Proverbs 30:5-6 (NLV) Every word of God has been proven true (pure). He is a safe covering to those who trust in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will speak strong words to you and prove you to be a liar.
Christian’s believe that the concept of ethics (the study of human character) follow the concepts revealed in the study of the character of God (theology). We act ethically when we reflect the revealed character of God.
To be really Christ-like in an environment of tolerance for behaviors that God calls sin and intolerance for a belief that what God has revealed defines truth, takes faith that He is our refuge, our shield, and our protector.
Our lives do have meaning. Therefore, our personal and business core values must be clear, consistent and courageous – and yet remain contagious, irresistible, inviting.
Is your life giving meaning to something that is attractive and pure?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Gossip: Deadly to Business and Leaders
Proverbs 29:12 (MSG) When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.
You're at work. Someone whispers, "Did you hear the latest about...?" What do YOU do?
Ron Heifetz, co-founder of Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, is quoted as saying, “Purposeful honesty and appropriate transparency at all levels are eventual indicators of your organization’s adaptability and ability to thrive.”
What leaders listen to – i.e. honor - matters. One of your team want to share a juicy morsel? Stop them before they blurt out more. If lies, gossip, spurious chatter of any sort is tolerated at the top (of any size “heap”), that lack of judgment drives the true organizational values of the organization.
Honesty and transparency go hand-in-glove with discernment. You want your leadership to be meaningful in the workplace? Your core values real? Then be known as a discerning leader who won’t participate in any form of gossip.
Are you a gossip conduit or stop sign?
Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
You're at work. Someone whispers, "Did you hear the latest about...?" What do YOU do?
Ron Heifetz, co-founder of Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, is quoted as saying, “Purposeful honesty and appropriate transparency at all levels are eventual indicators of your organization’s adaptability and ability to thrive.”
What leaders listen to – i.e. honor - matters. One of your team want to share a juicy morsel? Stop them before they blurt out more. If lies, gossip, spurious chatter of any sort is tolerated at the top (of any size “heap”), that lack of judgment drives the true organizational values of the organization.
Honesty and transparency go hand-in-glove with discernment. You want your leadership to be meaningful in the workplace? Your core values real? Then be known as a discerning leader who won’t participate in any form of gossip.
Are you a gossip conduit or stop sign?
Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: | 
|
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Leaders Giving Advice
Proverbs 25:11 (NLT) Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.
One of the important functions of leadership is listening; however, there does come a time for the leader to actually give advice. This advice must be timely advice - not constant chattering advice.
Advice is not the same as Micro-managing. “Timely” is advice given at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way giving consideration to the recipient of that advice (What is their learning style? Their communication style? How much emotional capital is invested?). This advice that is not only “beautiful,” but also valuable.
Timely advice can be seen as the process of asking insightful questions, the answers to which will yield clarity (Click HERE for a list of those questions.) A Believer’s advice must be a perfect mixture of grace and truth. If a gracious heart rules your mind, then your advice will be both timely and worth its weight in gold.
Is your advice “as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket?”
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
One of the important functions of leadership is listening; however, there does come a time for the leader to actually give advice. This advice must be timely advice - not constant chattering advice.
Advice is not the same as Micro-managing. “Timely” is advice given at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way giving consideration to the recipient of that advice (What is their learning style? Their communication style? How much emotional capital is invested?). This advice that is not only “beautiful,” but also valuable.
Timely advice can be seen as the process of asking insightful questions, the answers to which will yield clarity (Click HERE for a list of those questions.) A Believer’s advice must be a perfect mixture of grace and truth. If a gracious heart rules your mind, then your advice will be both timely and worth its weight in gold.
Is your advice “as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket?”
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Leaders Focus on “Building” Others: Not Wealth
Proverbs 23:4 (NASB) Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.
Motives are everything – especially for the small businessperson in these economic times.
In his book, Principle Centered Leadership, S. Covey derides our culture’s fixation on wealth - especially wealth without work. He notes a correlation between one’s movement away from the laws of nature and the degree to which one’s judgment is adversely affected.
