“Only a life lived in the service of others is worth living.” ~ Albert Einstein

How do you become a R.E.A.L Success?  I love the “R.E.A.L” acronym.  It stands for: Relationships, Equipping your team, Attitude and Leadership ability.  These four components create a simple yet very effective framework for growing as a leader and developing others around you.  John C. Maxwell used these four categories as a guide for writing all of his leadership books.

Relationships are at the core of who we are.  God has designed us to function interdependently in relationship with each other.  No matter what products or services a company or organization provides, it’s important to always remember we are all really in the “people business”.  Products and services are produced through people who are led by a leader.  The people on our team must always come first.  We cannot succeed without them. The Apostle Paul wrote this instruction to his friends in Philippi to help them be more unified in their relationships:

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB)

Equipping a team is essential to reaching our full potential. No one does anything great alone.  Could you imagine what our relationships would be like if we could truly live out Paul’s instructions consistently in our lives?  Identify those in your relationship circles you need to begin living this out with today.  Be intentional, be bold, be selfless, be humble and you and the others you serve will be blessed.  As a leader, you will develop your team through growing relationships.  Commit to equipping people and over time you will see a team emerge as you lead them toward a common goal. You will always accomplish so much more with a well-equipped team, and every team accomplishes more when team members complement each other with their various gifts and abilities.   

Attitude is catching!  Always be filled and overflowing with a positive attitude.  Your mindset and perspective will pour over into the lives of others to influence their attitudes as well.  As a leader, you set the attitude of your team.  Attitude leaks.  Your attitude will affect the attitudes of everyone else you interact with.  A winning attitude is essential for a winning team.

Leaders are learners.  Never stop growing as a leader.  Always be pursuing leadership skills that can take you and your team to the next level.  The only factor limiting the capacity of your organization is your capacity as a leader.  In order to grow your organization, you must always be growing as the leader. 

Your relationships, equipping your team, your attitude and your leadership capacity do matter.  Focusing on these four key components will make a huge difference in your effectiveness as a leader.  Commit to being intentional today about becoming a leader who has R.E.A.L. Success.