Thoughts About Leadership

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2011-06-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

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2011-06-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

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Living a Satisfied Life

2011-06-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

A Proverb

"Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us." 1

A Thought

“I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect … the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.2

A Fairytale Ending

“So Cinderella married the Prince and lived happily ever after.”

To Ponder

I have been thinking about living a satisfied life. Recent events have driven some introspection into what it means to live “happily ever after.”

Poor Cinderella – abandoned, abused, maligned, mistreated – and then, dazzled by her Fairy Godmother, she danced into happiness and satisfaction only to have hopes dashed by the strike of the clock. Now, here’s someone who should be upset about how she was treated! But, in this fairy tale there is nothing about her complaining, or seeking “resolution.” She moved on.

How did she do that? What Cinderella did may be a lesson for all of us: she forgave and forgot. She did not let her mistreatment shape her future. She moved on and lived “happily ever after.” Her glass was half full!

Leaders are to set examples by forgetting what is past and pressing on. “A Thought” (above) was written by a Jewish Rabbi "rock star." Wealthy. A man of influence. Trained at the best schools. Lead the group designated to “clean up” the religious malcontents (Christians) and persecuted people who did not believe as he. Had some of those religious rebels killed. Many jailed. He was a “rock star” in the religious establishment.

But, he too, had an enlightening experience, not with his Fairy Godmother, but with the Creator of the Universe. And this man, who was the scourge of those who followed “The Way,” became its leader, writing a good portion of the New Testament.

He focused on what was before him, not the anguish he had behind him. There are two winners in this story: those who suffered because of the Pharisee named Saul yet were able to accept him as their new leader (talk about forgiveness!); and then Saul, who become the Apostle Paul, who could have been haunted by his past was able to forge a new, happier life. That’s our model. A real Cinderella story.

A Challenge

Are you ready to live “happily ever after?”

Relax. Take it easy…in THIS economy! Yes.

2011-06-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

A Proverb

"First pay attention to God, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands”1

A Thought

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”2

To Ponder

Greece’s debt is about to crush them: which makes the EU fragile, making the USA economy unstable. China says we are already in default of their bonds. Moody’s is threatening to downgrade our AAA status. The mid-East is in an uproar. Japan is struggling after the disaster. Volcanoes are spewing ash in various places in the world – crops are affected – the weather patterns are changing. Corn is now trading at nearly $8/bushel (normal is around $2/b) – the impact of that is yet to be felt. Gas prices are high. Real unemployment is around 10%. Tired of governmental regulations, license fees, registrations, people are starting new businesses without notifying any governmental authority - just to survive. A “black-market” economy is emerging.

So, relax. Do life right. Right living - you know, be righteous. Practice righteousness. Become God-absorbed – not news absorbed.

The proverb says to first “Pay attention to God.” Bet you turn on the news first. Or read the paper. I get it – habits. Morning news while flying around the kitchen grabbing breakfast is a habit. Good for stress. Not relaxing.

Becoming absorbed with God is the decision that’s needed: so absorbed that no matter if wars rage; if the economy falls flat; if sickness ravages the family; if the business falls apart; no matter the circumstance, we can relax. We can live without anxiety. And this takes discipline.

Easy words to write. Much harder to do. I understand. And the reason? Here’s what I know about myself: it so much easier to be self-absorbed. It's my nature. I suspect that it might be yours, too.

Self-absorbed equals anxiety. God-absorbed equals relaxation. The choice should be clear.

A Challenge

What will you choose?

1Proverbs 1: 33 MSG; 2 Phil 4:6-7 NLT

Copyright (c) 2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

Bothered By the Celebration of bin Laden's Death?

2011-05-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Leaders, especially Christian leaders, must respond to the news with a measure of grace, not celebration.

I was going to write about this until a friend's Facebook posting took me to this link.

I could not have said it better - may not have said it as well.

Thank you Nina, for posting Rick's thoughts.

Ladder-leaning for Leaders

2011-04-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

A Proverb

You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead.

A Thought

What if you get to the top of the ladder of your life and find out you had it leaning against the wrong building.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone about life’s purpose? Asked them “Why are you here? For what were you born? Just what is your purpose in life? Have you asked yourself?

Uncomfortable questions, it turns out.

Perhaps Socrates realized that the pressures of peers, of culture and learning provide false-fronts upon which you lean your ladder of life. He noted that “an unexamined life is a life not worth living.” Questions like that above help bring some clarity to thinking. Especially if one is challenged by the answers.

The toxic culture of the 21st century is numbing minds to ultimate truths that guide life. Life, for many just happens. For others, life finds meaning in self – pulling yourself up, reframing thinking, finding some sort of god in you. To some contestants on American Idol life is about singing and entertaining. Their purpose is wrapped up in their voice. Good to have focus. But is that purpose?

One contestant has a purpose greater than his voice and it even drives his choice of songs – he wants his ladder leaning up the “right wall.”

Earthquakes and tsunamis have a way of changing focus. If your world is about you and you only – what you do (how well you sing or entertain, engineer, build, project manage, whatever) - what happens if you “lose your voice – your world is washed away?” Have you lost your purpose? Is living over?

My purpose is to glorify God by expressing His love as a communicator, adviser and mentor, especially to those in the business community.

A Proverb

What’s your purpose?

Leadership Wholehearted in Purpose

2011-04-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

Plato made an interesting observation in The Republic:

“When we say that a man desires something, do we say he desires all that pertains to it or only one part and not another?...Then any student who is half-hearted in his studies-especially when he is you and lacks the understanding to judge between what is useful and what is not-cannot be called…a lover of wisdom. He is like one who picks at his food. We say that he is not really hungry and has no appetite. We say that he is a poor eater and no lover of the table….”

Leaders must have a purpose to which they are committed. Completely. Wholeheartedness powerfully moves people. Followers love leaders who are committed. Passion coupled with knowledge mixed in the cauldron of experience provides confidence to those being led.

As I was writing today on one of my future books - The Jericho Principle – Overcoming Impediments to Success - I was struck again with the story’s hero, Joshua who inherited the leadership reigns from Moses. What caught by attention was his side-kick Caleb of whom it is said by God, “…because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” In fact, that is said of him at least three times. What a tribute!

That's exactly what we – leaders and followers – are called to do in the workplace: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people…”

Christian leader: are you wholehearted in your studies of God’s way? Or do you pick and choose what works for you when you need or want it. If you are picking and choosing, Plato and I would agree – “you are no lover of wisdom.”

A Challenge

Do you have the appetite for leadership based on Eternal Principles?

Growing In Leadership: the Pain of Exploring “Deep Waters”

2011-03-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Proverb

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

A Thought

“What's it all about, Alfie?”

Burt Bacharach asked an important question in his Alfie lyrics: does his answer help the leader know, control and give her/himself as a leader?

Is the answer to purpose – to love?

Just what does it mean “to love” anyway?

If you live your life and you "can't get no satisfaction," then your personal insight to the question does matter: Is love something you are in? Or is it something you do? Is it a bundle of nice feelings or a set of refreshing behaviors?

If love is about you then, is it really love? Might be lust. If It’s all about you, it is not love!

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.

Wrestling with purpose is critical for the leader:

Do you know why you are here?
For what have you been created?
How do you define your reason for being in this “moment we live?”

A Challenge

Have you taken the time to “sort it out?”

Lyrics copyright property of holder of that copyright: See http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/burt-bacharach-lyrics/alfie-lyrics.html

Copyright 2011 ©P. Griffith Lindell

No Shortcuts to Leadership

2011-03-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

A Proverb
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

A Thought
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

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!

What defines your path to prosperity?

Copyright ©2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

1. Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)

Leaders Who Chase Success Chase the Wind.

2011-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

A Proverb
"...most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind."1

A Thought

"Business success is good: personal significance is what matters."2

A History

Figure 1

Sometimes the pursuit of success gets in the way of achieving personal significance. This is not any kind of significance - I mean the kind of life that adds meaning to other’s lives, is a positive force with those we “touch” and gives energy and does not take energy from others.

You may be driven, in some subtle way, to achieve some sort of status - success. You behave in ways that will yield the recognition you consciously, or unconsciously seek.

Relationship-building people, unlike status-driven people, respond to different modes of behavior – behaviors that seek to serve others - significance. The concepts surrounding the principles of servant-leadership are based more on relationships (personal significance) than status (success), for example.

