ARE YOU A WORKAHOLIC LEADER?

Leaders are often characterized as people who love their work.

For some, this love affair has caused them to make their work an idol. They worship work. It becomes all consuming - more important than anything else.

Sometimes, it even comes in the guise of doing “God’s work” along with subsistence work – you are either at church, in small groups, singing, teaching, administrating, managing the church's social network, and then also doing your own “work.” With that kind of schedule it is easy for relationships, reflection, reading and rest to suffer - to say nothing about your reverence for your Creator.

I've bowed to that idol - after all, it promised me success, fulfillment, happiness, wealth, power, and prestige. All lies. When "activity" became a God, it became a sin.

God gave humans “work” as a gift, and like all His gifts, the blessings of each gift are best realized when they are “given back” to Him. In our natural humanity, we want to accumulate them for ourselves. As the Apostle Paul reminds us when working do it “… with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23

Yes, give it all you got - but not for you, for Him. And that's why God gave us the Sabbath. To rest from our work. He knew that work could consume us. He is to consume us. And I understand, that's not easily accomplished. What is visible is much easier to grasp than The One who is unseen.

The link following is to a story worth taking some time to read – it is the confession of a workaholic who once was practicing law in Oklahoma and suffered the consequences of working too long and too hard for the wrong reasons.

Read it then ask yourself:

Am I working for myself or for the glory of God?


Copyright (c) 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Standing

Proverbs 15:25 (MSG) God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.

Because of my recent involvement with The Truth Project, I have had many interesting conversations with people about “the Christian worldview” and its impact on how one views leading. We have talked about many kind of leaders – some good, some bad (gangs have leaders!) some packaged (all wrapped up in themselves that they have to be “handled). Some authentic. All are on the point. Exposed. Leading.

Leaders are out in front – in more ways than one. Being in that position often brings “standing” and “standing” has a way of deluding us. We (at least, I know I do) like the adulation that comes from being in front – it’s fun. Provides energy. Generates ideas. Inspires. Deludes. Delusions (of any kind) have their source in “the lie” and therein is the fuel for a cosmic battle. Do we as leaders depend on our own power, strength, intellect, charm and ability to motivate or do we depend on the Creator who wired us with a set of skills and abilities that attract followers.

I am becoming convinced that leadership that matters (eternally – and isn’t that the only that really matters?) finds it roots in humility – the recognition that others are more important than we. That any standing we have comes because God has given us a platform that is to be used for His glory, not ours.

What are you standing upon?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Foundations of Leadership

Proverbs 5:1-2 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

A battle rages in our culture. Truth (with a capital “T”) and “the lie” are at war.

When working with people about leadership foundations, it is interesting to see how the culture is “taking ground” in this battle, even in the “Christian” community. We have not done well in understanding the ramifications of this war. We have ceded territory needlessly. It’s time to stop.

As I have written before, to whom you look for wisdom determines – well, everything. Are we, like Solomon? Solomon never assumed that truth was relative and that morality was a function of personal choice.

When wrestling with your personal purpose and your ethical framework (as R.C. Sproul points out, “Ethics is about ought to be and morality is about ‘what is’ ”) our worldview is critical. Does Truth have an absolute foundation? Or has our ethical system morphed to reflect polling – a 51% determination of the will of the people within a given group, culture or system. Might makes right. Right? Wrong.

The Apostle Paul said about Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" and that is Truth with the capital “T.” Not might. Right.

The predicate of this principle is not only that your view of others will not be self-serving (maintain discretion), but also what you say builds the continuity of useful knowledge based on the absolutes of Truth. Leadership that honors others and builds a legacy – it begins at this source.

Do you “pay more attention” to God or man?”



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leading. Learning. Loving.

Pr 23: 12 (NIV) Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Interesting discussions lately, on LinkedIn®, about leadership vs. management and whether leadership can be taught within a 10-day framework. Some confused management with leadership.

I have found the Kotter’s view that management is more about managing complexity and leadership is about managing change to be most helpful in distinguishing the difference. Change is a very individual journey. Leaders pull followers with them on that journey.

Change begins when an individual is able to take instruction and see it more than a simple collection of facts; rather, it drives a personal worldview – those facts mean something.

How we view ourselves (our very “origin,” our view of Truth, our role in society) impacts how we view others (their value, importance and meaning). Leaders are people who are centered and therefore can love others in a way the builds community – a team – with honest, encouraging camaraderie. Leaders invest the time to develop the habits needed to apply the heart and tune the ears so that, with true altruism, they can give themselves.

Leaders give. Time. Resources. Insights. Instruction. Encouragement. Energy. Leadership that promotes followers and builds new leaders is framed within the context of serving. The servant-leader has learned to learn – because knowing self and controlling self is not an event – it’s a process. Lifelong. Ongoing. Like learning.

Are you learning to be a leader?



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Idols and Leading

Proverbs 8:4 (NCV) Wisdom calls to you like someone shouting; understanding raises her voice.


I got ‘em. Trying to get rid of them as they become evident. But love them, anyway. After all, they are my idols.

As leaders, we often hang onto old stuff – stuff of our making. Wisdom - the capital “W” Wisdom, which has been around before creation, and is found only in God – and that Wisdom must drive my worship.

I’m reminded of God speaking in the major prophets about those foolish people who find wood, use part of it for a fire, and part of it to carve an idol. Melt some gold to wrap the wood: it’s still wooden. Then they worship it. I used to laugh. “How stupid. How silly. Why did the Israelites, who saw miracles, worship those things?”

I missed the point. I’m just like them. Wisdom was shouting at me. I was transfixed by my idol.

Leading – without the disciplines of knowing yourself, controlling yourself, giving yourself – easily can lead to hubris, not humility. Business publication, journals, papers contain good stuff, but not truth. God is Truth. Learning to listen to Wisdom only happens if we are in the Word.

Wisdom’s calling. Are you listening?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Richness. No Sorrow. That's the Leadership Promise

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.

And why does not work (toiling) increase it? Seems counter- intuitive. Could it be about riches that have eternal value - not temporal value? Richness that are paid in the coin of the Kingdom?

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 in you care.

Clean the "temple." Get rid of the idols. Burn those high places. Chop down those Asherah poles. Get rid of ANYTHING that enslaves you. Blessings from the Lord are freeing, not enslaving.

So, just whom does the Lord bless? Those that worship him at work, at life, each in holiness that glorifies God and builds truth into your character.

Those who are diligent to know Him so as to be like Him; to bless others as He did; and, to obey Him - do so knowing that they will enjoy Him forever.

They do this without a hint of "ownership" or self-centeredness; rather, those folks are committed to stewardship - investing well for the owner those things that have given to their care.

• Are you building His kingdom by leading from an attitude of humility?

• Do we lead so our strategics focus upon the Creator - not the creations? {what glorify God with this transaction}?

• How will other see Christ in us, the hope of glory if we take this or that course of action?

• Are we making decisions to make us look good, or God look good? Hopefully, our answer is congruent.

I’m challenged. Are you?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Foundation

Proverbs 5:1-2 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

Successful businesses serve well the needs of their customers in an environment where employees thrive and are rewarded in words and deeds.

Employee and customer needs fulfilled in such a way that the investor’s financial needs, and the community that surrounds the business, profits from the enterprise.

Biblical wisdom supports each of these activities of a business. To name just a few:

• Meet the needs of other first.
• Treat employees with honor and fairly.
• Pay your debts.
• Your actions impact the world.

Your source of wisdom when leading determines – well, everything.

Business ethics adheres to the underlying principle that there is bedrock truth upon which you must build your thought life and behavior. Solomon of old never assumed that truth was relative and that morality was a function of personal choice: his worldview drove his wise proverbs.

Do you pay more attention to what God teaches or the situational, shifting ethics of man?

Are you grounded in Wisdom? If not, wise up!


Copyright © 2010 P. Griffith Lindell

Purity of Purpose

Proverbs 20:9 (NLT) Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?

Integrity. A word much used by leaders. Means wholeness. Purity. God is holy – whole - pure.
The power of positive leadership is found purity. Purity is a constant struggle - especially in the little things that are woven in the fabric of the life of any of us who would lead.

Leadership involves getting along with many people. Some you want to get along. And then there are the “others.” You want your employees and customers to forgive you when you make a mistake – and you will make mistakes - you will be forgiven in the same measure you forgive those around you.

You want good relationships with your business peers – your business “neighbors?” Those relationships flow from a pure heart toward them, even (maybe especially) those who don’t treat you well - those who make promises to the market they never keep and you are painted with the brush of their hypocrisy because of your friendship. It angers you; however, you cannot hate your business brother and say you love God.

