The 3 Privileges and 3 Temptations of Leadership

• by Rick Warren
• in Leadership · Rick Warren
• — 28 Aug, 2013

Do you think it’s easier handling success or failure?  Thomas Caryle once said, “For every one hundred people who can handle adversity there is only one who can handle prosperity.”  I think most people can’t handle being at the top.  It changes them.  In fact, success destroys some people. There are several legitimate benefits of being in leadership.

• Position — you can become more
• Power — you can do more
• Privilege — you can have more

The extra effort and work you put in you get more position, more power and more privilege.  With each one of these comes a very great temptation that can be your downfall as a leader if you misuse it.  I Cor. 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
We’re going to look at the temptations of leadership, an appropriate thing if you read the newspaper.  The three greatest nations of the world often face turmoil because of the abuses of leadership. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Today we’re going to look at the temptations of leadership and the antidote.
1.  You will be tempted to misuse your position. 
Have you ever seen anyone get a promotion at work and they suddenly become a little dictator?  It changes them.  They’re a nice guy until they get the promotion.  Then all of a sudden they start treating everybody demeaningly, derogatorily, making excessive demands on people.  Unrealistic demands demoralize people.
Pastors are elders and overseers, and the shepherding of the church is in our hands. But this is not an excuse to abuse the influence granted to us and to exploit people. In fact, the Bible is clear that the church’s shepherd-leaders will be judged far more harshly because of their potential to influence people to move toward Christ or away from Him.
2.  You will be tempted to abuse your power.
You can be a driver or a motivator. Drivers have no appreciation for the people they oversee while motivators are constantly finding ways to empower the people around them. Your role as a Pastor isn’t to hold people down and have them to serve your needs, but to elevate them and equip them to serve Jesus and change the world. In other words, the power God gave you as a leaders isn’t for you, it’s for others.
3.  You will be tempted to profit from your privileges. 
When The Purpose Driven Life went global, two things came into our lives that we never expected – a new global influence and a new financial affluence. Kay and I had to make a decision about what we would do with those resources. We decided to start reverse-tithing. We started giving away 90% of the income we were receiving and living off the other 10%, and I stopped taking a salary. I’m Saddleback’s busiest volunteer!
When you decide to profit from the privileges of your leadership, you give people a reason to question your motives. That doesn’t mean Pastors can’t be compensated in a generous way. It simply means that we have to check the motives of our heart as leaders to avoid any question about why we’re doing what we’re doing.
Next week, I want to talk about three ways to keep your integrity as a leader. Until then, beware of these three temptations of leadership.
photo credit: Toastwife

30 Practices Of Leaders Who Overcome Adversity

http://youtu.be/F3Ax34_XLwg 

August 27, 2013 2 Comments

Success is not whether you get knocked down or not.  You will.  You will sometimes fail.  All leaders do.  Success is how many times you get back up.
Adversity is therefore not discriminatory.  It affects all leaders.  There will be seasons of plenty and also seasons of lack.  As a leader, sometimes you feel almost invincible while other times you feel you cannot do anything right.  This is the leader’s journey.
Hard times come and how you handle them, how you execute under pressure and adversity, will determine your sustainability and long-term effectiveness as a leader.
Tonight, ESPN and NFL Films aired RGIII: The Will to Win.  This show chronicled the injury, rehab and recovery of Robert Griffin III following his knee injury in last year’s NFL playoffs.  He provides a compelling picture of facing and overcoming adversity.
The following are 30 Practices Of Leaders Who Overcome Adversity gleaned from the program.  The comments are Griffin’s unless otherwise noted.

1. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Have A Purpose – “It’s one thing to want something but a whole other ballgame to know why you want it.”
2. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Prepare Their Mind, Body, And Soul – “I’m trying to prepare my mind, body, and soul to be ready to go.”
3. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Don’t Blame Others – “I’m not angry.  Yeah, it was tough but there is no one single one person to blame.”
4. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Show Emotion - “We cried.  We cried for a while.”
5. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Lean On Their Friends – “The NFL and our teams get very close.  We are a family.” – Owner Daniel Snyder
6. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Often Feel Like Failures - ”They truly care about me.  I feel like I let everyone down.  I feel like let my teammates down.  I feel like I let the fans down.”
7. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Have Nothing To Prove - ”He’s enough for us.  We don’t need anything else.” – wife Rebecca
8. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Often Fearful – “There might be a slight hint of fear.  It was tough.  I’m might lose everything because of my injury.”
9. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Face Reality – “I’m the one who woke up with the realization I had surgeries on both knees.  I’m the one who work up with the realization I might not every play again.”
10. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Have People Who Speak Positive Things Into Their Life - ”The Lord told me there’s greater.  There’s greater coming.” – mom Jacqueline
11. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Set Goals - ”‘When’s the week of the first game?’ He put it on his phone and made it his password.” – Tony Wiley Senior Vice President of the Redskins
12. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Keep Advancing Every Day - ”He’s a guy they’re gonna have to hold the reins on rather than a guy they’re going to have to push in the back to go and do something.”
13. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Trust God - ”God always has a plan for you no matter what.”
14. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Humble - ”If you think you want something, let it get taken away from you.  It humbles you.”
15. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Have A Winning Attitude - ”If you have a winning attitude, you can conquer anything.  You have to have that in you.  You either have it or you don’t.” – Jacqueline
16. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Fight Through Pain - ”It’s pain but not unbearable pain.” – Working out 161 days to Week 1
17. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Keep Improving - ”Did a lot of good things, still not to where I want to be.  It still takes time.” – 142 days to Week 1
18. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Patient - ”I know I have to be patient but I’m frustrated when they don’t let me do simple things.”
19. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Face Criticism - ”When I come back if I don’t look the part and play the part, I will be criticized and ridiculed for coming back too early.”
20. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Have Family Support - ”Family support means everything to him.” – Larry Hess, Redskins Head Athletic Trainer
21. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Focused And Disciplined - ”He (Griffin’s father) was trying to raise a focus, disciplined young man.  That’s what I’ve become.”
22. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Doubted By Others - ”With each passing day I see a lot of doubt in people’s minds about whether I will play this year.”
23. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Highly Competitive - ”I’m a competitive guy.  If I see something I feel like I can obtain it, I’m going to go for it.”
24. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Are Relentless - ”They wouldn’t call it the pursuit of happiness if it was going to be easy.  Because to pursue something you have to go get it.”
25. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Value Relationships - ”I miss being with my guys.  That’s tough.  That’s the hardest part.  Rehab’s just a grind.”
26. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Work Very Hard - ”First guy in.  Last guy out.  A lot of guys say that but I have to do it to be ready.”
27. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Often Are The Ones Who Believe In Jesus - ”I’m a big Christian guy…I choose to believe in God.”
28. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Sacrifice Temporary Pleasure For A Greater Good - ”My career is more important that one night in Vegas.”
29. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Will Succeed - ”All that hard work I put in paid off.”
30. Leaders Who Overcome Adversity Take Advantage Of Every Moment - ”If you’re not going to play, you’re taking mental reps.  I’m leading the league in mental reps.”

If you do these 30 things, like RGIII, you too will overcome adversity.

7 Habits Of The Best Leaders Who Also Have A Life Outside Of Work

September 4, 2013 1 Comment

Most successful leaders I read about live lives I would never trade mine for.  The lives of these leaders (ex. Saban, Meyer, Limbaugh, entertainers, politicians, etc…) just isn’t worth it to me for the following reasons:

• 80-100 hour work weeks.
• Endless nights at the office or on the road.
• Wives that learn to live without you or worse, leave you.
• Because of limited involvement, their children grow up not knowing them.
• Tremendous stress.
• And here is what they never tell you – they will one day wake up all alone.

I don’t want that life and chances are you do not as well.  I want a productive life outside of work.  I would gain the world but lose my soul.
Many will tell you the “balanced life” is a myth.  I disagree.  So can you be the best leader in your industry and also have a healthy lifestyle?
In the May 23rd issue of Sports Illustrated, Michael Rosenberg wrote a compelling article on Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, the 25-year-old who is the best player in hockey.  Crosby learned much while spending an extended time on the injured list.  This time away from the game made him a better player.  Here’s why:

• Time Away From Work Increases Your Passion For It – Crosby’s brilliance is a result of his “relentlessness”.  Being away from the game increased his passion.  Crosby said, “When you’re sitting around for a year and a half you realize you’ve got to enjoy the time you have.”
• Time Away Frees Up Your Mind – There is value in turning your mind off.  Teammate Pascal Dupuis says, “In the last couple of years, away from the rink, he has been trying to turn his brain off of hockey.”  Crosby added, “I learned to get my mind away from hockey a little more when I’m away from the rink.”
• Time Away Allows You To See Things Differently – Crosby’s time away allowed him to see “openings” in the game he had previously not seen.

So the question begs, other than superior natural ability, how do you become the best at what you do while taking appropriate time off from work?  Here is Cosby’s approach to the game:

• Learn From Other Disciplines – Crosby is fascinated with the military and applies parallel learnings between playing hockey and snipers.  One of his good friends is J.B. Spisso who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces.  As an example, learning leadership lessons from hockey is making me a better leader at church.
• Be A Perfectionist – Value quality over quantity.  One of the practices snipers master is precise repetition.  This speaks to preparation, discipline, and perfectionism.  Spisso says, “It’s more than quick repetition.  It’s precise repetition – very, very precise ability.”
• Learn All Aspects Of Your Discipline – Spisso adds, “[Sidney] understands that to be great at his game, he has to be involved in all facets of it.”
• Lead By Example – Teammate Matt Niskanen says, “Crosby is a great leader: He shows what perfectionism looks like.  If you want rah-rah speeches, rent a movie.”

I learned much about leadership from the game of hockey.  What did you learn from this post?

How to Keep Your Integrity As a Leader

• by Rick Warren
• in Leadership · Rick Warren
• — 4 Sep, 2013

Last week, I wrote about the three greatest temptations of leadership. This week, I want to talk about the three ways we can keep our integrity and prevent those temptations from destroying our testimony and diminishing our influence.

First, deepen your reverence for God.

Never forget that God put you in the position you’re in today. Psalm 75:6 says, “For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God.  He promotes one and deposes another.” Great leaders realize that they are stewards.  They realize that it’s not their world, their church, their business; they are just the manager, the stewart.  Promotion comes from God, not from other people.
You also much realize that God is holding you accountable. One of the reasons I think leaders try to get away secret sin it is that they don’t fear God. But the Bible says, “Obey your spiritual leaders and be willing to do what they say.  For their work is to watch over your souls and God will judge them on how well they do.” That verse ought to put the fear in leaders. God is going to judge us. There is no authority without accountability.  The Bible says clearly that we Pastors are accountable to God, as are all leaders in God’s kingdom. As a leader you are called to be accountable before God.  Where there is a deep reverence for God, there will be integrity before Him.

Second, develop a love for people.

There is a law of leadership that states, losers focus on what they can get while leaders focus on what they can give. The Bible says, “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skill he led them.”  Good News says, “He shepherded them with unselfish devotion.”  Psalm 78:72 is one of my life verses.  I pray that God will let me shepherd with integrity and with skill.
I find when I study leaders, good and bad, the leaders who consistently abuse their powers are those who don’t love people. Paul said, “Because of our love for you we were ready to share with you not only the Good News but even our own lives.  You were so dear to us!”  Notice that he says “We gave even our own lives.”  If you really love people you’re not going to abuse and misuse them.

Third, discipline yourself for eternal rewards.

If you’re going to be a leader, instead of having more and more privileges as your influence grows, there is really less space for personal privileges. More is required of leaders, there are more restrictions on leaders.  The higher you go in a position of authority, the more is expected of you, the more is restricted of you, and the less freedom you really have.  You must often sacrifice privilege in exchange for influence.
There’s a leadership law that states, losers focus on their rights while leaders focus on their responsibilities.
Hebrews 11 tells us that, “Moses preferred to suffer with God’s people rather than to enjoy sin for a little while.”  There are few people in the history of the world that had more potential to have the power, privilege and position that Moses did.  He was number two man in line for the number one position as Pharaoh of the most successful nation of the world at that time — Egypt.  And he left it all to lead a bunch of slaves across the desert.  He gave up power, position and privilege — the very thing most of us spend our lives trying to get.  He gave it up because he had his values right.  He had his values right because he had his vision right. He kept his eyes on the future reward.
Protect your integrity at all costs – if you lose it, little else matters as a leader.
photo credit: Brandon Christopher Warren

My Secret Sauce: 11 Things I Have Learned About Effectively Serving Pastors

August 29, 2013 1 Comment

The final week of August is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It was on August 26th, 2002 when I began my vocational career serving pastors and church leaders with Injoy Stewardship Solutions.  After a 10-year run helping with capital campaign related issues, I was privileged to then join The Rocket Company this past February.
I now help pastors and church leaders preach better sermons, increase weekly giving, and gain, train and retain volunteers.  That’s 11 years and counting serving these great men and women who give their lives to serve us.
I have always counted it a high privilege to be a friend to pastors.  It is a humbling responsibility that daily drives me to my knees begging God to help me.
So in honor of 11 years serving pastors and church leaders, the following are 11 things I would advise anyone to do who wish to enter this industry.  This is my secret sauce.

1. Understand The Value Of A Pastor’s Time – Everyone is wanting it.  If they choose to give you some, it is a high compliment so don’t waste it.  Your skill level must be high.
2. Schedule Calls In Advance – This goes along with valuing their time.  Use email, text, or social media to schedule calls in advance.  Don’t cold call unless absolutely necessary.
3. Be Sensitive To What A Pastor May Be Facing That Day – For all you know, a pastor may have faced people who are sick or dying, unemployment issues with those in their church, marriages failing, staff issues, or even angry emails, letters, and phone calls just before your call.  Your conversation should be refreshing and upbeat.  They already have enough challenges.  Provide them relief and solutions.
4. How A Pastor Wakes Up – You woke up thinking about your scheduled call with them because it is your job.  They did not wake up thinking about you.
5. Use The Web – Before you connect with a pastor, read the church’s website.  See what the current sermon series is and know the church’s upcoming special events.  Whenever possible, listen to an online sermon.
6. Pretend You Are In The Church Lobby – Conversations with pastors should be normal and relaxed.  Whenever I’m on the phone with a pastor, I always picture myself in the lobby with them after a morning service.  Say what you would say in the lobby.
7. Their Issue Is The Issue So Serve Them Rather Than Sell Them – It is counterintuitive but the more you focus on helping pastors succeed, the more sales you will make.  The more sales you try to make, the less you will succeed.
8. Don’t Embarrass Them…EVER – Whenever you are on a conference call or in a meeting with a pastor, always promote the good things about them or the church in front of their staff.  This is not manipulation.  It is respect.
9. The Pastor’s Wife – Be very, very kind to the pastor’s wife.  For that matter, you should show great respect to all the women in the church.  You would think in 2013 people would already know this.  I’ve been around too many people who don’t.
10. Enlarge Their Platform – One of the favorite parts of my job is after a great conversation, I always verify the pastor’s Twitter account and give them a shout out on the web.  They love this and so do I.
11. Be Their Friend – Once again, everyone wants something from pastors.  As a result, many are lonely and have few people they can trust.  I have had literally hundreds of conversations where all I do is tell pastors they are doing a good job and they can make it.  I may not always make a sale with that individual but God always makes it up ten-fold somewhere else.

