A Necessary Leadership Filter
A number of years ago I went to make a pot of coffee one morning while traveling with Amber. I wanted to do something nice and bless my wife with some morning caffeine, and so I put what I thought were all of the necessary things in place to make the perfect pot of coffee. A few minutes later I walked past the coffee pot to realize that something was done wrong. There was water and coffee grounds running all over the counter top and the side of the coffee maker. The missing element? A filter. To be fair, at home we use a coffee pot that doesn't use filters, so I think that lets me off the hook...Because I lacked the filter it caused the process of brewing coffee to become clogged and ineffective.It is amazing how something that seems so small and insignificant can make such an incredible difference.As I look at the life of Jesus, there was something that enabled Him to live and lead with clarity and conviction in Mark 1:35-39.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
What enabled Jesus to live and lead with clarity and conviction?He had clarity of mission.[quote align="center" color="#999999"]As leaders, clarity of mission serves as a filter.[/quote]When we have clarity on who we are and what we are called to do, it helps us to say yes to the RIGHT things, not just the GOOD things.None of us lack opportunities. The disciples come to Jesus with a great opportunity: "Everyone is looking for you..." For many of us, this would be enough! A crowd. People want more of what we have to offer. We must have arrived at the right spot! But Jesus saw something different.He saw His mission.He had clarity on His purpose.Every opportunity did not demand a 'YES'.Clarity of the mission helped to serve as the filter to say 'YES' to the right things.No matter what area of leadership you find yourself in, you will have many opportunities that will come your way. But as leaders, if we want to live and lead with clarity and conviction, it will require living with mission being a filter that moves us forward. For those of us who are more visual learners, see the incredibly artistic drawing below.