Communication of the Sunday message is not one of my core responsibilities as Executive Pastor.
On occasion, I have enjoyed the privilege of preaching on Sunday and received very kind and encouraging comments that the message was great! Well, if I only deliver the message two or three times a year, it should be great! However, if I had to do that 30 or 40 times a year, it would be average at best.
That’s the difference between good and great: Consistency.
We can all get up and hit a home run once. But very few can do it consistently, meaning literally every time they get up to the plate. Our Senior Pastor at 12Stone Church, Kevin Myers, can do it. He hits the ball out of the park every time. Andy Stanley does it, too. John Maxwell hits a grand slam every time. You can name others, too, who are so consistent it’s scary.
This begs the obvious question: If I’m not like Kevin, Andy, or John, how do I become a great leader?
If I don’t have that crazy-big gifting and talent, is great leadership not part of my potential?
Everyone has a shot at consistency, but you need to take the right approach.
Moving from Consistently Good to Consistently Great:
1) Know your lane.
I met Jim Collins about the time his book, Good to Great, came out. What a brilliant guy. About five of us huddled up with him and machine-gunned questions at him.
Essentially, I asked the primary question of this post: “How do we as ‘mere mortals’ become great, level-five leaders like you talk about?” I will never forget his answer. Jim said,
“Dan, most of these ‘greats’ are far more ordinary than you might imagine. They just found their sweet spot early in life and have been doing it for a very long time.”
Boom! There it is. Consistency! If you get in the right lane, and do what you do for a very long time, you become great at it!
Of course there is more to it, but that’s the breakthrough idea. That’s the difference-maker. I’m not saying you’ll teach like Kevin, Andy, or John, but over time you’d be amazed at what God can do in you and through you if you stay at it.
So let’s talk about what else is involved.
2) Don’t beat yourself up.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you won’t become a great leader overnight.
You will experience setbacks, dry spells, and seasons when you wonder if you are in the right lane. Don’t quit.
Click & Tweet! Consistency requires that you give yourself time to grow and permission to make mistakes. You have to push the envelope to become great at what you do, and when you do that, you won’t always hit the ball out of the park. In fact, you will swing and miss more than you like.
I love it when John Maxwell tells stories of his younger days as a leader and communicator. It gives us all hope! And if you listen to his stories, he never beat himself up about his failures. He used them as stepping stones to become better.
High standards are good, but don’t be too hard on yourself. If you bomb a sermon, get after it again next week. If you mess up an important meeting, figure out what you did wrong and lead better next week.
3) Focus, baby, focus.
If you are a young leader, you don’t get to focus as much as you want. Be patient; your time will come.
Young leaders, who listen to great leaders talk about finding their lane (productive strengths) and focusing exclusively there, often get frustrated. These young leaders tell me their circumstances don’t allow for that. Of course they don’t. No one starts out focused only on what is meant to be their great contribution.
If you are a young leader, part of your advantage is enthusiasm and energy. Lean into that. Do all the things you are asked to do, while you simultaneously discover what you are great at. Then slowly (and consistently) work on developing your sweet spot. In time, you’ll earn the right to jettison some of the things you aren’t so good at or passionate about, and can focus on what you are destined for. Every great leader you know has taken this same path and paid this price.
If you are “not so young,” it’s time to focus. You likely know what you are really good at, so start taking the risk of letting go of things others can do, so you can focus on what only you can do. Raise up leaders and empower them to lead. Let go of things that don’t require you personally. If your church in general is too busy, slowly lean out your menu of ministries.
Whatever your age, the end goal is focus. You were created on purpose, for a purpose. As you narrow in on that, increase your consistency at remaining within that focused area.
4) The secret sauce is mandatory.
I alluded to this under the point, “Don’t beat yourself up.” If you skin your knee, get up, quickly mend the wound, and keep going. But there is more to the discipline of practice.
The beautiful thing about leadership skills is that they can be learned. And if they can be learned, they can be practiced. And if you can practice, you can excel.
That’s the secret sauce to consistency. If the discipline to practice is in you, there is nothing that prevents you from becoming great at what you do.
I will say this, you are consistently GREAT at blogging about leadership! I always get meaningful info out of your thoughts, and frequently share and pass along to others who benefit as well. You’re so right about Kevin being consistently great, there is not a single message of his I’ve ever heard that does not significantly speak into my life.
Thanks Camiile, and you are so right about PK… amazing.
Thanks for a wonderful post, Dan! I like the last line the most – If the discipline to practice is in you, there is nothing that prevents you from becoming great at what you do.
The truth in that statement gives us all encouragement! Thanks Vinay.
One of your best posts Dan! You hit it out of the park!
Thank you so much for this post. It gives practical suggestions and encouragement to the young leaders, and the right challenge to seasoned leaders like myself.
