Even though the guy being paid to write about the game that day overlooked Ken’s record-setting performance, there were others who took note. For one, an NFL scout working for the Buffalo Bills. He noticed Ken’s play, as did other key Buffalo personnel, and they began to follow his collegiate career. Irvin was eventually selected as the Bills’ fourth round pick in the 1995 draft. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, retiring in 2005.

Ken’s story reminds us of the importance of right recognition. Getting overlooked by the local paper? Annoying, but no big deal in the grand scheme of things. Getting overlooked by representatives of the NFL? A big deal indeed for the man who wants to play professionally. Given the choice of who’s paying attention, most college players would prefer the NFL scout, hands down.

In your work, you need to seek the right recognition for your efforts. It’s not from those who can only offer praise and only inflate your pride. It’s from the One whom you’ve committed yourself to serve, to honor, to glorify. He’s the one whose attention you need, his is the only recognition that matters.

The good news is that he notices what you do, even when no one else does. The prophet Azariah counseled Asa, the king of Judah: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Paul echoed these words in his letter to the Galatians. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

God is paying attention. He sees what you accomplish even when no one else does. And he will see to it that a harvest comes your way. Rather than playing for those in the stands, rather than performing to impress the press, seek to gain God’s approval in all you do.

Barbara replied, “George, you’re confused. If I had married him, he’d be president of the United States.”

Some people have the ability to bring out the best in others. Maybe Barbara Bush is one of these people, I don’t know. But I do know that this is something all leaders, all parents, all husbands and wives must strive to do: Help others become what they can be.

It’s not always easy helping others develop their potential. Paul compared it to childbirth. He said to the Galatians: “Oh my dear children! I feel as though I am going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.” (Galatians 4:19)

When it comes to building others, what’s the difference between inspiring them and nagging them?

Your tone of voice is the first indicator.

The second indicator is the words you choose. Are they accusatory or encouraging? Do they imply doubt or belief in the other person’s ability to reach the goal?

The third indicator is your willingness to hang in there with them. If you’re constantly threatening to withdraw from the relationship, to wash your hands and walk away, you’re not inspiring them — you’re loading them down with guilt.

Paul told the Philippians that he was confident God would finish what he started in them. [Philippians 1:6] Let’s show that same confidence to those whom God has given us to lead.

Do you feel like you too are getting nothing but a “good education”? Do you feel like you’re knocked down more times than you deserve, crossing the goal line fewer times than you should? We all go through stages of defeat — sometimes stages of extended defeat — but Warmath is right: this is where lessons are learned; it’s where we get the best education.

Bill Gates once said, “Success is a lousy teacher.” One of the world’s most successful men understands this principle: You learn more from your losses than you learn from your victories … that is, if you’re willing to take the time to evaluate your failures.

Ever preach a bad sermon? When it happens, how do you respond? Do you shrug your shoulders and say, “Oh well; guess I wasn’t ‘on’ today.”? Do you ask, “I wonder what was wrong with those people today?” Or do you relive it moment by painful moment, analyzing the introduction, scrutinizing the outline, reframing your major thoughts?
It’s the sermons that fall flat that often teach us our most valuable lessons in preparation and dependence on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, I am thankful for the sermons that went awry. In the long run, they’ve helped me preach more effectively and more consistently.

This principle works in every area of life, if you’re willing to learn from your past mistakes — jobs that didn’t work out, relationships that failed, ministry projects that fell short of expectations, and on and on. We need to get in the habit of using mistakes as a foundation for a good education. Failure is a good teacher if you’re willing to pay attention to what it says.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. (Proverbs 16:20)

In what ways is your work transforming you? Since the ministry is not without its difficulties, some who serve God in the local church let the long-hours, low pay, unseen results, and undeserved criticism make them bitter and disillusioned.

The book of Hebrews says that Christ was made perfect through his sufferings. This is not referring to Christ’s sinless perfection; he had already achieved that. “Perfect” here refers to his fully realizing his potential — fully accomplishing the mission that God had given him. How was this accomplished? Through suffering. His suffering brought many to salvation.

And it was only right that God — who made everything and for whom everything was made — should bring his many children into glory. Through the suffering of Jesus, God made him a perfect leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation. (Hebrews 2:10 NLT)

Your work may involve difficulty and hardship. Like Christ, your suffering can make you a perfect leader — it can enable you to fully realize your potential and fully accomplish God’s plan for your life.

Remember that the reward for your work is not a pat on the back or an increase in pay. The reward for your work is the transformation of your soul into the likeness of Christ, and the opportunity to hear the ultimate words of approval: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

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It’s also said that successful people become successful by doing the little things that average people don’t want to do.

In your work there are probably a few little things that you don’t want to do: items that should be done, but don’t have to be done — at least not yet.

Though the items on my not-to-do list change from day-to-day, they all have one thing in common: none of them are impossible. They’re all do-able with just a little bit of effort.

They have another thing in common: by ignoring them, we short-change ourselves.

We don’t like to call this type of delay by its proper name, but Solomon doesn’t hesitate to: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

For many of us, that’s all that stands between us and the fulfillment of our goals. A little indolence. That’s not a mountain in front of you. It’s just a hill. A small, tedious, do-able hill.

Challenge yourself and your team today to make a not-to-do list — and tackle these items first, one-by-one. See what happens.

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How do you put your heart in your work? By remembering that the result of our good work isn’t just a bigger crowd on Sunday or a well-organized church picnic or a well-deserved raise in pay. The result of our good work is changed lives that reap the benefits of eternity.

For this reason we need to remember the words of Paul…

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand.

