LEADING PEOPLE MORE EXPERIENCED THAN ME

LEADING PEOPLE MORE EXPERIENCED THAN ME

By Dr. Josimar Salum

I am actually leading a number of 45 people in our factory . The most challenges I have faced is to lead people who are older than me and have an experience relate to our department duties and responsibilities. So what you would say it should be my key strategies to manage and lead them.

Managing and leading a team with members who are older and more experienced can indeed be challenging, but it also offers an opportunity for collaborative growth. 

Here are some key strategies to help you lead effectively:

1. Show Respect for Their Experience

• Acknowledge their expertise and contributions to the team.

• Seek their input on decisions, especially those related to their area of expertise.

• Avoid micromanaging and trust their ability to handle tasks.

2. Demonstrate Your Competence

• Build credibility by being knowledgeable and prepared.

• Take the time to learn the technical aspects of the department if you haven’t already.

• Be decisive but open to suggestions, showing confidence without arrogance.

3. Foster Open Communication

• Create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.

• Encourage regular feedback and act on their suggestions when appropriate.

• Be transparent about your decisions and explain your reasoning.

4. Leverage Their Strengths

• Assign tasks that align with their skills and experience.

• Recognize their accomplishments publicly, reinforcing their value to the team.

5. Balance Authority and Collaboration

• Be firm in your decisions when necessary, but involve them in problem-solving processes.

• Use inclusive language like “we” and “our” to foster a sense of teamwork.

6. Invest in Building Relationships

• Take the time to get to know your team members on a personal level.

• Understand their motivations, career goals, and concerns.

• Celebrate milestones and successes to build rapport.

7. Encourage Continuous Learning

• Promote a culture of learning where both you and the team can grow.

• Provide training opportunities and encourage knowledge-sharing among team members.

8. Stay Professional and Composed

• Handle conflicts or disagreements calmly and objectively.

• Maintain consistency in your decisions to build trust and respect.

9. Be Humble and Open to Learning

• Accept when you don’t have all the answers and be willing to learn from their experience.

• Show appreciation when team members guide or teach you something new.

10. Focus on the Shared Goal

• Reinforce the importance of collaboration for the success of the team and the factory.

• Emphasize that everyone, regardless of age or experience, contributes to achieving the overall objectives.

By combining respect, collaboration, and assertive leadership, you can inspire trust and cooperation, even among those who may initially feel hesitant about following a younger leader.

#ASONE

A PATHWAY TO LEADERSHIP. Dr Paul Taylor

A PATHWAY TO LEADERSHIP. Dr Paul Taylor 

I want to encourage you with 4 things that create a pathway to leadership.  

These are not my words.  I have taken them from a podcast that I listen to for the organization BNI that I would love to introduce to Burundi, but it has not happened yet.  

These 4 things are critical to the pathway to leadership and I believe many of you are doing them to some extent already.

Be solution focused, not problem focused.

Remember you are the solution to someone’s problem.  

Everything God has created has been with purpose and that includes you!  

Be an expert at solving problems with solutions and you will create wealth and happiness.  This requires vision, which uses your HEART, not your EYES!  Your eyes see the problem, your heart sees the solution!

Collaborate.

Work together with others.  I see how you work as a team.  It is amazing.  Collaboration is a forced multiplier.  It means you can accomplish more together than you can a part!  In the Bible, with God one can set to flight a thousand, two 10 thousand!  It is called synergy!  The sum of the parts is greater than the whole!  Working together with others will multiply your efforts exponentially.

Be a champion of Culture.

Culture eats strategy for breakfast!  Culture is how you do your business.  How you treat others along the way.  It includes your Vision, Mission, Core Values.  In essence, it is who you are!  Who you are is always more important than what you do!  

Culture includes why we do what we do!  It will guarantee success no matter what the outcome is.  Remember what Josimar Salum wrote, do the right thing and God will take care of the rest.  

We must always have a Christ Culture!  Do unto others as we would have them do unto us!

Care about the success of others!

People do not care what we have to say until they know that we care about them!  

When we put the success of others before ourselves, then we will be successful!  

Remember “I believe in you!”  Our actions should shout these words to others.  People need to know that we believe in them!  

I believe you are doing all of these things.  Why?  

Because true leadership is when we help people accomplish more than they thought possible!  

You are doing more today than I believe you ever thought was possible.  

We have only just begun!  Keep up the great work.  I am so proud of each of you.  Share this with others and let them know how proud of them you are.

#ASONE

GOOD LEADERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE. By Carl Golden

GOOD LEADERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE. By Carl Golden

Good leaders must lead by example. By walking your talk, you become a person others want to follow. When leaders say one thing, but do another, they erode trust--a critical element of productive leadership. 

Here are 10 of the many ways to lead by example.

1. Take responsibility.

Blame costs you your credibility, keeps team members on the defensive and ultimately sabotages real growth. 

2. Be truthful.

Inaccurate representation affects everyone. Show that honesty really IS the best policy. 

3. Be courageous.

Walk through fire (a crisis) first. Take calculated risks that demonstrate commitment to a larger purpose. 

4. Acknowledge failure.

It makes it OK for your team to do the same and defines failure as part of the process of becoming extraordinary. 

5. Be persistent.

Try, try again. Go over, under or around any hurdles to show that obstacles don’t define your company or team. 

6. Create solutions.

Don’t dwell on problems; instead be the first to offer solutions and then ask your team for more. 

7. Listen. Ask questions. Seek to understand.

You’ll receive valuable insights and set a tone that encourages healthy dialogue. 

8. Delegate liberally.

Encourage an atmosphere in which people can focus on their core strengths. 

9. Take care of yourself.

Exercise, don’t overwork, take a break. A balanced team, mentally and physically, is a successful team. Model it, encourage it, support it! 

10. Roll up your sleeves.

Like Alexander the Great leading his men into battle, you’ll inspire greatness in your company.  

#JSalum

Posted on Africa On The Rise 

Facebook Group

#ASONE

LEADERSHIP, AN ART FORM. Dr. Shayne Tracy

LEADERSHIP, AN ART FORM

Dr. Shayne Tracy

President, IBCI

ibciinstitute | Aug 6, 2020 

Great leadership is more an art than a science. Leadership is a collective of interpersonal and operational skills that can be learned, practiced and taught.

However, the 3 “ps” - Purpose, Perseverance and Practice are needed to perfect an effective style for an individual leader.

Check out the 5 habits that will empower a leader:

Point of vision vs point of view:

This regards day-to-day operational activity… the details of the day become your daily point of vision, unless you have time to step back and have a point of view: The bigger picture. 

This is literally giving your calendar time to do “horizontal thinking” - creative, innovative and exploratory work to predict the future direction of your organization. You can dedicate that time to a business coach who will stimulate your thinking and inspiration. 

Communicate the “Point of View” to give meaning, context and motivation to others.

Identify and amplify important priorities that create value. Make a list of the main priorities that need to be achieved and focus, focus, focus. Communicate priorities in a consistent, vocal and visual way to focus on professional activity. A great question to ask yourself and others is: “What choice can I make and what steps can I take at this time to achieve my priorities?

Demonstrate decision making with courage, confidence, conviction and commitment.

Make a decision, take it once and move on after you have done your research, consulted the others involved and have established a plan of action. Self-confidence and security motivate others to produce results. Remember that not taking a decision is a decision! Be prepared to admit that you are wrong if the decision you make is inappropriate for the circumstances.

Develop your strengths: Build your strengths, recognize your responsibilities.

Most people have a good understanding of their strengths. You cannot be everything to everyone. Participate in projects and activities in which you can demonstrate your strengths. Focus on what you know and do your best. Be an ever changing learner to increase your knowledge base and work on developing your skills repertoire. Be a role model for others.

Recognize: Recognize and use the strengths of others. Strong leaders are able to recognize the skills and knowledge of others. Consult, collaborate and coordinate the strengths of others to generate commitment and obtain a better result. Train others and allow yourself to be trained by people with skills, knowledge and wisdom. Above all, take the time to genuinely get to know others, what drives them and what motivates them to achieve. Acknowledge and express appreciation for your accomplishments.

#ASONE

*"Five Strategies of Exceptional Leaders."* *Dr. Paul Taylor*

Five Strategies of Exceptional Leaders.