I don’t even know where to begin in this, there is so much good stuff. I’m 55 years old and feel like I’m just starting the most productive years of my life. I’ve maintained a high level of spiritual discipline for nearly my entire adult life but from a leadership perspective, I only made the decision to be disciplined to continual growth about 2-3 years ago. I consider myself still in the “discovery” phase, and sometimes find it difficult to separate what I’m really talented and gifted at from those things that are just skills I’ve learned from many years of being in the corporate work world. I have dreams of things I’d like to do and be involved in, but not sure quite yet where my strength is going to be within those dreams. What I’m confident in is that if I stay committed and consistent in my growth, those things will become more clear and focused over time. Thanks for reinforcing that.
Go for it Eddie! Together, you and God can see those dreams become reality!
I’m definitely going for it; finishing up a men’s study tomorrow night I’ve been leading using the video series “Today Matters” by Maxwell and yesterday started a new adventure team teaching with another man at my church in our Young Professionals Singles group. Excited about building into their lives and trying to take advantage of every opportunity I get to teach what I’m learning; not only does it give me an opportunity to pass along what I’m learning, I grow more by teaching. Starting small and see where God takes it over time.
This was one of my favorites that you have posted. I was sitting here beating myself up for how I executed something on Sunday, and this was very timely in giving me proper perspective. Thanks Dr. Reiland!
Aaron, so glad this post was a cool cup of water for you. Next Sunday you will do better! Keep your chin up and keep going!
Thanks Dan. I’ve passed this on to all of our under 25 year old staff members. Great ministry advice for any age but so timely for those just beginning. Thank you.
You are most welcome Shayne! So glad this is helpful to you.
Great post and excellent principles. I was particularly challenged by the discipline of practice, which is often overlooked in a culture that values the overnight success.
In Originals, Adam Grant talks a lot about creatives like painters, poets and inventors…the key to impact isn’t the one great idea that hit home. It’s that they consistently produced dozens, if not hundreds of things, greatly increasing their chances of success. That feels mundane but it’s where the payoff happens.
Thanks so much for your comments! Gotta check out the book Originals… thanks!
Dan, Thank you so much for this short but great insight. I read it this morning, I worked on it, add some things to it and taught my two teenage daughters this morning over a two hours period of interactive and discovery session. Our conclusion was “A person with little talent but with a persistent spirit will do better than a person with great talent but without a persistent spirit”. Please,kindly permit me to contextualize it and add to my training materials for the young and Emerging Leaders I am working with in Sierra Leone. May the Lord bless you for this insight in Jesus name.
mometasone : Points à considérer lors de l’achat en ligne mometasone en toute confidentialité
acheter du mometasone en Belgique pharmacie vendant mometasone France
Acheter nasonex en ligne avec expédition rapide en Suisse mometasone de qualité certifiée
disponible en ligne
acheter mometasone en Europe
Trouvez votre nasonex en ligne
nasonex en ligne : les critères à prendre en compte avant d’acheter
Acheter nasonex en toute sécurité sur Internet
mometasone en vente en Belgique
mometasone sans ordonnance : est-ce légal ? Avantages
de l’utilisation du mometasone selon les experts
achat en ligne de mometasone prix nasonex Maroc
mometasone pour le traitement efficace
Où trouver de la mometasone de confiance en ligne Comment obtenir nasonex en ligne légalement
nasonex : posologie recommandée pour différentes conditions
Acheter nasonex en toute confiance
nasonex vente libre Suisse
mometasone pour une vie sans soucis
mometasone livraison express en France
acheter nasonex en Allemagne nasonex pour une récupération rapide
nasonex en ligne fiable France indication du mometasone en vente au Maroc
mometasone sans ordonnance : comment être vigilant
Acheter de la mometasone de qualité pharmaceutique
Commander de la mometasone en quelques clics
Obtenez votre nasonex sans attendre nasonex : posologie recommandée et
durée du traitement
nasonex en ligne : ce que vous devez savoir avant d’acheter mometasone sans
ordonnance Suisse
achat mometasone Maroc indication médicale
mometasone et grossesse : évaluation des
risques et bénéfices
Acheter mometasone en ligne : conseils pour une expérience sûre nasonex
en ligne : mythes et réalités
mometasone pour une vie sans soucis
nasonex Belgique sans ordonnance nécessaire
acheter nasonex en Europe Achat de mometasone en ligne facile et rapide
nasonex en stock permanent
Commandez votre nasonex en ligne Belgique
This is the right site for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic.
You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I
actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put
a brand new spin on a topic that has been written about for ages.
Great stuff, just great!
It is perfect time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be happy.
I have learn this put up and if I may I wish to
suggest you some attention-grabbing things or suggestions.
Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article.
I desire to read even more things about it!
Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with?
I’m planning to start my own blog in the near
future but I’m having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and
Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking
for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic
but I had to ask!
Hello to every , since I am genuinely eager of reading this blog’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It carries pleasant stuff.
Ahaa, its nice conversation concerning this piece of writing here at this
web site, I have read all that, so now me
also commenting here.
What’s up, just wanted to say, I liked this blog post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not
sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
You are wonderful! Thanks!
