Jon Acuff is a funny, intelligent, mega-blogging leader at Stuff Christians Like. When I originally started this series, I honestly overlooked some of the best leaders because I falsely limited myself to people that have positions in a church or ministry. Jon has one of the most read blogs in the church world today. If Jon posts something, others instantly take notice. I call that influence, and if leadership is about influence, Jon is one of the best.
Here are 10 questions with leader Jon Acuff:
When you were growing up, is this what you thought you would be doing vocationally? If not, what did you want to do?
Since the third grade when a teacher laminated a book of poetry I wrote, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I thought she had published it, and I really wanted to keep writing from that moment on.
What’s the most different job you’ve had from what you are doing now, and how did that job help you with what you are doing now?
I was a mailman one summer. It was hard. I was pretty lazy at the time and not very disciplined. I made that job a lot harder than it needed to be with my complete lack of focus. I would say realizing the self-created frustration of that summer helped me make smarter decisions in my current job.
Who is one person, besides Christ, who most helped to shape your leadership, and how did they help you?
I would say my dad. In addition to one-on-one leadership, I got to watch him start a Southern Baptist Church in New England. His approach to what was a really difficult challenge really shaped how I approach things.
Besides the Bible, what is one book that has most helped to shape your thought process in life and ministry?
I would say “The War of Art” by Pressfield.
What are three words other people would use to describe your work style/ethic?
Creative. Motivational. Funny
What is your greatest strength in leadership?
Ability to start new projects.
What is your greatest weakness in leadership?
Ability to finish old projects.
What is the hardest thing you have to do in leadership?
Following through on commitments that have lost the shine and are now down into the grind. I stink at completing things and getting others to complete things.
What is one misconception about your position you think people may have?
People sometimes think I write Stuff Christians Like full time, but I have a full time job and only get to spend about an hour a day on it.
If you could give one piece of advice to young leaders from what you’ve learned by experience, what would it be?
Determine a time to do the thing you are dedicated to and then do it. Don’t argue with yourself about whether you will do it. Just say, “Every morning at 6, I will do this thing.” And then do it.
You can buy Jon’s new Stuff Christians Like book HERE and follow him on Twitter HERE.
