Many of us undergo leadership and speech writing workshops. One of the techniques in writing speeches as a leader is to use acronyms.
Here is an example. Use the acronym AIMS.
GOOD LEADERS have A.I.M.S and so must all of us. If we can think of ourselves serving as missionaries in the missions field every day, AIMS would help us along our paths, be there smooth or rough.
A – Appreciation – as missionaries we must learn to appreciate people, and have gratitude in our heart. Co workers and people around us can see our appreciation and they are energized to work with us. I remember an old missionary who was always cheerful and giving. One day as a young Sunday school student I helped her arrange the classroom chairs which were just slightly smaller than I and desks, so that the theological school students would have a neat room to go to on the next day. She looked up and said, “Well, well, I would think that arrangement would really make the lecturers and students feel very good. What a difference you make!!”
Appreciation is not just in terms of personal gifts. Words, a nod, a handshake, a smile, a memory can make a lot of difference.
I – Inspiration – Most “missionaries” inspire the people around them. So when we think of ourselves as missionaries in the 21st century in our place of work, especially in the school, we should try our best to inspire our students, our colleagues and non academic staff and perhaps even the public. When we inspire them our work is lighter because they will help us and work alongside us. Mother Teresa for example inspired thousands to work for her and her mission with gladness in their hearts.
M – Mentoring – when you mentor others, you lead, you train, you support and you work together, helping and lifting those around you to the greatest levels possible. Mentors are seldom forgotten by their mentees. Jesus had the apostles as his mentees. Paul’s mentee was Timothy. In our age, Oprah Winfrey was mentored by Maya Angelou, Mark Zuckerberg was mentored by Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr was mentored by Benjamin Mays. Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn was mentored by his high school civics teacher. He is an advocate of mentoring and has spoken about the importance of being a mentor.
“I think a mentor gets a lot of satisfaction in a couple of ways. They’re doing something constructive, so they feel good about that. And when they see the results of this, with the young people they’re working with, it’s very, very rewarding,” Glenn said.
S – Service – When you serve others people can see very clearly your character. When you serve the community, you give back. When you serve well in any work place, you make a niche for yourself and you are recognized for what you are truly worth. Your willingness to help is enough to convince people of your good character.
John Wesley wrote,
“One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God. And, since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor; which he receives as if done to himself in person, standing visibly before us.”
Do we have AIMS in our lives? Glory be to God in Heaven. May He guide us always.