The “things” that hinder our progress on our journey to significance often are hidden simply because we don’t move with intentionality toward the kind of significance that adds meaning to others. Our culture stimulates our drive for success. Scriptural culture drives individuals to achieve humility – the ultimate in personal significance.

Which are your chasing?

Copyright © 2011, P. Griffith Lindell.
_______________________________________________
1 Eccl. 4:4

Figure 1 "significance." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 08 Mar. 2011.

2 Lindell, P. (2011). Struggling With Your Business? 10 Questions to Consider Before Investing A(nother) Dime. (pg. x). Woodburn, OR: Lindell Associates, LLC.

Leaders and Self-control

2011-03-02T03:03:00.000-08:00

A Proverb
"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls."

A common characteristic of failed leadership is a lack of self-control - a lack manifested in many ways: but most important among them is the blame game.

Taking full responsibility for our actions, learning from mistakes and using what you have been given to its full advantage are “walls” that will protect the leader.

Learn self-control by:

Curbing curiosity – everything is permitted, but not beneficial – explore carefully also evaluating impact

Checking pride and vanity – it’s not about you – it is always about them (customers, staff, suppliers, stakeholder of any kind!)

Containing anger and revenge – these drain you; and equally important, expressing them will not draw others to you

Confining personal ambition – When yours is palatable, it pushes people away – they will not follow.

Emptying yourself of destructive curiosity, vanity, revenge and self-centered ambition creates a void that is crying out to be filled: fill it with the God who created you. He will build strong walls to protect you. It is his indwelling that will grant you peace and safety as you learn to control self by giving control to their Creator.

Which of those four “Cs” do you need to work on?

Copyright © 2009-11 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership in Times of Change

2011-02-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

This last day of February, in the shortest month of the year, and already the year feels long.

Wars and rumor of wars
Earthquakes, sinkholes, rumbling in volcanic mountains
Disease - pestilence
Weather
Angry people losing power that should not have originally been granted to them
Warring factions in DC
Job loss
2012 Mayan prophecy
States considering legislation to allow bankruptcy.

All of these are just a simple result of natural process, politics and people being people. Right? God is not involved. This news is just the stuff of life – natural.

And so, we escape. Today, after the night of the Oscars - when decked out to the nines, America celebrates fantasy with less than refined language, multiple sexual orientations and glorification of the body (pretty/handsome people). Today, life goes on. The news this morning is filled with death, murder, fires, wars (real and word) and a pretty depressed view of life.

What’s a leader to do? The leader in the King’s speech (movie) overcame stuttering and spoke in a manner and with the kind of message that helped lead his people.

Our leader, the King of Kings, never has stuttered and always has spoken clearly. He told us that the “groaning” of the world we hear today (like a woman giving birth) was to be expected in the time before he comes again. If Jesus Christ is not risen from the dead, Christianity is nice, but certainly not necessary; therefore, leaders, clearly in touch with their eternal purpose, can lead even in the fog of life. Their ethic is based on a eternal standard. Their worldview has a clear picture of the end and a coherent picture of the past and present.

Christian leaders in business and life can remain hopeful with bad news. The news that counts is eternal. And known.

Are you leading like you know (trust & believe) the end?

Copyright (c) 2011 P. Griffith Lindell

The Super Bowl XLV Commercial You DID NOT SEE!

2011-02-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

See it here.

The question has to be asked: "Why?"

"Too religious!" was the answer.

Hmm. Secular humanism - that glorifies sex, the gay/lesbian life style, seduction, licentiousness, prurient interest - this religion of "anything goes" is supported.

Time to lead, don't you think?

Leadership With a Purpose

2011-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Some proverbs of note: “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” (1) “Don't brag about your wisdom or strength or wealth” (2) and in another place, “If the tongue has no fear, words are hard to make good.” (3)

Thoughts that certainly fly in the face of what the culture craves today.

I can’t help but also reflect on Clayton M. Christensen’s HBR article “How Will You Measure Your Life?” (4) His final thought, “Don’t worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people.” is a thought of wisdom.

The heart of the wise resonates with two steady heart-beats: Knowing self – understanding one’s purpose; and controlling self – exercising the discipline to hold to your principles. Christensen points out that it is “easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time.” (4)

A good grip on life’s purpose (and the principles that make it real) prevents you from trusting your “smarts,” your physical strength or your riches. That grip is strengthened when you live a life of “ing” not “ed.” You are committed to learning. If you have learned, you have stopped learning. I am learning that this purpose-driven living is also about earning the right to be given more and more responsibility, often by contributing to the growth of those around you.

A focus on personal purpose will determine how you allocate your time, talent and treasures: will it be for yourself; or for others? This focus helps the tongue gain “fear,” which is expressed in words that heal, instead of hurt. That help, instead of harm. That hearten, instead of humiliate.

Leadership, continually practiced well, is a noble undertaking. It can inspire: cities are built in deserts; human footprints are put the moon; water, in underdeveloped countries, is made safe to drink. A reading of history tells us that the focus of the individuals responsible was never on “I” but on “we.”

If your purpose is all about you – if you climbed the “ladder-of-you” in life - you may find that not only is the ladder too short, it is also leaning against the wrong wall. Double jeopardy.

On what is your ladder of purpose leaning? Wall of self? Or others?

Copyright ©2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

1. Proverbs 28:26
2. Jeremiah 9:23
3. Confucius, Analects, c. 400 b.c
4. Harvard Business Review – Reprint R1007B

Leaders Persevere

2011-01-24T03:54:00.000-08:00

A Proverb: “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!”1

This proverb begs the question: where do you find that kind of strength?

The more I read, the more I live, the more I am certain that the strength to persevere comes from a clear understanding of personal purpose. It provides the framework for handling what life throws our way. This kind of purpose is pure – it comes from inside. It cannot be manufactured in the caldron that mixes self-help books with motivational tapes and powerful speakers at the “rise up and take charge of your life” events - not that these are “bad” per se. In fact, they can help keep you focused.

Purpose begins when one takes the time to know who they are. Why they are here. And how they want to show up in life’s interactions.

Consider the story of writer from what is modern-day Turkey. He was smart. Well educated. Often spoke at public events in a time and place where what you said could get you imprisoned and/or publically flogged. History tells us it happened to him.

Enraged by his words, the crowds demanded public punishment and, as it was about to be delivered, he asked the local government enforcer if, in fact, they had authority over him - knowing he had a special class of citizenship that was recognized as distinctive in the place where he was speaking.

The result eliminated the flogging, but also grew into years of imprisonment, going from one jurisdiction to another. Near-death experiences on several journeys. Ultimately led to his death.

Yet, while he lived, he persevered. He continued speaking and writing. The underlying theme was: Reader, you have a choice – choose joy, discipline and obedience. Above all, live out your personal purpose with focus.

His life, lived with a passionate pursuit of purpose, is revealed in the historical record documenting his perseverance. His writings document his journey of finding and living out his purpose.

Are you living out your purpose?

1 Proverbs 24:10 (NIV)

Copyright ©2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

January 17, 2011 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2011-01-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

Understanding your purpose has consequences. Taking a stand can be dangerous.

Today, we honor a man who was driven by this purpose to “love your neighbor as yourself.” And there were those who did not like his view of who was his “neighbor.” The story of the Good Samaritan continues to be lost on some whose view of others is screened with elitist lenses. Personal purpose that has practical value is focused on others, not self.

In his book, Strength in Love, King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor [emphasis added] will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.”

Purpose shapes us. As Harvard professor Christensen points out in his recent article in the Harvard Business Review (and edited and reprinted in the February 2011 Reader’s Digest) the struggle to find purpose should dominate our lives until it is settled in our souls.

Why? All the stuff we do, if not focused on fulfilling purpose, is just “stuff we do” and sometimes that stuff becomes expedient (to the point of living in the gray areas of ethics and laws), hurtful to others, or just plainly wrong.

You want to live of life of meaning? Understand your purpose.

Copyright ©2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership and Silver

2011-01-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 10:20-21a The tongues of those who are righteous [upright and in right standing] with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many.