It only makes sense that he says next …

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

There is a close connection to what we think about and what we feel, a close connection to what we think about and what we want. Focus on the eternal results of your work, not the temporary frustrations. This will help you set your heart and your mind on things above.

He’s also one of the most accurate referees ever to work the game. Each week, the NFL invests 8 hours per game analyzing each official’s performance on each play. Every play earns a grade; the highest scoring officials work the post season; the consistently low-scoring officials don’t last long in the league. Ed has always scored among the top.

Again, if you’re a football fan, you know what I’m leading up to. Last September, in the final minutes of a game between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers, Hochuli made one of the worst calls of his career. When Denver quarterback Jay Cutler fumbled the ball, Hochuli blew the whistle and called it an incomplete pass. He knew it was a mistake the minute he made it, but there was nothing he could do; an inadvertent whistle is a non-reviewable, non-reversible call. Instead of San Diego getting the ball, Denver was allowed to keep it. They scored a couple of plays later and won the game.

Needless to say, the San Diego fans were furious. They all but called for Ed Hochuli’s head on a platter. Many wanted him fired and banned forever from the NFL. His office in Phoenix was flooded with angry calls. His Blackberry was jammed with angry emails.

Ed’s response to the mistake, first of all, was to admit it immediately to San Diego coach Norv Turner. He walked to the Charger sideline, told Turner that he had made a bad call, he apologized, and explained that there was nothing he could do about it.

Ed also told the San Diego Union-Tribune that week, “Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection — I failed miserably.”

And then, Ed began responding to those angry emails, one by one. His response amazed people, resulting in even more emails — upwards of 20,000 — many from fans thanking him for owning up to his mistake. Ed said, “People were saying how great it was that I admitted I made a mistake. Obviously, I was wrong. Obviously, I felt terrible about it. What’s so surprising about it?”

The best thing a leader can do is own up to a mistake. It’s the best thing a father or mother can do, a coach or boss. Or a pastor. It’s the only way to earn back credibility. It’s also the best way to build accountability.

James said, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

John asked to see the bank manager. Because he had come in wearing construction clothes, covered with dust and dried cement, the bank manager looked at him with disdain and told him that rules are rules, and there was nothing he could do.

So John began withdrawing his money from the bank, $2 million altogether. And the bank manager learned a lesson about leadership … maybe.

A LEADERSHIP LESSON

The above story has made the rounds in a variety of urban legends, with different well known persons playing the lead. This version appeared as an actual news item in USA Today February 21, 1989, so chances are that it’s accurate. 

Regardless, it’s a good story that underlines a distinction leaders need to make:

-Training is learning the rules.
-Experience is learning the exceptions.
-Leadership is in knowing which to apply when.

Following the black and white of the letter of law is easy; you don’t really have to think about it. Applying God’s truth to the gray shades of the human situation is a greater challenge: it requires wisdom. This wisdom is acquired not by leaning on scripture less, but more. As was written about Ezra, “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:12)

As Solomon said, “Every prudent man acts out of knowledge.” (Proverbs 13:16) May we become so grounded in God’s word that we can see clearly in every situation how to accurately apply his truth in wisdom and righteousness.

He responded, “If you want your life to look like mine when you’re my age, you need to make the same decisions I made when I was your age.”

“Such as…?” I asked.

He said, “If you really want to know, I’ll tell you. I can guarantee that you won’t like some of my advice, and I can also guarantee it will do you good.” With that, he became my mentor. He was right. I don’t always like his advice, but I cannot measure how much his friendship has helped me.

MENTORS AND MENTORING

One thing successful people have in common is the custom of consulting mentors. It’s one reason why they’re successful. According to Ellen Eshner, a professor in the business school at Loyola Marymount, research indicates that people who use mentors are more successful than those who don’t. They get more promotions, they earn more money, and they enjoy their jobs more, she says.

There are examples of the mentoring relationship in Scripture: Elijah and Elisha, for one. Paul and Timothy, for another. God’s plan is that we learn how to master the basics of the Christian life by following good examples … until we become examples, too. This is why Paul said…

You became imitators of us and of the Lord … and so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

WHO DO YOU IMITATE?

The answer to the biggest problems you face is out there, stored in the wisdom bank of someone you know. Or someone you need to make it a point to know. Give some thought this week to whose advice you’re taking and whose example you’re following. God’s plan is that we learn from one another. Dare to choose the best people possible to give you leadership.

If you currently don’t have a mentor, here are some steps you can take each day this week to get started.

Monday. Make a list of one to three people who excel in areas in which you wish to excel.

Tuesday. Contact them – send an email or make a phone call – asking if they are willing to invest in your life. If they agree, set an appointment.

Wednesday. Make a list of five questions your mentor can answer to help you get started on the track to personal and spiritual growth.

Thursday. Decide today what you are willing to put into the mentoring relationship. We are called to serve one another; give some thought to what you can do to benefit your mentor.

Friday. Memorize Hebrews 13:7 – “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Identify the most accomplished, happy, spiritually vibrant people you know, and decide to follow their example. If you will do what they did when they were in your place, eventually you’ll find yourself in their place. —SM

Maxwell’s response: “I would love to be Barack Obama right now…You show me a person who’s a great leader, and I will show you a person who loves a great challenge. That is the DNA of leadership. Leaders are not looking for the easy way out or quick exits; they love to be ‘over their heads.’”

It’s like the comment that Gene Hackman made to scab quarterback Keanu Reeves inThe Replacements: “Winners always want the ball when the game is on the line.”

Leaders understand the power of Paul’s words: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

His power at work within us. This is why leaders love a challenge. It’s why winners want the ball when the game is on the line.

What challenges can you jump at this week?