I’m reminded of the story of da Vinci who, when painting The Last Supper, had a bitter argument with a friend that ended in angry words. Later that day, da Vinci went to add paint to the face of Jesus and could not. He realized his painting was not being produced by pureness of heart. He put down his brush and searched until he found his friend and asked forgiveness for his anger. Only then was he able to paint.

Purity of heart demands of us leaders a daily dedication to allowing our Creator to cleanse us and thereby reaffirm our purpose to be stewards of the time, talents and treasure He has given us. Effective leaders are good stewards.

“Create in me a clean heart O God…” is not just a prayer for the so-called “big” sins – it is the daily prayer of a leader for every sin.

Leadership is a daily thing. Are you committed – each and every day?

Copyright (c) 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Our 234th National Birthday

We are a nation that was built on principles of opportunity that are equal to all. We had some things to work out on that principle, and we did. We may not have arrived, but socialism is not the answer.

We were a nation built on rewards for individual effort to those who take risks (both principles of capitalism). As friend, Bob Shank, points out, "Your kids, your employees, even your well-to-do neighbors are "under the influence" of voices who are singing the virtues of Socialism, in four-part harmony. If you don't draw the line in the economic sand and begin reeducating the gullible within the sound of your voice, who will?"

On this 2010 Independence Day celebrations, where does that leave us? Wandering a bit, it think.

Economic Capitalism, which derives power to build because of the principles of freedom, had it roots in Biblical Christianity. As a nation, we have lost our way in a short span of 200 years.

John Quincy Adams, himself a President and son of John Adams or 2nd President, in 1837 when he was 69 yrs old, delivered a 4th July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts.

In it, he asked some powerful questions of those gathered, the answers to which would be far different than from today's audience:

“Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?"

[comment] Our culture scoffs less than 200 years later. The birthday of the Savior has become the Holiday Season - the 4th is more about platitudes than principles of individual responsibility to govern and be governed.

“Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?"

[comment - I bet this is not taught in public schools! We have become a nation that would quickly listen to the Michael Moore's, Sean Penn's and the Hugo Chavez’s than to the thinkers and doers of our early national fathers.]

National freedom is important. Eternal freedom is vital; therefore, my prayer for this holiday:

"We acknowledge Heavenly Father, that there is no greater feeling of liberation than to experience freedom from sin and death that you have provided to all who would believe through Jesus Christ.

And because of this liberation, my heart and soul are free to praise you. For this I am very thankful.

Let us not take our freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May we always remember that our national freedom was purchased with a very high price and today, Lord, we are reminded that our nation’s continuing freedom cost others their very lives. Bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for the cause of freedom both physical and spiritual. For those who spread the Gospel both at home and abroad, and for those who are willing to die so that freedom reigns, we ask, that with heavenly favor and bounty, you meet their needs and watch over their families.

May each of us make the choice to be a blessing in someone's life and grant us the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can only be found in knowing Christ.

May our freedom be evidenced by our stewardship of the time you have given each of use, by the treasure you have given us, by the talents you have granted each.

We give these back to you.

Grant to each of us Father a keen awareness of our role as stewards, not owners of our time, talent and treasure.

May the gifts of each that we give back to you be multiplied by a heavenly arithmetic to the glory of your Name and your Kingdom on Earth.

In the name of the One who is the granter of true freedom, in the name of Jesus, I pray, AMEN."

Are you investing in the Kingdom?

Son-light

Proverbs 18:2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.


A small break in the clouds
And the morning light paints the sky with reds, yellows and bright.
Just a quick peek,
Then gone.
Clouds - high, quiet blankets of gray now rule.

It colors my life - isolated under this blanket of gray
Focused not on the sun, that is not seen,
but on the monotone color of an overcast morning -
seen, felt, believed and quiet.
It colors my opinion of morning information.

High winds aloft begin to scrub the sky
stirring up the blanket of gray into soft cotton-balls of white
And the sun is again revealed.
It never moved. Always there. Now shining.
The day feels better.

Colors more brilliant. Shadows dance with the morning dew.
The air looses its chill and my life is once again colored by the sun.
Then the thought hits me:
my life should always be colored by the Son - seen or unseen.

Focus on the Son that I know is there - not on the clouds that chill the air.

###

Where's your focus?


Copyright 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Going to the Well

Proverbs 10:11 (MSG) The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.

The picture is striking: a working well or a dark cave.

Keeping the metaphor simple, only one source refreshes the body, mind and spirit. I'm not talking about "church." May well be a well - a well around which we gather on Sunday.

How do you make the “Sunday refreshment” last the whole week? You don't. One drink of water on Sunday won't last the week in life. You know that. Why would you think it would be any different in the spiritual realm?

Some folks have found a way to make the Sunday glass of water multiply Monday through Saturday. They are getting hydrated with an eternal source of water that sustains their personal and business lives. Hydration coming from others who have walked in their shoes - making payroll, growing a business, trying to be profitable, dealing the capital gobbling monsters of market forces beyond personal control - all the while living a life that is clearly hydrated with energy and business excellence.

How does that happen? Is it real? You bet it is.

Most often, this kind of refreshment is found during the week with a group of men and woman committed to growing the Kingdom of God and being an attractive example of business excellence that is pleasing both to God and all people.

One such group comes out of Fellowship of Companies for Christ International (FCCI) - you may know them as Christ@Work. To find a Christ@Work Group in your area, call (770) 685-6000 or email them at csr@fcci.org - their new FaceBook Fan page can be found at http://tiny.cc/sy7us.

Find a “well” near you. Join them. Find the refreshment from folks who are committed to finding business, personal and spiritual life from the One who said that "if anyone believes in [Him], rivers of living water will flow out from that person's heart..."

Refreshing well or dark cave: where are you going to get refreshed?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership and Ambition

Prov. 27:20 (NCV) People will never stop dying and being destroyed, and they will never stop wanting more than they have.

What we “chase after” defines us – whether we like it or not. Some of us are more subtle in our chasing – we keep it at the fantasy level – you know, just in the head – never expressed as a vision, or personal goal. But it’s there. Defining us. What a person meditates upon can destroy them or develop them.

The human story is ripe with ambitious men and women – chasing dreams that, in the end, destroyed them, and even societies. Fortunately, there are also stories in the Judeo/Christian record of leaders whose ambition was not me-centered, but God-centered expressing an ambition to encourage, empower, and enhance the lives of others.

What are people of faith to do in the marketplace? "The world's idea that everyone, from childhood up, should be able at all times to succeed in measurable ways, and that it is a great disgrace not to, hangs over the Christian community like a pall of acrid smoke." (J.I. Packer. A Passion for Faithfulness: Wisdom From the Book of Nehemiah, Crossway Books 2000, pg. 206)

Our ambition must be coated with a resolute discipline of our will and built around the core of a humility of our spirit – or, we will end up leading just like those whose purpose for living is wrapped up in survival and not in eternity.

What are you wanting?


Copyright ©2010 by P.Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: the Power of Influence

Proverbs 11:28 (MSG) A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.


The marketplace is filled with people who are building. And building, per se, is good. It’s not the building that’s the problem: it is what one is “devoted to” in that “building” that’s the issue.

Jesus ben Joseph (as, no doubt, he was known in his younger days), this builder, artisan, craftsman from Nazareth, was known for his trade, his work. Among the responsibilities of a Jewish father to his sons were circumcision, and the teaching of a trade – in this case, the potential of a tree (the kind of wood, what could be done with it, what it was best for). Joseph did his job.

More importantly, that teaching included building an understanding of the “Why” of Jewish rites and beliefs. God intended His people to build lives with eternal meaning – not just temporal excellence - and fathers were to pass down to sons that rich heritage of excellence and eternity.

Of course the people with whom he grew up were confused when Jesus the craftsman returned as Jesus the Rabi with a bunch of followers. Where is theological training? He’s an artisan, not a theologian! Jesus, the Christ, came into the world when there existed the same confusion then as today – the scared is over there; the secular is here; and never the twain shall meet. The worship of dead stuff has always been a poor, but widely accepted, substitute for the workshop of the living.

Devoting one’s life to the accumulation of power, prestige, and play–things yield stuff, but not satisfaction: Success, but not significance. Devoting self to the living and eternal should change how we do business: for some of us, power and prestige will follow – not because it’s pursued, but because God wants to show Himself alive in our lives.

The power of our influence will flow out of the prestige of doing business so well that others want to know the how and why.

Upon what are you focused – success (a stump) or significance (a tree)?


Copyright © 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADING…TODAY – not TOMORROW

Proverbs 27:1 (MSG) Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow.

I was having calendar problems today. Syncing this one with that one and getting too many duplicate meetings between them. Got me thinking about leading and “tomorrows.”

Influencing others is a today thing – can’t put that off for tomorrow. I remember getting so focused on today’s tasks, that the people needing positive influence (nurture, direction, encouragement, care) were placed in the tomorrow slot. As if I would know that I would be there tomorrow to provide that leading. That brashness may not have been verbally announced, but it was part of my thinking. God-like. Knowing tomorrow would be there for me. For them.

Good leadership is about being present. Aware of and taking care of the people and problems - today. You, and they, may not have tomorrow.

Sure, planning is important. So is scheduling properly. That’s not the issue: tomorrow is about attitude. We either have the “I’m in charge” attitude or the “God is in charge” attitude. Which one we adopt shapes how we think about today. And tomorrow.

Got the right attitude?



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

INFLUENCE: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Proverbs 22:24-25 (MSG) Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don't get infected.

How you influence others may well depend on how others influence you.

There is an undercurrent of anger about the economy, health care and America’s “place” in the world. Those issues are important and discussion about them vital. Small businesspeople must make tough decisions about staffing, inventory, sales – all sorts of business decisions – because these kinds of external factors play a role in how business “gets done.”

Notwithstanding the importance of collaboration, the servant-leader, who seeks to positively influence followers, must not allow clicks of the cankerous to be part of his/her circle of friends. God has called His followers to trust in Him, not the government, not cash flow, the budget, wars and rumors of wars. Him. Alone.

A great leader put it this way: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.1” Not the words of a hothead – a bad tempered or angry person. I’d like to hang out with him! Can’t – in person. But I look for people with this attitude. It influences by perspective.

Who is influencing you?



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell


_______________________
1Psalm 62:1-2

10 Additional Ways to Influence the Workplace

1 - 10

11. Practice being open to others by actively listening to them and not “telling” them

12. Daily prepare your heart so you are not seduced by subtle ethical distinctions – subtlety has a way of sneaking up – ambushes work on the ill prepared – be prepared.

13. Develop your personal purpose statement (Why were you created - born? What are you meant to accomplish?) and lead from it (and we all lead no matter our title)

14. As a person thinks so is he – therefore, practice Phil 4: 8-9 “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

15. Be present in all your business conversations – connect with the person speaking – listening is an active activity – passive listening does not honor the speaker

16. Develop inner contentment – joy is accepting the circumstances with an understanding that our loving Father wants what is best for us in spite of the stuff happening around us. The peace of God is directly related to our anxiety.

17. Remember – you are a steward of this company, this team, this project, this business idea, this family – you and I own nothing.

18. Make all business decisions with integrity remembering that wealth is not a goal but a consequence

19. Idle words are dangerous – practice clear, concise, encouraging, edifying conversation

20. Understand what drives you (how God wired you) and then understand how God has wired others and communicate with them in the style that best meets their needs – not yours.


Copyright (c) 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

10 Ways to Influence the Workplace

1. Don’t worship self – work on your internal attitude – remember: it’s not all about you!

2. Value others – by tangible, external expressions - like expressing appreciation or saying “Thank you!” and meaning it.

3. Lead with a moral compass – if you have not thought about your core values, just ask yourself this question: “What would Christ do?”

4. Remember what a wise writer once wrote: – Accept the words of Wisdom as truth; memorize them and store them up; tune your ear to listen to people who are grounded in Wisdom; apply your heart to wisdom; i.e. your mind, will and emotions; and, finally, call for insight, ask for wisdom and cry aloud for understanding.

5. Realize that innovations, insights and impact in the market have their source in God – by doing this an attitude adjustment will follow which will be reflected in your treat other people

6. Show a concern for truth by the questions you ask peers, subordinates and bosses

7. When leading a team or a company, practice humility, modesty and shared decision-making

8. Practice personal discipline to guard your heart with being daily in the Word

9. Build influence by being authentic – For example: when you don’t know, don’t fake it: say you don’t know, but will find out.

10. Practice, with diligence, the art of observing, learning from results (good or bad – no matter), teaching what is learned and mentoring someone to take your place



Copyright (c) 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Guided Leaders…Guiding

Proverbs 11:2b-3a (NIV) …with humility comes wisdom; the integrity of the upright guides them...

To guide others well, one must first be guided.

Guiding others, without a clear grasp of personal purpose (Why am I here? What’s my meaning?), is difficult, indeed one might say, impossible. God’s guidance for the Believing Leader is not a guessing game. His Word clearly provides the fundamental moral and ethical principles and the application examples are plenteous – those who successfully led others were committed to being lead by the Lord both actively (visions, a still, small voice, physical appearances) and passively (His revelation, powerful relationships with others and recognition of circumstances).