Peggy Noonan, in a Wall Street Journal Opinion piece, The Captain and the King, (referring to Navy Captain Capt. Owen Honors and the duke of York, who in the 1930’s found England’s Throne thrust upon him), contrasted their leadership. What struck me was her thought that:

“…it's a great mistake when you are in a leadership position to want to be like everyone else. Because that, actually, is not your job. Your job is to be better, to set standards that those below you have to reach to meet. And you have to do this even when it's hard, even when you know you yourself don't quite meet the standards you represent.”

“God-fearing” used to be a standard to which leaders would aspire. What characterized these people was that their tongues and their hearts [minds] were in sync. Our generation has produced too many in leadership who are out-of-sync: why? Perhaps we have failed to practice “ruthless honesty” [A.W.Tozar] with our own spirits. We have lived autonomously and not with accountability. We build the body. Train the mind. Treat the spirit as some soft, fluffy thing not a part of us that must be congruent with what we think, what we do in private and how we behave around those watching.

The “humility and resoluteness of will” that Jim Collins writes about [Good to Great] is a product of refinement. The dross of a natural inclination to be different in private than in public - is burned off in the fires of accountability, honesty and humility. Personal commitment to refinement provides nourishment to those following. This leader shines! The silver glows when it has come through the fire of discipline, discipleship and the polish of a consistent dedication to be not only attractive but also cleaned and ready to be used.

The glitter of this generation is captured in “bling.” How very sad. The glitter of a Godly people is found in the analogy of silver-service – attractive to the eyes, but serving the purpose as a tool of nourishment.

Are you silver-service or bling?

Copyright ©2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

ARE YOU A WORKAHOLIC LEADER?

2010-12-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-15T01:10:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-09-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-05T16:23:00.000-08:00

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

Authentic Leadership Demands Hard Work

2009-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 28:19 (NIV) He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Working the land, like authentic leadership, is about doing the right stuff at the right time in the right amounts.

There’s purpose to that working. There’s commitment to the values whose predicates are often long, tedious hours of “real work.” It’s about caring more for the “land” than for your comfort – there are days when certain work must be accomplished no matter how you feel. Warren Bennis put it this way, “What we are looking for is well-honed judgment that is rooted in visible purpose and values that we consistently count on over time.”

“Working the land: is at least about purpose and commitment to values of stewardship but it is also about capacity – rotating crops to benefit the soil or even resting the land: both helping to yield more of the core crop. Maybe that metaphor becomes reality in cross-training – allowing several to develop and expand skill sets. Takes extra effort. It’s hard work, but it pays dividends.

Whether it’s leading your firm or growing in your journey of knowing God and making Him known, both take constant effort – work. Fantasy has no place in either pursuit.

What are you working on?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF: Choose to Smile

2009-12-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

Our Creator is sure practical! And health professionals have long recognized this truth; but it is even now permeating the business community.

According to author Susan Heathfield, writing on employee motivation, leaders should: “Start the day by showing a positive, cheerful attitude (Your arrival at work sets the employee motivation tone for the day.)”

Good medicine for you: good medicine for your company.

The leader lays the foundation for the culture. Your smile and disposition not only helps you, but also others.

Are you smiling?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF: Saying the Right Thing at the Right Time

2009-12-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 15:24 (AMP) A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment--how good it is!

Giving voice to thought – now, for me, that sometimes is very hard to control. As the Apostle Paul noted “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

The mind matters. Its thoughts must be taken captive – for a purpose. Why? Because out of the mouth flows the intents of the heart. The one follows the other.

Controlling both our thoughts, and our voice takes intentionality – in other words, CONTROL. You want to practice servant-leadership, get control of your thoughts and your talk.

The result of that control is “joy.” Giving a right answer. Building up: not tearing down. Encouraging. Providing advice. Saying the right thing at the right moment. The fruit of our words should be sweet and tasty – delightful to the ear. That’s not always the case for me. Tonality. Body language. I’m working on it – all the time.

How about you? Got the talk down? The timing right?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF: The Foundation

2009-12-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

The image I use to illustrate the body/soul/spirit integration is the Statue of Liberty. Like many illustrations, it is not perfect, but is useful. The statue is an integration of the flame of the spirit, the crown of the mind and the structure of a supporting body. The foundation for this symbol is both large and solid.

Another illustration from Scripture might be instructive. Noah’s three sons named in Scripture - (Ham (body-physical), Shem (spiritual) and Japheth (mind - intellectual) - each may represent nations that mirror the tri-part makeup of humans.

Japhethites, essentially European people groups provided the world with great intellectual development – philosophy, science, psychology; the Hamites, a mix of African and Asian people groups (Egypt, Africa, Orient), provided the world great explorers, farming and crop-raising techniques, architectural wonders, servants (slaves, producers for the other nations); and the Semites, who gave the world both Israelites (Hebrew people – Jewish nation) and Ishmaelites (Arabs), have given the world much in the spiritual development.

God intended all to work together for the benefit of each. Man had different ideas. Ham, through his son Canaan, was cursed by Noah for his dishonoring behavior, has been fulfilling the curse, despite his grandson, Nimrod’s, attempt to rule rather than be ruled. If you read The Book, you know the final end of Babylon the city founded by him and then the final realization of God’s plan – of which there should be no doubt.

So what’s the “so what?” Shem’s descendant, Jesus of Nazareth, who came to earth as The God/man, provides the difference. The body must be nourished, feed what is good for it demands care and keeping. The mind receives nourishment from it to support our God-given intellect; therefore, it too must not be dismissed, demanding constant stimulation and challenge; but both are only temporary. The eternal spirit, however, changes our focus of body-care and mind-development. For if Christ was not resurrected, he becomes only another guru in a long line of Wiseman, and our spiritual faith is in vain.

That faith drives the reality of His Spirit living within us to provide us the power needed to control self. On our own, our attempts for control are temporary, and under stress, that self-foundation becomes obvious. Only a supernatural “Rock of Ages” – the Messiah promised the world- the living Jesus Christ provides the foundation we need to exercise control.

Is your life built on the shifting sands of self or the living Rock of the Ages?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF – Does Your Light Shine?

2009-12-10T16:46:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is 11 December 2009 AD or 24 Kislev 5770 – the former the Christian date; the later the Jewish date.

Chanukah (Hanukah for us Gentiles) begins Friday. Our Jewish friends will kindle one light before sunset. This is done in celebration for the miracle of the Jewish temple’s menorah burning continuously for eight days from a one-day supply of sacred olive oil. The Maccabees, who stood up to their enemies, cleansed their temple, and in the face of certain punishment or death, took risks for their faith: those people and that miracle are now celebrated with the “Festival of Lights.”

That Temple Menorah pointed to the “light of the world” – now Christian believers. (Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world….” Jesus, the “true Light” gives that light to us to shine through us: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5: 16)

This is His season; for it is the Christ of Christmas that changed history, and he was Jewish. We should not forget that. He came for all humans, but he came within a particular time, from particular ancestry - as foretold in Scripture.

In our pluralistic society, controlling self has come to mean, for some, political correctness. Control your spiritual self, in other words. Bah humbug! Rubbish. This is the Christmas season. We celebrate the birth of the God/man who walked among us as a Jewish carpenter, proclaiming the good news, to the Jewish nation, that their long-awaited Messiah had come. The one who brought them the miracle of the menorah now completed the expression of God’s light by being with us in this life. "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5)

This truly is the season of lights. Homes in our neighborhood are lit up – despite the recession. Inside and outside houses, malls, stores –even some businesses - sparkle with lights. Nice. But not important. The light that counts is His light in you.

What kind of light are you? Is your life glowing good works that glorify your Father in Heaven?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF - Integration of Body, Soul (Mind) and Spirit

2009-12-08T19:12:00.000-08:00

Controlling self is an integrated function that begins with an understanding of what controls humans. Business recognizes the importance of each attribute – and when they have discounted one for the others, problems arise.

Charles Dickens made a good living exposing businesses that worked people too many hours to the determent of the body – we have work-rules today that recognize that humans need to rest the physical structure. Dickens also exposed those who focused on the Soul (mind) to the exclusion of the spirit. These characters lived as if the body and soul were all that is – and the spiritual component of humans was dismissed as not important – indeed irrelevant. His writing, as well as others, gave rise to a leadership that became increasingly more sensitive to the complete person. Today, leaders must recognize all three natures and manage the business accordingly.

It is my belief that humans are both material and immaterial beings. Some writers in the area of theology posit that humans are two-part beings consisting of body (material) and souls (immaterial). Others distinguish the immaterial into two distinct, but interrelated “parts.” I hold to the second view.

Body – material (Gen. 2:7 “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground…”) is the temporary housing for the Soul and Spirit. When humans die, the body dies – returns to “dust” – its chemical nature breaks down and becomes part of the ground from which it was originally created. The body has sensory-consciousness, which can be used to the destruction of humans –(Gen 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at…”). This, sin begin it journey into the world through Eve’s sensory gates.

Soul is that part of you that is the essence of living. (Gen. 2:7 “…and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man become a living soul…”) It is the “you-ness” of you - what makes you an individual, distinct from another.

Your body may look identical (like in twins) but each twin has a soul that is unique. This is the part of you that will live eternally. Your sensory gates are connected to your brain (material) and the brain has the ability to create meaning (the immaterial) both in your unconscious and conscious mind – a function that cannot be totally understood or explained.

Your soul nature includes your beliefs, attitudes, feelings, emotions, memory, will, thinking, reasoning and desires. Like the body, the soul must be controlled (Gen 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was …to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…”). As Aristotle noted, “what is in your power to do, it is in your power to not do.” The soul is the seat of your self-consciousness – and if left to dominate, can destroy your eternal relationship with your Creator.

Your spirit is the power that ignites you and controls you. When theologians tell us that humans are born in sin, they are talking about this spirit that is born evil and must be supernaturally reborn to become good. Your spirit is either of God or of Sin and thus gives meaning to life, helps you define your purpose (which can be changed with the spirit is changed). From your spirit you form your faith, your communication with your Creator (prayer) and your ability to have God-consciousness. It is this within us that can be regenerated so that we can know God and the things of God - I Corinthians 2:14 - "But the natural man (body & soul) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him: nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

When humans were created, it is this that ultimately distinguished humans from the animals. Genesis 1:26-27 "Then God said "let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." The Apostle John reminds us that God is not material and we share an attribute of His for He made us in His image. John 4:24 "God is Spirit…" It is from our spirit that we worship either ourselves (we choose our own god) or our Creator God.

We now seem to be living in the BODY generation – we worship the body. Movies, entertainment, sports are each about the body – the material you. It may be a bit of an over-generalization, but it could be argued that the Reformation worshiped the SPIRIT – the educated opinion-makers focused on things spiritual. In like manner, thinker during the Renaissance worshiped the SOUL (mind), reasoning; what the human soul conceived was venerated. God was not.

Servant-leaders, I believe, should keep the three in balance and worship the Creator, not any one part of the creation. (Romans 1:25 “They (those that reject God as He has revealed Himself to us) exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”)

Is your life in balance? Do you work at integrating your body, your soul and spirit? Do you allow the Spirit of God to be the fuel in the engine of that integration?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: CONTROL YOURSELF - Leadership and Seduction

2009-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 7:1-5 (MSG) Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight—guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress—that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress.

Being committed to personal purpose, having a system of ethics and a holistic worldview that does not separate the sacred from the secular is a good start. It is not enough.

The next step is the harder step. Disciplining yourself. These verses make it clear that eternal core values must be of paramount importance if we are to protect ourselves from seduction – of any kind.

For leaders, the line between leading and seducing by that power it mighty thin: consider the German language where “to lead” is “fuehren” (think Fuehrer!) and by adding only the prefix “ver” or “verfuehren,” the result is “to seduce.”

We must protect ourselves from the “Great Seducer” who wants to add a “simple prefix” to our thinking and paints his path as the path to freedom – freedom to think on our own and to run our lives and business on our own – a path that is actually the very opposite of freedom – slavery; a path that looks good, but is not. Seducing others to follow our lead down this path – playing around with your life – has deadly, eternal consequences.

The seductive path mimics the real. Can you tell the difference?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership - CONTROL Yourself: Integration – Body, Mind, Spirit in Sync.

2009-12-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 4:20-23 (MSG)

Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they're bursting with health.
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.

The first important step in “controlling self” is to have a process for keeping congruent your body, your mind and your spirit. As a leader, what marks your journey to develop the “soft side” of leadership - sensitivity to the qualitative aspects and character issues? For example: Are you expecting your sales team to produce revenue to the exclusion of integrity – white lies, exaggerations, manipulations, “dealing,” etc? Or, do you reward both results AND character?

How do you go about nourishing your body, your mind and your spirit? At work, do you allow your team to actually take real vacations – or are they on call 24/7? Not only is that probably a violation of the law, more importantly it is a violation of God’s law that rest is good and important for his creation. Just as you do not take a drink of water only one day a week, neither can you nourish your mind and spirit for two hours on a Sunday morning. You nourish your body by drinking liquid every day: how are you treating your spirit and your mind? (The Biblical term “heart” is a unique combination of both.)

What about your mind? Did school teach you all you needed to know? What the latest leadership book you have read – and studied (meditated upon)? How are you nourishing your mind with more than technical data about your products/services, the industry or the marketplace?

What of art, music, fiction, poetry, gardening etc. provides nourishment for your mind and spirit?

The “heart” fuels the engine of your mind and body. How do you practice reflection to keep your heart pure? Motives pure? When you look at the results you have produced at work, home or even play, how do you reflect upon them to change behavior to produce a different result? What is your experience with apologizing – recognizing that the results you just produced did not honor God, or other people?

Integration of body, mind and spirit takes work. Do you have a work plan?

Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell

SERVANT-leadership: Control Yourself

2009-12-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

CONTROL SELF: Integration (body/mind/spirit congruence); Proficiencies (acquiring skills needed); Behaviors (capitalizing, moderating and supplementing behavioral patterns).

Proverbs 4:4b "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

Solomon, writing as a father, recalls what his father taught him. It is the same instruction that our Heavenly Father taught back in the Garden. The corollary to, “If you eat (of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) you shall die” is if you obey, you will live.

Ancient advice. Repeated over and over again by wise people. CONTROL YOURSELF! The decision is yours. Always yours. Despite peer pressures, or the childhood trauma. Regardless of the missing nutrition/education/medical care, the decision remains a personal choice. Humans must always make a choice to “lay hold…and keep” those commands that are meant to help shape our character and allow us to live, not only a productive live here on earth, but an eternal life in fellowship with our Creator. If the catechism still rings true, “the chief end of man is to glorify God (by keeping his commands) and enjoy him forever (the promise of obedience),” then learning discipline is critical to not only leading, but also following.

This, the second phase, of leadership development, while having its genesis in Scripture, is being symbolized by me with Aristotle – the great thinker and teacher who taught: “What it lies in your power to do, it lies in your power to not do.”

In a society, which accepts “blaming,” as a reasonable standard of explanation for behavior, effective leadership does not. The leader, in touch the on-going process of knowing self, this leader, if they want to be effective, to inspire, motivate and ultimately serve, must also learn to control self. This is the “walk the talk” phase - the hardest phase of leadership development by far.

Leaders must have an open heart. Take advice. Be open to change. Receive constructive criticism. Learn from results – all results. Above all, do right – not some wishy-washy, feel good, in-the-moment right, but right behavior that finds its source in our Creator, Redeemer and Friend, Christ Jesus, who said,

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:23-24)

Can’t be much clearer than that.

Control Yourself: Got a handle on that?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership: KNOW YOURSELF – a Summary

2009-12-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

I have posited that to become an authentic servant-leader, one must begin with “knowing self” and that knowledge is the result of integrating your understanding of ultimate purpose (your relationship with God), your ethical framework (how you treat fellow humans) and your teleology (your worldview that combines purpose with ethics to understand the past, respond to the present and to build for the future).

The fundamental question is: Were you created, the result of a supernatural, self-existent, all powerful being who made matter, energy and time and also made you in His image? Or, are you a developed being, the result of a random, materialistic process, that, somehow, in a vast amount of time, not only organized your physical substance to make you human, but also your mental and spiritual identity? Your answer shapes your understanding of self and how you go about living an “examined life.”

Understanding what it means to “know yourself” is not about “self-enlightenment.” I would go so far to say that it is a concept that is antithetical to today’s view of self. It is not becoming a lover of self - satiated with self, encouraged by a society that accepts “me” as a nominative case pronoun (“me and John went to the store….”). This is not a trivial grammatical error – it demonstrates the shift in culture that has permeated our thinking with a self-hyphenated language (self-awareness, self-actualization, etc.)

The great philosophers of the past (like Socrates who said: "The unexamined life is not worth living") understood the fundamental nature of this examination of self. All of our interactions with nature, with the spiritual world and with each other begin with a true understanding of self. God says that the effects of sin is death and that man, created in His image, was fully intelligent, capable, creative and controlled their environment developing what was needed to life successfully.

Man did not emerge from some animal-like state to the supposed current evolved intelligence. Humans, Scripture demonstrates, have moved in the opposite direction from their original created state. Humans are less equipped today to deal with the environment, each other and their own natures than Adam and Eve.

Examining your life, moving from where you are at birth (dominated by a sin nature Rom. 3:23) to where you need to be to have fellowship with your Creator is found in God’s revelation to his creation: 2 Tim. 3:16-17 "All Scripture (not some, not the ones you want, this is not a menu!) is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Knowing your self is not an exercise in “self-esteem” but it is a journey of humility. It must be noted that nowhere in Scripture are we told to seek “self-esteem;” rather we are warned repeatedly “not esteem ourselves highly” in relationship to others whether the ruler or the ruled- Deut. 17:14-20; 1 Kings 19:3-18; Proverbs 16:19; 25:6,7; Luke 14:7-11; Luke 16:15; - Romans 12:3.

A person at peace is better fit to lead. A person at peace with themselves is a result of having a deep peace with their purpose. They are at peace with others – their ethical framework works to benefit others and them. They are a peace with a troubled world because they have a clear sense of God’s sovereign control. As Daniel Schuman points out:

“The Scriptures speak of fixing one’s thoughts on the positive too, but it is not simply replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Instead, the Bible indicates that for one to experience the benefits of the peace of God, that person must first experience “peace with God”. Romans 5:1-5 reveals this truth. It states: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in the our sufferings, knowing that our suffering produces endurance …character…hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Daniel Schuman © Website: www.renewABQ.com)

Are you really at peace? Do you know yourself, God’s way?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership-KNOW Yourself: Worldview

2009-11-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

This, the third leg of the “Knowing Yourself Stool,” expresses your integration of your belief system (purpose – a vertical relationship, so to speak, with your God) with your ethical system (the horizontal relationships with others) into a systematic process of understanding the past, interpreting the present and thinking about the future – teleology.

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

One’s worldview consists of at least three attributes, (with thanks to Nancy Pearcey, writing in Total Truth for this model) 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 intentions of individual behavior, behavior – the acting out of those intentions, and impact humans have on each other and the role that leaders and followers play in that dance of interaction.

Some questions to consider include:

How do you view the worlds of scared and secular? Are they interrelated or separated by a “divide” that thinking humans do not cross?

How do you incorporate your belief system into your mental models of how the world operates – the dynamics of human interaction?
How do you connect your perceptions (assumptions) with reality (what your senses communicate)?
How do you connect your purpose with your principles in a pattern of thought that will position you in the mind of those with whom you interact?

Are you leading from your core of “getting stuff done” that separates work, from play, from home, from faith, or are you leading from an integrated core that maintains that one is the same in each instance, expressing a different focus, but not a different person?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership – KNOW Yourself: Ethics

2009-11-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

Imagine visiting an African game preserve. Hot. Sometimes windy. Often oppressively still. There, you are introduced by your guide to the Wildebeest or Gnu – a species of the Antelope - with horns sloping forward, its head looks very much like an ox, a mane like a horse, and a long tail. These strange looking creatures run in huge herds, creating a tremendous roar as they soar across the African plains.

From time to time, you may catch a glimpse of a carcass of the Wildebeest lying on the parched African earth, stripped of most of its flesh. Ask any guide, “What happened?” and you will learn that one strayed from the head and became a lion’s meal. The lions are watching carefully, always looking for that one or two that will stray from the pack.

Christian business leader, you and I face a “roaring lion” whose aim is to devour us. We are in a war! A battle for our foundational beliefs. Our understanding of eternal purpose. Our values. Our ethical framework

Many unprepared “Christians” in the business community are losing battles fought in the trenches of practical business decisions. Distracted – Dismayed – Discouraged – they have strayed from the herd.

The herd, in this case, may simply be a shared values system: sharing made more difficult now by three things: the assimilation of diverse cultures who have NOT become part of the “melting pot” that once defined being “American;” the eroding of the family and marriage; and the use and glorification of situational ethics promoted by the entertainment media. More and more pressure is put on the “grounded” businessperson to become shaped by this new pluralistic, postmodern culture - rather than shaping it.

As a leader, have you wrestled with questions like:

Where are your values and ethics derived?

What principles are non-negotiable and drive you?
What is the ethical basis for your beliefs about:
- How you treat other people?
- The source and importance of truth?
- The role of your obligations – are they binding or can they be changed?

Where does the business leader find his value system? There is an answer. I’ll explore that in a later blog.

Are you shaping your team, organization or company’s culture? Or are you being shaped?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-Leadership - KNOW Yourself: Purpose

2009-11-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

On your journey to becoming a better leader, especially moving along the path to mastering servant-leadership, understanding your purpose is vital and demands of you some powerful introspection. The fundamental question is: how can you lead anyone if you don’t really know where you are going?

Do you know why you are here on earth? Is your life, like all lives, ultimately an expression of random chance? Or were you created for meaning and purpose?

Where are you headed – ultimately? When you’re dead, you are just dead, right? Or do your choices in this life have a meaning that has eternal implications?

Does your life have meaning that is not just self-centered? Is it all about you? Are you just a mass of chemicals that evolution somehow connected that give birth to your body, mind and spirit? Do you believe that God created humans in His image and made humans “living spirits” – beings that are eternal?

What is your understanding about God? Is He the great “watch-maker” who wound it all up and has just “walked away” and let the watch run its course? Do you think that evolution really did happen but God interrupted it (in some mysterious way) to make humans special? Is God’s revelation accurate – does He exercise sovereign control over his revelation to humans (the Holy Bible) or is he playing with us, fooling us, and ultimately deceiving us? Did the Creator God make us in his image, came to us as human, died for our sin, conquered death for us so that we can be born one more time, this time in righteousness allowing us to live in the presence of a perfect God?

Is your chief purpose to glorify God and enjoy Him forever? Or is that just some religious point of view that is OK for some, but not for everybody?

How you answer these questions lays the foundation for your leadership style. Do be confused by the Zen approach to purpose – sure, humans can conquer fears, find meaning, even in suffering, and choose to be positive in the face of ugly circumstances. Good stuff – all of it. The question still remains, “so what?” What does it all matter if you gain the whole world – conquer fear, display sadness, give yourself to the poor and needy - but lose your soul?

Does your purpose have eternity in mind?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Led to Lead

2009-11-20T14:21:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 20:24 (NIV) A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

For the Christian Leader, this may be a “Well, Duh!” verse. Of course! Really? Interesting conundrum here: we have a responsibility to think and act; but in our doing so, we never contradict God’s sovereignty.

As one moves through management and into leadership, bosses, processes or initiatives, which seem to be outside the spiritual realm, most often direct steps. This verse is one of those very tough leadership verses for we supposedly “know the way.”

You’re the leader: Strategy has been formulated. Implementation is in process. The vision is shared. The team is focused on the mission. Actions are shaped by the core values. You inspire and motive. You lead. But it’s not autonomous.

The key here is that this verse is PERSONAL – it's our individual steps that God controls. He works in all things – our bad decisions as well as our good ones – for His glory and purpose.

Scripture makes it clear: to lead, we must first be willing to be led, which demands of us a constant dependence on God. When I stop depending on Him and just venture out with a “Griff-generated-thing,” it most often results in being all about me. Not good. That’s “walking by sight” – not by faith.

Are you joining God, in prayer and by faith, to direct your “steps” – even at work?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Countering Gossip at Work

2009-11-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 18:8 (MSG) Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?

The internal politics of an organization can damage an otherwise healthy culture. Conflicting views of business strategy, for example, often yield pettiness, personal attacks and the politics of the destruction. Leaders, in both “sacred” and “secular” organizations, must deal with the human tendency to devour gossip.

