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My late father, Dr. Clarence E. Stowers Sr., would always tell me, “Son, find a story and tell it well.”  I didn’t quite understand then, but I do today!  To steal one of the ancient slogans in advertising, “your brand is the truth about you, well told.”  This year many resolved to make lasting changes and become the best version of themselves.  I call it Version 2.0 – The me God wants me to be. 

In order to upgrade to Version 2.0, I encourage you to spend time pondering the following questions:

So Who Are You?

Like every organization, every person has a dozen good stories that reveal that person.  Stories move people. Stories excite people. Stories change people.  Your task is to write your story – the true story.  Ask for input from someone who knows you well; someone who can give you perspective.  Start there.  Get help, if necessary, but do it TODAY!

What Do You Do?

Most banks (Pre-Mortgage Crisis Meltdown) almost always ask this question of organizations that come to them for money.  It’s a simple question, but the answers often are not.  You must answer simply, too.  Otherwise you will confuse people.  If it sounds like you do many things, or too many seemingly unrelated things, people will assume you cannot do any of them well.  Here’s an assignment: Ask and answer “What do you do?”  Show it to four people whose opinion you value and ask them:

1. Is it clear?
2. Is it simple?

What Difference You Are Making?

Can you describe what difference you are making in three sentences or less?  Are you ready for this challenge?  Marketers often refer to the necessity of defining one’s “point of difference.”  You must not merely answer what makes you different, but how what you do makes a difference for others.  Ask and answer “What difference am I making?”  Show it to four people whose opinion you value and demand they be ruthlessly tough with their answers.

There are other questions, too; I doubt this list is exhaustive.  But I think I have covered the major ones.

Question: What other life-changing questions do you currently ask?

It appears I hit the right nerve judging from your response to “Getting To The Next Level.” Thank you for sharing the articles with others via Facebook and Twitter. I’m humbled and happy that others are able to experience what you have.  If you haven’t read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them HERE and HERE.

Getting to the next level is a GOD-THING and not OUR-THING.  He alone determines who’s prepared and elevates them at the appropriated time.  No better person illustrates this important principle like Joshua.

According to The Book of Numbers, Moses and Aaron had disqualified themselves from entering the land of promise when they had failed to honor the Lord by striking the rock at Meribah in the Desert of Zin (Numbers 20:12). Aaron had already died (Numbers 20:27-29) but the Lord now allowed Moses a glimpse of Canaan from afar. Rather than lapsing into self-pity as a lesser man might have done, Moses expressed his concern that Israel have a good leader to take his place.

He implored the God of the spirits of all mankind to select this leader. This unusual title of God (occurring only here and in Num. 16:33) refers to God’s omniscient understanding of everyone, which guaranteed the wisdom of His choice. The leader, Moses said, should be like a shepherd who would lead Israel. The Lord’s response was immediate: Take Joshua son of Nun.

This Spirit-filled man, who had already demonstrated his qualities and capabilities, was an ideal successor to Moses. His appointment must be public, however, so the community would know Joshua was entitled to the same respect as Moses and was to have some of Moses’ authority. Joshua’s appointment answers the question: When is the right time for next level leadership.

When Is The Right Time for Next Level Leadership?

You may argue that Joshua was fortunate in that he knew his purpose on earth. Many of us spend a lifetime trying to figure that out. How do you know when it is time to step up into a next-level leadership role?  The answer is to prepare yourself for next-level leadership but to wait for it to be assigned to you.  In other words, don’t have an agenda of self promotion.

A good leader is focused on empowering others and they will see when you are ready for next-level leadership. In the meantime read up as much as you can on servant hearted leadership. Find a mentor to work with and encourage you. Spend time studying God’s word. These things will take your understanding of leadership to the next level.

