Leading something new.

Do you ever need to encourage each other when it’s time for something new? What if you or your spouse is supposed to lead into that “something new”?

Many of us – husbands and wives – are in leadership roles.

Sometimes those we lead are our immediate family. At times we lead without a particular position or title, but rather through our behavior. And then there are all the areas in which we do have a specific title: teacher, boss, manager, pastor, etc.

Robert and I have found the encouragement from Lead Like Jesus especially valuable in all areas of our leadership.

Rob feels so strongly about the organization that he is a facilitator for the program. We keep the book by Ken Blanchard, Phyllis Hennesy Hendry and Phil Hodges, on which the organization is founded, as one of the few actual physical books in our little house-on-wheels.

Ken Blanchard is the co-author of “The One Minute Manager”. His testimony of how Lead Like Jesus came into being is beautiful. Rob and I write for the Lead LIke Jesus blog each month, so the ideas shared within the Lead Like Jesus Leadership Encounter are always top of mind. Needless to say, leading like Jesus is an important part of every part of our leadership as husband and wife.

10 ways to encourage each other when you’re leading something new…

These ideas are courtesy of the Lead Like Jesus posts on Instagram! To be inspired, check them out on Instagram!

1 – Commit it all to God.

When leading something new, encourage each other to commit it all to God.

Many of us use this time of year to review how God is at work in, around, and through us. Is this your practice? What if you take some time before the end of the year to reflect on your leadership journey using questions like these: “What do you see when you look at this year through God’s eyes? How have you experienced God’s faithfulness? How is He growing you as a leader? How is He using you in your spheres of influence? What is He calling you to in the year ahead?” Who can you invite to join you in acknowledging God’s faithfulness and seeking His guidance? http://www.leadlikejesus.com/devotionals/looking-through-his-eyes . . . . #leadership #LeadLikeJesus #uplifting #biblejournaling #psalm #proverbs #wisdom #faith #love #NewYear #Jesusfollowers #livefullyalive

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on

2 – God is with you. 

Encourage each other by reminding your spouse that God is with you – wherever you find yourself leading something new.

The first day of the year can hold the hope of a fresh start, a new beginning, and excitement in facing the future. Like the start of every new day, week, and month, we see time moving onward, and we sense ourselves being drawn into the future. Wherever this new year finds you, be assured that God is present, and He is inviting you to live into the future with confidence, depending on Him each step of the way. Resolve to exalt God only, and to follow Jesus step by step. This is the path to life, today and every day. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. —Psalm 34:3 . . . #leadership #leadlikeJesus #NewYear #Christianity #Christianleadership #love #faith #Jesusfollowers #uplifting #livefullyalive #transformedlife

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on


3 – Influence to build up.

Even while leading something new, notice where you can influence to build up.

Seasons of influence come and go. Children are with us for a short time. Friends come into our lives, some to stay, some for a season. Students complete their programs of study before moving into new seasons of life. People change jobs or move to different parts of the world. Jesus Himself was with His disciples for only a short time before His mission on earth was completed. Take advantage of the seasons of influence you currently have. Build into the lives of those God brings across your path today. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15-16 . . . . #faith #impact #influence #community #leadership #leadLikeJesus #christianity #Christianleadership #devotionals #Jesusfollower

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on

4 – Make God first.

Encourage each other to prioritize your relationship GOD. Make HIM first.

Jesus experienced ongoing pressure throughout His ministry. It came at Him from many sides and multiple sources, even at times from those closest to Him. This pressure drove Him closer to the Father, not further away. He placed a high value on His times of solitude and prayer. He wanted to hear the Father’s voice above the voices clamoring for His attention. If we want to lead like Jesus, we also must prioritize our relationship with God. At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea. —Luke 4:42-44 http://www.leadlikejesus.com/devotionals/midst-ongoing-pressure . . . . . . #encourage #leadersnetwork #leadership #upliftung #priorities #faith #leadlikeJesus #biblejournaling #bibleverse #jesusFollowers #christianfaith #ChristianCompanies #christianleadership

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on

5 – Change can be good.

 Encourage your spouse to embrace change as you lead something new.

6 – Be thankful.

Every good thing comes from God when you’re leading something new.

It’s tremendously tempting to slip into an entitlement mindset, viewing all of our life circumstances as the product of intellect and hard work. While our efforts certainly have consequences, both good and bad, we are no more or less “deserving” of God’s blessings than anyone else. In fact, if we each got everything we “deserved,” we’d all be in a heap of trouble. Psalms 103:10 reminds us, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Remember, every good and perfect thing – our health, possessions, talent, position, influence – is a gift on loan from the Father above. (See James 1:17) We are merely stewards of these gifts. #gratitude #leadership #LeadLikejesus #faith #instapray #humility #bethankful #wisdom #uplifting

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on

7 – Use your time like it matters. It does.

Encourage each other that there will be a harvest. Make the best of your time today when leading something new.

8 – Forgive.

Take those around you out of the “penalty box”. 

For many, this day has become just another holiday; although not reaching the same level of commercialization. When was the last time you saw a television commercial for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Clearance Sale? Like Rodney Dangerfield, “it gets no respect;” but I don’t think Dr. King would mind. In fact, it even seems fitting, because this day is not about sales or profit margins; it’s about service. God called Martin Luther King, Jr. to be a fisher of men, to “triumph over poverty, racism, war and violence.” (Coretta Scott King) In college, his grades for public speaking were mostly “C”; but, it didn’t matter because God called him to serve, act, and speak. And wow, did he ever speak! #LeadLikeJesus #followTheLeader #MLKDay #leader Read entire blog: http://ow.ly/eLrB3083Hcf

A post shared by Lead Like Jesus (@leadlikejesus) on

9 – Keep your eyes on God.

This is good when leading something new – and always!

10 – Leaders are Learners.

When leading something new it’s so important to keep learning! Click HERE to get a free copy of their most popular leadership E-Book: 6 Lessons from the Greatest Leader Role Model!

Leading something new - 10 ways to encourage each other to Lead Like Jesus

Watch to learn more about Lead Like Jesus:

If you’re interested in a Leadership Encounter with Lead Like Jesus for your organization, non-profit or church leadership, fill in the form below — Rob would be thrilled to tell you all about the opportunity to learn to Lead Like Jesus.