7. Pursuit of Excellence: Leadership as a Lifelong Race
Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:12–14
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Leadership is a Journey, Not a Finish Line
In a world that often equates leadership with arrival—status, title, or achievement—Paul’s words in Philippians 3 offer a stunning contrast. He admits he hasn’t “arrived.” Instead, he’s in pursuit, pressing forward with purposeful perseverance. This is the mark of a leader committed to excellence, not perfection—a leader devoted to lifelong growth.
The pursuit of excellence is not about doing everything flawlessly. It’s about aligning daily choices with a higher calling, embracing the process, and running with endurance. Paul models a leadership that is both ambitious and humble, aware of the distance yet determined to finish well.
Transformational Leadership: Vision, Growth, and Purpose
Transformational leadership, especially the element of inspirational motivation, helps frame this pursuit. Leaders who cast vision and set high expectations are not driven by ego but by calling. They help others see what’s possible and invite them into the process of becoming.
Paul communicates that kind of vision. He’s not content with past accomplishments. Instead, he reaches for “that for which Christ Jesus took hold of [him].” This clarity of purpose fuels his pursuit of maturity, holiness, and effectiveness.
Great leaders lead themselves first. They refuse to coast. They model the pursuit of excellence in:
Character
Communication
Decision-making
Relationships
Spiritual and vocational calling
Self-Determination Theory: Motivation That Lasts
Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Deci and Ryan, identifies three drivers of deep, intrinsic motivation:
Autonomy – the need to direct one’s own life
Competence – the need to improve and master things
Relatedness – the need to connect with others
Paul demonstrates all three in Philippians 3:
He chooses to run his race, not others’ (autonomy).
He presses on to grow and mature (competence).
He writes in deep fellowship with his readers (relatedness).
Leaders who embrace excellence fuel their teams with purpose and progression, not pressure and perfectionism. They inspire others to run their own race with joy and commitment.
The Race and the Reward
Paul’s metaphor of running a race reminds leaders that growth takes time, energy, and endurance. There will be setbacks, but there is a prize—an eternal one. Christian leadership, rooted in Christ, pursues both spiritual growth and vocational faithfulness as an act of worship.
The best leaders are not those who arrive quickly, but those who finish faithfully.
Reflective Questions:
Are you still pressing forward in your leadership, or are you coasting on past achievements?
What’s one area of your life or leadership where God is calling you to grow?
How can you model excellence without falling into perfectionism?