The law of nature (God’s truth) is this: if it's only money that leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time.
Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. [1Tim.6: 9]
Believing leaders beware: the heart is desperately wicked. Focus on your heart and the needs of others -like customers, employees, vendors, etc. Allow profits and wealth to be the consequence of good management and your dependence on the Lord.
Dependence on self = disaster. Dependence on God = blessing.
On whom are you depending?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Motives are everything – especially for the small businessperson in these economic times.
In his book, Principle Centered Leadership, S. Covey derides our culture’s fixation on wealth - especially wealth without work. He notes a correlation between one’s movement away from the laws of nature and the degree to which one’s judgment is adversely affected.
The law of nature (God’s truth) is this: if it's only money that leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time.
Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. [1Tim.6: 9]
Believing leaders beware: the heart is desperately wicked. Focus on your heart and the needs of others -like customers, employees, vendors, etc. Allow profits and wealth to be the consequence of good management and your dependence on the Lord.
Dependence on self = disaster. Dependence on God = blessing.
On whom are you depending?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Monday, June 22, 2009
Consequence vs. Goals
Proverbs 22:4 (NASB) The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.
Riches, honor and life: not a bad payoff. Or is this a payoff? “Plenty and honor” are not goals of this leader: they are the consequence of his/her humble spirit and this includes experiencing a satisfying life during our journey.
People who are "me-centered" will not only fail at leading, but also fail at living. The other-centered journey begins for a leader when a new God-fearing heart begins to yield a life worth living.
People are willing to follow this kind of leader because this leader is first a follower.
Who are you following?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Riches, honor and life: not a bad payoff. Or is this a payoff? “Plenty and honor” are not goals of this leader: they are the consequence of his/her humble spirit and this includes experiencing a satisfying life during our journey.
People who are "me-centered" will not only fail at leading, but also fail at living. The other-centered journey begins for a leader when a new God-fearing heart begins to yield a life worth living.
People are willing to follow this kind of leader because this leader is first a follower.
Who are you following?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Leaders Learn "To Be" First
Proverbs 17:16 (NLT) It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.
Just as money cannot buy happiness, it cannot buy wisdom.
The purchase of wisdom is a heart thing. The heart must first be changed since God's ways are not the ways of the world.
What are leaders at work to do? Stop funding all educational incentives? Disparage the educational system? NO! That MBA will help do stuff: a heart for God will help you be.
Believers are called to a different world: to a different way of living: we are called to learn God’s ways and apply them. It matters little whether we are a butcher, baker or candlestick maker: we are each models of applied wisdom.
What are you working on: being or doing?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Just as money cannot buy happiness, it cannot buy wisdom.
The purchase of wisdom is a heart thing. The heart must first be changed since God's ways are not the ways of the world.
What are leaders at work to do? Stop funding all educational incentives? Disparage the educational system? NO! That MBA will help do stuff: a heart for God will help you be.
Believers are called to a different world: to a different way of living: we are called to learn God’s ways and apply them. It matters little whether we are a butcher, baker or candlestick maker: we are each models of applied wisdom.
What are you working on: being or doing?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Leaders Learn to Pray and Plan….and Pray
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
I have a friend who had an interesting discussion with his pastor about planning that is troubling. The pastor felt that Christians, especially in a church setting, should not plan: they should just pray and “wait” for God’s leading.
Don’t think that’s Biblical. God is a God of order. He is also jealous God. He wants to be involved in our planning. Acknowledged. Sought after. He guides a moving person. One sitting still, not using the skills given, is not thought well of in Scripture (think of the story of the talents and the one hidden, for example.)
There is a tension between listening to the still, small voice of the Lord and planning. They work together when we are in touch with The Voice.
The Christian business leader should use good planning and management techniques to control the business: but s/he does this with the absolute certainty that the LORD determines the outcome.
Planning is good. Praying is essential.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
I have a friend who had an interesting discussion with his pastor about planning that is troubling. The pastor felt that Christians, especially in a church setting, should not plan: they should just pray and “wait” for God’s leading.
