ANYONE CAN BE A LEADER IF WE BEHAVE LIKE ONE Leading Volunteers

Some Background  SAFECO – Leadership development Focused on non-managers. Public Speaking Time Management Leading a Team Qualities of a Leader Peer Mentoring Presentation Skills

Our application today  TRAC – Leadership development Focused on leading volunteers No positional authority Lead through relationship and respect It’s about behaviors  7 essential behaviors of a volunteer leader…

Choose a positive attitude  We cannot always control what happens to us in life, but it is our choice how we respond.  Viktor Frankl an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor said, “The last of our human freedoms is to choose our attitude in any given circumstance.”  Remember the people around you will mirror your attitude.

Be others focused  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel. John 13:4,5  The best way to create an environment where people willingly follow your leadership is to let them know that your #1 priority is to help them. - Tony Dungy  Pray for your team before, during and after camp.

Be encouraging  To encourage means to express enthusiastic confidence in another's ability to accomplish something or prevail under difficult circumstances.  Exceptional Leaders know that how and what they communicate impacts others either positively or negatively. Choose positive!  Do you declare the possibilities for others, envisioning a successful future for them?  Be intentional and authentic with your encouragement.  Look for opportunities to speak life into others.

Listen more, talk less  There are two reasons for listening, to connect with people and to learn something.  Everyone has a story and they want you to hear it.  When you listen, pay attention to both the factual and emotional content of what is being said.  ”Wisdom is the reward you get from a lifetime of listening when you’d rather have talked.- Doug Larson  I have to admit, I’ve never learned anything when I was talking. – Paul Emmett

Practice and improve communication skills  If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, having a message doesn’t even matter.  Credibility precedes good communications.  First, believe what you say.  Second, live what you say.  Three keys to improving communication skills  Practice

Be a good follower  Biblical examples:  Joshua followed Moses for more than forty years before he led the children of Israel into the promised land.  Elisha served Elijah for ten years before he took up his master’s mantle and went on to perform even more miracles.  The Apostle Peter followed Jesus for three years—and made a lot of mistakes—before he and his fellow- disciples “turned the world upside down”.  Jesus - “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39 NKJV

So what does a great follower look like?  They understand their role - Great followers not only accept this fact but embrace it.  They are obedient - No one should be allowed to give orders who can’t obey orders.  They are servants - Great followers are observant. They notice what needs to be done, then they do it joyfully.  They are humble - Great followers don’t make it about them. They shine the light on their leader.  They are loyal - Great followers never speak ill of their leader in public.

Be a continual learner  Continuous learners  Have a beginner’s mindset  Make connections  Are flexible and adaptable  Are always learning something  Are continuously curious  Learn in multiple ways  Teach others

Leadership…Its about YOUR behavior  “You have to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.” Old Irish Proverb Questions?