New Beginnings

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” - Louis L’Amour (1908-1988)

Endings and beginnings are a natural progression.  Leaders understand this… or should.  Louis L’Amour writes that when his “sons got their black belts in karate, it was the culmination of many years of learning.  It was through much persistence and hard work that those belts were earned.  And yet, as much as the black belt represented an ending, an accomplishment, an achievement - it also represented a beginning.  Black belt means “master of the basics” - it means that the real work has just begun. There is always more to learn.”

One of the postures of leadership is of being a persistent dreamer - of being a courageous creator of something better or all together new. (And ourselves being created in the image of God – it seems quite reasonable that we would have the urge to create as well…)

Max Depree writes “Leadership is an art” – not necessarily a science.  And thus as an “art,” impactful leadership begins with inspiration.  An inspiration that calls him or her to create – or in most cases – to recreate.  To understand the inherent need to periodically recreate an organization’s vision, processes, people… or even to recreate him/herself as a leader.   

So in this regard, leaders need to take regular time away to dream - to envision and understand when and where change (or a “new beginning”) is needed – whether in themselves, or in their business, department, or church. It will be these new beginnings that will keep us (and our organizations) forever sharp, growing, and young.

** As a leader, where do you need to begin anew?