Guidance from our Creator is all about relationship: a deep, personal relationship with the one who “shepherds” us. That analogy of shepherding implies that we take the posture of sheep. Not easily done. We humans often aspire to be lions, tigers, cheetahs – fleet, strong animals. Sheep? Probably not. Sheep need to be lead. They tend to wander and get in trouble on their own. They can’t find green pasture on their own. Need to be lead to quiet watering holes. The leader, who is willing to be directed by the Sprit of God, will prove her/himself a capable leader filled with integrity and a clear sense of purpose and meaning.

Leading is not only about doing, but more importantly it is about being.

Are you investing the time needed to be centered, purposeful and humble?

Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

A Leader’s Life: a Beacon of Hope

Proverbs 30:5 (NLV) Every word of God has been proven true. (DARBY) "Every word of God is pure..."

Today is Passover on the Jewish Calendar – a beginning of a celebration of God’s word being true providing hope. Biblical hope is not based on some outlandish wish or desire for something that has no basis in reality. As death passed over the first-born of the children Israel, so our hope remains in the reality of the Word of God. That it is true. Pure in its original autographs. Its promises continually fulfilled.

As leaders, we are charged with providing pure hope for those following – hope, that in managing change, we maintain integrity (that which whole and complete and proven true). Something that is pure needs nothing added to it: in fact, whatever is added renders it to be no long pure.

Followers rely on their leaders – especially when a business is struggling – and therefore we must be well centered (knowing our purpose, knitting into our behavior a standard of ethics) and we must control our thoughts and behaviors; then are able to influence others to follow because we are well grounded and filled with real hope.

Leaders, whose model is Scripture, have hope and expectation, because, like those Jews in New Testament times, who recognized Jesus as Messiah and the fulfiller of their Hope, He still fulfills our hope if we keep our eyes focused on Him with our “self-talk” and not on us or our circumstances.

Our hope is not only in His return again, but also in His promise that in our daily living, He is our shield - our protector. He is our hope for a reason: we must not only live in hope - our life must also reflect that hope within us.

Our hope has meaning. So should our lives. Does your life offer hope?

Copyright © 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Heat and Joy

Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV) The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.

We don’t like it, but experience validates that it is true: it’s in the furnaces of life that we are tested. We all want to be that finished museum piece, beautiful to behold, gleaming, admired - just needing a little dusting now and then. Not going to happen. We were created “living” beings.

Scripture reminds us that God gives tests – not so that he can know something new or discover anything – testing is for our benefit. What’s really going on inside you – the you nobody sees. Does our repentance hug rejoicing in who God is?

The nation of Israel is our example. God went ahead of them in the Promised Land and when they trusted in Him, and not their own ability, they won battles. There was joy. Dancing. Life was good. They conquered the land.

But after Joshua dies, and that generation passed without doing what God had ordained (teaching the God-principle to their children – that the Joy of the Lord is our strength). That the new generation who did not know God, became the conquered instead of the conquerors. Some of the enemies of truth and righteousness had been left in the land to “test…whether they would obey the Lord’s commands…” They didn’t.

And we (at least, I know I am) are like them. Silver and gold are purified by heat – the dross is burned off and the metal emerges cleaned of the stuff that mars its beauty and usefulness. To mix metaphors here, given the test, the furnace of affliction, I found that “I studied the wrong material and was not prepared,” instead of being the metal and letting the fire clean it – and learn from that – I wanted to manage the test.

God wants us to learn that JOY finds its source in Him. Not ourselves. Not our idols. Not our abilities. And he tests. And tests. And tests, until we learn it’s all about Him and not us.

Are you in the furnace? Are your eyes fixed on the test or the One, who with your repentance, rejoices with you when the fire has done its work?


Copyright © 2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Cheerful Leaders Conquer Circumstances

Proverbs 15:15 (NIV) All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful (merry, glad) heart has a continual feast.

It’s not the circumstance where you find yourself: it’s how you respond and that response begins with an understanding of who you are.

Understanding our purpose has powerful implications. Anxiety drains us. Allowing circumstances to shape our view of the future is not only unbiblical, it is damages our ability to live and lead. I know. I’ve been there. Circumstances crowded me. In that confined space, it was about me – not about my purpose in life – it was just about me and my “wretched” conditions. No cheerful heart there.

