As leaders, we make countless choices every day. Some of these you don’t even notice. For example, you chose to read or watch this Monday MEMO. You could have deleted it, skipped past it, or set it aside for another time. Choices. And, as we all understand, choices, especially poor ones, carry consequences.

In the book Smart Leadership, Mark Miller talks about choices. He admits that not all choices are equal. Some are smart decisions, while others… well, not so smart. We have all made poor choices in life. Some don’t have much impact in the grand scheme of things. But others can be monumental… and not in a good way.

Miller says smart leaders make smart choices. That sounds obvious. He goes on to point out that many times we don’t think much about the choices we make. Then Miller details four kinds of choices:

  • Costly
  • Smart
  • Trivial
  • Routine

The book notes that trivial choices are what Miller calls “low energy.” They require little thought, energy, or attention. And they have minimal impact on your leadership. These might include decisions like what to eat for lunch or which shirt or blouse to wear tomorrow.

Also in the “low energy” category are the routine choices. They don’t require much effort to make, but they carry greater consequences.

Miller says the costly choices are the ones we focus on too much even though they don’t make much difference. We invest too much time and effort into these choices without seeing a big return.

Mark Miller focuses on the smart choices and the key choices that can make or break a strong and successful leader. Miller says, “…if you can keep your eye on these choices and choose wisely, you will experience multiple benefits….” He lists some of those smart choices:

  • Confront Reality – to stay grounded in truth and lead from a position of strength
  • Grow Capacity – to meet the demands of the moment and the challenges of the future
  • Fuel Curiosity – to maintain relevance and vitality in a changing world
  • Create Change – to ensure a better tomorrow

Some good information to ponder. And it got me thinking of what the Bible says about our choices.

Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.

Proverbs 2:11 NLT

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33 NLT

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 37:5 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Those are definitely some wise choices that will influence your life… and the lives of others… for eternity.

God’s best,