10 KEYS FOR BUILDING A GODLY EMPIRE

10 KEYS FOR BUILDING A GODLY EMPIRE 

by Shan E. Davis

Continued from the May Issue of Gospel Updates eMagazine found here:  
http://tiny.cc/gospelupdatesmay2015

5. Build a Team

The most important resource of anyone building a substantial empire is a team--a group of skilled people who are determined to fulfill the goals you set before them. Even the Lone Ranger wasn’t alone in his efforts; he had Tonto.  Jesus surrounded himself with twelve men who were skilled in areas of expertise.  You have to build a team to bring your empire into a place of prestige and prominence.

6. Leaders are Learners

When you stop learning, you stop leading. Isn’t it amazing that players who make millions of dollars playing a sport still have a coach?  The secret of most millionaires is they have people they are constantly learning from.  They go on retreats, attend seminars, and further their education, reading for hours learning about new technologies in their field.  In order to lead, you must first learn the terrain.  Go out a little farther and scout out the land, then come back and lead others.  You must commit to being a lifelong learner if you want to be a lifelong leader!

7.  Exposure to Greatness

You can only go as high as what you’re exposed to.  Great leaders expose themselves to what they want to emulate and become.  Never expose yourself to that which you don't want to develop into.  Even if you cannot access the leaders personally, experience them through books, seminars and interviews.  Even though David was anointed king, he still needed Jonathan to expose him to the lifestyle of a king. Anointing is not enough; you need to be exposed to your desire in full form!

8.  Master Networking

Partnerships are key to the success of your endeavors.  Empires are expanded by conquering countries or partnering with them.  When you know what you are good at, you don't spend time doing things you are not able to bring results to.  At that moment, you must think of partnerships.  Why reinvent the wheel?  Find someone who is doing what you need done in a successful way, and find a synergy that will work for both of you.  Partnerships determine the difference between addition and multiplication within your business.  Customers give you addition; partnerships launch you into exponential growth.

9.  Surround Yourself with the Old and the Young

Wisdom comes from what has been, and vision is for what is coming.  When you eat with old men then run with the young, it will keep you in sync with the world that is and the world that is coming.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, meaning you have to stay connected with the wise (yesterday), deal with your present (today), and fellowship with the young (tomorrow).  You have God in all three dimensions by the people you keep around you.  Remain balanced in this, and your empire will thrive and prosper for now and the future.

10.  Succession Thinking

Vision is designed to outlive you.  If you desire to have your empire to outlive you, you must plan for the success of your empire after you retire or pass on (God forbid).  You will need to put someone in place that you have trained, groomed and prepared to move into the position of leader.  The failure to do so will lead to the crumbling in seconds of that which took years to build.  Let your empire live on so that your name will still be a blessing to your great-great-grandchildren long after you are gone!