Recently studying the life of the Jewish patriarch, Joseph, has reminded me of the strength of a cheerful heart that is pure with a clear comprehension of purpose. If anyone had an excuse to be shaped by circumstances, it was he. He endured his brothers’ jealous behaviors and the false accusation of a lustful woman: he was imprisoned and forgotten for several years, and when released to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he instantly deflected the ruler’s flattery and, in humility recognized the source of his abilities was outside of himself – it was not about him, but about the God.

The source of that instinctive humility? It was from a heart fixed on purpose and filled with joy. A leader, who serves others with humility and resoluteness of will, will do it in prison or in the palace. It does not matter.


How are you responding to your circumstances?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

It’s Not About Adequacy: It Is About Attitude

CONTROL YOURSELF - Integration * Proficiencies * Behaviors

Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

The Amplified Version gives real insight into the processes that may lead to humility – note the “may.” Some going through these pruning processes or the pounding of the chisel working on their character respond with bitterness and pride. I know. Been there myself.

Apostle Peter was there: remember in the courtyard when his pride, expressed in the Upper Room, (“Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”) stood in the way of his behavior? Why? As Lloyd Ogilvie points out “Peter had built his relationship with Jesus Christ on his assumed capacity to be adequate.” Pride.

Authentic leaders display a humble heart because they are grounded in the God who does not change and are centered in His love for them that does not result from some quid pro quo behaviors –“if I do this and that God will love me.”

Are you living and leading (behaving) to gain His love or because of His love?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

What are the pillars of your life?

CONTROL YOURSELF - Integration * Proficiencies * Behaviors

Proverb 9:1 (AMP) WISDOM HAS built her house; she has hewn out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars.

I am reminded of the Outback Steakhouse ad slogan: “No Rules. Just Right.” This begs the question: Is there “right” without rules? Our society would say so. What is right is defined by YOU. Only you.

Scripture has built her house. Finished. Done. With seven pillars – the perfect number of pillars – and we could speculate, theologically, what those might be.

I’ll ask you. What seven pillars of God-formulated Wisdom are you using to build the behaviors in your life?

Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Grabbing a Breath

Writing takes a bit of time and fair amount of mental energy.

Both have been in short supply lately. God graciously has provided a "job" as an adjunct at a local university teaching Principles of Marketing two times each week. New text - actually students have two editions because of an interesting situation; therefore the class is demanding a bit more time to manage the different editions.

In addition, I continue teaching workshops for SCORE and it seems a number of tumbled into the January schedule. Last weekend, I spoke all morning on Five Selling Essentials, then from 5 - 9 began a class on Servant-leadership- Do You Have What It Takes? - a seminar that continued all day Saturday.

I've also taken on an adult Sunday School class teaching the life of Abraham for the month of January.

Mental energy. After writing the above, I now clearly understand why I seem a bit empty thinking about the on-going subject of this blog.

My reading and thinking has been very focused of late - this too will pass and my musings on topics related to leadership will return, if the Lord is willing.

What is capturing your thinking?

Choose To Seek the Positive and Be Positive

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF: Integration of Body/Soul/Spirit

Preparing for January 6th – Epiphany (a Christian Feast Day)

We are now finished with the Christmas Season – well sort-of: On Sunday (January 4th, 2010), in liturgical churches, Epiphany was celebrated – a celebration to remind people of the Incarnation, the visit of the Magi and, for many, Jesus’ early life – baptism and turning water to wine at Cana. Epiphany means “appearance,” “manifestation” or “showing forth.”

Got me to thinking about the new year and just what it means to be people who serve a risen Savior – and that’s a key. If Christ is not risen, than all this stuff about leadership and positive thinking is interesting, may be motivating, but not ultimately important. Christians celebrate a Risen Savior. It changes things.

An email from a friend today reminded all it readers (one of those kind of emails) that we can choose to be joyful or not.: and scripture reminds us that “…whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!” That kind of life is a manifestation of the Supernatural. It will be attractive. We each can become an “epiphany” by how we respond to life.

Positive people attract. It is certainly easy to hunt for the wrong and wicked – so much out there to find. Hunting for the right and kind takes discipline; it takes intentionality and a willingness to forego the “junk going on in your life” to find the beauty in life and in others.


Is your life a manifestation of Christ in you, the hope of glory?


Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell