John Stanko

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" - 2 Peter 1:5-8.

When leaders stop growing, their leadership effectiveness diminishes over time. Then leaders start to rely on their past accomplishments or their leadership power to establish or maintain leadership. The four keys words in this passage are 'effort,' 'increasing,' 'ineffective,' and 'unproductive.' You must make every effort as a leader to grow, which means that personal development must be among your top priorities. Done properly, your effort will help you be both effective and productive as a leader. In other words, you will do right things and do them well.

LEADERSHIP STEP: What is your plan for personal and professional development? What classes are you taking? What books are you reading? What seminars do you plan to attend? What new skills are you developing? Give some thought to these questions today and then map out a plan for the coming year that will enable you to grow with a view toward being effective and productive.