Decisions…everyone is confronted with them; leaders are given the big ones...

“Be willing to make decisions.  That’s the most important quality of a good leader.”

General George S. Patton

Decisions, decisions, decisions…each and every day we are confronted with different decisions to make…sometimes they are small ones like, what am I going to wear today?  Sometimes they are larger ones like what school am I going to go to or who am I going to marry, but regardless of sizes or significance we all have to make them on a very consistent basis…

When you accept the position of leader, regardless of where that position is, whether it is on the football field or in the boardroom, you have to accept at least three conditions when it comes to decision making: 

1.    You will have to make more decisions than everyone else.

2.    Your decisions now affect more than just you; they affect everyone you are leading. 

3.    If you want to make good decisions, you are going to have to put your pride aside and ask for advice, because remember, it’s not about you when you sign up to be a leader. 

These three points make the life of a leader a tough one because you will always find yourself “walking the line” between what would be best for you, and what would be best for those you lead. 

Question for this week:  Part I:  What is the biggest decision you have ever had to make in your life up to this point?  Part II: How did the decision you make affect you?  Part III:  What is the biggest decision you are confronted with right now?  Part IV:  What information do you have to have in place before you can make your decision?  Part V:  Who are you going to ask for counsel and perspective before you make your final decision on the situation that has been placed in front of you?

Passion without purpose is just loud noise…

"A great leader's courage to fulfill a vision comes from passion, not position."

John Maxwell

Right now my wife and I are watching Bravehart for probably the 1,000 time at least .  It is probably my favorite movie of all time because it outlines the life of William Wallace, a man who was so passionate about his fight for freedom that it became the purpose for everything he did the rest of his life.  

There are all kinds of passionate people out there, people who want to give their opinions on everything from weight loss to politics, from Science Fair projects to sports .  Most people stop at debate, they want to talk all day long about a topic but when it comes time to do something about it that passion fades like a candle in the wind.  Leaders take that passion a step further…they don’t stop at debate, they use that passion as fuel to make their purpose in life a reality that makes a difference.  

Question for this week:  Part I:  What are you passionate about?  Part II: Why are you so passionate about it?  Part III:  How does your life reflect that passion on a regular basis? Part IV:  What is one specific thing you are going to do this week because of that passion?  What day are you going to do it?