Leaders Understand “Experiences”

Proverbs 29:13 (MSG) The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see—their sight, God's gift!


These two have little in common, at first glance, except their “business dealings;” but, with all life experiences, there is more here than meets the eye.

It always comes down to what we do with the light the LORD has given. Do we turn away (leave the lesson) and seek the shade? Do we reach out, despite our condition, and ask our Creator to teach us something more? Do we leave the light and seek darkness?

Are you learning or leaving?

Copyright(c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Character: the Key to Leadership

Proverbs 28:14 (NIV) Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

In their book The 5 Pillars of Leadership, Meyer and Slechta posit that the first three fundamentals of leadership are integrity, a servant’s heart and stewardship. The chord of your character, if built with those three strands, will not easily be broken!

For the Christian leader, the source of these strands of character is a reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord: ignoring this fear (The attitude that I will fear no one!) has consequences. There is the final judge. What we do, what we think and what we say ultimately matters.

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that happiness (blessedness) is born of “fear.”

Know God. - No Fear. Fear God - Know happiness. Are you “blessed?”

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Power of Servant Leadership

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV) Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

The personal application of this verse is a powerful command to those who would practice servant-leadership – or the art of being other-oriented.

Self-adulation is seldom the intent that precedes self-glorifying behavior; often it flows naturally from a heart that is all about self. The heart change of humility is foundational.

The problem for us humans is that this humility is like a slippery watermelon seed: once you get your fingers around it, and you think you have it and it just slips away.

It is a great paradox that in the world of Christians that it is the walk of humility that leads to glory.

Are you on the right path?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Tools of Encouragement

Proverbs 26:3 (NLV) Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!

Leaders must use many different tools to encourage excellence. Some tools are meant to train; others, to govern direction and focus; and finally, there are tools that a consequence of inappropriate behavior. Each must be used with wisdom and without succumbing to emotional anger or disgust or some other expression of how we feel – it should never be about us – it must be about them.

Coaches often use different tools to train a team – I can remember running laps because of an inadequacy in someone else – the lesson was that we were all in this together. We work together. We are “punished” together. It is about team.

Motivations to change are both extrinsic and intrinsic – using a combination of each, at the right time, is what effective leader’s master. That mastery is directly related to the state of the leader’s heart. If your feelings, attitudes and motivations are not congruent with your Creator’s, how do you expect to train, guide and effectively discipline those you are charged with leading?

Are you encouraging growth with the right tools at the right time?

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Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Authentic Leadership is Not Presumptuous

Proverbs 25: 6-7 (MSG) Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence. It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.

In an interview with Larry King, Donald Trump observed that pretenders to success often spend too much time talking to him about all they have done. He has observed that successful people, on the other hand, spend the time learning -- asking questions about his success.

Self-exaltation often results in disaster.

Leaders – lifelong learners - are insatiably curious and more interested in learning than they are in preening. Their focus in not on seating arrangements, but learning from the person they are seated next to. This practical advice about where you think you should be sitting says much about your heart. Christian leaders are called to march to a heartbeat whose cadence is called out by God, not by the meaningless chatter of this world.

Are you seeking God's honor or the world’s?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Must Be Known For The “Right Stuff”

Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

For everyone, especially leaders, two attributes are more desirable than all the wealth we can accumulate: to be well spoken of and to be held in high esteem by others.

Both point to personal purpose: knowing who you are and what your purpose is. I hope you have a handle on that.

A.W. Tozer offered seven “tests” for us to use when we want to understand better how we are “known” and what really drives us:
1. What we want most
2. What we think about most
3. How we use our money
4. What we do with our leisure time
5. The company we enjoy
6. Who and what we admire
7. What we laugh at

And remember, as my Mom used to say: “What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say.”

What really drives your behavior?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Danger of Shortcuts

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Shortcuts in life, and in business, are doomed to certain poverty. Do you believe that?

In our culture, diligence is out. Blatant self-promotion, even looking silly, is in. Looking for the shortcuts has become the grist of reality TV and a way of American life. Planning has become confused with scheming, alliances, lying, quick decisions, "winning" at all costs.

