The Next Generation Leader

A few days ago I finished reading "The Next Generation Leader" by Andy Stanley. It is a book that talks about the different principles involved in becoming a leader. He identifies 5 categories of things that are essential to good leadership, and gives a lot of practical and biblical examples. I would say in general Andy knows what he's talking about and conveys it pretty well, but he's not a fantastic author, he's just good. However, this book was especially good for me because it caused me to take a closer look at myself. My friends say that I have a really low self awareness. I just don't see myself the way that I actually am. This book caused me to stop and really think hard about who I am, and who I want to become. I learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses and how to play towards things I am good at. Older people I know have told me that I am a natural leader, I don't see it. I think people follow natural leaders, and in my opinion, no one is following me. As I get older I hope that I grow into someone who is worthy of following. I thought of a few qualities that I want to be really important to me for the rest of my life. These are my non-negotiables. Things I want to have in spite of the cost...

I want to have great integrity.

I want to be honest and truthful.

I want to be faithful.

I want to be broken.

I want to be full of grace and compassion.

I want to be transparent.

Obviously I have a long way to go towards some of those, and could be much better at all of them. This is just a place to start. I am identifying the direction I want my character to move. I am sure that I cannot get there, however, without some help from the people around me. I need people to tell me when I am not these things. This is not an open invitation to tear me apart when I fail, but I would like constructive criticism. I am interested in growing in Christ. I want to understand the love of Christ better all the time. Lacking self awareness I especially need people to help me see places where I am missing the plank in my own eye.