Don’t think that’s Biblical. God is a God of order. He is also jealous God. He wants to be involved in our planning. Acknowledged. Sought after. He guides a moving person. One sitting still, not using the skills given, is not thought well of in Scripture (think of the story of the talents and the one hidden, for example.)
There is a tension between listening to the still, small voice of the Lord and planning. They work together when we are in touch with The Voice.
The Christian business leader should use good planning and management techniques to control the business: but s/he does this with the absolute certainty that the LORD determines the outcome.
Planning is good. Praying is essential.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Monday, June 15, 2009
Seek Counsel From the Right Counselors
Proverbs 15:22 (AMP) Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.
For many leaders, the streams of their revenue have dried up. The lake of their reserves now lies with its old, rotten stumps exposed in pools of mud. No water there. It’s not a pretty picture.
It is now a very complex world if interrelated issues, woven together in the fabric of our lives. When things begin to unravel, we need advice. Not from just anybody. From one who is intimately connected with the “Weaver.”
Solomon directs the Christian leader (business or family) to seek counsel from those who know us well – a small (by implication), intimate group with whom we have been transparent: A team proven to be trustworthy with our secrets.
These are the ones with whom we can share the interrelated nature of what is happening to us. They have a special task: They listen. They deliberate. Then, they offer a plan.
Look at the promise: the plans are accomplished. Can’t beat that.
Ah, but it’s conditional. Get counsel from those who get counsel themselves. God has shaped them with life experiences from which they have learned practical and spiritual lessons.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
For many leaders, the streams of their revenue have dried up. The lake of their reserves now lies with its old, rotten stumps exposed in pools of mud. No water there. It’s not a pretty picture.
It is now a very complex world if interrelated issues, woven together in the fabric of our lives. When things begin to unravel, we need advice. Not from just anybody. From one who is intimately connected with the “Weaver.”
Solomon directs the Christian leader (business or family) to seek counsel from those who know us well – a small (by implication), intimate group with whom we have been transparent: A team proven to be trustworthy with our secrets.
These are the ones with whom we can share the interrelated nature of what is happening to us. They have a special task: They listen. They deliberate. Then, they offer a plan.
Look at the promise: the plans are accomplished. Can’t beat that.
Ah, but it’s conditional. Get counsel from those who get counsel themselves. God has shaped them with life experiences from which they have learned practical and spiritual lessons.
- Do you have a team with whom you are being transparent?
- Do you have people around you who have life experiences from which they have learned something richer and meaningful about God’s grace?
- Are you such a person?
For Further Study
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Friday, June 12, 2009
Leader’s Words Inspire Others for Change
Proverbs 12:18 (MSG) Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
Change has been a hot topic recently and change is at least painful and at worst potentially destructive.
Positive change in our relationships takes intentionality. People are sometimes “destroyed” by what is said and how it is said as they spontaneously react negatively to the change.
The wise leader recognizes the various impacts of change on the team and carefully chooses language and speaks words that heal by creating value and meaning for each person experiencing the change.
Are you leading with words that heal or maim?
Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell
For more thoughts about communication, check out today's Kingdom Business Action Point
Change has been a hot topic recently and change is at least painful and at worst potentially destructive.
Positive change in our relationships takes intentionality. People are sometimes “destroyed” by what is said and how it is said as they spontaneously react negatively to the change.
The wise leader recognizes the various impacts of change on the team and carefully chooses language and speaks words that heal by creating value and meaning for each person experiencing the change.
Are you leading with words that heal or maim?
Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell
For more thoughts about communication, check out today's Kingdom Business Action Point
Bookmark this post: |
|
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Leaders Learn to Stop Gossip Quickly
Proverbs 11:13 (NLT) A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Workplace gossip has become almost like air: it's everywhere. So pervasive that management literature not only recognizes gossip as a force in the workplace, but also has studied how it starts, how to use it, how to make it work for you and how to stop it.