Dr. Paul Taylor

Remember one of the purposes of REAL is to develop our leadership skills.  As John Maxwell has said, "Everything rises and falls with leadership."  

WE ARE ALL LEADERS!  

The question is "What kind of leader are you?"

"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit.  He told me to try to be in the first group.  There is much less competition. " Indira Gandhi.

There was a survey asked to many businessmen about leadership qualities and characteristics.  They were asked to order what they felt were the most important leadership qualities.  Here is the list from 1 to 10.

1. Honesty  83%

2.  Competent  67%

3.  Forward looking or having vision 62%

4.  Inspiring  58%

5.  Intelligent  43%

6.  Fair Minded  40%

7.  Broad Minded (open to new things) 37%

8.  Straightforward    34%

9.  Imaginative 34%

10. Dependable 33%

Isn’t it interesting that the number one quality of a businessperson is honesty!  We hear all the time about dishonest business people.  Many believe that you have to be dishonest to succeed in business.  Do you?  Is that really the kind of person you want to be?  *High School students in the United States were asked if they believed they needed to lie, cheat and steal to be successful.  Over half of them responded yes!*  This is why people do not trust people today, especially in business.  The successful businesses are built on honesty, integrity and character!

Here are some quotes on leadership.

“The true measurement of leadership is influence; nothing more, nothing less.” John Maxwell

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character.  But if you must be without one, be without strategy.” General Norman Schwarzkopf:  United States

“Leadership is letting go in the doing, but not letting go in the guiding.” Dave Thomas; Chairman and Founder of Wendy’s

“Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” Colin Powell

“Leadership is the ability to take people beyond their natural skills to the fulfillment of dreams.” Rich Marshall

“There go my people and I must catch them for I am their leader.” Gandhi

“Leadership is the ability to inspire confidence, determine direction and to serve with character and integrity.” ROI Leadership focus group

*It is now your turn.  I want you to take a few minutes and write your own definition of leadership.*

*Leadership is ……*

Please send your definitions to Dr. Josimar and to Dr. Taylor!

*Acceptable vs. Exceptional Leadership*

One of the biggest problems that we face in the business world is complacency.  People become satisfied very easily with the status quo, mediocrity!  The question is “Will you be satisfied with acceptable leadership or will you push to excel?”  We should never be satisfied with mediocrity.  I once preached a message entitled “God hates vanilla!”  Vanilla ice cream is acceptable, but God wants exceptional leaders.

Here are the differences between:

Acceptable Leaders / *Exceptional Leaders*

1.  Have convictions 

*1- Live convictions*            

2.  Career focused (it’s all about me)

*2 - Calling focused (it’s all about the cause)*

           

3.  Understand Vision and Mission

*3 - Understand the purpose behind vision and mission.*

4.  Is motivated by activity/results

*4- Is motivated by shared vision*

                                                                       

5.  Motivates other’s minds

*5 - Motivates other’s hearts*

                                                                       

6.  Operates within the rules and regulations       

*6 - Operates with passion towards vision and mission*

7.  Core beliefs are situational

*7 - Core beliefs are integrated in life and work*

                                                                       

I hope that you can see the difference between the two kinds of leaders.  

One is being a certain kind of person because of his job.  

The other is that person and they excel at their job because of it.

There are 5 levels of leadership to become an Exceptional Leader.

Exceptional Leader

Level 5

Effective Leader

Level 4

Competent Leader

Level 3

Contributing Team Member

Level 2

Highly Capable Individual

Level 1

Which level would you be on at this time in your life?  We all need to grow in the

area of leadership.  Are you growing?  Are you stuck?  From the above chart, are you

acceptable or exceptional?  REAL is about exceptional leaders who are visionary

leaders understanding the purpose and the cause!

We will continue this training after you have responded to my questions.

This material is a part of ROI Leadership, Inc. 2006

Developing people, building business

I have had the pleasure of working with this group in the past and use the material

to train leaders.

Keep believing for the impossible!

Five Strategies that cultivate an EPIC Leader by Dr Paul Taylor

Five Strategies that cultivate an EPIC Leader

We continue our training on leadership.  Not just any kind of leader, but an exceptional leader.  

Epic is a word that means heroic; majestic; impressively great.  

It was used especially in poetry to tell a story about a hero or about exciting events or adventures.

