In 30+ years of leading, the person I have had the most trouble leading is me.

Leading myself well isn't just a challenge when the team comes together or when I am working on a specific project.

The challenge isn't when I'm on the platform, speaking, leading a discussion or teaching young leaders.

Most of the challenges in leading myself well are when no one is watching. In those smallest of decisions. In the thinking in my head. In what gets my attention. In how I approach each day. In staying focused on a task. In speaking well of others. In not always thinking that I am right, even though I might be.

WHERE TO START

Anything we do has a start. Anything we want to do has to have a start. To get fit, to lose weight, to learn a new language, to become better qualified. Whatever it is, the only way it happens is by making a start. A good start makes all the difference.

So, let’s begin our journey from the right starting point, from the right perspective. We are leaders. More than that, we are leaders who want to lead well. Even more than that, we are Christian leaders who want to lead well.

It’s important to make these statements because, in making them, we set the right foundation from which we desire to lead well.

As a Christian, I can place my focus on any number of good practices ~ reading my Bible, praying every day, listening to God’s voice, connecting with others, and enjoying some time in worship.

To lead well in life, we have to start from the right somewhere. Know our place. Know our position. Know our purpose.

Proverbs 1:7a in The Message instructs us in where that right somewhere is.

‘Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God.’

To know my place is to remember that I am not God, and that He is. It is to honour Him and to ‘bow down’ before Him. It is to be humble before God.

To know my position is to walk with God, to be led by the Holy Spirit, listening carefully for His voice and being continually in conversation with Him about all that life brings my way.

To know my purpose flows from these. As I honour God and walk with Him, my purpose becomes clearer and my life naturally becomes about the things of God, not my own selfish ambitions.

Start well. Run well. Finish well.

Leading yourself like this will cause others to follow.

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