When leaders allow the team to eat the cheap candy of gossip, the work environment becomes charged with negative energy that discourages at best and destroys at worst. Consequently, people loose faith in the leadership, and even good ideas for solving business problems are viewed skeptically.

When Adam and Eve realized “they were naked…and hid themselves,” we humans have developed a lust to expose the nakedness of others by telling stories that tear down the character of the person, or build ourselves up. The sinful result of having the “knowledge of good and evil” is judgmental behavior – gossip being one expression of it.

Leader, here are some tips to handle office gossip:

Make certain you are not providing cheap candy to those with a “sweet tooth.”
When making tough business decisions, collaborate effectively.
Air conflicting strategic views.
Ask hard questions, without demeaning, that demand critical thinking.
Then, after a path is chosen, ask each team member how he or she will help motivate and inspire people to follow the direction just set.
If team members cannot get behind the decision after this process, they don’t belong on the team. It’s a cliché, but applies: there is no “i” in team.

Most importantly, gossip is a spiritual battle; therefore be sure that you fight it with spiritual weapons – or you will loose.

Are you armed correctly to fight spiritual battles, like gossip, at work?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Positive, Persuasive Leadership

2009-11-16T10:05:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 16:21 (NAS) The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Definitions of leadership include words like influence, persuasion and motivation, i.e. the ability to inspire others to do what they normally may not consider doing.

Those writing about leadership agree that the simplest definition of a leader is a person who has followers. Street gangs have leaders. Criminal organizations have leaders. Organizations of followers have a leader. Right. Our focus then, is not about leadership, per se; it is about the right kind of leadership.

Wise leadership develops from other-centeredness that flows from a commitment to purpose greater than self; an ethical framework that cares about others first; and a view of the world that recognize individual lives have meaning.

Leadership is about - heart. Motives are changed. Perspectives are different. The intent of this heart yields “sweetness of speech” that increases impact – speech that motives, inspires and transforms listeners from hearers to "heeders."

Transformational leaders are first committed followers. When your heart is in sync with God’s heart, your persuasiveness takes on a winsomeness that results in mobilized action in your followers.

Do you want willing, motivated, and committed followers? Start with your heart.

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Understanding Essential Issues

2009-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 13:15-16 [PGL] Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the social deceiver whose conscious is warped does not endure. The prudent acts with knowledge, but the fool lays open his foolishness.

There are many expectations followers have about their leaders: one in particular is the leader’s ability to “understand.” A well-rounded leader wins the favor of followers by faithfully communicating, “they get it.”

This is a leader who has learned to both manage complexity well and lead clearly through the tensions inherent in the structural conflicts involved in change. Careful! Success here can lead to personal hubris. The “prudent” remembers that it is their Creator who has equipped them, not they, themselves.

Effective leaders understand that the tension between continuity and change is perceived differently by each follower and is based on how each were “hard wired.” The aware leader can inspire and motivate in a way that “wins favor” because this leader recognizes the communication style that will get through and get action for each member of the team. Jesus employed different approaches based upon the listener to whom he was speaking. Shouldn’t we?

Those practicing manipulative management and self-serving leadership have become slaves to their own ego. They are fools. The music of life is not in the baton of the maestro, but in the musicians in the orchestra.

The prudent leader with good understanding is the maestro we favor. The score of the music is the common purpose. The musicians’ take personal responsibility for fulfilling their portion of the purpose. Remember, tuning the orchestra does not produce pleasant music, but is necessary. The music begins when the conductor, with a clear understanding of each musician’s role, and knowledge of the author’s intent with the piece, raises the baton to start the music.

Are you a maestro trying to be an orchestra?
Do you know the “author’s intent” in the score of life and it’s expression at work?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LOVING DISCIPLINE

2009-11-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 12: 1 (AMP) Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

Controlling self is a critical stage in learning how to lead: Discipline; Determination to change your approaches and responses to behavior yielding different results. I’m reminded of what M. Scott Peck said in his book The Road Less Traveled, “without discipline we can solve nothing.”

To put this verse more simply – “to learn, you must have discipline (NLT).” To grow personally as a leader, it demands of you not only self discipline, but also the “discipline” from others: both have the power to shape your work and your life to better pursue the direction needed to create positive change.

But note also what this word of wisdom from Proverbs tells us: we are not to tolerate discipline. Not deal with it. Not accept it. Love it. Leaders learn that every action taken is a learning experience: they see it as producing a result- not as success or failure, per se. That’s the attitude of loving discipline. Learn from the results you produce.

If you don’t like the results, change what you are doing – don’t be a “brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.” Learn. Change. Grow.

Have you developed the attitude needed to learn from discipline?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Integrity - A Core of Servant-Leadership

2009-11-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 11:3 (AMP) The integrity of the upright [righteous] shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

“Integrity,” here meaning not only complete, but also ethical straightness and perfection, is from a Hebrew word used only in this verse in Proverbs and four times in the book of Job - notably when God challenged Satan that Job would continue to “hold fast his integrity,” and Job’s wife challenged him by asking, “Do you still cling to your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Leaders who are driven by integrity make a difference – they are the ones who manage change well. Completeness I believe, has at its core an obligation of each leader to “know self” and this is a journey of three, interconnected phases:

Understanding Purpose:

Do you know why you are here?
What is your purpose? Have your written your personal vision statement?
Why were you created?

Establishing Personal Ethics:

What are the guidelines that direct your intentions and behavior? Do you have a list of words that you hold fast and dear?
Do you believe that personal truthfulness, accountability and respect for the individual are without variation even in the face of changing circumstances?
Have you written your core beliefs? Do you read them?

Developing a Worldview

Why are humans on earth? How did we get here? Have you thought this through in a way that will help you motivate, inspire and challenge followers?
What is the human condition? Are we just blank slates imprinted by environment and DNA? Are all humans sinners?
What is the answer - the solution - to the human condition? Is our salvation a good education? Riches? Government? The Lord Jesus Christ?

Job apparently wrestled well with these questions. Even in the midst of horrific circumstance, he knew who he was, what guided him and how that fit into his worldview. He was an authentic leader.

Who and what guide you?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

A Leader's Words Give Life

2009-11-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 10:11a (NKJV) The mouth of the righteous is a well of life…

All sorts of people can inspire, motivate to bring about change. Sometimes, the oasis of hoped for change is just a desert illusion.

Not so with a righteous leader: this person draws from a well of “living water” and motivates people to move (change) quenching their thirst with “the healing water” from the Giver of Life.

According to John P, Kotter, (Force for Change: How Leadership Differs from Management), a leader sets the direction, aligns the key factors that will yield success, motivates and inspires and produces positive change. To do these things, words take on great power. If a leader’s words are colored by discouragement, hesitancy based on current circumstances and an almost fatalistic recognition of present conditions, motivation is lost. Followers are not inspired. There is no joy for the words are not drawn from the “well of life.”

Yes, in the year 2009, we are going thru economic hardship – some of us. Not all. There are still “winners” in the stock market. Some businesses are counter-cyclic.

Regardless of your season, the personal focus must be on how the Lord is showing up even if we are in the “winter of our discontent.” Christian leaders must first communicate joy - because the “joy of the Lord is your strength.” Effective leaders speak first of what is going well (in a church or ministry context, it would be a conversation about God’s goodness) before s/he communicates the trials that must be faced and overcome. We can only truly motivate and inspire when we draw first from the “well of life.”

Leader: do your words result in joy, hope and inspiration to bring about positive change?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Building a Life of Significance

2009-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 9: 1, 10 (MSG) 1Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home... 10Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-GOD, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.

A special house has been built for Believers and it should be enough - but many times, we spend time looking out the window at other buildings that seem bigger, better, bolder.

The world does this as their practice of living. Never content. Always wanting more.

Building, per se, is not wrong, misguided or to be ignored. Leaders are often called "to build." Building a meaningful, significant life is important. That's building to the model of Wisdom's house. Skilled living - that’s the key.

Christian business leaders have the opportunity to demonstrate what God can do with a business wholly committed to him -- one that thrives, grows and is profitable - an enterprise run for His glory. Dickens would not have had much material to use if Christians, at the time his novels were placed, were committed to running Christ-enabled businesses.

Building a businesses, or simple building a life, God's way should be better - the leader more skilled at living because she/he isn’t trying to build a house on a foundation of the shifting sands of relative values.. We are called to build lives of significance at home, at work, at play - and success in this arena is measured by how well we walk down the path of skilled living.

Are you walking on the path that leads to the house Wisdom has built?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Following Jesus

2009-11-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

Guest Blog: Aaron Potratz

Servants and Leaders

A few weeks ago I was listening to a Christian radio station, and one of the DJ’s was talking about servant-leadership. What he said struck me and I’ve not been able to let it out of my mind ever since. He said that there are so many books out there on servant-leadership, but very few people write about simply being a servant – which is what Jesus said He came to be in Mark 10: 43-45.

To be sure, I did an Amazon.com search on several keywords or phrases such as “servant leader,” “leadership,” “servant,” and “be a servant.” Here’s what I found:

· Most of the books on servant-leadership were newer books, written/published within the past 10 years or so
· Many servant-leadership book titles tended to focus on leading others through being a servant
· Books on servanthood or being a servant were generally much older and tended to be heart-focused or on developing godly characteristics
· There were many books in the “servant” search category that also included the term “leadership”

Who cares about book titles on Amazon and what does all of this matter anyway?

The point is that when we focus on leadership and greatness like the disciples did (Mark 9:34, Mark 10: 35-37, and Luke 22:24), we lose sight of what God has called us to.

Our culture is rich with messages telling us that leadership is desirable and a sign of success. Leadership itself is not a bad thing, it can be a good thing, but it is not the best thing according to Jesus. True greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven and discipleship is comprised of humble and loving service. We should be setting our sights on meeting the needs of others through service, sacrifice, and humility. In this way, we edify and exhort others while glorifying God’s name.

This is to be our primary concern, even above leading others because when it is reversed, it becomes too easy to get caught in the snares of self-glory and pride. However, when our own desires become second to the needs of others, those sinful tendencies become exposed and refined in the fire.

So what do you desire?

If you follow Jesus, your answer is to “be slave of all,” (Mark 10:44). Make being a servant your heart’s true passion and let God do the leading; He is more qualified and more experienced anyway.

Copyright ©2009 by Aaron Potratz

An Absolute for Leaders

2009-11-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

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.

Whom you look to for wisdom when leading your team, your small business, your ministry determines – well, everything. Your understanding of personal purpose, your core values and your worldview all merge at this intersection.

Biblical business ethics adheres to the underlying principle that there is absolute, foundational 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 proverbs.

Finding and assimilating Godly Wisdom drives two actions: first, that your view of others will not be self-serving (maintain discretion); two, what you say actually builds the continuity of useful knowledge (your lips may preserve knowledge).

Leadership that honors others and builds a legacy begins at the source. Pay attention to what God teaches first then you’ll be better able to understand and avoid the situational, shifting ethics of man.

Who is your source for wisdom: mankind or God?

Copyright © 2009 P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Fundamentals

2009-11-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

Prov. 2:2 (NAS) Make your ear attentive to wisdom; incline your heart to understanding; 2:9 (NKJV) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

Business schools demand certain perquisites to take advanced classes. Those “fundamental” classes lay the foundation for the deeper thinking required.

So also, Biblical Leaders have foundational classes; not only are we to “tune into” wisdom, we are to apply wholeheartedly what we have learned – it is an action consisting both of reason (thinking) and will (behavior). Inclining [our] heart goes to our purpose – why we were created. If the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever," we start that journey by acknowledging we need to first learn wisdom from our Creator.

The result? Effective and Godly leaders will develop an understanding of the impact of four attributes that shape leadership.

Righteousness – here meaning conformity to an ethical standard. Word most often used in reference to judges who, looking at the law (standard), rule without partiality. Leaders have an ethical standard that is absolute and grounded and does not shif depending on the situation.
Judgment – here emphasizing the application of the standard, even in a state of ambiguity. Ethics is lived out in the real world where all things are not black and white: it is one of the ramifications of eating from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It’s tough out there. Our ego will often cloud our judgment – at least that’s been my experience. I, too often, make decisions based on what Griff thinks – not what God thinks. Conforming to the image of Christ is an every day commitment of will.
Equity – here used in a clear legal context means simply level or straight. The drive to “know ourselves” (wisdom) gives birth to behaving in a way that is “true.” I understand the difficulty here: one can have the best intentions: behavior, however, is what makes the impact. Can’t be a “straight-shooter” unless the heart is plumb, level and straight. That takes lifelong work.
Knowing every good path. Every. Catch that. Take it from one who has stumbled along. Fallen often. “Every” is a tough standard. Interesting that this word for “good” has a practical meaning – economic benefit. I’m sure that “a good path” was presented as an option that I choose to ignore. It’s that “heart” thing again. One must will to choose the good path. Every time.

Customer Asset Management

2009-10-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 27:23 – 27 (MSG) [Be diligent to] know your sheep by name; carefully attend to your flocks; (Don't take them for granted; possessions don't last forever, you know.) And then, when the crops are in and the harvest is stored in the barns, you can knit sweaters from lambs' wool, and sell your goats for a profit; there will be plenty of milk and meat to last your family through the winter.

“Know the state of your flock” is a challenging instruction especially in our current culture focused on renewable resources. But these verses struck a different chord in the instrument of my mind: the customer chord.

Customers are assets that must be managed and nurtured. Customer retention has proven to be of great value to a firm – there exists a good body of literature supporting this contention. Common sense tells us that keeping a customer has value beyond just the transaction.

In my seminars on Sales, I often ask the question: Is your customer list a list of transactions or a list of friends? It is good business to know your customers – I mean, really know them. Care about them. Remember, it’s not about you.

Looking at customer’s as “friends” (know your sheep by name) is even more vital for the Christian Servant-leader. We are called to view work as a mission field (Matt. 28: 19-20 “As you are going…make disciples….”) It is difficult to make a disciple of a stranger.

If your customers see you as a person who: is a “straight shooter;” caring; a listener; a problem-solver (even with solutions that cannot be personally provided); is joyful despite the circumstance, you will be attractive. These behaviors will open conversations. One of those conversations can be about eternal issues. That conversation will give new meaning to customer service.

Do you take the time and effort to become a friend to your customers?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Meditate on the Right Issues

2009-10-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 23:17(AMP) Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long.

We all meditate: we just don’t think about it as such. Probably your mental image is a yoga position, or you pictured a cloistered monk; however, don’t be deceived! What you think about when you are working-out – jogging or walking along – where you mind wanders and settles – that is meditation.

For some that thought-time is filled with complaining, anger, bitterness, gossip, sexual images, envy (coveting): Christian leaders are called to “guard [our] hearts” and ask forgiveness for the sin that is hidden in our thoughts, and turn our hearts toward our Creator, Redeemer and Friend.

Yes, life happens. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. The “just” have been given all-weather gear to keep them dry, safe and warm no matter the storm. We just have to use it. We don’t – at least I know I don’t all the time. I sometimes like to soak in my self-pity, my envy, my coveting. Think of it this way: what was Eve thinking about when the Serpent tempted her? Was her heart inclined to God, or to the lust of the eyes and the pride of life?

What you think about – meditate upon – matters. God’s instructions to Joshua concerning His Word was very straightforward: “Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Will you join me in a journey to righteously meditate?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Understand What Drives Them

2009-10-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

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

Understanding personal purpose - Why are you here? - yields not only knowing "who you are" but also how you impact others.

Consider that your impact on others as a leader has more value than all the wealth you can accumulate.

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 does your impact as a leader "say?"

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Don’t Play the Blame Game.

2009-10-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

Pr. 19:3 (NIV) A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

The blame-game. Easy to play, given we have so very much practice. Hard to stop, given our self-centered natures. When our words are wrong, we blame others. When others make mistakes because of our folly, we blame. Blame. Blame Blame.

Christian leader let me put this in context: I’m not writing about mistakes, it is about an attitude! The word “folly” comes from the same root as our English word evil, and in this context, means simply “doing it my way.”

At work this can be played out when the “Sunday stuff” we wear to church is thrown off Monday – Saturday - when our language, coarse humor, jokes, and “in-your-face” attitude all reflect the folly of the Evil One. All done because somehow, the thinking goes, this will help us mix and communicate with those in the “world.” (I can't help think of the scene in the barber shop in the movie Gran Torino). It won’t. It will slowly destroy you. Christian business person, you and I are called to be Holy - in the world, not of the world.

