10 Questions For Leaders To Ask Each Week

Most leaders would benefit from more regular evaluations – particularly self-evaluations. Even daily
and weekly self-evaluations merit our consideration if we want to lead well, regardless of our
position.

At the seminary where I teach, we are now completing end-of-the-academic year faculty

evaluations. Annual evaluations like these are helpful and necessary. They push us to ask
how we might improve over the next academic year.

Most leaders, though, would benefit from more regular evaluations – particularly self-
evaluations. Even daily and weekly self-evaluations merit our consideration if we want to
lead well, regardless of our position.

Listed here are ten questions to help you evaluate your life and leadership at the end of each
week. Take some time today to do some assessment. 

 Have I decreased, and Jesus increased during this past week? By looking at your
schedule, activities, conversations, thoughts, and priorities, whose kingdom have you
sought to build this week– God's or yours? 
 
 What do I know about God and His Word I didn't know last week? If you've
learned nothing new, it's possible that: you haven't sought God through study this
week; you've studied, but it's been routine and non-transforming; you've been a
Christian so long you don't think much about any needed growth; and/or, you've
stopped growing. None of these possibilities should mark a godly leader.
 
 Would someone want to pray like I've prayed this week? Jesus' disciples watched
and listened as Jesus spent intimate time with His Father — and they in turn wanted to
pray like He did. Knowing your prayer life this past week, would you be pleased for
someone to model his/her prayer life after yours?
 
 Would my family say they are my priority based on this week's activities? You
can't answer this question, of course, on your own–but you can take the risk to ask it.
How would your spouse answer this question? your children? What or who would
they say is most important to you?
 With whom did I attempt to share the gospel this week? Some evangelistic attempts
do not result in your proclaiming the whole message, but we are never given
permission to do less than share the Word with others. Did you at least make
legitimate attempts to do so this week? Are you praying for those persons?
 
 Who will walk more with Christ next week because he/she learned from me this
week? This question hits at your disciple making work this week. If no one learned
from you in an intentional mentoring relationship, I doubt it's because no one wanted
to walk with you. More often it's because we haven't prioritized mentoring like Jesus
did.
 
  Did I hide anything this past week (and, more pointedly, am I hiding anything
now)? The devil works in our secrets. He delights in our darkness, even when our
outward Christian walk appears to be solid. Godly leaders, on the other hand, know
that nothing less than honest confession and heartbroken repentance bring our sin
under the light of God's forgiveness.
 
 If I were to step out of my leadership role today, would the work continue well
without me? You may be new in your role, but even new leaders must quickly seek
to improve their organizations. If the work you lead would be seriously stymied by
your departure, you may not be leading the organization well. In fact, you may be
committing idolatry of the self if you are the center of the work.
 
 What would my immediate reports say about my leadership this week? They hear
your words, watch your reactions, and examine your life. They know when you say
one thing and do another. They recognize when you lead reactively rather than
proactively. Your reports can probably tell you whether you’ve been a good leader
this week.
 
 What are my plans for leading better next week? An evaluation without an
intentional plan for improvement is an exercise in futility. What will you do
differently next week? What steps will you take to improve? Who will hold you
accountable to these plans?

Which question above most challenges you? What other questions might you add to this list?