Impactful leaders recognize their purpose because they’re intentional about developing a life vision. More importantly, they’re open to God’s leading about that vision.
Leadership Essentials
Impactful leaders have a clearly-defined leadership voice or decision-making style. So, people know what to expect when dealing with the leader.
For me, my personal decision style is fairly deliberative. As you would expect, I’m much more factual than I am intuitive. On a DiSC assessment, I generate influence by being factual and logical.
Plus, I’m very task oriented. Thus, I’m certainly not magnetic and enthusiastic! Therefore, I’m not comfortable going only with my gut. Instead, I prefer to deal with hard data.
A vision without a distinctive leadership voice will be misunderstood because there’s no consistent message!
Additionally, impactful leaders possess a deliberately-developed expertise that’s well inside their circle of competence. So, the strengths of the leader are clear to everyone.
A vision without focused expertise isn’t accomplished because there’s no distinctive capability!
Thus, impactful leaders know who they are. Also, they know what they do best as their highest point of contribution.
Actually, they know where they need to get better. For instance, as an introvert and an analytical, I’ve had to improve my interpersonal skills. Moreover, I’ve had to become more intuitive and discerning.
In sum, I believe that self-awareness and distinctive capabilities are fundamental elements of impactful leadership.
Leadership Purpose
Most specifically, self-awareness and expertise function as must-haves as a leader drives toward a personal vision. As such, there’s a desire to accomplish a vision because impactful leaders recognize their purpose.
Basically, life purpose or vision is an image of who and what the leader desires to become. Then, they’re intentional about the personal, professional, and spiritual development that’s required to accomplish that vision.
In short, as an impactful leader, I know who I am – that’s the “know,” Also, I realize what I do best – that’s the “do.” Intentional character growth balances knowing what’s required of me with practical doing of the precepts.
Plus, I have a clear sense of my inner self – that’s the “be.”
Hence, the Know-Do-Be mental model for visualizing these essential leadership constructs.
I must have a realistic view of who I am right now, plus an aspiration for who I could become in the future.
Divine Guidance
For a person of faith, a professional vision is absolutely clear because it’s revealed to them, over time, by God.
For example, Proverbs 4.18 speaks of revelation as a “shining light.” In addition, over time, the revelation becomes progressively clearer since it “shines more and more”.
What’s the catch? Well, the verse identifies the “path of the just…” Thus, reverence is a prerequisite for this type of divine guidance in regard to life vision.
The depth of my spirituality determines the extent to which I recognize and accomplish the life purpose given to me by God.
Similarly, Proverbs 12.3 demands a righteous character before life can be stable. For a leader, a righteous character is a prerequisite for life stability, according to Proverbs 16.12.
The work of a leader is perfected by a righteous character. Proverbs 16.12 paraphrase
Recognition of Vision
Unfortunately, this guidance doesn’t happen without effort on my part. For instance, in Proverbs 4.26 we’re instructed to give careful thought to our purpose in life.
For best results, I should commit my works – my professional efforts – to the Lord, Proverbs 16.3. Then, I will enjoy stability in my thought life instead of debilitating mental stresses.
For a clear mind, commit your works to the Lord. Proverbs 16.3 paraphrase
Next, impactful leaders identify organizational purposes through the assistance of their leadership team. Both Proverbs 15.22 and Proverbs 20.18 speak of the importance of seeking guidance from multiple sources.
In short, regarding purpose, impactful leaders:
First, recognize their purpose because they’re intentional about identifying a personal vision.
Second, seek divine guidance in finding purpose for themselves and their organization.
Third, call on the strengths of their leadership team in clarifying organizational purpose.
Leadership Insight
Solomon’s vision was “to know wisdom” according to Proverbs 1.2. Not only was he driven to know wisdom, but he made that his life focus, as expressed in Ecclesiastes 1.17.
Specifically, his life focus was to know how the precepts applied to day-to-day business activities, as he shared in Ecclesiastes 8.16.
Afterward, his focused expertise was in the practical application of the precepts of wisdom into his daily work as a leader. Hence, 1 Kings 4.29 “God gave Solomon exceeding wisdom …”. Then, that wisdom was shared in the Proverbs!
Identifying the Precepts
Each proverb is a specific insight related to a universal precept.
As such, Solomon literally became the voice of wisdom who calls to us! For examples of that calling, read Proverbs 1.20-22, 2.2, 8.1-4, and 9.3-4.
Wisdom persists in her call to me! Wisdom calls, but do I listen?
Actually, one aspect of Solomon’s leadership voice was stating the universal precepts in the form of proverbs.
For us, those comparisons and contrasts are easy to pick up and use.
Applying the Precepts
Solomon is a great example of a leader who combined personal growth with a deep, spiritual life.
Thankfully, coming out of that growth and spirituality was a significant output of leadership basics available to future generations.
Therefore, Solomon models how impactful leaders recognize their purpose.
For me, there are at least three aspects of leadership impact:
1). Obviously, I should be able to look back on my term of office as a leader and point to specific accomplishments that were related to my vision for the organization.
2). Equally as important, I must be able to identify my interpersonal impact at home as a husband and father, and professionally as a caring leader.
3). Most critically, I should witness success in realizing the vision for my personal and my spiritual growth because these are eternal.
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com
You’re invited to connect with me on LinkedIn by clicking the image: