Self-Awareness: The Heart and Soul of Successful Leadership

Know the shadow side of how you're naturally wired or it may hinder you in relationship-building.

On the MBTI I'm extremely introverted. That's good for deep thought, reflection, self-awareness, prayer,  journaling, communing with God. The shadow side of extreme introversion is I can be seen as aloof, snobbish,  shy, (I'm not shy.  I just live in my head a lot),mean, not confident, or even socially awkward or just plain weird.

How do I deal with my introversion shadow? I'm intentional about developing and maintaining meaningful relationships. Sometimes this means placing a tasker on my calendar to reach out to contacts. And I've even rehearsed small talk for settings where I didn't know anyone.  I stay abreast with  what's going on in the world so that I can engage in intellectual conversation even if I'm not passionate about the subject matter. (Introverts can talk forever to those in their inner circle and to anyone about their passion.) I pray and ask God to cause me to see others as He sees them and allow others to see me as He desires for me to be seen. I ask God to season my words with grace and allow me to represent God well.

Do you know the shadow side of your personality? How do you show up? How do people see you?

Read more about this topic:

1. Effective Leadership Starts with Self-Awareness
https://www.td.org/insights/effective-leadership-starts-with-self-awareness

2.  Great Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2018/02/15/self-awareness-being-more-of-what-makes-you-great/

3.  Self-Awareness: The Essence of Effective Leadership | Human Resources
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/hr/self-awareness-essence-effective-leadership

Year 5779: The Year of the Catalytic Converter

Greetings Beloved!

We've crossed over into a New Year on the Hebraic Calendar. One word that keeps ringing in my ear for this season is Catalytic Converter. I said Lord that's a car part and I dont know anything about cars. Lol.  So I asked what does this mean? What are you saying Lord? Then God said this is the year that I will  increase the speed at which the process of change in form, character, or function of my people, the works of their hands and the Body of Christ occurs.

So I asked how might that appear. Then I received revelation about some ways this may play out. Things that appeared to be lost causes will suddenly look differently. This is a year of rapid 180° turns and changes. It will be mind boggling and jaw dropping. Even some denominations will change their position on major doctrinal matters particularly as it relates to the role of women in the church. We'll see Prodigals returning home and  high-ranking Sauls within the Seven Mountains of Culture (Education, Religion, Family, Business, Government/Military, Arts/Entertainment, Media) being quickly converted to Pauls.  These Pauls will become catalysts of change within their circles of influence and re-write history and how things are done/ governed within their fields. The function and roles of many  are suddenly changing as well. You may have been feeding sheep and had sheep dung in between your toes in 5778 and find yourself being a thought leader within your field/ industry in 5779.

How should we respond? Brace yourself! Worship, prayer and meditation are so critical!!! Things will shift so quickly that we'll need not just  daily wisdom (strategy) and insight to navigate this season. We'll need hourly strategies and insight. Its critical to be VERY  sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Throughout this year ask God "what would You have me to do today/this hour? Where should I go? Who should I talk with"? Many will be set up for "chance" encounters that will QUICKLY CHANGE their entire life and that of their family for generations. Whew!!  AND DONT DESPISE THE NEW THING that God is doing. When God begins to do a new thing in Education, Religion, Family, Business, Government/Military, Arts/Entertainment, Media we are often inclined to resist change and say we've never done it that way. Instead of resisting the new thing and saying no PAUSE and ASK GOD is this your desire?  Getting a response- peace in your hearts, inner knowing or audible yes/no won't require days of fasting and prayer. When you sincerely ask with humility, openness and a desire to know God's will in these matters God will respond almost immediately. Even the rate at which we discern the will of God in major life decision is being increased!

