take on the world. All fear was gone, and we hadn’t even started practice yet! He showed us the future and what was expected from us.
The greatest leaders are those who know where they’re going and are able to persuade others to go with them. What kind of leader are you?
In those three short sentences, Bear Bryant laid out his plan for our next four years.
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Ge T TING The ChANCe to play football in the SEC for the legendary coach Paul “Bear”
Bryant was a dream come true for me. Back in the early ’70s, he was already entrenched as one of the best coaches in college football history.
Imagine what it felt like as a freshman squad to have our first meeting with the upperclassmen and Coach Bryant. All of us were acting brave, but deep inside we were jacked with anticipation and, to be honest, a little scared.
Three quick hits
When Coach Bryant walked into the meeting room, we were expecting to hear the mother of all pre-season talks. As he looked at us, he simply said, “We think you’re the best athletes in the country. Don’t try to prove to me how good you are or try to show me what you’ve got. Just join us, and let’s win the National Championship.”
In those three short sentences, Bear Bryant laid out his plan for our next four years. Instantly we were ready to
Three different leaders
Some leaders strive to IMPRESS those they are positioned to lead. Appearance is their number one goal, and they have little, if any, foresight.
Better leaders seek to IMPACT those they serve. Note I said serve. Impact leaders have short- to mid-range goals and want to take great leaps forward yet do not seek stability along the way.
The greatest leaders not only serve but also INSPIRE others to greatness. These focused men see not only the near future but also the distant future. They understand that what they’re doing has spiritual value and eternal consequences. These leaders produce the greatest leaders of the future simply by being who they are.
Do you want to impress a few, impact many, or inspire a generation, starting with your wife and children? The only successful game plan is to understand that you can’t inspire without acknowledging the Lord’s guidance in your life. And you cannot hear His guidance without having Him in your heart.
What kind of leader will you commit to become? Choose wisely. Your eternal destination, as well as your family’s, is dependent upon it. Remember, you can’t lead your family somewhere you aren’t going or carry them somewhere you’ve never been.
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24: 15, KJV). Simply put, you must choose whom you want to trust: yourself and your own limited vision and skills or the God of the universe, who is leaning over the banister of heaven, itching to show you how to lead your family. He’s just waiting on you to ask.
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