John Stanko

"And David said, 'The Lord who delivered me
from the paw of the lion and from the paw
of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand
of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David,
'Go, and may the Lord be with you'" - 1 Samuel 17:37-38.

David knew how to draw on the power of his past successes to propel him into new ones. He had already faced other giants, so this slightly larger one would just be another testimony when David brought him down. What's more, David had to go it alone, for Saul offered no support, advice or backup, except to try and have David fit into his two-sizes-too-big armor. Yet David was not alone, for he knew that God was with him from past experience and God was not about to fail him. This is what real leadership is all about: drawing on past experience to see what others can't and then setting lofty goals that lift everyone's performance and possibilities.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to see if you are leading by setting lofty goals or by playing it safe. One way of knowing is to examine the goals you have set for you and your organization. Do you have any past success stories? Do you know how to draw on your past successes to encourage you or your team to new ones today? If your goals lack the ability to stir the imagination and energy of others, spend time today crafting new ones, with or without your team.