Coaching, Mentoring and Guiding

Think about the people that have taught, coached, guided, mentored and helped shape who you are through their leadership in your life. I have been fortunate to have some of the best mentors, coaches and peers anyone could ask for throughout my career in the business world, teaching and coaching. I learned so much from these special people that helped shape who I am as a coach, mentor and guide for others. As I have gotten older and closer to retirement age my priorities have changed quite a bit and my goals are a bit different.

I can also say on the reverse side that I have learned how not to coach, mentor and guide people from some peers, coaches, friends, relatives and others along the way. I am not saying they were particularly bad overall at what they did, in fact, most of them were solid people with good intentions. They just had some weaknesses in their planning, implementation or process of leading people. I have strived to be the best I could at whatever I did along the way. I would compete in cards, running, climbing trees, sports, and anything else at one point with the goal of winning.

As my career has moved along I have developed a plan for success that is designed to help me be the best I can, while maintaining my moral compass and not losing my way. There are all kinds of ways people would describe a good leader, such as energetic, strong, honesty, hard working, focused, disciplined, dedicated, determined, accountable, communicator and so many more. I personally like to see someone that leads the charge from the front and shows passion for their people. If a manager, coach, mentor, teacher, preacher, etc. do not show passion for their people and how they grow then I do not want to work with them, play for them or serve with them.

God is the best coach, mentor and guide anyone could ask for. He leads out front, fights every battle and always puts the best interest of his people first. He did so by sending his only son to die for our sins. Could anyone think of a better way to show leadership and give guidance than to sacrifice yourself for the good of all others. A great leader sacrifices plenty to serve others. They put time, energy and dedication into the cause they support.

Here is a list of biblical leadership traits that God seeks for us all to show to others. God calls us to serve him and others in a way that offers grace, mercy and guidance.

1- Honesty- Great leaders are honest when giving feedback and trying to grow their people just as God is honest when growing his flock.

2- Humbleness- Great leaders are humble and not conceited. They love seeing their players, employees and peers be successful. God also wants us to be successful at all we do as long as it is not sinful in nature.

3- Work Hard- Great leaders work extremely hard and are constantly working to achieve goals. God is the most constant force in the universe and works all the time to attend to his flock.

4- Faithful- Great leaders have a superior faith in themselves and those around them. They are true believers in hope, happiness and passion. God is the most faithful of all. He has the ultimate faith in our ability to make good choices and be successful.

5- Warriors- Great leaders are warriors that are relentless toward their people. They fight for what is right and will take the fall for failures of the organization. God is a warrior helping us fight the good fight against sin, the devil and our own demons.

6- Shepherds- Great leaders are shepherds that protect their flock from dangers, mistakes and issues the best they can. God is the great Shepard and oversees his flock with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

I challenge you to look at your leadership skills and how you lead, mentor, guide and coach your family, friends, co-workers and strangers. Is it a biblical type leadership that would make God smile and show others that you understand that ultimately the traits listed above will make a difference in the lives of everyone you contact.

1st Peter 5: 2-3, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock”.

Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”.

Lord, show me how to be a leader that is effective in life. Help me to mentor my friends, family and strangers that they will see your light and guidance in me. Amen

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