navigation-wheelLeaders lead. Duh.

But you would be surprised to learn how many leaders don’t lead, or don’t lead effectively. Just because a person finds themselves the head of an organization, ministry or broadcast station doesn’t mean they automatically know how to lead.

I’ve recently been looking again at John Maxwell’s best-selling book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Several quotes and comments struck me as important for us as we lead others.

“Anyone can steer the ship.

It takes a leader to chart the course.”

Being a leader doesn’t mean just sitting in the big office, calling meetings, or even coming up with the funds to keep the “ship” afloat. There is more to it than that. John Maxwell reflects on some things he went through to be the visionary leader needed in his ministry work.

Maxwell wrote the critical steps for project leadership in the form of an acrostic. The first letter of each item spells out P L A N A H E A D. Plan ahead. It may be helpful for you.

  • Predetermine a course of action.
  • Lay out your goals.
  • Adjust your priorities.
  • Notify key personnel.
  • Allow time for acceptance.
  • Head into action.
  • Expect problems.
  • Always point to the successes.
  • Daily review your plan.

You could write a whole page on each of these lines…or preach a whole sermon. Let me just leave it with you to apply to your situation as needed, and for you to gain from the wisdom.

Proverbs 16 begins with great words of wisdom for leaders.

[blockquote author=”Proverbs 16: 1-3 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

[/blockquote]

Lead, plan, strategize, communicate, adjust, review. All of these are important. Most important is to be sure your plans are God’s plans.