The Lord has arisen as the Catalytic Converter in this season to bring about inexplicable suddenlies. Dont be left behind. Dont be delayed by the paralysis of the analysis which is often rooted in fear. Guard your minds and hearts against fear. Take every thought that is contrary to God's word about who you are, what you're destined to have, and what you've been called to do captive by consistently speaking the word of God. Rewire your brain. Build new neurological pathways. Demolish stronghold of fear. Dr. Caroline Leaf has written a great deal about rewiring the brain. Included below is a link to a YouTube video with basics on how to rewire your brain.

Watch "Dr. Caroline Leaf | How To Rewire Your Brain | It's Supernatural with Sid Roth" on YouTube

Shalom! Shalom!

Dr. Lyn Cheevers

Taking On the Identity of Christ

All people groups have proclivities,  inclinations and  iniquities  associated with their blood lines. Know what these things are and deal with them or those things will deal with you.

I know the continent, region, country, tribe, and state of my paternal lineage. My paternal ancestors are known for being PRIDEFUL- peacocks,  EXTRAvagant, stiff-necked and unteachable in some regards because they were VERY successful in business, agriculture, iron working, and war.

God has allowed me to go through certain things in life that I may be more meek and humble. It was good that I was afflicted. And deliverance from generational issues isn't usually a one and done "fix." I'm consistently in God's face about being teachable,  malleable, moldable, and humble.

What's your "thing"? What's the kryptonite that the enemy will try to use against you and your family? Identify it and then seek out  scriptures that speak truth in that area about your identity in Christ. Continually seek the face of God that you may become more and more Christlike so that the enemy will find nothing in you to trip you up on your Christian journey. Continually be renewed in your mindset about who you are in Christ Jesus.

The Splendor of the King

In Ancient times one's mantle signified one's purpose, role  and  authority over a people and place. When a king defeated another king he'd disarm and dismantle the defeated king by taking his weapons and garments.

Sometimes the victorious king in battle would then attach the garments of the defeated king  to the end of his garment  creating a train. This signified the expanded territory of the victor. The longer the train the mightier the king as evidenced by his number of victories and the span of his territory.

So when God's train fills the temple of a place of worship it's about His glory, power, authority, victory, redemption, and  mighty power to change situations and circumstances in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

No Scrubs!

What have you done for me lately? I can do bad by myself. I ain't saying I'm a gold digger, but... Got your attention? Good. I want to share something that's been on my heart. Relationships should be mutually beneficial. Even when you give to someone who cannot give what you gave, you receive the blessing of giving. The reciprocal nature of relationships is especially true in courtship, engagement and marriage. Women, one of the things we should find "sexy" is a man's capacity to impart into our lives to upgrade us. Now hear me out. I'm not simply speaking about material things. I'm talking about being supported to fulfill one's potential. Dad demonstrated his love for my mother in this way. My parents will celebrate 50 years of marriage soon. When they married, mom was a CNA. Dad encouraged her to go to nursing school. He drove her to the community college (then known as the "vo-tech") to enroll. She told me that the program was really hard. She wanted to quit MANY times. More than half her class did. She says it was only because of my dad and the grace of God that she graduated. When she wanted to throw in the towel, he'd say "Ginia you can do it. Don't quit. I know it's hard but it'll pay off. Just hang in there a little longer." She listened to him, graduated among the top students, and was one of only two graduates to pass state boards at the first sitting. Not only did Dad speak life over mom, but he also took care of my older brothers (I had not made my grand arrival yet) during his off time and dropped them off and picked them up from the sitter at other times. He made sacrifices to support her and THEIR dream. Dad worked tirelessly and always had a side hustle so mom could focus on being a full time student and not have to work. In fact, even after she began working as a nurse our family continued to live very modestly because dad feels that the household financial responsibilities should be based almost exclusively on his income. He understood his role to provide for his family and "upgrade" his wife. Myles Munroe encouraged husbands to cultivate their wives by telling them "Brothers, let’s rise to the occasion to help our wives bloom and blossom into something much more than they are today that both their inner and outer beauty would continually increase." So sisters as we prayerfully evaluate suitors let's consider their capacity to improve our lives in meaningful ways. It may be spiritually, educationally, financially, physically ( I need to marry a fitness and clean eating fanatic- lol :-) ), etc. Read more about Cultivating Your Life With Your Wife at the following link: https://marriagemissions.com/cultivate-your-wife/

