March 6, 2023
There was never a competitor with the drive and obsession to be the best like Michael Jordan.
Stories of his hard work, sacrifice, and proactive personality are legendary. James Worthy, who was Michael’s teammate at the University of North Carolina described it like this.
“After about 2.5 hours of hard practice, I’m walking off the floor, like, drenched [in] sweat, tired. And here comes Michael pushing me back on the floor, wanting to play a little one-on-one, wanting to see where his game was.”
Roy Williams, now the Head Coach of the Tarheels, was a young assistant back then.
“He never freaking turned it off,” said Roy. This push, this hunger, this intense desire to get better is what made Michael the greatest. Michael had “PERSONAL INITIATIVE.”
For you and me to be legendary leaders we must have PERSONAL INITIATIVE. Personal initiative is the power to act on your own decisions, rather than waiting for someone else, or circumstances to force your hand. Another definition that I love is from researchers Michael Frees and Doris Fay. They said PERSONAL INITIATIVE is "work behavior characterized by its self-starting nature, its proactive approach, and by being persistent in overcoming difficulties that arise in pursuit of a goal.” The best leaders never wait to be pushed or told, they step out and lead the way.
Cyrus Curtis, original owner of the Saturday Evening Post said, “There are two kinds of men who never amount to much: Those who cannot do as they are told and those who can do nothing else.” Those who achieve great things in life are those who move on their own personal initiative. When my wife and I stepped out to start Church on the Rock, we had no safety net. We had no insurance, we had no building, even our very own family was against it, but we had a Word from God and the PERSONAL INITIATIVE to see it through. We needed no certain group’s approval, we needed no one to watch over us and make sure we would work hard every day, and we didn’t need some external motivation. We had the PERSONAL INITIATIVE and drive to see the vision come to pass.
When you show initiative, you do things without being told to; you find out what you need to know; you make things happen; you keep going when things get rough; and you spot and take advantage of opportunities that others pass by.
"There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice. You can decide which type of person you want to be. I have always chosen to be in the first group.
— Mary Kay Ash"
Here are a few ways you can take INITIATIVE now:
- Always go the extra mile. (Do more than is asked.)
- Set Goals.
- Work on your confidence.
- Ask the right people for feedback and make the changes you need to.
- Always have a pleasant and positive attitude.
- Be prepared for any opportunity.
- Be proactive and prepare your team for future opportunities and problems.
Book Recommendation:
No Excuses by Brian Tracy
If this Leadership Lifter has encouraged you, please pass it on!
God is for You,
Pastor Blunt
COTR Marketplace Ministries is a ministry for those in the marketplace and those interested in starting a business. Lifelong learners, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and businesswomen meet to grow in their leadership and skills. This is a great place to network, build relationships and exchange ideas!
Join us this Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 5pm in the main campus lobby. We will have guest speaker, Evander Holyfield, an American former professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s, and is the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two weight classes in the three belt era. His leadership truths will inspire you to never give up!
Dinner and childcare are included in the price of your ticket. Purchase your tickets online for just $12 or $15 at the door.