6 Habits of Purposeful LeadersSample

Habit #3: Naming

Every time God spoke words it was (and is) massive. With His words He spoke the world and humans into being. He declared callings and changed identities of people. Jesus is the Living Word of God. We also refer to the Scriptures as the Word of God, which we and many generations before us have lived by. All we need to do to be saved is call on the name of Jesus. Even using the word “Jesus” causes demons to tremble. Jesus told Peter that what He bound on earth was bound in heaven. Our words have power!!

Nowadays many of our habits reduce our use of spoken words. For many of us, we communicate with our teams by email and text more than we do with our voices. When we do speak, we aren’t always using our words to intentionally speak life. That is why we need to create habits to intentionally use our words.

For this habit you will create intentional opportunities to use your words to affirm or call out the goodness in your colleagues. As the body of Christ, we are called to support, encourage, guide, and mentor others. Our words have the power to build up or break down. When powered by the Holy Spirit, our words have the power to prophetically change lives and situations.

When we are willing, available, and present, God will use us to bless others. We just need to show up. Sometimes we don’t even know how God is using what we are saying to impact people. But, if we intentionally create opportunities to use our words, we can affirm the unique God-given purpose in those around us.

Just as words from others have helped affirm you as you grew into a leader; you can help others do the same. You know what it feels like when someone names the goodness inside of you, that goodness which you so desperately want to have but fear you are not enough. When they say it, you believe a little bit more that it just might be true. When you believe it, you start doing more of it.

This might look like a daily habit of noticing where a staff member is bringing goodness and using your words to tell them. Goodness can mean achieving goals. But it can also mean something more. Have you ever noticed how a team member can change the atmosphere from one of overwhelm to hope? Do you have someone on your team that can’t help but encourage those around them, thus increasing your entire team’s productivity? These are important things to notice. They can have a larger effect on your success than merely one employee achieving goals. How are people affecting the whole? What good thing are people doing that they don’t even realise is inspiring others? Help them learn to name these strengths. These are the strengths of the Kingdom, and we can all learn to recognise them a bit more.

Perhaps there are certain things you are uniquely drawn to notice about people. Tell them. You might just be the only one with the sight or the words to call it out.