Howard Shultz, founder of Starbucks, relates, “A phrase used by one of the most organized and successful companies I ever worked for….Proper planning and preparation prevents poor performance!"

Planning, preparation, performance, prosperity - No short cuts in that list!

On whom do you depend when planning? What defines your prosperity?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Don’t Quarrel

Proverbs 20:3 (AMP) Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.


In Genesis, there is a story about land and quarrelling.

It seems that the land could not support both Abram and Lot’s herdsmen who were quarrelling (two groups professing faith) in a land of unbelieving people. Abram’s plea for peace came with a powerful offer to Lot: take half. Lot did not deserve it: was not promised it. But “keeping away from strife” drove Abram’s decision. He trusted God to provide even though Lot chose the best land.

The mix of humility and relentlessness will may define a “Level 5” (Collins, Good to Great), but for the Christian at work, there may be more to consider. Humility is more than some building block toward leadership: it must be an essence of leadership. It is THE definition of a leader that is driven by a desire to serve others.

Sometimes, moving from “good to great” demands a sacrifice resulting in a “move” for which God alone receives glory.

What sacrifices do you need to make to move from “good to great?”

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

A Presidential Leadership Model

Proverbs 19:27 (NKJV) Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

In her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, author Goodwin noted that Lincoln was consumed with learning. A study of his life reveals that he not only read but also studied Scripture.

His Bible was never far from him and one of his quotes, no doubt stimulated by his constant reading of the Scriptures is, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

Believing leaders who now have power to some extent, like Lincoln, have learned that the Bible must be the major business resource when dealing with ethics, leadership, organization behavior and even strategy.

As great of a leader that Lincoln was, we have even a better model. Lincoln died. Christ rose from the dead, is living and “instructs” us today.

Are you still in school?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are All Ears

Proverbs 18:15 (AMP) The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.

Leadership literature lights up when combining listening with leadership. “Google” the subject and within seconds 12,700,000 results those word.

Some 3000 years ago, the world’s wisest man suggested that listening is vital for growth. The New Testament has close to 15 passages related to the subject. Paul Tillich summed it up by stating, “The first duty of love is to listen.” We listen to God because we love him. We should listen to others for the same reason.

Listening demands effort and is intentional and important in God’s economy. One of the roles of leaders is to ask good questions and then listen to the responses. That takes time and is very different from “doing just stuff” – but, in fact, it is the stuff of leading.

Do you take the time to learn by listening?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Chose Words Carefully

Proverbs 15:23 (NLT) Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Seneca observed, “When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.” I certainly know the feeling. The wrong thing said at the wrong time. How I had wished that my reply had been fitting.

It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! The tongue is a dangerous muscle. Words do hurt.

Wise (Godly) leaders are called to offer a distinction to the world by their words: words that encourage and do not destroy; words that correct without demeaning the hearer; and replies appropriate to the occasion.

Leadership is a heart thing. It begins there. It lives there. It ends there.

Do your words show it?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership with Insight

Proverbs 14: 8 (NLT) The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

Reflective understanding and active thinking are activities that happen in rest and stillness.

Yes, activities. Not some empty-minded mediation; but quiet, reflective thinking about purpose, mission, and strategy. It is the prudent leader who takes time to think, to reflect and to meditate on the possible actions and their effect on the team, the customer and stakeholders.

Reflection or deception – that seems to be the choice in this verse.

Believing leaders consult their Creator in prayer and meditation, asking for wisdom and discernment to understand the times, not only in the business environment but also, more importantly, in the shaping of their lives to be more like Christ.

Are you a prudent leader?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Watch How They Speak

Proverbs 13:2-6 (MSG) The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation…Careful words make for a careful life… A good person hates false talk… bullies push and shove their way through life.

Effective leaders use conversation and carefully crafted words to move people to “get stuff done.” They use authentic speech and don’t pretend to have all the answers.

Careful words will encourage commitment from your followers because you keep your commitments.

The wise man, inspired by the Spirit, who penned these proverbs, clearly understood the impact of what comes out of the mouth of a leader reflects the heart (soul) of the person.