Writers in the field of organizational development, human resources and management seem to recognize that gossip "is a universal human behavior that we all engage in, and which serves a functional purpose for employees and organizations.”(Summerhurst & Talbott)
How do you stop it? Research has discovered that if the gossip is immediately challenged or redirected, the gossip will stop; however, if a second person joins, it grows.
Business etiquette and Scripture agree - stop it before it starts. Do you really trust God with your life? Are you “faithful in spirit?” How you use your tongue will ultimately tell the tale.
Are you trustworthy?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Workplace gossip has become almost like air: it's everywhere. So pervasive that management literature not only recognizes gossip as a force in the workplace, but also has studied how it starts, how to use it, how to make it work for you and how to stop it.
Writers in the field of organizational development, human resources and management seem to recognize that gossip "is a universal human behavior that we all engage in, and which serves a functional purpose for employees and organizations.”(Summerhurst & Talbott)
How do you stop it? Research has discovered that if the gossip is immediately challenged or redirected, the gossip will stop; however, if a second person joins, it grows.
Business etiquette and Scripture agree - stop it before it starts. Do you really trust God with your life? Are you “faithful in spirit?” How you use your tongue will ultimately tell the tale.
Are you trustworthy?
I Recommend For Further Study
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Rich Leadership. Truly rich.
Proverbs 10:22 (AMP) The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
Quite a promise when you think about it: riches with no sorrow; wealth without anxiety. No worrying about who might take it away; or how you might loose it; or the tax burden because of it; or the misunderstandings about you because you have it.
Blessings from the Lord do not come with continuing lust or passion or focus on “toiling” for more riches. Blessings from the Lord are freeing, not enslaving.
So, just whom does the Lord bless? Those who are diligent to know Him; diligent to be like Him; committed to bless others as He did; and – here’s the kicker - to obey Him.
Without a scent of self-centeredness; without a hint of disputing His law; obeying wholeheartedly.
I’m challenged. Are you?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Quite a promise when you think about it: riches with no sorrow; wealth without anxiety. No worrying about who might take it away; or how you might loose it; or the tax burden because of it; or the misunderstandings about you because you have it.
Blessings from the Lord do not come with continuing lust or passion or focus on “toiling” for more riches. Blessings from the Lord are freeing, not enslaving.
So, just whom does the Lord bless? Those who are diligent to know Him; diligent to be like Him; committed to bless others as He did; and – here’s the kicker - to obey Him.
Without a scent of self-centeredness; without a hint of disputing His law; obeying wholeheartedly.
I’m challenged. Are you?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Keep Your Walk Simple: But, Don't be Simple.
Proverbs 9:6; (NIV) Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
Any learning that leaves out God, is foolish – it's the simple (think simpleton) way.
A Christian leader (or any person) must adopt a worldview that is totally integrated with God's revelation and man's knowledge of life– it defines walking in the “way of understanding.” That walk includes unifying our public/private, sacred/secular lives and gaining spiritual power.
Truth is not subject to man’s rules about discourse and debate. Understanding the principles of Truth is vital since many business decisions are not clearly legal or illegal; rather, they often demand leaders thinking about which of the ethically correct paths that should be followed - and that takes understanding and a clear focus on the Truth. Sometimes we cannot clearly see down the path: following God's lead is a walk of Faith and not sight.
This faith walk begins with "knowing God" and that results from feasting at the table of His Word, filling his time with pray, and fulfilling the mandate (from James) to have transparent relationships with Godly people.
You got “walk?”
Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Any learning that leaves out God, is foolish – it's the simple (think simpleton) way.
A Christian leader (or any person) must adopt a worldview that is totally integrated with God's revelation and man's knowledge of life– it defines walking in the “way of understanding.” That walk includes unifying our public/private, sacred/secular lives and gaining spiritual power.
Truth is not subject to man’s rules about discourse and debate. Understanding the principles of Truth is vital since many business decisions are not clearly legal or illegal; rather, they often demand leaders thinking about which of the ethically correct paths that should be followed - and that takes understanding and a clear focus on the Truth. Sometimes we cannot clearly see down the path: following God's lead is a walk of Faith and not sight.
