WEEKLY WISDOM- "Identity"

Identity: condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing

Who are you? What defines you? Who do you see in the mirror? These are questions that we don’t ask ourselves often enough if at all. Unfortunately, many of us allow our identities to get confirmed by outside influences rather than what makes us who we are internally.

When people are asked to introduce who they are, many respond by telling others where they work, what their position is, what organizations they belong to, and how they are seen.

In all openness and transparency, I struggled with this issue beginning even in elementary school with being selected to be one of the first students to be racially integrated into the school system in first grade as well as unconsciously dealing with the dysfunction of my family. Moving to middle school, the struggle continued because I did not make any of the sports teams and dealt with some racial comments from students while still dealing with the dysfunction of the family. My experience in high school continued to be a challenge. There were some great successes that offered me experiences that helped me to identify those things that stimulated my mind and heart. In the same breath, there were some confusing and deflating experiences such as the lack of direction in my future could be at its maximum capacity while dealing with the dysfunction of my family. My college experience was wrought with choices that I wasn’t completely conscious of it which impacted my life. These include the changing of my major several times, romantic relationships that were based on physical experiences, social groups being unorganized while still dealing with the dysfunction of my family. Lastly, my stint right after college was trying to establish my footing in whatever industry I could find space, not what my true purpose was, again while still dealing with the dysfunction of my family.

So, what should a leader do? My turning point was the marriage to my wife and the birth of my first son which happened all in the same year that forced me to look in the mirror and deep in my soul about my responsibility as a man, leader, husband, father, and more!

It caused me to dig deeper into identity.

For many of us, outwardly it appears that our makeup is the collection of all of our experiences, good or bad, as well as the decisions we make regarding our careers, education, family, geographical living space, and more. This is what we live our lives based on which are external influences.

As a leader, your identity should be internally defined and on a firm foundation instead of sinking sand. The items listed above are sinking sand. The firm foundation is your identity in Christ. The word will stand forever and gives you your identity. Here’s your surety; Isaiah 40:8-The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Here’s your identity; 1st Peter 2:9, 2nd Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10 and 19, and 1st John 3:1. With these scriptures in your heart and mind, they will be the game changer in your life as a leader!

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Exercise Your Power this week

1. Take a self- assessment or personality assessment to help further identify who you are.

Examples include Strengths Finders, Enneagram, DISC, Meyers-Briggs, etc. These can be found on-line and many are free. 

2. Read the scriptures listed at the bottom of the Identity Weekly Wisdom letter.

3. Identify your leadership strengths and how they are integrated into your current leadership or entrepreneurial position and then challenge yourself in determining how to maximize them.