Have you acquired a taste for helpful conversation?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Listen & Take Advice

Proverbs12:15 (MSG) Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

Listening leaders are the ones who have learned that the more they know, the more there is to know and they cannot know it all. Simply listening to advice and actually taking advice are two different activities.

In which activity are you engaged?

For Further Study

Delight God in Business by Pursuing Him

Proverbs 11:1 (NASB) A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.

A little adjustment here, a little lie there and white lies everywhere yielding a response to the question, “What can I get away with?"

Our culture today presents leaders with many opportunities for self-righteous behaviors. Believers are called to pursue God, not “advantage.” We are called to righteousness, not riches. We are called to multiply what He has given us for His glory.

Are you delighting God?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Your Worldview is Critical to Leadership

Proverbs 8: 22-23 (NASB) The LORD possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

The literature on the theory and practice of leadership has been around a long time. Studies have emerged from many disparate disciplines that have shaped and augmented the literature. Each writer, some intentionally, many without intention, have reflected a particular worldview.

One’s worldview consists of at least three attributes, it:

• Assumes something about origins (fundamentally either matter or spirit - first cause - is eternal);
• Defines the problems that beset the human being (at the core it’s either sin, or some evolved set of environmental/societal drivers); and finally,
• Ultimately offers a solution to the human condition.

Our view of these three attributes determines our views about the intent, behavior and impact humans have on each other and the role that leaders and followers play in that dance of interaction.

From Plutarch’s Lives, to more modern writers, a body of literature has developed about the ways leaders must think and behave to motivate followers - each writer offering valid ideas and processes on leadership. Interestingly, they all have a basis in Scripture. “Wisdom” was there in the beginning.

God tells us that effective leaders are first followers of Him. These followers then lead by example;, therefore, effective leadership begins after a heart is changed from its original nature to a Christ-centered nature. A heart changed will shape behavior toward yourself and others.

Man’s theories come and go. God’s laws have remained constant.

Have you considered your worldview and how it shapes your leadership?
The answer matters – today at work and eternally.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Know What’s Precious

Proverbs 7:3 (NKJV) Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye.

The idiom in this verse literally means the “pupil of the eye” but has come to mean, “that which we hold most precious.” Remember the words of our Servant-Leader model about what is precious:

“Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."” Matt 22: 37-40 (MSG)

God’s laws, like principles of leadership, are fundamentally about two issues: personal integrity and the value of others. Robin S. Sharma in Leadership Wisdom from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari put it this way: “The greatest privilege of leadership is the chance to elevate lives."

Robert E. Staub - (The Heart of Leadership: 12 Practices of a Courageous Leader) - reveals that those who purport to lead - but fail - do so because they don't understand who it is they're trying to lead. Sometimes, evaluations of the team are based upon the wrong criteria – they may well be the right “people on the bus” and leaders miss it because they are not holding the skills possessed as “precious.”

According to Jim Collins, “The good-to-great leaders understood …[a] simple truth….if you begin with “who,” rather than “what,” you can more easily adapt to a changing world.” What I have learned is that working on developing the “who” is a rigorous process and takes competency, intimacy, integrity, and passion.

Leaders know what is precious: It not the stuff that must be done; rather, it’s the people who team with them to get it done.

Who is (and/or is it “what is”) most precious to you?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leading in a World of Darkness

Proverbs 6:23 (MSG) For sound advice [that had come from Wisdom] is a beacon, good teaching is a light, and moral discipline is a life path.

This chapter in Proverbs is on living skills and, in the section on warnings about sexual morality, comes this gem about the qualities of a leader who provides sound advice, good teaching (Biblical) and moral discipline.

Life is not simple and neither is leading. Business is in constant flux. Capital gets depleted. Priorities change. Boards demand progress. Individual contributors are often driven by self-centered motives painted in the texture and hue of team effort.

Complexities arise very often fraught with gray areas that take special wisdom.

The ability to discern truth and righteousness demands, of leaders, something beyond their natural skills. Being known as a Christian business leader should have an impact on the lives around you.

