- 2020 was a year of crisis.
- 2021 was a year of adaptation.
- 2022 was a year of transition.
2023 will be a year of where we can all say the old is gone and the new is here.
Innovators and early adopters already have embraced the new, and 2023 is an opportunity for all of us to press forward.
We might define “old” and “new” differently.
In fact, I’m certain there are unique nuances that churches face within current culture. We therefore require different approaches to ministry. But the best response is to press forward into the new and not cling to and get stuck in the past.
2022 was tough on a lot of leaders.
For some, 2022 was more difficult than the two previous years. This is because in 2020 & 2021 we were forced to respond to a crisis situation. In 2020 we were flying blind and leading in reaction mode. 2021, in part, required adapting with little time and few choices.
But in 2022 options and choices began to reappear. However, the options were more complex and not always ideal. For example, how should you embrace the hybrid church?
This is what triggered my noticing (and experiencing) that the leaders who possess a disposition of positivity seem to make more progress, lead with more hope, and in general, manage stress better.
A positive spirit doesn’t prevent pain or guarantee success, but it establishes the path forward toward the best possible outcomes.
This is a clear leadership advantage.
This begs the question, “Is having a positive spirit genetic or a choice?”
Is it natural or can it be learned?
Yup, the answer is both. That’s good news.
While some leaders come by a disposition of positivity more naturally, and others must invest more intentional effort and energy, for both, it’s still a choice to practice it consistently.
The following five biases are ways you can focus your positive outlook, or a way to reverse engineer your leadership toward a disposition of positivity.
1) A bias toward belief
When you meet someone new, what is your most common first reaction? Do you lean slightly toward skeptical or more toward believing the best? That difference truly matters.
Discernment is always important, but people can sense how you feel about them and will always interact better with you if they know you’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
People will rise to the level of your belief in them, even if in the beginning, you believe in them more than they believe in themselves.
Believing the best in someone isn’t blind faith or dismissing common sense, discernment and timing. Believing the best gives a person the best opportunity to be their best self.
One example we all can relate to is within our own families. Positive belief backed by truthful and encouraging words always results in better relationships and better lives.
2) A bias toward the future
We should be grateful for what we have learned from the past, but good leaders always keep their eyes focused on the future.
The necessity to lean into the future may seem obvious, but all too often leaders hold on to the past. It’s not because they don’t want to move forward, but more about things like these:
- Not knowing how
- Comfortable with the past
- Difficult to sustain a positive outlook
- Fear of the unknown
- Exhausted from leading change
The first step in leading toward the future is a deep acceptance that you can’t go back to what “was”. The second step is a willingness to pay the price to press forward.
On the more practical side, what are the two or three methods or ministries you need to end in 2023? And what one new or fresh method or ministry would most help move you forward?
You can figure that out in one or two honest and courageous meetings. Then you can make a decision and take action.
3) A bias toward risk
It’s impossible to lead into the future without taking some risks. What risks are you thinking through for the first half of 2023?
The risks we need to take not always grand or dramatic, but they are compounding in nature and help shape courageous and faith-filled leadership. For example, a risk might be a very difficult conversation, likely with conflict, that needs to take place in order to move forward.
If your leadership wiring leans more risk-adverse, it’s a good idea to have a small team help you with key decisions. A team that includes at least one leader who more readily embraces risk.
One of the most powerful elements of a positive disposition is how strongly that influences the outcome of the risk. It’s not a guarantee, but the positive anticipation creates momentum in the right direction.
4) A bias toward action
Second-guessing direction and decision nearly always slows down or lessens the commitment to take action.
When you have a positive outlook on your direction, meaning you have emotionally embraced it, and you therefore have committed to your decision and are prepared to take action, you are poised for progress.
Taking action requires both an intellectual buy-in to the strategy but also a heart level enthusiasm. That is, a positive belief in the plan you make. In short, are you excited about it?!
A wait and see disposition or “let’s hope this works” never produces the outcome you desire.
