Category Archives: Leadership

Posted on

Another Blog On Leadership

Leadership Is Influence

It has been said that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. Lord Montgomery implies this when he wrote that leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character, which inspires confidence.

If you and I were to write a list of qualities or characteristics usually found among natural born leaders, our list might look something like this: Leadership-Qualities

  • Persistence
  • Enthusiasm
  • Competitiveness
  • Practicality
  • Knowledge
  • Discipline
  • Integrity
  • Aggressiveness
  • Flexibility

So here is the million-dollar question: “Are these qualities necessary in spiritual leaders? Before you answer too quickly, I would refer you to some biblical illustrations that would have done quite poorly on a natural leadership test. The truth of the matter is that God chooses people that we would have looked over.

Consider the withdrawn, fearful, and doubting Moses (Exodus 3:10-4:14). Consider the uncultured, negative, ill prepared, unwanted dogmatic, clumsy fig-picker Amos! (Amos 7:10-17). Do not overlook the impulsive, shortsighted, boastful Apostle Peter who suffered from foot-in-mouth disease often.

Stop and consider a little phrase in the Old Testament that reads, “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro…” God is searching for men and women whose hearts are open to His touch. Beyond that fact I do not read about a list of characteristics. Consider the 400 indebted and unorganized malcontents that surrounded David in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1-2). Many of these men would become the elite fighting soldiers for David.

If this fact were not true, let me assure you that if adults had written off a strong willed, aggressive hothead teenager – you would not be reading this blog post.

Posted on

Old Ideas Are Undervalued

What can Pruitt-Igoe Teach Us

What can Pruitt-Igoe Teach Us

 

St. Louis’s Pruitt-Igoe housing project is arguably the most infamous public housing project ever built in the United States. A product of the postwar federal public-housing program, this mammoth high-rise development was completed in 1956. pruitt-igoe-implosion.png

Only a few years later, disrepair, vandalism, and crime plagued Pruitt-Igoe. The project’s recreational galleries and skip-stop elevators, once heralded as architectural innovations, had become nuisances and danger zones. Large numbers of vacancies indicated that even poor people preferred to live anywhere but Pruitt-Igoe. In 1972, after spending more than $5 million in vain to cure the problems at Pruitt-Igoe, the St. Louis Housing Authority, in a highly publicized event, demolished three of the high-rise buildings. A year later, in concert with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it declared Pruitt-Igoe unsalvageable and razed the remaining buildings.

On paper Pruitt-Igoe was a testament to modern engineering. In practice, the housing project was a disaster. The sprawling 33 building, 57-acre layout of Pruitt-Igoe ignored the traditional knowledge about how cities grow and develop. Nearly every successful city on our planet was built organically and unpredictably. Building popped up as needed. City Blocks expanded gradually.

There is a reason we tend to undervalue old ideas

At first glance we see just an idea that has been around for a long time. We incorrectly assume that familiar ideas provide average results. “Everyone does it this way, so it can’t be that great.”

What we fail to understand is that fundamentals are not merely a collection of good ideas. The fundamentals are a collection of good ideas that outlasted thousands of bad ideas.

FOR EXAMPLE…

  • FITNESS – How many exercise fads have we seen over the years. In our quest for immortality and fitness we have been willing to do just about anything. Yet weight lifting and daily walking has outlasted all fades.
  • ENTREPENEURSHIP – The truth of business is that making more sells calls can be the difference between success and failure CEO of Starfighter Patrick McKenzie says that patient execution of doing what we know to do is what breaks barriers.
  • READING – How many books will fail even though they have good ideas today? Their truths may in fact be proven to be wrong tomorrow. However there are a handful of books which we return to over and over. These are the books we should spend time with.

The power of inherited knowledge

Across the street from Pruitt-Igoe was a more traditional housing development called Carr Square Village. This was a smaller complex with more traditional designs. It was built 12 years prior to Pruitt Igoe and yet boasted of lower crime and vacancy rates all the while being in the same neighborhood of Pruitt-Igoe.