This faith walk begins with "knowing God" and that results from feasting at the table of His Word, filling his time with pray, and fulfilling the mandate (from James) to have transparent relationships with Godly people.
You got “walk?”
Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Monday, June 08, 2009
Leaders Value Wisdom over Wealth
Proverbs 8:11 (MSG) For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
Status, wealth, power, and living the "good life" rule the airwaves. Success is measured by the “trappings of wealth.” That love of money has also given rise to a society where truth is not as valued as much as is “correctness.”
For the believer, access to Wisdom is straightforward – ask for wit. One small caveat – ask in faith. Therein lays the key to access: like anything from our Creator, He is believed, worshiped and “accessed” by faith.
Taking a stand in business for The Truth sometimes will yield sneering. To battle that belittling attitude, Christian leaders must remember, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth."
So who wins? "He who has the most toys, wins." or he who has found Wisdom. Which are you pursuing?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Status, wealth, power, and living the "good life" rule the airwaves. Success is measured by the “trappings of wealth.” That love of money has also given rise to a society where truth is not as valued as much as is “correctness.”
For the believer, access to Wisdom is straightforward – ask for wit. One small caveat – ask in faith. Therein lays the key to access: like anything from our Creator, He is believed, worshiped and “accessed” by faith.
Taking a stand in business for The Truth sometimes will yield sneering. To battle that belittling attitude, Christian leaders must remember, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth."
So who wins? "He who has the most toys, wins." or he who has found Wisdom. Which are you pursuing?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Leadership Treasure Hunt
Proverbs 2: 1-5 (NIV) My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Working in or running a business God’s way is not a matter of a morning prayer of “Bless, oh Lord, my business I pray: now, Lord, let me go on my way…”
Observe the highlighted words in the verse – there is work to do, here. This is not a pretty string of words to light up our spiritual life tree. These are both contemplative and courageous words. They demand action. The result will change your life - that I can promise.
Doing business in a way that glorifies God will develop your character (heart, soul and mind) so that you will become increasingly Christ-like – that’s where the real value is.
Are you searching for the right treasure? Further study may help.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Working in or running a business God’s way is not a matter of a morning prayer of “Bless, oh Lord, my business I pray: now, Lord, let me go on my way…”
Observe the highlighted words in the verse – there is work to do, here. This is not a pretty string of words to light up our spiritual life tree. These are both contemplative and courageous words. They demand action. The result will change your life - that I can promise.
Doing business in a way that glorifies God will develop your character (heart, soul and mind) so that you will become increasingly Christ-like – that’s where the real value is.
Are you searching for the right treasure? Further study may help.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Monday, June 01, 2009
God-fearing Leadership
Proverbs 1:7 (NASB) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
There was a time in our culture when the term “God-fearing man or woman” was used to describe a Christian; however the literature of the last century painted an image of this person as hard, cranky, without compassion, stoic, even brutal – not a pretty picture.
Notwithstanding, the “fear” written of here is not the trembling Lion quaking before the Wizard of Oz; rather, this fear includes the attitude of honoring God as having authority over all things rejecting the attitude of “I don’t need God: I can do just as well on my own.”
This faith is not mere facile declaration. This faith is vigorous, attentive, and “alive.” God-fearers are called to be magnets - attractive people - because they don’t worship self, they value others, and they lead with a moral compass firmly established.
Are you an attractive God-fearer in the workplace?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
There was a time in our culture when the term “God-fearing man or woman” was used to describe a Christian; however the literature of the last century painted an image of this person as hard, cranky, without compassion, stoic, even brutal – not a pretty picture.
Notwithstanding, the “fear” written of here is not the trembling Lion quaking before the Wizard of Oz; rather, this fear includes the attitude of honoring God as having authority over all things rejecting the attitude of “I don’t need God: I can do just as well on my own.”
This faith is not mere facile declaration. This faith is vigorous, attentive, and “alive.” God-fearers are called to be magnets - attractive people - because they don’t worship self, they value others, and they lead with a moral compass firmly established.
Are you an attractive God-fearer in the workplace?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Bookmark this post: |
|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
