I have decided to lump the next two leadership essentials together, because for me, they seem to go hand in hand. The next two essentials come in the areas of evaluation and encouragement. I believe that the single area that most leaders seem to disregard is in effectively evaluating the things under your umbrella of leadership. Many roads seem to be paved with great intentions, yet we struggle in follow through. I must admit, I’m very guilty of this at times. Sitting on my desk, not three feet from me, are two partial manuscripts for books that I have been working on. Now, before you congratulate me, let me tell you that these two manuscripts have been a, shall we say, “work in progress” for at least three years. Great in my intentions, poor in the follow through. For those of you who know me well, this may not surprise you, but also on my desk are nine, yes nine, books. And sticking out of each book is one of my business cards (glad I found a good use for them at least), marking my progress in reading that book. “Leading the Comeback Church” by David F. Nixon, card stuck on page 90, yet the book has 154 pages. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “On Being A Servant of God”, card on page 29 of a 140 page book. Bill Hybel’s “Living in God’s Power”, card on page 64 of a 94 page book. I’d go on, but I think you get the point. Now, let’s put this same mentality into our leadership and what do we get: Dreams half lived, projects half done, and yes, two books half written. Leaders, from time to time, we need to evaluate where we are, where we have been, and where we are heading. What areas have we seen through to completion? How many dreams have become realities? I’m sure there are a number on your list that have been completed, and for that you should sit back, smile and thank those that helped it come about. But for all those other things, you know, the things that have little business cards stuck in them marking their failed progress; it might be time for a little leadership encouragement. A great football coach will tell you that they seem to get the best out of their players when they offer them a little praise and encouragement. A car that has set in the driveway for a year may need a jump start to get the battery going, but once you do, it can take you places again. All it needed was a little encouragement. Same goes for your leadership tasks. Don’t give up on them. Evaluate, encourage and then get back in the race.