James Clear writes that perhaps what is needed in modern world is to do the fundamentals better and more consistently than everyone else. Everybody already knows that is very different from Everybody already does that.

Credits:

Harvard Sociology Department

St Louis News

James Clear

Posted on

“The Have’s and Have Not’s”

Having Enough of Everything

How many times do we hear if only I had more time or if only I had more finances, I could… or If only the sun would shine. I could write many other illustrations, 9d2c34f554f92c2eeb82baee76b7be19but I think that you get the point. We have been raised from childhood to believe there are have’s and have not’s in life Generally speaking the conclusion has been to work harder and longer to achieve so that we do not become a “have not.”

Under the surface the real issue is one of scarcity – there is not enough to go around, so I have to be there first to get mine! Author Lynn Twist in the book The Soul of Money writes; “This mantra of not enough carries the day and becomes a kind of default setting for our thinking about everything…it grows into the great justification for an unfulfilled life. It becomes the reason we can’t have what we want or become the person we would like to be…”

Author Twist writes about three toxic myths of scarcity. First of all there is the notion that there is never enough. This leads to a fear that drives us to do whatever is necessary to make sure that we are not the one without. Second of all there is the conclusion that more is better. Pitrium Sorokim, a Soviet dissident from the 1930 wrote about societies that move away from God tend to their lives with more and more things. Bigger, more of it, and more often seems to be modern day mantra. Thirdly is an attitude of hopelessness, helplessness, and being unequal in a world that will never change. In other words we do not lead our life we simply accept our life and call it FATE! The third area is one of the hardest to overcome. The less willing that we are to question beliefs about scarcity the more entrenched we become within a culture of scarcity.

The unraveling of a scarcity belief begins as soon as we adopt a different reference point. Our focus so many times is limited to our immediate circle of acquaintances and workmates. We measure ourselves against the grid and rhythm of life within that circle. However, when we view life from of a global perspective then we realize how abundantly blessed and how much excess we have. When we change our viewpoint to one of sufficiency – we believe that we have enough of everything.

Sufficiency is not an amount! It is not comparative at all. Instead sufficiency is an experience, a context we generate, a declaration knowing there is enough and that I am enough!

Posted on

Little Things That Make A Big Leadership Difference

Michael Jackson’s pop song “Man in the Mirror” suggests that for change to take place it must start with you: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, and no message could have been any clearer, if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change.”

Man looking at reflection in window

Man looking at reflection in window

In their book, “A Leader’s Legacy,” Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner write that the “legacy you leave is the life you lead each and every day.” Instead of waiting for a chance to do something big at the end of our lives, we have to remember that each day we have numerous opportunities to make a difference—by coaching others, listening to them, thanking them, assisting them, being positive with them… and the list goes on. The authors write, “whatever your role in life may be, you can make a difference. There is a 100 percent chance that you can be a role model for leadership, and a 100 percent chance you can influence someone else’s performance, and a 100 percent chance that you will make a difference in other people’s lives.”

With that said listen to the words of Bill Russell; The most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better I made my teammates play. So here is the million-dollar question; how are you helping others to win at the game of life? Stop approaching life like some competitive agenda in which you have to beat everyone else in order to win. Establish a game plan for life in how you can assist others – intentionality is the key to add significance. Once you choose to help someone else, you will have a friend for life.

Over three decades ago a research team studied 286 Harvard sophomores who were considered to be the brightest and best. They studied them for 40 years. They found the healthiest were the men who were emotionally healthy and recognized that that the good life was not the absence of problems, but how you choose to react to them. These men perceived themselves to be winners and helped others to win in spite of their circumstances.

I’m starting with the man in the mirror and I am asking him to change his ways. How about you?

Posted on

Shoot The Pianist or Tune The Piano

Have you ever listened to someone play a piano that is completely out of tune? Remember the sound? Awful! Good notes do not even sound good when the piano is out of tune. pleasedontshootthepianoplayerlarge There are two solutions for solving this problem: the first is obvious, tune the piano; the second is not so realistic, get rid of the pianist.

In 1953 Rene Coty, the former president of France, stated, “It’s a pity to shoot the pianist when the piano is out of tune.” This is a relevant quote for churches and their leaders who are struggling in difficult times. Most leaders value developing strategic plans. The central question; “Have strategies, plans, mission statements, and value statements become window dressing or plaques that we hang on the wall?” If these plans, statements, or strategies do not function in our day-to-day church world, why jeopardize our reputation in our communities?

My experience has been that without functional direction a church may be in trouble. If nothing else you may find yourself in survival mode. That mode leads to cost-cutting of programs and personnel. Here is a question to ponder; “Is it possible that good quality people that we are attempting to reach are not staying because the real problem is a lack of sufficient direction and strategy that affects the daily life of the church? Are we guilty of getting rid of the pianist before we tune the piano?

Tuning Tips For Leaders

  • The majority of leaders meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in creating new plans to take the place of those which fail. Be certain you have clear functional goals. One of the primary manifestations of being out of tune is that people and departments are not on the same page. If the church’s plans are inadequate or incomplete, the whole church will be confused.
  • There is a direct correlation between low morale and defective planning and goal-setting in a church. Constantly communicating your goals is essential! Having a plan is important – communicating that plan is IMPERATIVE!
  • It is a fact that when people know the plan of action, enterprise energy increases, even if the outside world looks dismal. People like to know what to expect. Knowledge provides motivation, camaraderie, and encourages them to put their shoulder to the wheel.
  • As Pastor, you are the Master Tuner. Some pastors do not know their church is out of tune. Whether it is a lack of understanding, or ego, or pride, these leaders believe that everyone is on the same page with them even when others believe otherwise. When pastors are not receptive to the voices of others, problems are compounded.
  • If the church is playing the wrong music, getting rid of all of the piano players will not make lasting improvements. It is important for pastors to have more than one source of information – one source is too narrow. Albert Einstein stated; “The consciousness that created the problem cannot be the same consciousness that solves it!”

The educated ear that sings in perfect pitch – The pastor must be the motivator of the plans that God stirs. The pastor leads from the “middle C” on a piano, attempting to keep harmony with his leading. When the leader gets out of pitch or constantly changing the song altogether, confusion is sure to be the result!

Posted on

12 Principles of Leadership Communication

 

So why would I need 12 principles on leadership communication?[1] Consider the new realities of communication: George-Bernard-Shaw

  • The speed of modern communication is on a global scale today;
  • The increased channels of communication, there are more options than we have ability to engage them;
  • There is a rise of consumer/citizen power of influencing dialogue without complete factual understanding of the issues;
  • There is a rise of expectations for all stakeholders that need a “speedy” response;
  • New formations of communities of interest that is being enabled by digital technology and a new sense of empowerment;
  • Increasing regulations and the resulting need for new communication requirements;
  • The aggressive pursuit of informational journalism and the “tabloidization” of business reporting;
  • Declining levels of trust in business that is being accelerated by financial difficulties in today’s marketplace.

Armed with this new reality, a leader is faced with a daunting task on how to stay ahead of the communication curve to LEAD in the context of these new realities as opposed to reacting. Add to this reality this probing question; “When was the last time that you invested in yourself to enhance your communication skills?” Beyond Toastmaster’s or a Dale Carnage course, where would you go to learn more on effective speaking? Intentionality is the one key word that we postpone. The danger is that postponing anything in our life assumes that we are in control of our tomorrows. Reality states that we have only this moment and that the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step – TODAY!

