Roy Mansfield here - Pastor of Spiritual Development at Northstar Church in Panama City, Florida, former Director of Training for Church Leader Insights and regular guest contributor to Nelson’s blog…

When I was younger… when I didn’t have kids… when I had less responsibility… when I… [insert pathetic excuse of your choice here] I was the self proclaimed “King of Romance.”  I have put quotations around this phrase because no one outside of the complex inner workings of my own brain actually made this proclamation.

We honor people when we give them our attention and “think first” of them.  In addition to being a great way to “win the girl” it’s also an excellent leadership principle.

When I served on Nelson’s staff he once overheard me mention I had always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride. He later gave me a hot air balloon ride for my wife and I as a birthday gift.

As you can imagine this was an extremely meaningful gift.  He accomplished exactly what Romans 10:12 described.  I felt extremely honored.

Why don’t you select someone you lead that you would like to honor?  

For the next 7 days be very attentive to what they say and do, looking for something that you could turn into an opportunity to show them honor.

It will take some discipline to actively “not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4), but it will be well worth the investment.

- Roy Mansfield
www.growingtogether.cc