“The Cost and Expectation of Leadership Leviticus 7:33–35 Aaron, like many leaders throughout history, received a divine calling. God chose Aaron and his sons to serve as Israel’s priests and charged them with carrying out rituals and sacrifices on behalf of all Israelites. Scripture gives meticulous detail to their ordination and calling. Their conduct was to be beyond reproach—and God made it crystal clear that failure to uphold His established guidelines would result in death. Numerous accounts in the Book of Leviticus demonstrate the high cost and expectation that goes with a holy calling to leadership positions. As the high priest, Aaron was the only one authorized to enter the Most Holy Place and appear before the very presence of God. The Lord set Aaron apart for his holy work. Despite his high calling, Aaron struggled with his authority and later caved in to the depraved wishes of the people. He failed at a crucial juncture and led Israel in a pagan worship service, an abomination that led to the deaths of many Israelites. Aaron had been set apart for God’s service, but he chose to live and lead otherwise. The failure of a leader usually results in consequences far more grave than the fall of a non-leader. On the day Aaron failed, “about three thousand men of the people fell [died]” (Ex. 32:28). When leaders fail, followers pay the price.”

“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”

“Everything begins with a thought.”

“What you believe identifies who you are.”

“Better players make you a better player.”

“Henry Ford, who said, “Don’t find a fault; find a remedy.” 

“The goal of confrontation should be to help, not to humiliate.”

“We don’t get to pick our talents or IQ. But we do choose our character. In fact, we create it every time we make choices—to cop out or dig out of a hard situation, to bend the truth or stand under the weight of it, to take the easy money or pay the price.”

“The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just do it.”

“as the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates.”

“If you can't influence people, then they will not follow you. And if people won't follow, you are not a leader. That's the Law of Influence.”

“Comparing yourself to others is really just a needless distraction. The only one you should compare yourself to is you. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday. You do that by focusing on what you can do today to improve and grow.”

“The reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.”

“A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.”

“There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born.… When he seizes it… it is his finest hour.”