Episode 187: "Encouragement! Quality in a leader."

Greetings, Summit Leaders.

This week I talked with a Summit Leader who pointed to a colleague who encourages the team at just the right time.  

Everyone needs encouragement to keep fighting, not give up, and move forward for victory. Today, someone spoke an encouraging word for us. "But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work."

Circumstances can be misleading if we allow them to shift our focus from our vision and victory as leaders. Great leaders glance at the events but focus on the mission. The focus of faith frees us from fear.

Nothing is more empowering than the quality of courage and the impact of an encourager.

"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality which guarantees others." Winston Churchill

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Your courageous response to challenges can impact a person, family, team, company, clients, and nation.

Every great leader must go through testing times as they go on their life and career journey.

How do we fight the negative thoughts that attack our minds?  

Predetermine you will be ready with a heart of conviction and resolve. 

Say to yourself, "I will be patient, persevere and practice being steadfast, immovable, always abounding with the assurance that I am victorious."

 You envision your vision. 

In his book, Make Your BED - Little Things that can Change your life... and Maybe the World, Admiral William H. McRaven shares the story of being in Navy SEAL training. 

He recalls a Wednesday night of "Hell Week" during SEAL training. The purpose of Hell Week was to eliminate the weak, those not tough enough to be SEALS. 

During this time, more people quit, and a test called the mudflats usually overcomes trainees. Bone-chilling cold in the evening winds, up to their chests in mud, hands, and feet that are swollen from non-stop use and skin so tender even the slightest movement brought discomfort. 

At just the right time, one encourager began to sing!

"One voice became two, and two became three, and then before long, everyone was singing."  

Even those tempted to quit and give up gained new strength, courage, and confidence to complete the training.

 He recalls a key lesson learned and shares an insight. 

"The power of one person can inspire those around him, to give them hope. If that person could sing while neck-deep in mud, then so could we. If that person could endure the cold, then so could we. If that person could hold on, then so could we."

Admiral William H. McRaven

Through your attitude and response, become an encourager, leading others from strength to strength, empowering them to become stronger and stronger.  

You are strengthened and encouraged in the process. We reap what we sow, more than we sow, later than we sow. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

 Make it your mindset to encourage one another moment by moment and every day.

  Victory!