1.
Put God First
Prioritize your personal spiritual growth. We often get so caught up caring for the spiritual needs of others we forget about our own. You need nourishment from God every day to be a successful leader.
2.
Connect with people before projects
Talk to a coworker. Pray for someone. Call your kids or spouse. Facebook a friend. This perosnal connection can reengage your heart and focus your mind.
3.
Order Each day
Always work from a task list or to-do list of some sort. Prioritize you list( and reprioritize as the day goes on) This simple habit keeps you grounded as "emergencies" pop up.
4
.Have impeccable manners
Send thank you cards. Write encouraging notes for your volunteers birthdays. Be on time. Good manners communicate respect and value to the people you lead and work with.
5
Be professional
Return e-mails and phone calls in a timely manner. Be courteous and cheerful. Control your emotions in ministry settings as much as possible. Consistent in emotion is mature.
6.
Be accountable
Seth Godin says anonymity is the enemy of civility. When you give others permission to monitor your performance, you will be more aware of your won practices.
7.
Make allowances for your leadership style
Notice I did not say make excuses.Making allowances means you understand your weaknesses and have a strategy for dealing with them. Learn to operate in your strengths as much as possible and how to manage your weaknesses.
8.
Have grace and patience when dealing with people.
People are difficult, rude, and insensitive at times. This should not surprise you.Have a mindset that you are going to remain patient and merciful regardless of other peoples reactions or attitudes.
9.
Remember, it's never the snow
I heard this story from a past Winter Olympics. Conditions were horrible and most skiers were losing control, going off course or wiping out. The gold-medalists perspective? "it's never about the snow, the only issue is how well you ski the condition's." In other words, realize that you cannot what happens; you can only control how you respond to what happens.
10.
Listen more. Talk less.
If you talk too much, change that. Don't dominate conversations or control meetings by talking more than others. You will be a better leader when you truly listen to the people around you.
Sue Brage, Loveland, Colorado. Out of Enrichment mag. permission of Church Volunteer Daily
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