Further Reading Inspiration and References:

Scripture verses:

1. Wait for appointment to next-level leadership – Proverbs 25:6-7
2. God appoints the next level of leadership – Numbers 27:15-19
3. Tools for next-level leadership – Romans 12:9-13
4. Fruit of next-level leadership – Galatians 5:22-24

Other Reading:

1. Developing Leaders Around You – John C. Maxwell
2. How the Mighty Fall. And Why Some Companies Never Give In – Jim Collins
3. A Force for Change – John P. Kotter

Monday’s post on getting to the next level created a lot of interest.  Although it’s not reflected in the comments section, I received several encouraging emails and text messages from people aspiring to get to the next level.  If you missed it, you can read it HERE.

When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top.  It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness. Guess what: God alone decides who’s prepared and ready to go to the next level.

Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.  It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, (Proverbs 25:6-7 New Living Translation).

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No matter what you’re doing, there comes a time when you are going to want to take things up a notch.  Maybe it’s your career — even if things are going along fine right now, ultimately you’d like to get a promotion, increase your client base, or reach a larger audience.  ”Getting started with anything can be a struggle, but once you reach a certain level of success, it can be hard to figure out how to make whatever it is you do truly remarkable,” according to Lifehack.

Leadership books, blogs, conferences, and websites mainly talk about getting to the next level.  If you buy their book, read their blogs (including mine), attend their conferences, and peruse their websites - you’re well on your way to getting ‘there.’  Everyone desires to get to the next level, but many don’t know how.  Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that works for everyone.  Today I’d like to share what kind of leadership is required to get to the next level.

What is the Next Level of Leadership?

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I am a voracious reader.  In fact, I love to read and I never pass up an opportunity to visit bookstores. I will literally sit for hours, scan book & magazines, and fill my Moleskine notebook with pertinent information.  This week I invite you to join me and take a peek in my notebook and see my thoughts.

As promised, every Friday I’ve decided to share my “Top 5.”  I’ve thought a lot about success and what it takes to be successful.  Since success is hard to conceptualize and is subjective, I’ve discovered there are similar costs most are willing to pay in order to be successful.

Here’s what’s swirling around in my mind this week:

1. You can’t be CHEAP and successful at the same time.  College costs money.  Books cost money.  Conferences & Seminars cost money.  Putting yourself in a position to be stretched and grow cost money.  One of the qualities that I’ve always noticed in successful people is that they were personally willing to pay a financial price.
2. You can’t be LAZY and successful at the same time.  You must be willing to put “some skin in the game.  This means you get your butt out of bed and make it happen!  Also, remember that rest is essential because success is a LONG journey.
3. You must be mentally strong.  Your success journey will be one of the most emotionally draining things you will EVER do.  You will discover that you can go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows with one email or phone call.  Your heart and motives will be called into question.  Critics will attack.  Haters will hate (that’s what they do).
4. You must devise a plan to combat spiritual warfare.  The enemy IS NOT happy about what you’re trying to accomplish.  His strategy is to kill, steal, and destroy.  He attempts to kill the dream in the beginning…before the seed takes root.  The more successful you become the greater the intensity of spiritual attack on your life.
5. You will bear scars.  Jesus asked His followers to count up the cost before they decided to follow Him.  Why?  Those who God uses greatly, He scars them deeply.  Behind every successful person are scars they’ve accumulated along the journey.  Success will cost you something!

Questions:

Are you ready for the journey?

Have you considered the costs?

The mark of a great leader is how many great people will join his or her team. King David’s team was comprised of “mighty men.”  Because David attempted mighty things, only the mighty could keep up with him.  Those who could not keep pace could not join the team.

Don Bennett was the first amputee to climb Mt. Rainier.  His testimony is simple – if you try such a feat with only one leg, “you can’t do it alone.”  However, Bennett understood that not just anyone could help.  Bennett did not recruit his helpers in a nursing home.  He built a team of people who WANTED to climb a 14,410-foot peak and who COULD climb a 14,410-foot peak.  One who attempts mighty feats had better be capable of recruiting a mighty team.

David did just that. 

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