Written plans are important, in fact critical to progress, but don’t wait for perfection. It’s important to take action. Get started. You can make minor corrections and adjustments along the way.
What is one important decision that you’ve been delaying and it’s time to take action?
5) A bias toward completion
A great idea is of no real or lasting value if you never execute it to full completion.
Unfinished projects are notorious for derailing the progress of otherwise really good leaders. What is waiting for you to finish in the next 30-60 days?
Unfinished projects, ministries, conversations, and initiatives are:
- A waste of time
- Discouraging
- An ever-present source of nagging to the soul of a leader
It may be better to take a deep breath and just be honest, you’re not going to do it. Delete the files, take it off the list and move on!
If you are confident that it needs to be done, then ask yourself, what is preventing you from completing the project? Tackle that roadblock in the next two weeks.
This is perfect as I think about my own leadership for this new year! Thanks Dan!
Hey Allan!
Always good to hear from you! Praying God’s best for you in 2023!
This is so good. My journal title this week is, “Inventing Hope,” which I think folds beautifully into your thoughts on positivity.
No one wants to be around a negative person…even if we agree with their complaints! Thank you for the practical application as well. So good.
Thanks Janene, that means a lot from you!
I look forward to your coming Journal!
Happy New Year, Dan! I don’t often comment, but I’m one of your biggest “fans”! This post has held my attention for several days! I love that you challenge us to THINK and BE, not just DO (my activator and maximizer strengths can go a little overboard!) May God continue to bless you with wisdom, discernment and enhance your leadership beyond anything that you can ask or imagine this new year! Actually, my prayer for all of us!
Thank you for stretching and blessing us with YOUR leadership!
Yes! Activator / Maximizer… I do understand! 🙂
You are also a wonderful encourager Kat! Thank you.
I pray you sense the kindness and favor of God in a powerful way through 2023!
Happy New Year.Thanks Dan.
This is Motivating and challenging as I pray to embrace these new directions ,decision and take actions this year to greater achievements.May God continue to enrich you with Abundant wisdom in Jesus name.Thanks.
Older post that somehow, I missed but as always, insightful!
Dan your post activated the following thoughts and you have always been positive influence in my life. Thank you!
I do not know much and every day I am learning how to be a better God-fearing man leading at home, within the community and at the workplace, but looking back in 2021 and 2022, there was a lot of self-discoveries with leaders I worked with and honestly, myself. We asked many questions that related to the world state or state of our people [employees, family and friends]. We wonder how we are going to push forward and how do we adapt to the results of our personal and professional environmental scans. The one core thought, feeling and collective agreeing decision always came back to one question, “What decisions and values do I [we] hold myself [ourselves] to and where do they root from?” For those who have a relationship with Jesus, that was an easier question to answer. Those who did not, gave answers that were continuous actions of Jesus, like empathy, loving others and “let’s help wherever we can”.
We went down the path you described, without knowing it! We discovered our beliefs that molded our future, no matter the risk(s), and as we put it into action the completion of our task was filled with sacrificial love and obedience. When we prioritize Jesus and make Him the focal point of our decision-making process, we can have assurance that we are making obedient choices.
Result from our learning: Find the beginning (root) and you will find your answers. The answers might not be what you want to hear or agree with. They might be feelings that you are ashamed about, or even guilty discussing with your accountability partner [highly recommend having an accountability partner], but you will understand the clearer picture and learn more about yourself. The blessing of understanding yourself is that you can better manage yourself to be a better disciple for Jesus.
My beginning is with Jesus, so there I look to find my answers. As the WWJD bracelets reminds us, “What would Jesus Do?”, for me WWJD reminds me of his positivity through his agape love. He did not care about your past but your future (looking forward = positive). He did not care where you came from or what the world thought of you but saw beauty in the mess (opportunity = positivity). His pain was our gain. Even in His pain, was an everlasting positive notion and love that reminds us on how powerful positivity can be.
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, would test this?
