Self Evaluations - Friends - Leadership

It could be said that one of the most difficult things in the entire world to do could very well be when we evaluate oneself. For those who have worked in Fortune 500 companies, you clearly understand evaluations, goal reviews, goal setting and team talks, or what some might call peer reviews. Individuals who have been in smaller companies may have attended a conference or big team meeting where you heard from executives or what some might call the big shots. Others may have participated in some strategy planning or brain storming sessions, particularly if you have been involved in sales or customer service related tasks or positions. Of course some might just call those positions jobs and skip the professional titles all together.
Evaluation is difficult for us as individuals because we all would like to think we are correct. Our thoughts are the best thoughts anyone could have, and the best ideas we have shared already. Of course some might just think people don’t listen because they are jealous of them and their achieved success. Of course those same “some” would think everyone wants to be where they are, doing what they do, and will at all cost bring them down if given the opportunity. For the sake of pointing out I clearly understand life, I will admit that those “some” do exist. We should learn to master the art of self evaluation anyway, as it will help us in dealing with such individuals when they do show their pretty little faces and begin their schemes.
One of the keys to a good self evaluation is to consider the various points of views or observations points of others. The success of this beginning key is to weigh the value of the view and not those that are stating an opinion. I have learned in life that you can learn from everyone. We can learn what to do as well as those things one should not do. Being open minded to possibilities is always a good thing, yet so many Christians seem to be very closed minded to possibilities, even though they may sing the song, “All things are possible with God.” The one difficult aspect of this possible thinking is that some might so scare others in their way of thinking that normally they get themselves confused with the work of the Holy Spirit and consider themselves His direct representative. Personally, I have learned to get out of the way of the Holy Spirit, He can do His work best without my interference. I need convict no one of sin, a bad position, or way of thinking. Best task for me would be to pursue His call and work in my life, and find new and creative ways to accomplish His plan. Not an easy task, but an honorable pursuit nevertheless.
The other key I will mention is dealing with the let downs in our self evaluations. I have yet to meet someone who enjoys them. Competitive driven individuals easily get caught up in the drama of “I missed it, how could I have done that, what was I thinking.” The easy going folks assume the position of this is normal. “People run over me all the time, I was expecting that.” And knuckle heads consider they were right all along and they are just living to be able to say, “I told you so.”
Admitting mistakes or saying I was wrong is not the normal teaching one receives in school or from our families, but it should be. Learning how to respect others and not necessarily accept others is also a good trait but one that we don’t teach because some would think this would be a sign of weakness, instead of viewing it as a real gift in opening dialog, understanding of others, and one of the keys to establishment of real friendship and relationship. Some would never do this, of course. Reason number one would be their own insecurities and lack of vision, goals and pursuits. It is always easier to stay where you are and watch others then to step out and lead as the front man where all the direct hits take place. Yes, who wants to be on the frontline of evaluation, improvement, and growth? Most say it, but will never step up to do it.
Politics, rejection, would be two big reasons why we refuse to do a self evaluation. We like serving self much better then others, even while some will always say they are taking such steps for others. Leaders need real friends. Real friends are not easy to find and leadership is seldom recognized when it is witnessed because we are so unfamiliar with its signs and characteristic’s.
If you find yourself in the valley or even on the mountain top all alone, consider the option that some will never teach for those lonely days, moments, or situations. However, there is a friend that sticks by closer then a brother—His name is Jesus.

Until then