I’m extremely inspired together with your writing talents and also with
the format to your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it yourself?
Anyway keep up the nice high quality writing, it
is uncommon to see a great weblog like this one these days..
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was once a leisure account it.
Look complicated to far brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep
in touch?
What’s up, constantly i used to check website posts here early in the daylight, for the reason that i like to learn more
and more.
Hey there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a fair price?
Kudos, I appreciate it!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
However, how can we communicate?
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Superb blog and outstanding style and design.
Hello, everything is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s actually excellent, keep up writing.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about naga169. Regards
I believe that is among the such a lot important info for me.
And i’m happy reading your article. However should observation on few common things, The site taste is perfect, the articles
is in point of fact excellent : D. Excellent task, cheers
Currently it looks like Drupal is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your
blog?
Wonderful blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m
completely confused .. Any recommendations? Appreciate it!
Thanks in favor of sharing such a fastidious thought, paragraph is good, thats
why i have read it entirely
Asking questions are genuinely good thing if you are not understanding
something fully, except this paragraph provides nice
understanding yet.
Someone necessarily assist to make significantly articles
I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now?
I amazed with the research you made to make this
actual put up extraordinary. Great process!
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end
or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable knowledge
concerning unexpected emotions.
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog
has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced
but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my
authorization. Do you know any solutions to help
protect against content from being stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.
I got this site from my buddy who told me regarding this web page
and at the moment this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative content
at this place.
Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world everything is presented
on net?
This article gives clear idea for the new users of blogging,
that in fact how to do blogging.
If some one wants to be updated with most up-to-date
technologies then he must be visit this site and be up to
date all the time.
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
Very helpful info specifically the closing part 🙂 I deal with such information much.
I used to be seeking this certain information for a long time.
Thanks and good luck.
You’ll Never Guess This Kayleigh Wanless Porn Star’s Tricks kayleigh Wanless porn Star
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
5 Killer Quora Answers On Adultwork Pornstar adultwork pornstar
How To Explain Onlyfans Pornstars To Your Grandparents best Pornstars
Hello there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell
you I genuinely enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums
that cover the same topics? Thanks a lot!
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I like to write
a little comment to support you.
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours
lol
I believe this is among the most vital information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. However wanna statement on few
common issues, The web site style is ideal, the articles is truly great :
D. Excellent process, cheers
If you are going for finest contents like me, just go to see this web site
all the time since it provides feature contents, thanks
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to
be running off the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this is
a formatting issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but
I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though!
Hope you get the problem solved soon. Thanks
I know this website offers quality dependent posts and additional material, is there any other site which offers these kinds of stuff in quality?
What’s The Current Job Market For Accident Attorney Professionals?
Local Accident Attorney
Highly energetic post, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting
anyplace, when i read this article i thought i could also create comment due to this good article.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really helpful & it helped me out a lot.
I am hoping to offer something again and aid others such as you aided me.
Why visitors still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing is available on web?
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing
this website. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own site now ;
)
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or
guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you
discuss and would love to have you share some
stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m
using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Fabulous, what a weblog it is! This blog presents helpful
data to us, keep it up.
It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for
sharing.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post
was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are
going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast
coming over again to read additional news.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous
to and you’re just extremely wonderful. I actually like what you’ve acquired
here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.
bookmarked!!, I really like your blog!
I seriously love your site.. Very nice colors &
theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own website and would like to
find out where you got this from or what the theme is called.
Kudos!
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
5 Killer Quora Answers On British Porn Stars
Xxx british porn stars xxx (https://king-Wifi.win/)
Wow, superb weblog format! How long have you been blogging
for? you make running a blog look easy. The total look
of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!
I got this website from my buddy who told me regarding this web site and at the moment this time I am browsing this web page and reading very
informative posts at this time.
10 Healthy Local Accident Attorney Habits Florida accident attorney (lamoto.co.kr)
A Brief History Of Good Accident Attorney History
Of Good Accident Attorney accident attorneys (Olivia)
What’s The Current Job Market For Accidents Attorney Near Me Professionals Like?
accidents Attorney near me, seller24.co.Kr,
Everything You Need To Learn About Best Accident
Attorney nyc accident attorney (Traci)
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this website,
i am browsing this website dailly and take nice facts from here everyday.
The 3 Most Significant Disasters In Top Accident Attorney History accident attorney boca [Steve]
Hello there I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found
you by accident, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and
would just like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a
all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have saved
it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be
back to read much more, Please do keep up the
great job.
Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My
blog looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix
this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share.
Thank you!
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion concerning this paragraph here at this
webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden Which Will Aid You In Obtaining Accidents
Attorney Near Me Good Accident Attorney
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a data! present here at
this webpage, thanks admin of this web page.
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion concerning this post here at this weblog, I have read all that,
so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that
would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
I constantly emailed this webpage post page to all my associates,
as if like to read it afterward my links will too.
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while
you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of
this your broadcast provided bright transparent idea