Dr Robert Clinton says, "1/3 of all leaders finish well, 1/3 of all leaders finish so-so and 1/3 of all leaders don't finish well." Thanks to Leadership Network I experienced my first 'live blogging' of a talk I did there in May on coaching leaders to finish well. This live blog consisted of audio, power point, video, notes and an artist scatching of the message. It is great to have people make you look better than you are.
Last night I didn't start well, nor did I finish well, and I didn't get any help from my teammates!
Click here to see Gary's PowerPoint Presentation: Finishing Well.
I want to talk a little about the reality of finishing well, and the perspective in our world of helping people finish well. The reality is that many start well, but few finish well. The danger years are from 35-55.
2 Timothy 4:1-8 Paul calls to finish well, in a serious tone. This game is bigger than you and I. He coaches them through. Paul also modeled it well to Timothy. Last, he reminds Timothy of the rewards.
How do we help leaders finish well? By doing the same thing that Paul did.
Finishing well has more to do with being than doing. As young leaders, we're concerned with competence and growth. But as we move along, it has to be more about character than competency. When we achieve a certain level of success, you get to where you coast.
Here's a tool that we do at the end of every first step. The first stage is romance - falling in love with the idea of planting a church. The second phase is reality. You embrace the reality of the situation. It's not easy work! When you sit in reality, you will become somewhat resentful of the situation. But it's how you deal with it that counts. You can either rebel or handle your situations with resolve. Rebellion always leads to ruin. Resolve leads to rebuilding.
This is why we meet with Jesus every day: to get perspective, to rebuild love for Him, our calling, the Gospel, the lost. It's only going through that constant grind that we will experience the rewards of the Father's approval of standing before God and hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant." There is also the joy of seeing what you have birthed.
We have to help our young leaders experience that.
Let's look at this video clip about a young lady that finished well, and helped another teammate to do the same. (HT)