IE still is the marketplace leader and a large component to other people will leave
out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
Thank you for any other informative web site.
The place else may just I get that kind of info written in such a perfect manner?
I’ve a mission that I am simply now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful.
Thank you for sharing!
My brother suggested I might like this blog.
He was entirely right. This post actually made my day.
You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for
this info! Thanks!
I simply couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting
that I really enjoyed the standard information an individual provide in your visitors?
Is going to be back often in order to check
up on new posts
I visited many blogs however the audio feature for
audio songs present at this web site is genuinely excellent.
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world the
whole thing is presented on net?
Excellent site you have got here.. It’s hard to find high quality
writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
I think this is one of the most important info for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The website style is ideal, the articles is really excellent :
D. Good job, cheers
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have
put in writing this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated
me to get my very own website now 😉
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I
to find It truly helpful & it helped me out much.
I’m hoping to present one thing back and help others such
as you helped me.
Thanks for finally talking about > The #1 Most Advantageous Leadership Trait I Observed in 2022 – Dan Reiland < Loved it!
This post will help the internet visitors for setting up new website or
even a weblog from start to end.
Every weekend i used to visit this web page, as i wish for enjoyment, since this this
web page conations actually nice funny data too.
Every weekend i used to visit this web site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, for the
reason that this this web page conations genuinely fastidious funny data too.
Hello there! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up
for the great info you have got here on this post. I’ll be
coming back to your website for more soon.
This piece of writing will assist the internet viewers for creating new blog or even a blog from start
to end.
each time i used to read smaller articles or reviews that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I
am reading now.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a little research on this.
And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the
fact that I found it for him… lol. So allow me to
reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to
discuss this issue here on your website.
Superb blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose 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 suggestions?
Thanks!
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say…
I put things off a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.
Nice weblog here! Additionally your site so much up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I am getting
your affiliate hyperlink on your host? I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a
lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Установка софта производится через официальный сайт казино.
Incredible story there. What occurred after? Good
luck!
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established
blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m
not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any points or suggestions? Cheers
I love it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great website, keep it up!
We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for.
can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related to here.
Again, awesome web site!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing
the other person’s web site link on your page at
appropriate place and other person will also do similar in favor
of you.
These are truly fantastic ideas in regarding blogging.
You have touched some fastidious things here. Any way keep
up wrinting.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you
relied on the video to make your point. You
obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just
posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your
stuff previous to and you are just too excellent.
I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the
way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care
of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you.
This is really a terrific web site.
I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it.
I have got you book marked to look at new things you post…
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old
room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article
to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems
with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing,
so he/she desires to be available that in detail, thus that thing is
maintained over here.
I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it.
I’ve got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I should
check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to looking into your web page again.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you
are not already 😉 Cheers!
My brother recommended I might like this web
site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day.
You can not imagine simply how much time
I had spent for this info! Thanks!
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable
experience regarding unpredicted emotions.
You suggested that terrifically.
my web blog :: https://Beeinmotionri.org/experience-the-thrill-of-playing-baccarat-online-real-money/
Howdy! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for
the great info you’ve got right here on this post.
I am coming back to your website for more soon.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should publish more about this issue,
it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks
don’t speak about these subjects. To the next! Cheers!!
Hey! 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?
Hi there all, here every person is sharing these kinds of knowledge,
thus it’s good to read this weblog, and I used to
pay a quick visit this web site daily.
Your method of telling the whole thing in this piece of writing is genuinely fastidious,
every one be capable of simply understand it, Thanks a lot.
Yes! Finally someone writes about Hokicoy.
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the great work!
What’s up, just wanted to mention, I loved this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Unquestionably believe that which you said.
Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that
they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out
the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
If some one wants to be updated with most recent technologies after that he must be go to see this web page and be up
to date daily.
I’m not sure why but this site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
It’s very easy to find out any topic on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this piece of writing at this website.
Superb blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew
of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable people
that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations,
please let me know. Cheers!