Leadership takes energy. However, if you’re like me, you don’t have a never-ending supply. Here are six places to focus your energy that will multiply your efforts.

1 Enter New Territory.
Build relationships with spiritual sojourners outside your ministry context. You’ll gain insight that can unlock a mission future. AND be nimble. The culture changes quickly and opportunities rise up over night. Step out boldly, knowing that you’ll learn from both failure and success.

2 Discover a fresh vision. 
It will bring clarity and energy to your ministry and inform your areas of focus as leader. Allocate significant energy on on these focus areas.

3 Lead in crisis.
Be a non-anxious presence that’s available to listen. Others will follow your lead.

4 Invest in self.
Physical health, spiritual health, personal growth, and family. Don’t make excuses. This is too important.

5 Create a culture.
Sprinkle it around the ministry by telling the stories and celebrating the breakthroughs, both big and small.

6 Lean into your team.
Spend significant time building relationships and investing in the leaders around you. They are your best resource.

NOTE: Maybe this is not for you right now. There’s a reasonable chance that the “last thing” you need today is more. You’re drowning. You’ve lost confidence. Life feels like a prison…maybe one of your own making. You need to simply skip what’s above and find a person(s) who can carry your mat (Luke 5:18-19) and believe in you and believe for you for a while. In my best “paralyzed moments” as a leader, I’ve had people carry me and not let go.

So, how about this:

• Get a mat-carrier who can believe for you for a bit.
• Distribute this in advance of the next team or board meeting and take an energy audit together.
• Hit the share button to pass this along to a couple of leaders that you respect that will be challenged or could further challenge you.
• Consider joining the PLI family this fall. We’ll carry your mat and help you recalibrate your leadership. Both Leadership Essentials and Senior Leader start in October.

PLI invests in you because when leaders get better everyone benefits. Through our regular and accountable coaching environment, you’ll receive encouragement and accountability to achieve your Spirit-led goals and lead change in your unique context.

I’d love to have you join the PLI family this fall!