Why You Need to Learn Legacy Leadership Skills

There is an old story of two brothers who were trying to please the same master. One was a farmer and the other was a sheep herder. At one point, the brothers needed to give the master some of their work to show their appreciation. Evidently, the farmer brought some of his average crops while the sheep herder brought the master the best of his herd. The master accepted the sheep herder's offer and rejected the farmer's. The farmer became upset over this rejection and allowed his disappointment to show. The master chastised the farmer by saying that if he did his best then he would be accepted, too. The master went on to say that when the farmer does not do his best, he is opening himself up to having a bad attitude and falling into bad habits to cover up his lack of effort. Further, he told him that the way to prevent bad attitudes and habits was to always do his best.

Mike's Thoughts:
I found the last three sentences of this story to be very compelling. If I always do my best, I will be accepted! How simple is that? If I don't give my best effort I'm opening myself up to having a bad attitude and falling into bad habits. The cure for a bad attitude and bad habits is to give my best effort.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to seek the strength and discipline to do my best every day.
2- While I can't be perfect, I should always strive to improve and give my best effort in everything I do so that I may be accepted and create and maintain a positive attitude and good work habits.

Leadership Skills Today for Tomorrow's Leaders

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
14. Do for Others What They Can't Do for Themselves

Mike's Thoughts:
As a servant leader, I need to be cognizant of opportunities to help others in ways they can't help themselves. The key is to help in ways they CAN'T help themselves and perhaps I can. What is implied in this message is NOT to do for others what they CAN do for themselves. It is important for me to show tough love for those who seek to take advantage of my servant heart, even if they do not realize they are doing so. Perhaps they are capable of
helping themselves and just don't realize it. In this situation, it is my role to provide guidance and counseling so that they will understand how to help themselves.

Mike's Action Points:
1- When presented with an opportunity to help another, I should seek
discernment concerning my role in the situation. Should I "do" for them or provide guidance so they can "do" for themselves.
2- If I am led to "do" for them, I need to do so with a pure heart.
3- If I am led to provide guidance, then I should be prepared that this guidance may not be received by pure hearts.

Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
13. Keep Your Eyes Off the Mirror

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, I need to keep my eyes off myself and focus on being and developing servant leaders for future generations.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I will seek an humble servant's spirit.
2- I will focus on helping others to become servant leaders.