 

For the most part all leaders are clear that leadership communication is about inspiring others to achieve great things. Author Murray sets forth 12 principles of communication:

  1. Learn how to be yourself, if you aspire to being a better leader and communicator.
  2. Give voice to a compelling mission and powerful set of values.
  3. Combine this with a vivid picture of the future, which you communicate relentlessly to drive behaviors in the present.
  4. Keep your people focused on the key relationships that your organization depends on for success and make building trust in those relationships a priority.
  5. Make engagement a strategic goal, and use conversations to engage.
  6. Become a fanatic about understanding audiences before trying to communicate with them.
  7. Listen in new and powerful ways, and learn to ask the right questions.
  8. Prepare a potent point of view to communicate your messages.
  9. Use more stories and anecdotes to inspire the right behaviors.
  10. Be aware of the signals you send beyond your words.
  11. Prepare properly for public platforms – your reputation is at stake.
  12. Learn, rehearse, review, improve – always strive to be a better communicator.

Would you take a minute and leave a response below to the question; “What is the most important communication lesson you have learned?” I am eager to learn myself and you can help teach me!

[1] Kevin Murray, The Language of Leaders. Kogan Page: Great Britain, 2012

 

Posted on

Finishing Well

Listen Up Leaders! Forewarned is Forearmed!

Dr. J.Robert Clinton in researching the almost 800 leaders in the Bible discovered that about 1 in 3 of these leaders finished well based upon the biblical evidence. fw2_webDepending on who you read some have suggested this ratio to be too generous. The truth of the matter is that many are not finishing their life work and call well. A review of biblical leadership illustrations  reveals four observations that are worthy of reflective time.(Dr J. Robert Clinton’s 1989 research).

  1. Few leaders finish well
  2. Leadership is difficult
  3. God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful leadership
  4. Spiritual leadership can make a difference

If research suggests that biblical leadership is difficult and few are finishing well, this begs the question what does “Finishing well” look like? here are some observations.

  • A vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is maintained to the very end of life.
  • There is a thirst for learning from various sources – especially life experiences.
  • Christ-like character is ever on display as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit’s activity in their lives
  • Truth is lived out in their lives in such a manner that convictions and promises of God are seen to be authentic
  • They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions of leadership either through coaching, public speaking, teaching, or trail blazing
  • They walk with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and live to see much of fulfilled

This is certainly not meant to be an all inclusive list. Perhaps your observations would yield a different list. If that is the case I would urge you to share your findings so that we all may grow and learn together. Leave a comment, share this post with your social media connections. Start a conversation or better yet, plan your finish!

Posted on

Faith Does Change Everything

Is My Story Worth Telling?

“Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die” is a statement that we have heard many times. This gives expression to the reality there is nothing beyond what we have, caution-god-at-work1 so we ought to enjoy it to the fullest. Moses would give a different expression; “We live at best to be seventy years old, maybe eighty, if we are strong… They go so quickly. And then we fly off.” (Psalm 90:10).

LIFE IS SHORT! We know that, don’t we? So many times we are searching for something that will outlive our brief appearance on this earthly stage. We might be so bold as to call it “leaving a legacy.” Benjamin Disraeli stated that the legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. The problem here is that memory is not always accurate and greatness is left open for interpretation.

The real issue is that we attempt to turn this temporal life into something that is lasting or permanent or even immortal. People have donated millions to have their name chiseled into granite monuments for generations to see what they have accomplished. As is the case with so many things in this life -we will forget! When faith opens our eyes as believers we see that we are living as immortals – “if this same spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwell in you…” C. S. Lewis said it this way, “You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal and their lives is to ours as a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with , work with,marry snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

Our souls are what will live on forever. From God’s perspective, how futile all of our quests to achieve immortality through this temporary stuff must seem to Him. What story are you attempting to tell?

Posted on

Ancient Wisdom – Modern Times

Spiritual Leaders Job Profile

Bible: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 9da76e1a3ee03dbbd35d1c05b68c9cc4

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a] great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

DO NOT ENTER THE MINISTRY IF YOU CAN HELP IT!

