The Art of Motivating Souls

Have you ever wanted to improve a situation? Do you think you can do 'something better than the one in charge? (Ouch)

If we are honest, I believe we all have had these thoughts. Good leaders know how to motivate others for a worthy goal. Excellent leaders actually do it. Leadership is the art of motivating souls for a common goal.

One of my recent prayers is that the Lord will make my latter years more productive than the first. This includes leading well. Therefore, I have been studying the art. I highly recommend Craig Groeschel's leadership podcast. He teaches that leaders do not have to always be correct, but they do have to be real. I call it authenticity over accuracy.

Friend, as you lead, rest in the fact that no one will be correct all the time, not even great leaders. So don't let the fear of the unknown stop you from leading well. We will not always have the answers, but we can always be authentic. We don't have to be right, but we do need to be real. I am not suggesting you lead haphazardly. Do your homework, pray about your decisions, and lead with conviction. However, when you make a mistake, own it. Learn from it. A good leader may stumble, but a great leader will get back up again and again. Be real. Be authentic.

A leader also needs to train his brain to see problems as possibilities. When you bump into a situation, pause and rethink. Do not get discouraged by the problem. Do not let the disappointment paralyze you from moving forward. Instead, tell your brain that problems are just paths to bigger possibilities. Focus on the solution instead of the situation. Once you have an answer in place, move forward with confidence. Perhaps, you will be able to help others in the future in similar setbacks.

A good leader motivates instead of mandates. When you cast a vision, share the why behind the goal. Then give the vision of the end results. Invite others to be a part of the dream. Then praise others every step of the way. Motive your tribe to a common cause for the good of all. Motivation is better than mandates. There are times when mandates are necessary, I know. When you give commands, do so with clear instructions.

Today, I challenge you to lead well. If you are a momma, you are a leader of those tiny souls. Your children are counting on you. Lead them well. If you are working outside of the home, you have a realm of influence at your job. Lead them well. Maybe, you volunteer at your local church or community, then you are a servant leader. Lead well sweet sister. Remember, these three principles as you step into all that God created you to be.

1. Authenticity over accuracy.

2. See problems as possibilities.

3. Motivate instead of mandate.

As we lead with conviction, we will influence others to rise with victory! There are so many principles on leadership available, but perhaps these three will challenge you today. I know they do me!

Romans 12:6-8. "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."