And here is a bonus one:

• Follow Up – Always send some form of recap email after calls or meetings.  Pastors are very busy so don’t expect them to remember your conversation.  This also shows professionalism on your part.

I love pastors enough to give away all my secrets.  My desire is for everyone – bankers, architects, builders, stewardship companies, etc… – to treat pastors and church leaders with excellence.  They literally fight heaven and hell everyday on our behalf.  They deserve our respect and best efforts.

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of August 26th

August 30, 2013 0 Comments

I love leaders who make me a better leader.  I love the people who stretch my mind, challenge my assumptions, and live lives that inspire me to get better.  That is why I love this week’s Top 10 list.
Here are some of the topics covered – time management, relationships, BHAGs, numbers, sports, parenting, and even life in America.  Where I was most challenged this week was by Perry Noble.  Let’s say your church as 38,227 people in attendance this weekend and 1,500 of them accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, NOW WHAT?  Perry tells you.
You will want to read these posts.  Check them out and let me know your thoughts.

• 5 Biggest Time Wasters For Church Leaders

by Rich Birch

• 4 Signs You Should Drop Your BHAG by Scott Cochrane
• Worst End Of The Summer Mom Ever: The Sequel by Jen Hatmaker
• The Story Behind The Number by Dan Marengo
• The One Leadership Lesson You Should Learn This Week by Les McKeown via www.Inc.com
• How To Craft Your Sunday Service To Engage Unchurched People by Carey Niewhof
• OK NewSpring Church, What Now? by Perry Noble
• The Phone Call by Lyn Smith
• 5 Surprising Observations From My 7 Hours With 40 Pastors Of Today’s Largest Churches by Charles Stone
• Is Liberty A Thing Of The Past In The United States by Michael Youssef

Well that is my Top 10.  What other great posts did you read this week?

Why Tim Tebow Can Look To NorthStar Church Senior Pastor Mike Linch For Inspiration

August 31, 2013 5 Comments

As I type this post ESPN is reporting the New England Patriots will cut Tim Tebow today potentially ending his playing career.  Lee Corso, one the hosts of the great College Gameday show, said, “He’s got more important things to do than play quarterback in the NFL.”
This announcement reminds me of a story Mike Linch often tells.  For those unfamiliar with Mike, he is one of my best friends and the incredible senior pastor of the great NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA.
Coming out of high school, Mike was recruited to play baseball for Liberty University where he would pitch under the leadership of former New York Yankee Bobby Richardson.  As his senior year approached, Richardson retired and a new coach and staff were put in place.  Mike had waited three years to play a starring role, a role that could potentially propel him into professional sports.  But the new coach and staff had different plans.
Mike was advised by his new coach (and I’m paraphrasing) that he wanted to play the young guys, bring in his own players, and start building his own program.  This is completely understandable and happens everyday with sports teams, businesses, and yes even churches.  But that is no consolation when you are the one who is affected.
Showing glimpses of the character which would one day help make him one of America’s top pastors, Mike spent his senior season having a great attitude, cheering on his teammates, and supporting the program.  Unbeknownst to Mike, what started as a tremendous disappointment would turn out to be one of the greatest blessings of his life.  Mike would not become a professional pitcher but God redirected his life and he did become an absolutely wonderful pastor who has touched the lives of thousands of people like me.
Mike’s life has been an inspiration to anyone who have ever felt their dreams and plans have been thwarted.  He reminds us God is always in control and has greater plans for our lives.
I still think Tim Tebow is one of the best 96 quarterbacks in pro football.  I know he would be one of the top 15 fullbacks in the game.  But if Tim’s playing career is concluding, I know God has a much better plan for him that will be more fulfilling and bring God greater glory than even football ever could.
I want to tell Tim Tebow “Thank You”.  You were a great player but an even better person.  You have lived your life with character, dignity, grace, respect, love, mercy, and been a true picture of what a Christ-follower looks like.  I can’t wait to see how God is going to use you moving forward.