable set of skills. Skills can be learned, and people improve over time.

What qualities does research reveal about the best leaders? (slides list 3; check notes for all 6)

They are teachable; they learn leadership in a variety of ways; they have a 'growth mindset.'

Ways leaders can learn leadership

Actively engaging in new experiences ('not afraid to fail'); reflecting on experiences; mentoring/coaching; study in the classroom and reading books; asking questions.

Knowledge / Experience / Coaching: sort the ways of learning

Knowledge: classroom study, reading books. Experience: engaging in new experiences, reflecting on them. Coaching: mentoring/coaching.

How does Luke 2:41-52 show Jesus as a learner?

V.46: in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. V.52: Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

How did Christ teach His disciples in Luke 10:1-20?

He instructed them (knowledge), sent them out (experience), and gave them feedback (coaching).

What is the 'growth mindset'? (K&P p. 124-125, Carol Dweck)

The belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Those who believe talent can be developed push, stretch, confront mistakes, and learn from them.

What is the attitude of the 'Growth Mindset'?

People can learn through effort; mindsets, not just skill sets, make the difference; hard work, not just talent, makes one the best; leaders must embrace adversity because that's where they best learn.

1 Timothy 4:12-16: what does Paul teach about leadership?

Leadership is hard work (perseverance), intentional (set an example), a discipline (diligence, devotion, watch), a growth process (progress), and rewarding (save yourself and hearers).

How does Self-Leadership make 'Best Leaders are Best Learners' more effective?

The more I align 'Who I am' with 'Whose I am,' the more my passion and courage to learn increases.

Dr. Jean Eledge: definition of leadership (from your interview notes)

Fill in from your notes.

Dr. Jean Eledge: the three C's about being 'bothered' (from your notes)

Fill in from your notes.

Dr. Jean Eledge: where does knowledge start for a lifelong learner? (from your notes)

Fill in from your notes.

Go be what and go to where?

Go be a leader (today)! and go to chapel!