Ok, I’m just gonna be really honest with you.  My wife and I have recently begun quite a persistent workout routine at a local gym.  And when I say ‘persistent,’ I mean we are really driven.  It’s an adrenaline rush for both of us.  Each day we can’t wait to get to our ‘workout’ date.  It’s great!

Well, the other day I  was moments from completing my workout when ‘Gangnam Style’ came on my Pandora channel. I was working on the leg-press at the time and my thighs were really burning when this very familiar intro began dancing through my earbuds.  You know what I’m talking about.  The song starts, your head starts bobbing and foot is now tapping….right?  And regardless of how bad my legs were aching at that moment, from nowhere came a burst of strength that enabled me to get two more sets of 15 in!  (I knew I’d have to blog about this.)

This event made me realize something, though.  I tend to be inspired by certain things more than others.  And I would argue you are the same.  This is mainly the reason my wife and I decided to join a gym to get healthy.  Neither of us has the natural discipline to get that level of exercise at home on a daily schedule.  We just don’t.  But…put us in a large building filled with people who are working and sweating for the same goals and we are ALL IN!

So here’s the leadership piece.  Well, actually more specifically ‘self-leadership.’  1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that “bad company corrupts good character.”  I also believe the converse is true.  Good company promotes positive character.  It really is true.  To become a better leader, one of the most effective things we can do is to simply place ourselves in environments around other leaders who are further along than we are.  When we observe another leader handle a difficult situation beautifully or hear them quote mind-blowing words of wisdom, we will grow by exposure.  This is what the disciples had with Jesus.  It’s what I have in my current position and the staff I get to work with.  And it’s why many invest time and money into attending seminars and conferences like Catalyst.  This is also why I chose to participate in a mentoring program called  infuse.

For most of us, however, this doesn’t happen naturally.  We have to be intensional about placing ourselves in and around these people.

So, who are you learning from right now?  Leave a comment and share how you are inspired by others.