What We Heard

Even in the face of devastating personal tragedy, Bill continued to learn about spiritual leadership. One developing growth curve for Bill was learning that if the leader isn’t in a good place personally, overall leadership suffers.

Leading others starts with leading yourself. For Bill, the goal of leadership isn’t just leading people to Christ, but loving well. When we love well, authentic faith works its way out. Bill considers his role at Lee Company is to make it a great place to work for everyone. Keeping his eyes on Christ, the One who matters most, is the key to impactful and successful leadership.

Bill announced, not formally but intentionally, that he will be running for governor of Tennessee in the next term. It’s not the next big thing, but it is the next thing Bill feels called to engage. Through prayer and council, he began asking himself, “Throughout my career I’ve devoted my time to making life better for 1,100 Lee Company employees, but now I’m thinking, how can I make life better for 6.5 million Tennesseans?” Great leadership focuses on making life better for others. Leadership is obediently pursuing a calling. Leadership is engaging what makes a lasting difference wherever you may be called.

What It Means

We don’t have to lead a company or run for public office to make a lasting difference. It’s about loving the people in our sphere, no matter the width of our influence, and making life better. At the end of our days, nothing in life will matter except for the things that impact the life of another and help us know God better. Pride, power and a persistent enemy tempt us to view life differently. Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and our purpose in Him keeps us on track.

What We Do Next

God has a plan for today, this year and your life. Focusing on Christ is the way to tap into that plan. Commit your ways to following Him and making life better for others. Read this passage and reconnect to God’s purpose for your life by gazing on the wonder of God.

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

A great leader knows who to follow. Check out Tony Evans’ What Matters Most: Four Absolute Necessities In Following Christ and learn what it means to truly follow in the way of the Lord as you lead the people He has entrusted to you. Great leadership is founded in faith and established by God. Practice the four necessities Evans outlines and be amazed at the change in your ability to embody the love of Christ and model His leadership.