Ignited Pennings

Words on FIRE for the Lord

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Hello, there, and welcome, Reader!!

Before I get into today's topic, I first want to make some announcements;

1: The Counter Culture Teen Podcast is live!

You can find links to the Counter Culture Teen's website and Youtube and Spotify in the top bar above, or you can click one these buttons! It'd mean a lot if you could subscribe on one or both of these platforms, but most of all, subscribe to our biweekly email list! I manage the CCT email list, and once every two weeks we send an email recapping on our recent episodes, and I even include an Ignited Pennings article or an exclusive CCT article written by yours truly in each email!

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In our most recent episode, (I think it's my favorite so far) we interviewed my friend, Anneliese Fellows, and she talks about juggling responsibilities well, and defeating comparison.

You can watch it here, or check it out on Youtube or Spotify!

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My next announcement is, that I won't be sending as much writing updates to my email list anymore so as to save space for Ignited Pennings articles instead! I will however, be letting you know whenever something big happens, like when I launch my debut book, or when I finish a new project!

My top three tips for leadership

(with bonus dos and don'ts from my own experience)

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Now this topic is pretty straightfoward and doesn't need much explaining. But I should probably tell you some things about me in this area, however.

I have been told I have a very driven, passionate personality, with a strong leadership drive, and unfortunately, at times, can also be forceful or blunt. I agree with those stipulations, both the weaknesses and the strengths.

I have lead several groups, all ranging from more offical and real-life types, to tiny groups with no outside value. I have achieved victories and struggled crushing failures and mistakes (the latter more often that the first, unfortunately).

I am by no means a leadership expert or coach, but despite that, I believe that God has given me, through these experiences, wisdom and experience that will be invaluable later on in life, and I would like to share that.

Now to the tips;

1: Establish a foundation of trust and humility with those you are leading, and more importantly, a Biblical and godly relationship.

Any organization can fall apart. Believe me. But it can happen a lot sooner and a lot faster than it might have if the ones you are leading don't trust you.

If you don't establish that what everyone in this group is doing is not for self-glory, but for a higher purpose, then that group's morale will become crippled by competition. Competition, in my experience, is the fastest thing that can dismantle a group of even the best of friends. The best way to avoid this is to establish a relationship with your followers that is founded on Biblical principles of resolving conflict, and to live that out yourself.

2: Remember that leadership is an action of servanthood, not a 'throne' position.

I have been in positions where I was on a team with a leader who either didn't care about their members, did the bare minimum of the work, or intimidated the group into following them just because they held the 'seat'.

It was during those times where I've watched and observed groups crumble and fall apart – all from a lack of action from the leader.

People aren't going to follow you just because someone has appointed you leader of something – or worse – you are self appointed. There is nothing wrong with being a self-appointed leader or having been appointed by somone else, but in those cases, it is more important than ever to show that you are a leader by taking actions to serve and further your team's cause, instead of just shouting in everyone's faces that you are in charge.

You can also be a leader without holding the actual 'position' per se. How? By stepping up and serving others – helping to guide them to reach their full potential and achieve the group's goals. A true leader is not one who holds the position, but the one who takes the action. Title is not nearly as important as the action. You can eventually receive the title if you show that you can be a good leader in your group, but it's not nessescary – you may even be leading your group more than the actual 'leader' if you are taking action by serving.

Leadership = action.

Leadership = action.

Oops, I repeated myself. Well, I can't emphasize this enough anyway, so,

Leadership = action.

Leadership ≠ title.

3: Don't be a tyrant – respect other's opionions, and they'll respect you.

Connecting to the second point, (remember that one?) respect is earned, not taken. There's a difference between the guy who scares everyone into following him, and the guy who earns followers by his skills and character. Which one would you rather follow? Which one would you rather be?

People will respect you as a leader if you don't say and act like you are 'better' than them. Remember, your goal as a leader is to help and serve the people you are in charge of, not to make a name for yourself or because of ambition – that makes for a poor leader and can result to a poorer group morale.

