1. SOUTH SUDAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING Juba South Sudan March 13 th through 16 th, 2012

2. Resources Available to Leaders Financial Resources Human Resources Time Resources Information Resources Motivational Resources (Vision/Goals/Ideas) Spiritual Resources What is the most important resource we have as leaders?

3. Information Considered to be on of the most valuable resource today We live in the age of information Information must be scrutinized

4. Ignorant in an age of Information In this age of information there seems to be an access of ignorant leaders.

5. Ignorant in an age of Information Leaders often do not have the habit of listening Many leaders are listening to the wrong people

6. Ignorant in an age of Information Listening is one of the most effective ways to gather relevant information, and yet so many leaders don’t take advantage of it. Why did God see fit to give you two ears but only one mouth? Most of us like the sound of our own voice!!

7. Listening as a form of Influence Command versus Influence: Abuse your position as a leader and you will lose those you lead. Nobody has to follow. Listening is one of the greatest forms of influence. We all have something in common, we like to be heard. Everyone has a story.

8. Leaders and Listening As leaders we are temped to think that we don’t need to listen. Others should listen to us. Often the more successful we become as leaders the less we are inclined to listen.

9. Leaders who do not Listen Leaders who do not listen will eventually be surrounded by a team who has nothing to say. A leader is not necessarily the smartest person in the organization or church. But if he is a good listener he can benefit from those who have valuable insight.

10. Leaders who do not Listen The better you are at listening the more you will attract good team members. Good team players are attracted to an environment where they are listened to and where their insights are valued. The less you listen the dumber your team will become

11. Good Decision Making As a leader one of your main challenges is making good decision. Good decisions must be based on good information. Good information comes from good listening

12. The Wisest Listener Solomon was the wisest man to live yet he has much to say about listening and seeking counsel. Wisdom Seeks Counsel

13. The Wisest Listener Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:5) The way of a fool seems right to him, but the wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15) Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22) Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. (Proverbs 19:20)

14. Really Listening There is a difference between listening and listening with interest. Listening with genuine interest: Look at the person – pay attention Ask thoughtful and relevant questions Don’t interrupt Turn off distractions

15. Jesus as a Listener Jesus listened not only with his ears but with his heart. Jesus the Son of God, the Creator, the source of all knowledge listened to fallen man. Jesus listened to the cares of children

16. Listening to the Right People Listening is not enough, a good leader must be sure he is listening to the right person. Who do we like to listen to?

17. Listening to the Right People Leaders often listen to the same people over and over again. Leaders like to hear the good news but need to hear the bad news and criticism as well. What we least would like to hear is what we need to hear the most. Remember: good decisions are made on good information and good information comes from listening.

18. Listening to the Right People Listen to those who do not report directly to you. You will gain useful information. The closer to the source you get the information from the more accurate the information will be. Those who report directly to you will work like a filter

19. Listening to the Right People Group Exercise

20. Listening to the Right People The story of King Rehoboam 1 Kings 12

21. Listening to the Least of These Who should we be listening to? Ourselves? Those who tell us what we want to hear? Other leaders?

22. Listening to the Least of These Who are we hear to serve? Mathew 25 We should be listening most to those whom we are called to serve.