TITUS CONNECTION Volume 18, Number 8 – August, 2024

Greetings Everyone, my prayer is you are encouraged by these articles and really ponder what a transformational legacy looks like for you.  Thank you for reading and reflecting.  Mike

The definition of transformation is a complete or dramatic change in appearance or thought, especially so that there is an improvement.    As for legacy, it is the long-lasting impact of events, actions or what was said in a person’s life.
Transformational leadership is you are doing what you are doing for others.  What you gain is what happens and develops in others.  Your focus is completely on others, your team.  Circling back to the start of Team Development, the first quality discussed was being humble.  You must be humble to be a transformational leader.  Being humble is not thinking less of yourself but thinking about yourself less and more about others.
You must make that paradigm shift (fundamental, core of who you are, change in approach or underlying assumptions or views) to have this kind of leadership.  We are born to look out for ourselves, as it is said, “Look out for Number 1 – Me.”  To focus on others and think about yourself less is a huge shift in one’s thinking.  This is done by focusing upon your own transformation before leading others to do it.
Read Romans 12:1-2.  How do we transform, change our thinking?  By the renewing of our mind (Colossians 3:7-14) through taking what is in Scripture and putting on, doing what it says.  Let the Holy Spirit speak to you from Scripture and be obedient.  Then we will be a living testimony, holy and acceptable to God because our worship glories Him.  How shall we live according to the Colossians’ passage?
Taking on this shift in thinking produces a legacy that is others focused and team focused.  Do not simply be a trained leader, one who can accomplish the responsibilities presented to oneself.  Pursue becoming a transformational leader, one whose focus is the empowerment and development of others.  The unique result of this change in focus is you will become even more what you were created to be as you assist in developing others.  It is a Win-Win.
You see what others do not see and say what others do not say yet – you say, ”Why not”, when others say why –  believe in people in ways no one else does and do what many would never attempt.  Go to the grassroots to change cultures.   For many societies, that grassroots are young people.
Create a culture in your work or organizational environment that encourages and prompts change.  Celebrate people who will try to do what has not been attempted before.  Encourage failing forward.  Be willing to admit that what is currently happening is not bringing the results you were looking for, and then change keeping the same values that you began with.
Ponder 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.  What do we become when we become a believer in Jesus Christ?  A new creation with new priorities and responsibilities because we have been reconciled to the Father, the relationship between God the Father and each one of us has been restored, all because of what Jesus did for us.
Look at those responsibilities. What are they?  We are to take the message we have been given of being reconciled and offer it to others, living and speaking of this message.  We represent Jesus to others.
What does an ambassador do?  That person represents the country one is from and tells a foreign government what and why their own government is doing what it is doing.   Spiritually, this only happens when we are transformed.
When you become a transformational leader, you become contagious because your excitement and desire to help others develop ooze out of you.  You are influencing lives that will impact people today and tomorrow.
Your purpose and ultimately your calling become clearer, knowing you help potentially will help many people become the best they can become.  You are asking people to make a difference in the lives of others.  Your culture is reproducing leaders.  The grassroots will never be the same.
This is the reason why WILD strategically has focused upon the Multiplication Strategy.  WILD’s goal is transformational leadership because Jesus’ ministry was all about transformation!  Meditate on Psalms 139 as this is a transformational passage of Scripture some time when you get the opportunity.

It is so easy to grumble or complain.  Humanly speaking, we can do those two things without having to practice this skill much at all.  It comes naturally.  I just do not see Jesus complaining to Mary and Joseph about having to do family jobs like going to gather water or helping Joseph with cutting wood.
When Daniel and his three friends were forcefully sent to Babylon (Daniel 1), there is no mention of grumbling between each other or with other young Jewish refugees about what they were facing, and all the new rules forced upon them.  Even when Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel indicated to their Babylonian supervisor, Ashpenaz, that the four of them could not eat the new diet of royal food placed before them, they did not grumble or complain.
Instead, an alternative plan was offered to Ashpenaz to allow them to try for ten days and then compare results with the other captive young men.  The natural thing to do was to complain and make a big issue over unhealthy food conditions.  This gave Ashpenaz an out as he was responsible with his life that these boys would be very healthy specimens, which was proven after the 10 days.
Working to have a positive attitude takes work.  It seems Philippians 2:14-15 was written for me.  “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” NLT
Whatever we do, there should not be any complaining, grumbling or arguing.  Why?  So, no one can criticize you and you will stick out like those bright stars you see in the sky on a clear evening.  This will draw those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus and Christians who are struggling in their faith journey with Jesus, to see a Jesus attitude in you.
The world is challenging Christians to live out their faith like Jesus has exhorted us to so they can see true examples of what it means to be sold out for Him.  Many Christians walk around like they have eaten dill pickles – there is no joy in their walk and their face reveals a hardened scowl.
How can we work to develop a positive attitude that will significantly reduce complaining and grumbling?  One is to intentionally smile at people.  I am told it takes more facial muscles to have a frown on my face versus a smile.  Be conscience of the position of your facial muscles.  It is called muscle memory.  Practice that for a day.  Place the word “Smile” in key locations where you will see the word throughout the day.
Follow the relationship rule of “Shout praise or positive comments and whisper criticism”.  If you must deal negatively or critique someone, do it privately.  In front of others, speak positively yet truthfully about another person.  If you cannot say something (usually negative or critical) about another person when you are standing in front of that person, then do not say it when that person is not around you!  When you cannot put your name on what you are saying, keep your mouth shut.
Be positive in your speech.  That does not mean you cannot disagree and make your voice heard but do follow the previous principles.  If you say something that does not builds up another person, you are not helping that person; you are simply making yourself look better with others (Ephesians 4:29).  Providing good critique and guidance can help someone grow and develop.  But do it privately.
As important as any communication tool, make sure your non-verbal communication is uplifting.  Researchers indicate that 93% of all communication is non-verbal.  Your facial contusions/expressions, body language and posture, rolling of eyes, and sighing speak louder than your words.  If you are not actively listening to the person, being involved in the conversation, tells the other person you simply are not interested in what is being said.
Welcoming ideas whether you agree or not, shows respect to the other person and sheds positivity upon you.  The world has enough grumpy, complaining people.  Start a new movement of having a positive lifestyle attitude.  Leave people flabbergasted as you stick out as a joyful child of God.