I have a bad habit of hearing criticism and immediately getting defensive and coming up with my pushback. I really need to change that bad habit! Do you have a bad habit that you wish you could get rid of? Do you have a pet peeve of habits that others have? I get frustrated with people who have a bad habit of not turning on their turn signals!
It is essential for the Godly Leader to have great personal and leadership habits that become a part of their daily DNA and character. Below are three bad habits that you need to trash and three good habits that you can tackle in 2024. There are also two bonus tips on how to make those happen at the end of the blog.
BAD HABIT #1 – BEING AN IMPULSIVE DECISION MAKER
A poor leadership habit is basing your decisions on emotions, minimal information, and acting too quickly and impulsively. Rarely does anything good come from an impulsive decision. A Godly Leader takes time to think and pray through the information, implications, and wisdom and seeks Godly counsel before they move forward and make a decision. Now, granted, there are times when quick decisions have to be made. However, those are the exceptions – especially the big decisions. I have a life axiom – buy time. Buy time. Whenever I can, I buy time before I make a decision. It helps with perspective, information, prayer opportunities, and more.
Psalm 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
BAD HABIT #2 – BEING NEGATIVE NATHAN OR NELLY
A poor leader complains. A Godly Leader celebrates. The reality is that being positive or being negative both have elements of being contagious. If you are negative, you will draw negative people to you and negativity out of others. That is not to say that you can’t have a critical eye and look for constructive ways to improve. Here’s a test: what is your default when issues arise – criticism and negativity, or coming up with ideas to improve the situation? Do you find yourself whispering criticisms to those around you or shouting celebratory exclamations?
I love this quote from pastor and author Max Lucado: “Two types of voices command your attention today. Negative ones fill your mind with doubt, bitterness, and fear. Positive ones purvey hope and strength. Which one will you choose to heed?”
BAD HABIT #3 – BEING UNASSERTIVE
A poor leader lets others speak up or procrastinates when faced with difficulty. A Godly Leader knows that God has equipped them for every good work and moves forward finding solutions, taking ground, and equipping their teams to succeed. Break the habit of laziness, fear, timidity, and procrastination in 2024.
Proverbs 20:4 – Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
Good Habit #1 – Do More Than Is Required of You
Jesus taught us this when he told us to go the extra mile for someone (Matthew 5:41). Godly Leaders model an all-in approach to life and leadership. There is nothing that is beneath a Godly Servant Leader and nothing that stops them from being all-in. It is essential for the Godly Leader to go the extra mile and help whenever possible.
Good Habit #2 – Be a Problem Solver
This is the counter to bad habit #2 above. Anyone can tell you when there is a problem. The Godly Leader and great leader will look for ways to tackle the problem and present the problem with a few possible solutions. This good habit will be a model for those you lead and will also create a great culture in your organization of how to handle problems. Also, unlike other leaders who don’t have the Lord, allow God’s Word to be that guide to your solutions and attitude.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Good Habit #3 – Keep Your Promises, No Matter How Small
Talk is cheap, isn’t it? Unfortunately, we all know of way too many leaders who break their promises. We know of way too many friends, parents, and spouses that do the same. Godly Leaders make a daily commitment to truth-telling and promise-keeping. There was an old men’s ministry that had its heyday back in the 90’s that was called Promise Keepers. The goal was to encourage and inspire men to keep their promises. That goal should be the good habit that all Godly Leaders look to aspire and commit to keeping promises – even the small ones. Those we lead know our promise-keeping and truth-telling quotient. Make sure you’re honest with yourself and with God and strive to make this habit one that grows in 2024.
Godly Leaders develop Godly habits. The two bonus tips on how to make the bad habits become trash and allow you to tackle the good habits are not earth-shattering, but they have mountain moving potential. The two bonus tips are to be in God’s Word daily and spend significant time in prayer daily. If you are studying God’s design for your life and the lives of Biblical Godly Leaders, your life will change. If you are asking God daily to help you trash the bad habits and tackle the good habits, your life will change.
One additional bonus tip – tell someone what you are efforting to do with your life and your habits in 2024. Tell a spouse, friend, accountability partner, etc. That will allow you support, accountability, prayer, and an encourager! With God’s help, you can have better habits when the calendar clicks to 2025 one year from now!
We could talk a lot more on this topic, but we’ll leave it there for now. What are your thoughts or questions? Leave them in the comments. If you found this blog helpful or thought-provoking, please SUBSCRIBE BELOW to receive a new blog in your email every other Tuesday morning. Also, if you think this blog would benefit others, please share it on social media or tell a few friends about it!
Love being on this Essential Godly Leadership journey with you!
Essential Godly Leadership: “Leading your life, your family, your work, your relationships, and your world in a way that is seeking wisdom from, and pleasing to, the Lord Jesus.”