An EPIC leader is one who is characterized by having these traits.

Ethics

Principles

Integrity

Character

ROI conducted extensive research and found these five strategies to be consistent with exceptional or EPIC leaders.

1. Cultivate Positude.

Everyone talks about the importance of attitude – with good reason.   Attitude always comes up in conversations with high achievers in all types of professions as the top factor in their success.  It is vital to cultivate a positive attitude thus we coined the word “Positude.”  If you are going to be an EPIC leader you must not only possess a positive attitude, but you must cultivate positude in the people around you.

2. Lead by Serving.

Great leaders from the past and present agree that the leader who serves others is the most effective.  What greater example do we have than Jesus Christ!

3. Dare to make a difference.

Difference makers have vision, are willing to take risks, know how to tune into the inner voice and have found the way to serve the vision not the other way around.  Remember the soulutionist is one who lives from the inner man where we draw our strength from who we are in Christ.  This is what makes us change agents in our communities.

4. Embrace and Employ Discipline.

While this may sound like a business principle; like most of the others it is a principle of leadership.  Therefore it is present in leaders in all areas, whether it is business, government, non-profit or church.  Self-discipline separates exceptional leaders from acceptable leaders.

5. Update your snapshot regularly (forgiveness).

Don’t get stuck in the old ways of thinking about people, projects, yourself and the world around you.  One of the more difficult things for people to do is to forget the past, to forgive mistakes, to give people a second or even a third chance.  Great leaders are able to see change, forgive the past and move forward to achieve the vision.

Which is the most important?  There is no order of importance or sequence. Exceptional leaders don’t possess one or two of these strategies.  They develop all of them.  These strategies are all interrelated.  These 5 strategies, when wrapped around an EPIC core produce exceptional leadership.

 The EPIC Core is not a strategy, it is your identity.

 Related more to who you are than what you do.

 What’s inside a person.

 Ethics, Principles, Integrity and Character.

 Backbone, Convictions, Purpose, Fortitude, Internal Strength, Core Values.

 Without an EPIC Core, your leadership will not be exceptional.  (That does not mean, however, that you will be ineffective.)

 In conjunction with an EPIC Core, the 5 strategies are far more powerful.

Your assignment is to write down how you can cultivate each of these 5 strategies in your life as a leader.  Let me remind you that great leaders lead their family.  Be an exceptional husband, father, son, daughter, mother, sister, etc!  Everything begins in the home!  You can discuss this with others if you would like.  You do not need to send me your answers, but you are welcome to comment on the training.

Keep believing for the impossible!

Dr. Taylor

The kind of people nobody can help By Joseph Matrera

The kind of people nobody can help 

By Joseph Matrera 

Adapted by Josimar Salum

People willing to be helped seek God's Kingdom first, they have a vision for the future and a positive outlook on life, they take responsibility for theirs lives, they always pay a price for success, they are accountable, radically true to themselves, kingdom oriented, transparent, humble, wholesome and they keep covenant."

I’ve been involved in pastoral leadership for over 30 years, and I have a desire to help everyone. But, I have learned the hard way that I cannot help every person who attends our church or who comes to me for input.

The following are ten kinds of people I have identified that are so entrenched in certain habit patterns that I cannot help them advance to the next level unless they make the necessary shift in their attitude or behavior.

1 - Those that do not have a heart to seek God 

The Bible teaches us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. (Proverbs 9:10). 

Those who do not respect God enough to seek Him and study His word so they can make wise decisions in life are violating Scripture (Joshua 1:8-9) and cannot be helped either by myself or any other leader. 

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

Those who do not obey what God requires for success have decided to try to be successful in life without God’s blessings!

2 - Those that refuse to have a vision for their future 

There are many very talented and anointed people I have been in relationship with who live their lives without any strategic plan or vision for their future. They are just living from day-to-day to prepare for their retirement. 

Those who are successful have a compelling vision that drives them daily and which feeds their souls even more than the desire to make money! 

Inside of every believer is a God-given kingdom vision for their future. If a person refuses to tap into that as their guiding light–and value that vision as their barometer for success–then my continual pep or enthusiasm talks will not do the trick either!

