LEADERS ARE PERSISTENTalways abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor
is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58; KJV). Paul wrote those words
of exhortation to the saints in Corinth because they were not being
persistent in their pursuit of Christ, nor consistent in their spiritual walk.
They were constantly being swayed and influenced by the prosperity,
paganism, and perversion that was rampant in Corinth. Rather than “...
abounding in the work,” they were “abounding in the world!” He
had to lovingly exhort them to steadfastness...stick-ability...immovability...
generosity...good works.
Leaders that last are persistent in their purpose. They have “staying power”
that sustains them to the end. They have a stubborn stick-ability that will
not allow them to “cut and run” when things get difficult. They are
characterized by a “hang-in-there” attitude rather than a “hang-loose”
attitude. Effective leaders persist until they reach their goals – regardless of
how long...how hard...or how great the sacrifice. Mature leaders understand
that there is always resistance and opposition to the needed change they are
trying to bring. John Kotter, of Harvard Business School, notes that,
“Resistance is always waiting to reassert itself.”^5 That’s why persistence
and perseverance in leadership are so necessary. He further writes:
Irrational and political resistance to change never fully dissipates...
I’m confident of one cardinal rule: ‘Whenever you let up before
the job is done, critical momentum can be lost and regression may
follow.’...Once regression begins, rebuilding momentum can be a
daunting task...progress can slip quickly.^6In time, a leader’s persistence produces prosperity. If a leader is persistent
enough for long enough, it will result in greater and greater degrees of
prosperity in his life and leadership. By prosperity, I am not talking about
money and material wealth. I am speaking of the greater prosperity of
relationships that come from a wealth of humility, integrity, character, trust,
influence and respect. When this kind of internal spiritual, mental, emotional
and relational prosperity grows, there will be more and more external
success in his leadership. Faithfulness ultimately produces successfulness.
Finally, the more prosperity...success...achievement...victory a leader
experiences, the more momentum he develops in his life and leadership.
As John Maxwell often says: “Momentum is a leader’s best friend!”^7 Since