Once in awhile, it's nice to be upgraded.

I've flown many miles in my career. I had seven years of air travel in which I visited two or three markets in the same week. I earned "status" on four different airlines and was a "million miler" on two airlines. All of that added up to upgrades to first-class seating.

I've been focused on that word "upgrade" for a few weeks as I've been preparing to write about it. Perhaps life is a continuous path of upgrades or perhaps we are to "be content in whatever state..."

The original intent for this article was to present the need for leaders to be willing to upgrade their staff. It's easy to become comfortable with a team and that's not always good for the company. However, after a long weekend of reading and studying, I just want to share a few words about the constant need for personal upgrade.

Continuous personal improvement is an important mark of a leader. Leaders quest for higher ground. Comfort is an enemy of growth.

A leader's growth plan within this audience of readers certainly begins with spiritual examination and response. It's difficult to imagine a spiritual leader lacking a consistent pattern of spiritual upgrades. Most of you are lifelong seekers.

A leader's growth plan should be similar to any other plan, which includes intentional daily activities. At least one item on your daily to do list should be a growth activity.  Upgrades are rarely accidental.

Think about growth as another drip process. A bucket of growth activities experienced all at once has less value than a sustained drip process. Small, daily improvements seem to have longer lasting impact.

Focus some attention as often as possible on writing and speaking. My assumption is that most of you are solid writers and speakers. I encourage you to continue to grow in your strengths. It takes much longer and requires more effort to improve weaknesses. Give meaningful attention to your core strengths.  

Bakers should bake for daily improvement in their core skill. Upgraded cakes come with miles of travel.

Writers should write. Speakers should speak.

And, leaders teach others by modeling.

"But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water that I shall give him will become in him a well of water springing up into eternal life" (John 4:14).

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

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Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

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