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Tom Harper Nov. 14, 2023

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Many leaders begin their careers or new jobs with a great surge of energy, excitement and anticipation. But what do you do when the energy starts to wane?

Let me give you an idea that has rejuvenated me and other leaders I know:

Start leading differently.

Sounds simple, but I mean it literally: lead differently than you did yesterday, last month or last year.

Here's an example. It's common knowledge that as a church or business grows, the leader is supposed to delegate more and do less. But why wait for that new level of growth? Delegate something that's eaten you up for the past month and see if you don't brighten.

Already a super delegator? Try taking a person, project or product under your wing. Micromanage something that interests you.

A change-up in either direction could energize you and give you a reason to look forward to getting up tomorrow.

Leading differently could mean more self-focus and getting more sleep or exercise. Take some time off to write or build something. Read a good book (novels are okay.)

Serve someone. Share the gospel. Have coffee with an encouraging friend. Schedule solitude into your day.

I feel better when I accomplish tasks, achieve small wins or connect with my people. The energy pick-up spurs me on to the next person or task, and the momentum builds.

Tried all that and still feel empty? Thank God for your job and make a list of things you love about it. Let him shift your perspective in the process.

Maybe leading differently for you is simply following him more closely.

"…he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul" (Psalm 23:2b-3a).

Excerpted from Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership, by Tom Harper (DeepWater Books, 2019). Also available in Spanish and Amharic.

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Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More »

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