Why I am NOT a Feminist

Feminism does not address the needs and concerns of women of color.  Racism, sexism, and classism need to be dealt with together.  Many white women do not know the plight of black women. Some do not know the plight of poor people. Black women are dealing with three levels of oppression- racism, sexism, and classism.  Often white women's struggle is unidimensional.  Most feminists are fighting not to be seen as a damsel in distress. Women of color were never given an opportunity to be seen as a weak and pampered woman who can't do anything by herself.  Black women were brought here on slave ships and expected to work like men and mules.

In modern times, feminism is primarily a white middle class movement and is therefore irrelevant to most black women.  White women have been afforded opportunities to be openly and blatantly militant and rebellious in their views while vehemently speaking out about their beliefs without fear of reprisal.  This has not been the case for women of color. Historically black women who speak truth to power are demonized, criminalized and exiled.

Often the causes of white women are about thriving in the marketplace.  They have been the greatest beneficiaries of affirmative action.  Too often the causes of black women are a matter of  life and death.  The feminist is only concerned with injustices related to gender identity.  The womanist is concerned with multiple jeopardies.  The womanist is concerned with justice over-all. 

In many cases feminism has divided black people.  Feminists are not concerned with the needs of men, children and families of color.  Unity, cohesion and solidarity among people of color is critical for us to survive and thrive. 

Because feminism does not address the needs of men, children and families of color many women of color feel torn between their loyalty to feminist thought and the people they love. White feminist are not torn in their loyalties.  They are clear with their loyalties.  Feminists will quickly abandon their radicalism and militancy on gender issues to "stand by their man" on race issues when their white privilege is challenged.  This is why many white women voted for Donald Trump. 

Feminists are often seen as man haters.  Too often they are disrespectful of men and not concerned with the well-being of children and families.  As a woman of God, I refuse to follow any worldly feminist influences to  diminish the significance  of bringing together, advancing and uplifting  the entire family unit and community.

And finally I am not a feminist because I am not "one of the guys."  Many feminists have opted to morph into androgynous  beings who have distanced themselves from anything soft or feminine.  I embrace my womanhood and female sexuality.  I am thinking and feeling.  I am round, soft to  the touch and possess immeasurable strength.  I am comfortable with expressing my emotions but not controlled by them.  I like dresses, skirts and pretty frilly things and not just the Hillary Clinton pant suit.  I like to wear sweet perfumes, makeup, and brightly colored nail polish.  I am playful, coy, and a master strategist.  I am spontaneous and filled with the wisdom of God.  I am yielding at times  and yet relentless in pursuit of my God-ordained destiny . I am not a feminist. I'm a WOMANIST.  I am a woman.  Phenomenally.  Phenomenal woman, that's me.

There's So much in a Name!

So someone who learned that my middle name is Shunta called me up and said "Shunta?! Really?  Lol. I never would've imagined that." Yep,  that's me.

"Shunta" is  pronounced like the singer's name Chante Moore  and the rapper's name  Roxanne Shante'. Shunta is an alternate spelling for Shanté.  It is derived from “Ashanti”.  When used as a woman’s name Ashanti means strong, warlike, African woman.

A strong, warlike woman of God is a leader. She's decisive, prayerful,  discerning, and adept at spiritual warfare. She's loyal, fearless, tireless, and intelligent. She flows  in a Deborah-like anointing and is  resolutely determined  (i.e. stubbornly determined, relentless, obstinate) to fulfill her purpose, calling or mission. 

Judges 4 and 5 and Hebrews 11:32-34 provide insight about characteristics and traits of the biblical figure Deborah. There's so much in a name.  -Lynderia "Lyn" Shunta Cheevers