You might be surprised to learn who said this quote. It somewhat resembles the voice of a burned-out minister that has just quite. Charles Spurgeon in his “Lectures To My Students,” quotes Joseph Alleine, a British Pastor. Spurgeon is hardly a man that would be considered as bitter and burned-out. Pastoring a church with 14,000+ members at his death, started The Pastor’s College, and a publishing company – most of which Spurgeon funded out of his own pocket. Why would such a statement be used to teach a room full of individuals that have acknowledged a call of God on their life to be influencers? I believe the answer is that we should not embark upon a life of ministry hurriedly and without consultation of others. We need to make sure of our calling!

The call of God includes a sense of destiny combined with an all-absorbing passion to use your life for Christ Jesus. When it is affirmed and acknowledged there is an undeniable assurance that you simply cannot do anything else with your life. With that said the Apostle Paul speaks to his young protégé and gives 5 specific commands that were written I the first century, but just as fresh today.

  1. Preach the Word – Not just the latest focus poling data or survey group. Our message is the special revelation of God to humanity that we call the scriptures, the Bible!
  2. Be ready in season and out of season – The exact meaning of this phrase is debated. However, we can state there is a sense of urgency and vigilance that is being suggested here. Ultimately the minister is to be ready no matter what.
  3. Reprove – The meaning here is to persuade, convince, refute, or to prove a point. There is no sugar coating the message in this term. There are tines when you must speak precisely and clearly.
  4. Rebuke – This involves calling attention to wrongdoing and assigning responsibility. Truth must be CLEAR!
  5. Exhort – The image of this word is that of a coach coming along side to assist and impart knowledge and to offer a listening ear.

Greater Life Lessons

  • Effective Spiritual Leaders must faithfully speak the truth claims of God’s Word.
  • Effective Spiritual Leaders must confront wrongdoing and correct error.
  • Effective Spiritual Leaders must lead efforts to impact communities with scriptural messages of hope and Shalom – make disciples!
  • Effective Spiritual Leaders have servants hearts – helping others many times before yourself

Leave a comment or share this article with your friends. Your comments can teach me! I will do my best to respond to each comment.

Posted on

Ancient Wisdom – Modern Times

19 Earmarks of Depraved Influencers

Bible: 2 Timothy 3:1-9 quote-Ariel-Durant-a-great-civilization-is-not-conquered-from-within_thumb[1]

Leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. After a cursory reading of these scriptures, Paul’s instruction to his young protégé, there is a word that comes to mind – “SAVAGE.” This word represents a cumulative summation of negative influence of these earmarks of depravity. The Apostle Paul pointedly states to Timothy, avoid people characterized by these earmarks. I am listing these 19 earmarks of depravity below, followed by 4 observations. Keep in mind these earmarks were wrote about in the first century, but they are relevant to today’s world.

Lovers of self – Selfishness

Lovers of money – Materialistic

Boastful – Ancient “con artist” implied

Arrogant

Revilers – Blasphemer

Disobedient to Parents

Ungrateful

Unholy

Unloving

Irreconcilable

Malicious Gossips

Without Self Control

Brutal

Haters of Good

Treacherous – “Traitor” implied

Reckless – Falling forward into trouble

Conceited

Lovers of Pleasure Rather Than Lovers of God

Form of Godliness Minus The Power of Demonstrating The Reality

Any single or combination of these influencers can exhibit a brand of leadership that is savage and brutal! As you read the wisdom of Paul you realize in the first century and today the influence of evil will intersect our lives at multiple points. Paul warns to avoid people who exhibit these earmarks. A warning has been issued! How do we prepare? Here are 4 observations.

  1. Difficulty will come in life as evil attempts to destroy good – accept this reality. Nonprofit work in a depraved world will be difficult – embrace it!
  2. Deceivers will present themselves as ambassadors of truth – reject their message. False influencers are TOXIC – reject them!
  3. Evil resides in places of power that cannot easily be overthrown – endure difficult times. Evil is temporary! Reject evil when you can and endure when you must!
  4. The primary weapon of evil is deception – reveal truth. Evil cannot stand in the light of truth – Shine the LIGHT!

Leave a comment below and share this article. Your comments are interesting and enlightening. Share your voice.

The genesis of this article originated in a commentary article by Charles R. Swindoll