Super_Bowl_29_Vince_Lombardi_trophy_at_49ers_Family_Day_2009

Four guidelines for leading your team to a championship

Winston Churchill said, “The empires of the future are empires of the mind.”

The NFL’s 2013 Super Bowl will be remembered for many things—its twists and turns, its plays and power failures, its long throws and near misses, its retirees and rookies, or its glitz and hits. But one thing is certain; the football game of the year didn’t begin with the opening kick-off. It began in the minds of the owners, coaches, and players.

All the huddles didn’t take place on the field. Most were unseen by the fans. They took place in glass surrounded offices, elaborately paneled board rooms, or littered locker rooms. The plays that made up the whole of the game were pieced together from the wisdom and experience of team leaders and published in a playbook.

The Bible says where there is no vision, the people perish. In football speak, without a pre-determined and clear direction, the actions of a team will be as chaotic as a fumble recovery five yards from the goal line.

Vision is like a thumb in the Christian leader’s back. It encourages him/her to take bold steps toward Spirit-directed objectives. It also activates and focuses staff skills. As you give people a clear picture of where they could be or should be, they’ll be more apt to head in that direction.

What is visionary leadership?

  1. It is directional. It points to definite places, times, and tangible results.
  2. It is practical. It sets goals that are within reach.
  3. It is motivational. It creates an environment of expectation and enthusiasm.
  4. It is eternal. It builds on the principles that last forever.

The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung said, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.” So look inside. See the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit that not only gives energy enough to awaken you, but direction enough to guide you. And then in faith and cooperation with others, began to form the plays into a playbook—and make sure every player has a copy.

You are loved.

Stan

 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia