Are You Called or Driven?

Are You Called or Driven?

I consider Gordon McDonald’s book Ordering Your Private World both a classic and a must-read for leaders who are serious about cultivating the most important part of their leadership: their interior life. Though written for an audience of those in vocational ministry, the content is readily transferable and applicable to any leader who wants to lead like Jesus.

Among the plethora of leadership wisdom found in its pages, one of my favorite parts is his discussion on the distinction about being a CALLED leader versus a DRIVEN leader.

MacDonald describes a DRIVEN person in the following ways:
1. A driven person is most often gratified only by accomplishment.
2. A driven person is preoccupied with the symbols of accomplishment.
3. A driven person is usually caught in the uncontrolled pursuit of expansion.
4. Driven people tend to have a limited regard for integrity.
5. Driven people often possess limited or undeveloped people skills.
6. Driven people tend to be highly competitive.
7. A driven person often possesses a volcanic force of anger, which can erupt any time he senses opposition or disloyalty.
8. Driven people are usually abnormally busy.

Can I extend an invitation?

Read through these statements once more. Slowly. Out loud. Asking the Holy Spirit to show you which description has your name on it.

As you know, becoming a leader who leads well spiritually is a never-ending pursuit. There is always a next step.

Becoming a leader who leads well spiritually is a never-ending pursuit. There is always a next step.

Mark it down: Those who look to you for leadership are counting on you to take that next step.

Chuck Olson
Founder | Lead With Your Life

PS: I highly recommend the podcast interviews that Carey Nieuwhof has done with Gordon MacDonald.