Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 544 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Leadership – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 544 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the seventh tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Leadership.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. All of us are leaders in some area of our lives. It may be with our children and grandchildren or in a large company or church. Regardless of who your lead, your role is important. Being a leader is a responsibility that we should take seriously as it allows us to impact the lives of others, possibly for all eternity. That is why this tool is so important. Let us open Gramps’ backpack today as we explore the tools of…

Leadership

The old saying is familiar and true, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” As believers, we are called to imitate, as best we can, the carpenter from Galilee. The task of imitating Christ is often difficult and sometimes nearly impossible, but as Christ followers, that should be our objective.

Our world and our families need leaders who willingly honor Christ with their words and their actions, but not necessarily in that order. If you seek to be such a leader, then you must begin by making yourself a worthy example for your family, your friends, your church, your work, and in your community. Your words of instruction as you disciple and mentor others will never make an impact unless you are willing to practice them yourself. Most learning is caught by your actions rather than taught by your words.

Christ-centered leadership is an exercise in serving. First serving God by following the precepts in His Word, and then serving others by example and word. Christ was the ultimate servant-leader. He became a servant to all that he led, and you must seek to do the same for those that you lead.

Ask yourself, “Are you the kind of servant-leader whom you would desire to follow?”

The example that best describes what our attitude should be like as a leader is found in Philippians 2:3-5, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

An example for leaders in the church is found in 2 Peter 5:2-3. This pattern is an excellent model for leadership at every level and in any home or organization, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”

There is no higher calling than to lead your children, grandchildren, and others that you have an impact and influence on. It is also our responsibility to train them to be good leaders themselves. True and effective leaders are not afraid to surround themselves with people of ability and are not afraid to give those people opportunities for greatness.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Leadership onto you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to start effectively using it to disciple and mentor others. Teach them how to live a life of full of integrity and love. A life that is both rich and satisfying. Groom them to become leaders themselves. This is the model to be used with your children, grandchildren, and others that you lead. They will learn from both your actions and your words.

Next Monday we will investigate the eighth tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Attitude. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!