Ten Points on Managing Tension in Leadership

"Leaders live and lead in the middle of the mess. Where the tension is constant, prevalent, and real." 

I am reminded of how important understanding this idea is- that tension is constant, real and prevalent when leading yourself and leading others. So we have to realize that tension doesn't go away. In fact, I would suggest tension is a good thing for leaders

Here area a few thoughts on Tension and the perspective as leaders we should have in managing it:

1. Tension is a powerful platform to clarify what is important. Out of tension many times comes change. Change for good.

2. There is a constant tension between who I am and who God wants me to be. The tension of growth and maturity is always present.

3. Resisting average creates tension. Striving for excellence creates tension.

4. We constantly live with a tension of determining in life how much we give away. Whether it is time, money, talents, resources, or focus, leaders must understand and embrace this tension of generosity.

5. Generational tension is essential in passing the mantle of leadership. For the Church to move forward in culture, older leaders must pass on their wisdom and legacy to younger leaders.

6. Tension among and within a team is healthy. Unity doesn't mean there's no tension. Unity means you are pursuing the same mission in the midst of real and purposeful tension.

7. Leaders lead in the fray. Leading in the safety zone is easy, but true leadership happens in the fray where change is happening, and there is a unique tug of war happening in that area.

8. Typically, where there is no tension, there is no real growth. Tension builds courage, character, wisdom and makes us authentic and real. It stretches and motivates us.

9. As a leader, lean into the tension that constantly exist. As Andy Stanley says, some tensions are meant to be managed, not removed or extinguished. 

10. Tension is necessary. The tension makes us strong. Ultimately, the tension is good.

21 Quick Leadership Reminders

1. Be responsible. If you say you are going to take care of it, then take care of it.

2. Be professional. Arrive on time. Actually be early. And be organized.

3. Be the best. Get better every day at what you do.

4. Be humble. Talk less. Listen more. Make others the hero of the story. 

5. Be proactive. Not reactive. Respond and initiate before being told to or asked to by your boss or peers.

6. Be focused. When it's time to make it happen, discipline yourself to take it across the finish line.

7. Be authentic. Lead from the real you. 

8. Be trustworthy. Your word is your bond. And your reputation. Honesty always trumps.

9. Be optimistic. See the best in people and opportunities.

10. Be curious. Learn constantly. Read everything you can. Ask questions. Add to your information quotient daily.

11. Be passionate. Love what you do. Do what you love.

12. Be hopeful. Create a vision that tomorrow can (and will) be better than today.

13. Be courageous. Step out and take a risk right now.

14. Be a hustler. Work hard and make things happen. Get it done. 

15. Be vulnerable. Lead with transparency and a willingness to allow others to get close to you. 

16. Be self-aware. Know yourself and commit to constant self discovery. 

17. Be generous. Give more than expected, including time, talent, treasure and encouragement. 

18. Be faithful. Push to be steadfast and willing to stick with it. 

19. Be innovative. Have a posture of constant curiosity and creativity. 

20. Be collaborative. Partner with others well. 

21. Be convicted. Integrity is essential. Build your character constantly. 

8 Key Leadership Questions to ask in Reviewing 2015

As leaders- it's critical we stop and review the year. 

It's important we take time as leaders to reflect and look back over the last 12 months, as well as looking forward to the next 12 months and beyond.

So here are some helpful Year End Review Questions:

1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2015 for me?

2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments created highlights in 2015?

3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2015: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, physically, recreationally.

4. What am i working on that is BIG for 2016 and beyond?

5. As I move into 2016, is a majority of my energy being spent on things that drain me or things that energize me?

6. How am I preparing for 10 years from now? 20 years from now?

7. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to execute on before the end of the year, or the first week of January 2016?

8. Is my family closer at the end of this year? Am I a better friend at the end of this year? If not, what needs to change immediately?

7 Ways to Live out "Stick-with-it-ness" Leadership

Leaders today need some stick-with-it-ness. 

Here are a few thoughts on the idea of stick-with-it-ness leadership. You could also call it "hang in there" leadership! 

1. Start strong. Come out of the gates with a commitment to excellence. Finishing well means starting well. . 

2. Move the needle daily. Small daily innovations and improvements turn into game changing and paradigm shifting contributions. 

3. Find joy in the journey. Allow joy to bubble up in the everyday. Joy and happiness finds life in hope and faith, which leads to passion for moving the needle and making it happen. 

4. Push through the mundane middle. The middle is the hardest. My 5 mile daily run is always the toughest at the mid mark. Stay disciplined and focused in the minutia and mundane of the middle. 

5. Trust the process. The process will and should define you. So allow the process to be your friend and ally, not an enemy you're trying to avoid. 

6. Keep your eyes on the prize. Take the long view! Mountain climbers don't just climb to climb, they climb to reach the summit. 

7. Faithfulness matters. Faithfulness is the true measure of success. Your scorecard is based on what you did with what you were given. 

One Thing Leaders Must Do and Not Do

There are lots of things that leaders should do, but what about the things leaders SHOULDN'T do?

From my perspective, here is ONE thing leaders shouldn't do, and then the reverse that answers the ONE thing leaders should do question.

Leaders- DON'T become so insulated from reality that you lose connection to what is actually happening around you and within you. 

Leaders- DO set up a system that allows for honesty, vulnerability, accountability and transparency. 

Power corrupts if left unchecked. This can happen to any of us. If we don't have accountability, then we are setting ourselves up for failure. At some point it will catch up to us. We should all strive for realness, authenticity, vulnerability and transparency.

Given to your own perspective, your own situation, your own motivations and goals, power will end up leading to isolation, which leads to insulation, and then towards idolization, and ultimately towards decay, dysfunction, and failure. 

Ambition, drive and success is great, but without context it can be a deadly poison.