Not For Wimps

On the first day of class, Rick talked about attitude and read to us from the children's story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.Based on the examples in the book, we discussed how we react when:
- our day starts off badly
- people disappoint us
- things don’t go our way
- others are doing well, but we’re not (life is unfair)

85% of a person’s success depends on the attitude in which they approach their field. Only 15% depends on their expertise in that field. Everything we do starts in our head, because we think about what we do, so we can change our lives by changing how we think, our attitude, and expectations.

If we serve with a self-focused attitude we will always lack a sense of the Father's presence with us. Our responsibility is not to compare ourselves and ask why? Our responsibility is to obey.

Our service is the obedient fulfillment of the Father's will regardless of what He calls us to do. We need to understand His will for our lives and stay focused on where He is leading us.

The Son was the ultimate example of servant leadership. His work was to expand the kingdom, and His obedience lead to His death. Along the way He healed people, fed the poor, and raised the dead, but He never allowed that to side-track Him from the ultimate will of the Father for Him to die on the cross. The Son knew the highest good He could do for mankind was to die and be raised from the dead to make it possible for us to have eternity with the Father.

Leadership is the skill of influencing people to work toward the goals identified as being for the common good, with character that inspires confidence.

Influence is gained through serving and meeting the legitimate needs of those we work with. If we try to lead from our position, it dissolves relationships, limits creativity, and makes people want to leave. True servant leadership demands great sacrifices of the leader on behalf of those he serves. Servant leadership is not for wimps.