In addition, make your team members feel seen and heard. No one is going to bring ideas to the meeting if all you do is shoot down every idea! Give everyone your undivided attention when they speak, and engage with conversation with them about their idea, and they'll do likewise with you – regardless if it's a bad idea or a good one. Be gracious with your response to 'bad' ideas, and be reserved with your excitement to even the best.

And who knows! One day those 'bad' ideas may be the very thing that'll save your team from an unrecoverable stumble.

BONUS: 3 Dos and Don'ts of Leadership

DO:

Reach out to every member on the team occasionally and strike on a conversation about the team's dynamics, the direction the team is headed and the problems the team is facing on a neutral basis.

DON'T

Stick like a battle buddy to one of your members only to gossip about that one other member who didn't show up to the last three meetings or that secretary who lost the last meeting's notes. If you in a situation where talk is a nessescary step to solving a problem, and are unsure what to do, speak with a trusted friend or parent who is OUTSIDE of the group, or talk to a co-leader and work out a plan.

DO:

Bring up problems the team is facing when all team members are present at a meeting.

DON'T:

Keep the problem to yourself and/or try to figure it out with a secondary leader, or talk about a problematic member with the team when that member is not present.

DO:

Develop a plan for the group and make the final decision on what direction to go when everyone is undecided or is at a tie.

DON'T:

Force your plan on everyone without asking their thoughts first. Your goal when plan-making is to assert yourself to be the leader and authority you are, but also giving your team members a fair voice and say. In other words, don't be afraid to make a decision, but don't be a bossy leader.

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And finally, my biggest advice you probably already know, but here it is;

Pray. Sooner or later you'll come to a point in your life where there truly is no where to turn but Jesus. He has overcome death and the grave – and He can help you as you rise to become the leader He's made you to be.

A note to the team

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I know it's easy to see your leaders make mistakes and think, "I could have done better," or, "I would never have done that."

But believe me; I have been both a follower and a leader in many situations, and I know how easy it is to critizize. But in those cases where I am or was a leader, I know how stinkin' hard it can be to lead anything, even if my team was the most compliant and efficent ever.

If you've read the tips and DOs and DON'Ts, you've only gotten a glimpse with what leaders have to remember and deal with. Scheduling mishaps, apathetic team members, juggling meeting responsibilities and the stress of it all are only the beginning.

So my final word to you, leaders and team members alike, (because I can guarantee you, sometime in your life you will be either one or the other) in team dynamics, remember there is no perfect team. There is no perfect leader either. Team, your leader will make mistakes. Leader, your team will make mistakes. And that's okay.

What's important is this; that you remember the King who rules over all is perfect, and you can rely on Him to be steadfast and true. No leader has or ever will ever measure up to that.

Well, Reader, that wraps up this month's edition of Ignited Pennings: Words on FIRE for the Lord.

I hope you've enjoyed this edition! It always means a lot if you could foward this email to anyone you think would like this article or Ignited Pennings!

Thanks again and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

On FIRE for the Lord,

Victoria

P.S. here is today's reccomendation – Kathryn Turley!

Kathryn Turley Engaging stories that speak to the soul You crave stories that are engaging and speak to your soul. But instead, you're forced to choose between shallow books with no depth, or sermons thinly disguised as fiction. As a voracious reader, I've noticed this pattern, and it's frustrating. You should be able experience the pleasure of losing yourself in a story that leaves you better off for having read it. On my email list, I provide stories that bridge the gap and book recommendations that have relevant themes and that are enjoyable to read. Subscribe​

Counter Culture Teen Podcast Hosted by Victoria Julieann and Averie Frances We are a podcast for teens and young adults, by teens, that stands on a biblical worldview, and we speak from a Christian worldview. Our foundations are built on the principles that founded this country, and above all, the Lord. Thought it all, we strive to spread the light and life of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sign up to get biweekly updates on episodes, submit questions and feedback, and your biweekly dose of counter-culture encouragement! Subscribe113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205 ​Unsubscribe · Preferences​