Effective leaders pay close attention to leftovers.

It's exciting to start a new work, new project or welcome new staff to the team. New is exciting, fresh and full of hope.

It's the older projects, work or team members that deliver the drudgery. Starting something new is easier than maintaining or finishing.

One of the many responsibilities of a leader is to keep fresh air flowing through the workplace. To borrow a word from biology, leaders inspire neotenic behavior. Walt Disney was a purveyor of neoteny. He designed his parks to keep all of us young and full of fun. His big leader thought was to make us feel as if we were seeing his "world" every time, as if for the first time. I think my pupils enlarge at every corner of a Disney-designed experience.

Under the guidance of a wise leader, work never feels like old school. Work is meaningful, fun and overflowing with purpose. Last year's project seems as fresh as the launch on the horizon. Fresh and exciting work is a state of mind and a worthy goal for leaders to affect.

We can learn a lot from a mouse.

"He said to me, 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the spring of the water of life to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son'" (Rev. 21:6-7).

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.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

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

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.