It is about being a light. Light has a way of revealing. Christian leaders must distinguish right from wrong even in the face of what might be "legal," but not righteous, in God's eyes.

Is the “light” of your life revealing Christ in you?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Influential Leaders Listen…Well

Proverbs 5:1 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight…

Whether you are leading a small business, a large company, or a team, listening is a skill that has direct impact on your ability to be an influential leader. Listening, learned and applied, is priceless to the person to whom you are listening.

If listening simply means gathering and making sense out of information, and information drives effective communication, then we need to be intentional about developing effective listening skills.

Research indicates that fifty percent of our time is spent listening, but our real attention consumes only twenty five percent – the other half is spent thinking about what to say next. We lose our ability to listen at an alarming rate – in first grade, we heard 90% of instruction and by ninth grade that percentage plummeted to 25%.

In life and in business, the more effective your listening skills, the more you learn about what the prospective customer really needs; what the current customer considers as exquisite service; and what your staff thinks is needed build a team focused on growing revenue or profitability. As one writer states, “The time and money you save by listening effectively can make the difference between success and failure.”

Scripture tells us that developing a “the hearing ear,” or teachableness, results in happiness. Imagine that: a skill we can learn, if diligent, results in something just for us that make us appealing. Leaders who have developed that ear will attract followers not only because they are heard, but also because the leader, who is really listening, is not full of self and is…happy.

We all want to be heard. God does to: Are you listening?

Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

Meditation Yields Motivation

Proverbs 4:5, 13 (NIV) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them…Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Proverbs admonishes us to “get Wisdom.” For business leaders, business school knowledge is important, sometimes even vital for structuring your business thinking. Don’t dismiss it as irrelevant; however what Proverbs drives us to “get and hold on to” has eternal impact – and that is what Christian business people are called to generate – eternal impact.

We must form the habits of “get[ing]” and “holding on to” and “not forget[ing]” and “guarding … well” Wisdom’s instruction. These habits will help us assimilate or accommodate any instruction we receive. Shaping all our learning through the filter of Scripture takes intentionality and effort, especially in a culture that forges a false dichotomy between secular and scared.

Think of brain having boxes defined by rows and columns (like in Excel®) – similar to Piaget’s internal model of your world. New instruction that fits the junction at a row and column is easily assimilated. If the new information does not fit, it must be accommodated. Your habit-pattern of thinking can drive that accommodation.

That’s why meditation on God’s Word must become a habit. It will shape everything we might learn – especially about leadership. It drives our integration of the scared and the secular.

Obedience to “meditate day and night” on God’s works, God’s wonders and God’s Word drives in us a joy that is attractive to those watching. That’s one way leader’s gains followers.

Is your obedience bringing about a motivating and attractive joy?


Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

In Tough Economic Times - Relax

Proverbs 1:33 (MSG) "First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands.

Rest, Relax, Reflect Then Lead

While thinking about sharing my thoughts on stillness and relaxing, I was later, in bed, reading a Tanenbaum novel last night wherein this description awoke my thinking: “Lucy in the meantime was exercising her primary religious talent…simply keeping still and reflecting in peace and gratitude. This had a radiating effect on the other lunchers.”

That author captured the both the wonder of stillness and result it produces. This result will impact all those around - all those watching you. You want to be a magnet of quiet meaning to those seeking rest and relaxation from the troubles of their life? Relax.

If lost in the woods, we are taught to be still. Stay in one place. Our nature is to move. Run. Flee. Frantically find the way out. Instead of frenetic activity, on writer advised, "I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother."1

This verse says there is a simple method that will provide what you need to learn to relax – and it’s free! Go deep into life – be still. It takes patience and discipline to quiet self and listen to the still, small voice of our Creator. For hard chargers like me, it is difficult to quiet my mind, my soul and my body – and I want God to shout. Being still – relaxing – I have learned will help you discover your way.

Do life right: Shift your focus. Being self-absorbed brings anxiety: Becoming God-absorbed yields relaxation. The choice should be clear.

In the stillness, to whom are you paying attention?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

1 David, in Psalm 131:2