3 - Those who insist on having a negative outlook on life 

There are some people who refuse to exercise faith in God or think positively as the Word of God commands us in Philippians 4:8. This is because some have a propensity to expect the worst in life so they are never disappointed by anyone or anything! 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This is a weird way some folks attempt to shield their emotions from the pain of disappointment; it is a very common practice with many people.  

Jesus often told people that they would receive according to how they believed (for example Matthew 8:13). 

“And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.”

I cannot empower a person who refuses to think God’s thoughts about themselves and about life.

“God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”” Hebrews 13:5-6 

4 - Those who do not take responsibility for themselves 

The first step towards self-improvement is to remove all excuses for mediocrity or failure. Those that continually blame other people for their failures will never go to the next level. 

Leaders can complain about their spouses, the income level of their congregations, the lack of staff, etc. but I have learned that within every challenge is the seed of opportunity for success which requires the creativity of problem solving.

5 - Those who do not want to pay the price for success 

There are many people that want the perks of success but don’t want to pay the price for success.

When I was a teenager I had a goal of becoming a master guitar player. For seven years I practiced the guitar for 3-8 hours per day as well as playing in numerous bands. While my friends were outside playing ball or wasting time doing drugs I would shut myself up in my house and study jazz, rock, blues, classical, etc. and spend hours doing scales on my guitar (which I often did even while watching television). Because of this sacrifice I gained mastery over my instrument in various kinds of music and was in high demand as a musician.

Whatever we do in life, we are called to sacrifice our time, invest our talents, and be committed to a long, grueling process with many setbacks until we reach our peak performance. 

This kind of sacrifice is needed in every area we desire success in including our marriages, relationships with our children, schools, associations, community centers, leading a company and ministry, etc.

Consequently, I have found that I am not able to empower a person to the fullness of their destiny if they don’t want to work hard at self-improvement.

6 - Those that create distance so they are not accountable 

There are certain people I have met in our church who only let others get so close before cutting off the relationship. Many go from one church to the next because they fear becoming too close to a leader who will hold them accountable. 

Often some will attempt to attend a megachurch where they will be able to hear the word of God in the context of a large crowd so that no one will really know who they are. 

Whether it is fear or rebellion, those who live like this have put a low ceiling on their lives and will not grow past the infant stage concerning their potential in life.

7 - Those who live in self-deception 

There are many people who are living lives of denial regarding their relationships with God and their families and all things regarding their inner and outer lives. 

The sad thing is that denial is the first step to outright deception in which a person concocts an alternate, false reality that continually feeds their mind and emotions the things they want to hear about themselves and their key relationships. This insulates them from the word of the Lord from others and the Holy Spirit. 

When you confront people like this they become upset and blame you for not understanding them or for wrongfully accusing them of something. 

These are the people I cannot help unless God steps in and delivers them from satanic deception (read 2 Timothy 2:23-25).

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:23-25 

8 - Those whose primary agenda is individualistic and not kingdom-oriented

There are some people whose only agenda in life is to advance their own agenda. They don’t want to work with a team or flow in the context of a local church. They want me to pour my life into them but they are rarely ever willing to pour back into other people's lives  and serve in the Kingdom of God. 

I have learned that those who only want to use the their mentors or God to advance their own agendas (even if it is ministry related) have greatly limited their own lives. Thus, I back away from these people until they change. This is because we are all called to seek first God’s kingdom in which we need to die to our individualistic sense of destiny and sacrifice and invest our time for the good of other people and our communities, and especially our family of God.

This in turn will do more to release our greatest destiny–even more than if we only concentrate on our own agendas!

9 - Those who lack transparency, humility, and integrity 

The Bible teaches us to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7). It also teaches us to confess our faults to one another and pray for one another that we may be healed (James 5:16). Those that do not admit their faults and confess their sins cannot have the kind of relationship with a mentor suitable for personal growth. 

It is important for me to have a transparent relationship with those I am mentoring since a person who conceals their sins from me is not giving me a chance to fully speak into their life and help them in their areas of weakness. 

Those who want to progress in their spiritual formation have to learn to practice the spiritual discipline of confession of sin (Proverbs 28:13).

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

"People willing to be helped seek God's Kingdom first, have a vision for the future and a positive outlook on life, take responsibility for theirs lives, always pay a price for success, are accountable, radically true to themselves, kingdom oriented, transparent, humble, wholesome and keep covenant."

