Dear Friends, it is with pleasure that I today share thoughts with you on Impactful Leadership, which speaks to our very essence…being able to leave our footprints positively in the sands of time. The whole world waits in earnest expectation for our manifestation and this would happen if we choose to be intentional.

Below is a guide which I hope would ignite the fire within us:

GUIDE TO IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 NIV

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 KJV

What is Impactful leadership?

Making positive long lasting and meaningful contribution in our environment and area of influence as well as in the lives of people we are responsible for.

To be an impactful leader, we must make deliberate efforts to set and achieve goals that would have a lasting impact. We must genuinely and generously influence people to believe, trust, and join in your vision.

Impactful leadership is about how we affect the people and environment as we execute the responsibilities bestowed upon us.

What do we need to do to be impactful?

1. We must listen to Jesus and do what He says. We must lean on Him always. This would keep us humble and focused for the assignment He has given us.
2. We must understand and believe in the assignment we have accepted to do. We must take ownership of the assignment and be committed to it. Get to know your assignment inside out. Consistently seek ways and areas of improvement.
3. Understand your uniqueness. Lead from your area of strength…your style. Don’t try to adopt another person’s leadership style. There is no single leadership style that fits everyone.
4. Have the heart to serve. The best leaders are those that approached their leadership role with the heart of a servant. Let’s remember that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and instructed us to do likewise.
5. Inspire and motivate those you lead. Share your experiences with them…your successes and failures and how you overcame or worked through them. Be willing to be vulnerable with your team. Delegate but let them know you are confident in their ability and that you are available to support whenever the need arises.
6. Don’t be partial or play favoritism. No camps! Get all team members involved and know how to manage conflicts and negative vibes. Cause your team members to feel save in the environment, by being open and inclusive. Be approachable and encouraging.
7. Be flexible and principled. To gain respect and trust of your team, you must learn to be adaptable but firm on your principles. We listen to all opinions and then take a decision that would benefit everyone.
8. Set goals that are relevant, measurable, challenging and achievable. Review them from time to time, but always have a goal in focus.
9. Have a mission and vision for your team that derives from those of the larger group. Get the buy-in of your team and always keep them in focus.

Remember that the leaders responsibility is not to make as many people as possible happy. The primary responsibility is to be obedient to God who is our Actual Master, so we should allow Him lead us and be our Chief Motivator.

Let’s lead such that on that day He would say, “well done My good and faithful servant”