View from the Summit

5:35 AM this morning I leaned over to plug in the Christmas tree lights. I sat in my comfortable leather chair to start my day like I do 365 days a year. As I stared at the tree, memories raced through my head, some good, some not so good.

I felt a smile engross my face as good times reappeared in my mind and I felt the smile dissipate as I reflected on troubled times and missed opportunities with loved ones and friends. A week ago Robin and I sat at the kitchen table having dinner and she confronted me with tears in her eyes and said that I was robbing her of Christmas joy.

David Landrith made a significant impact on me in two very distinct ways. The obvious way, as a pastor, was the spiritual disciplines he taught. However, his leadership style left an indelible impression on my life.

David was without question one of the greatest leaders to ever exist. David could walk into the room and excitement, warmth, sincerity and laughter penetrated the silence. David was the type of leader that after a “State Of The Church” you wanted to charge the mountain. He not only was a great leader, but he was sold out on wanting to lead people to know the Lord, he never took his eye off the prize, an eternity with Christ. 

How much effort do you put into being a smarter individual? I tease clients all the time and I say, “You are not just going to wake up tomorrow smarter”. I usually get blank stares or the inevitable “I just don’t have the time."

I’m like seriously? What that tells me is you are not making progress a priority.

Listen, if it’s really important to you, you will make the time. Go ahead, privately, be honest with yourself, admit what I am saying is true.

This has always been the $64.00 question. Is a leader born or developed? I have been asked countless times this question and I don’t feel with absolute certainty than anyone is emphatically qualified to answer beyond a shadow of a doubt. I will offer my thoughts and opinion on the topic though.

I have been an entrepreneur my entire adult life. I have not received a paycheck for almost 4 decades. If I did not go out and drag something home, we did not eat.

I personally think it takes leadership to do that. If I sat in the wings and waited, I may have starved. Has it been easy? Absolutely not.