10 - Those who refuse to keep covenant 

I have been with very talented individuals with great calling on their lives that I had to back away from because they did not know how to remain faithful to their obligations or because they broke confidence by continually talking behind other people’s backs. 

God says that a person who doesn’t keep their word (whatever the cost) and who slanders their neighbor cannot dwell in His tents (Psalm 15:3-4) so who am I to think that this kind of person can dwell in my inner circle for personal development!

“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;” Psalm 15:1, 3-4 

REAL 50: Leading by example

By Innocent Niyongabo

BFI REAL Burundi

Good leaders must lead by example.

By walking your talk, you become a person others want to follow. When leaders say one thing, but do another, they erode trust--a critical element of productive leadership. Here are 10 of the many ways to lead by example.

1. Take responsibility. Blame costs you your credibility, keeps team members on the defensive and ultimately sabotages real growth. 

2. Be truthful. Inaccurate representation affects everyone. Show that honesty really IS the best policy. 

3. Be courageous. Walk through fire (a crisis) first. Take calculated risks that demonstrate commitment to a larger purpose. 

4. Acknowledge failure. It makes it OK for your team to do the same and defines failure as part of the process of becoming extraordinary. 

5. Be persistent. Try, try again. Go over, under or around any hurdles to show that obstacles don’t define your company or team. 

6. Create solutions. Don’t dwell on problems; instead be the first to offer solutions and then ask your team for more. 

7. Listen. Ask questions. Seek to understand. You’ll receive valuable insights and set a tone that encourages healthy dialogue. 

8. Delegate liberally. Encourage an atmosphere in which people can focus on their core strengths. 

9. Take care of yourself. Exercise, don’t overwork, take a break. A balanced team, mentally and physically, is a successful team. Model it, encourage it, support it! 

10. Roll up your sleeves. Like Alexander the Great leading his men into battle, you’ll inspire greatness in your company

REAL 45: What this has to do with REAL?

What this has to do with REAL - Relationship, Empowerment, Advancement and Leadership 

I think that relationship with Jesus is only formal and religious for people who don't know Him well. It seems that we act in a certain way when we are in church and in a different way when we are doing business. 

I don't say this in general terms, but I would like to encourage you to be just YOU when you pray and say whatever you like to say to Jesus. 

I myself say anything I want. Some of my brothers and sisters would be very offended if they hear me talking to Jesus privately. 

One thing I know Jesus likes a lot to hear me saying what I really think and I mean it, because you know I can't hide anything from Him. And my relationship with him must be uniform all day long. I don't change the tone of my voice when I pray! He would think I am crazy! 😀😀 I am just who I am wherever I go. And I don't pretend to be spiritual with him and anybody else, because I am not!

I am really empowered when I am who I am. Because Jesus empowers me and not a performance of me. Life is not a theatrical drama or a comedy I have to pretend as it is real. It is real! Jesus made me to be who I am and he is changing me to be like him until I ultimately be Him with all my brothers and sisters. This is true empowerment!

I can't advance pretending to be somebody-else. I can't progress out of an impersonated person that I am not. Why look so spiritual in church when in a classroom or in my work environment I am another person? 

Jesus is transforming my life and giving me the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit for my daily life. Where I need most the gift of discernment of spirits and revelation is on my job site than in church. I pray more in tongues when I am working than when I am in church. I pray for people to get healed much more in restaurants, hotels, workplaces, schools and in the streets than in churches. I am making more disciples today on whatsapp than in church. Can you believe it?

Leadership has to do to who I am and how I relate to the Lord more than anything else. And how I relate to others is immediately impacted by my relationship with Jesus. More I have fellowship with Him much more people come to me to hear a meaningful message that really reflects Jesus.

I see Jesus and I perceive Him very close to me, always accessible, always ready to talk and listen, alive right here by my side. 

I don't see Jesus seated on the Throne very far in heaven, I mean, he is seated on the Throne, I see, but as I knell down he stretches his left hand and pulls me up for a talk. And I marvel at his feet as I look up to His face and he is always smiling and happy and full of joy for being my King and Friend! 

I pray you get this right!

Josimar Salum