No, not I'm not talking about the TV show (which I have never seen since we do not get the pay channels). When a person calls themself a leader, people look at them funny. After all, we are not suppose to come across pretentious. Who can forget Al Haig saying he was in charge following the assination attempt on President Regan? Haig was blasted by all of the media types. But I admire people like that! Some will even say Jesus was against seeking leadership. That is not true. He said if you are going to be a leader you must be a servant. I discovered years ago that I had the gift of leadership. It is not something I gained. It is a gift. I do try to develop my gift. I began reading every leadership book I could find from John Maxwell to Jim Collins. I asked several men to mentor me but for whatever reason they dropped the ball. One man said yes and then tried to recruit me for AMWAY. When I said no, I never heard from him again. The most recent person left our church because of all of the dysfunction (not in Charlotte) and I couldn't get him to keep meeting with me. I missed his guidance. I don't say this to complain--it is just reality. So I have made it my mission to keep learning and growing. It is why I read so much. It is why I go to conferences. It is also why I don't go to pastors meetings because they don't help me grow, they just are opportunities for politics and bragging. I learned a lot from my dad throughout my lifetime and still do. But in recent years I have been mentored by John Maxwell, Henry Blackaby, Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, Wayne Cordeiro and Bill Hybels by reading their books, listening to messages and going to conferences. One thing I have learned is that everything rises and falls on the "L" word- Leadership. I am passionate about building and developing leaders around me. Not a "I know best" model but a "Team" model. When I lead, I am working in my sweet spot. When I am doing other good activities that are not in my sweet spot, I don't do so well. I know it and so do those around me. Part of leadership is listening. I haven't always been good at this and I am still learning. But my dad and Cassandra have helped me in this area. By listening I can process what people are saying and use my gift to lead them. Recently, I have made some bold changes at our church. As you can expect, some did not like them. I respect their opinions greatly! I really respect those who came to me personally to share with me their concerns. Two people who are very supportive of my ideas gave me some great advice. I listened to their ideas and realized that it was "Godly" wisdom. I will make changes accordingly. Being a leader is to be a servant. Not everyone will like my ideas but I will listen to other options and move in the appropriate manner. Dr. John R. Bisagno, the former pastor of Houston's First Baptist Church was approached by a gentleman who didn't like his ideas. Bisagno asked the man what were his plans and the man said I don't have any. Bisagno said: "I like my plans better than yours." I love it when people bring me great ideas. That is why I formed a "Dream Team" at our church. This group is filled with men and women from their 20's to .... ( I won't ask their age) who are going to help our church fulfill it's vision. I get excited to be around people who want to be part of a big vision! People are compelled by a vision. I see so much potential in our community. There are 1000's of people who do not know Jesus. They need a BIG VISION to follow. That is my mission in life. I believe people want to be part of something bigger than themselves! I'm not good at everything, but I am a visionary leader. That is where I am in my sweet spot. I am working hard to share this vision with those around me. I invite others to join with me!