Volumes have been written on leadership, but there’s no better teacher than experience. As I’ve been spending time in the “trenches” recently, a few less-noted but noteworthy leadership lessons have emerged in my work world:

Setting the Pace: Usually at work, this means working even harder and faster, to model this for everyone else. What I’m actually referencing here is the importance of a cadence, or rhythm, for rest as well as work. Even God modeled this in Genesis, creating the universe and then resting to celebrate what He had just established was “very good.” What about you?

Speaking the Message: We should be well spoken at work, and that revolves around our choice of words, especially with difficult conversations. However, what I’ve been noticing at work recently is the importance of being concise. We should always “speak the truth in love,” as Paul advocates in EphesiTagsans 4:15, but truth and love can get lost in too many words. What about you?

Staying the Course: Leaders set the direction as well as the pace. Our “fast forward” work world almost demands a regular shifting of objectives and priorities. Our challenge is when God is guiding us to remain right where we are, steadfast in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 15:58. Sometimes faithfulness is measured by a resilient perseverance over time. What about you?