Is stress building in your life? People at work making mistakes. Bosses on your case about making the numbers. Customer’s grumbling. Time to look in not out. Blaming an employee for poor performance blasphemes God. Blaming the boss for rigid adherence to numbers blasphemes God. Blaming customers, blasphemes God. We are called to encourage, teach, inspire. Not blame. The root of that word is worthy of note; both the Latin blasphemare and Greek blasphēmein mean “to blaspheme.”

Effective and attractive leaders don’t play the blame game. They cover their workplace in prayer. They cover their people in prayer. They walk around the office, alone, praying individually for each employee. Either God is in control of your life and your work or you are. The later is folly and it will ruin your life.

Who is in control of your life?

Copyright (c)2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Communicate Carefully

2009-10-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 15:2 (NKJV) The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

The stored-up knowledge of experience becomes most useful when communicated wisely. It takes care to communicate “rightly” – proper time, proper place, and proper thoughts.

I understand this so very well, because sometimes I fail to wisely communicate. I blurt: Foolish thing to do.

Using any of the many personality inventories gives clues to how a person processes information – how to speak their language. Blanchard/Hershey’s Situational Leadership posits that the right leadership communication style is based on the person being led: leaders communicate with awareness so that relationships can be built – that’s using knowledge rightly.

Foolish people practice “throwing it out there to see what sticks” with no concern to listener’s style, their underlying fears, or where they are in life experience – that’s more like “belch[ing] out foolishness” (NLT) than speaking.

Do you communicate wisely – at home, at work and at play?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Biblical Leaders Worship God’s Wisdom

2009-10-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 14:33 (NLT) Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.

Wisdom’s place in the heart is not ostentatious. It is quiet: a strength that leads to insightful understanding that has its foundation laid in a clear, personal purpose, a set of consistent ethics, and a compelling, yet coherent worldview.

In their groundbreaking work, Daft and Lengel, in Fusion Leadership point out that leaders must have heart to lead. They proclaim, [that a] “Fusion Leader stay[s] emotionally connected with people and work…and are collaborative and interdependent.”

A heart of wisdom yields emotional connections that integrate grace and truth: not just the cold, hard facts of truth and not just the warm safety of grace; rather, this wise leader combines them in a way that compels understanding, positive emotional reaction and change. This leader’s vision “pursues higher purpose that touches the heart.” Whatever possesses a heart regulates living.

What's enshrined in your heart?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Effective Leaders Do More Than Just Listen

2009-10-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

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

“Taking advice” defines effective leaders. They are the ones who have learned having an open mind yields beneficial results. That learning is life-long. Leaders learn to listen - not just hear - and are listening with the expectation of learning from the advice, no matter the source.

Advice comes in many forms: sometimes as a quiet comment from an unexpected source; other times, as an aside shared during a conversation; sometimes it comes unsolicited – the hardest of all advice to hear! In business settings, it may flow from those to whom you report, your peers, or those who report to you.

But it also strikes me that leaders lead because they first learned to follow - follow the One who has provided eternal advice about living whether at home or at work. Advices about letting go and letting God speak through His word or His workers.

Simply listening to advice and actually taking advice are two different activities.

Do you “do what you like” or do you “take advice?”

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Change Is Constant: Direction of Change is a Choice

2009-10-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 9:9 (AMP) Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.

The acquiring of wisdom is a journey, not an event. The journey is not only revealing about “self” but also about the shape and expression of a leader’s ethics.

Our progress in life is a result of our choices and our willingness to learn from them. Employees and customers often teach us about the ethical framework (righteousness) we use to respond to “change.” Customer service, for one example, is a practical expression about a leader’s heart.

Servant-leaders must learn to discipline her/himself to continue to learn. These leaders work at body, mind and spirit congruence. They actively acquire the skills they need and hone the ones with which they have been endowed by their Creator. They become aware of the patterns of their behavior and the impact a behavior has on others.

The result for the Biblically based leader? They will behave in a way that:

Expresses love for God (obedience)
Demonstrates their love for the “neighbors.” (Isn’t that the essence of customer-service – looking out for their needs, before our own?)

An outcome? Their leadership will be clothed in justice and righteousness. Employees will be free to make customer-oriented decisions that benefit the firm. Customers will be attracted to companies that “do business right.” Families will be nurtured and grow the love God.

Are you consistently learning and growing? Or, have you become stagnate?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

What Leaders Focus Upon Matters

2009-10-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 8:9-10 (MSG) [Wisdom speaking] Prefer my life--disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career. For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.

In Bruce Doyle III’s book Before You Think Another Thought he suggests that “what you focus on expands in your life…[and]…it is important to focus your attention effectively.”

Focus is a choice – a preference.

The seductions of power, position and prestige can easily distract. Wisdom suggests that choosing to focus on spiritual disciplines and God-knowledge will yield something that wealth will never provide.

Leadership is not about what you preach or what you intend to do: it is about how you behave and the impact that has on people.

How you lead, what you do and say are the result of choosing the right things to focus upon. Begin by focusing on Wisdom – the focus that will prepare you each day to think, do and say the kind of things that not only please God, but also your followers.

As Bruce says it, “What you believe is just you will get.”

Do you believe in Wisdom? Or wealth? Your answer matters.

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Managing Expectations

2009-10-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 6:16-19

Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.

God’s expectations for his people were, of course, communicated in the Decalogue; in light of those, Wisdom gives us insight into their application in practical living and when combined with Jesus’ insight about our thought life, this list, by itself, is challenging.

Understanding expectations is crucial for building meaningful relationships with those who led us and for our followers. Communicating expectations is a key the attractive leadership.

An exercise for expectation exploration that has produced positive results is expressed in my Key Success Factors Exercise. In general, the leadership team is asked to write for themselves, what success looks like for them in their job. Afterward, each then is asked to write what success looks like for the other. The first key is how congruent is the CEO’s view of expectations for each team member and each team member’s view of their success.

If you are interested in the process, click here and in the message section type in KSF.

Do you clearly communicate your expectations? Do you have a process for “checking it?”

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Silence is Golden

2009-10-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 5:1-2 (AMP) MY SON, be attentive to my Wisdom [godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you], that you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion and your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer [to temptation].

Leaders communicate. Effective leaders communicate well. Sometimes, however, communicating well means being quiet.

As some readers know, I was a theater major many years ago and completed all my graduate work, sans thesis, in theater. That schooling made it clear to me that actors are taught not only how to communicate, but also how to “be” in the silence between speaking parts. It is a form of active listening, as it were - being the character -which sometimes is not part of the direct conversation, but is part of the stage conversation.

Your leadership may call on you to practice discreet silence. Keeping one’s own counsel. “Playing their cards tight to their chest.” Guarding knowledge. When to speak about a matter and when to just listen takes discretion that is often born of experience – bad experiences.

As in all matters dealing with communication, one must be diligent to not only control the tongue, but also the body. Sometimes, our silence communicates the message we have withheld speaking.

Are you as careful with your silence as you are with your words?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are Always Learning

2009-10-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 1:5 (NASB) A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel…

Life-long learning is an attribute of leadership – especially of those seeking to hone their skills as a servant-leader.

From recorded history, wisdom has been institutionalized, and with good reason. The wise were about sharing, training and producing wise people. We learn from history. We learn from the imbued wisdom of intact teams who have been with an organization for years.

Leadership foresight is an attribute of Greenleaf’s servant-leader and is the result the synergy between the lessons of the past and the realities of the present. These are connected in such a way that the potentials for both intended and unintended consequences in the future represent the right thinking at the right time and in the right manner.

Note the parallel construction in the second phrase in Pr 1:5 The word counsel is used only in Proverbs and Job and means to guide, and direct with the attributes of right thinking and experience in decision making.

Increase in learning. Acquiring counsel. Are you a life-long learner?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Walking Like a Leader

2009-09-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 30:29-31 (AMP) There are three things which are stately in step, yes, four which are stately in their stride: The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not back before any; the war horse [well-knit in the loins], the male goat also, and the king [when his army is with him and] against whom there is no uprising.

My mind is filled with scenes from Hollywood trying to depict what Agur, the author of this observation depicted – and sometimes they capture a whiff of this kind of stateliness.

I have been fortunate to know some who fit this mold, and the room does really “hush” when they enter.

The leader who know his/her purpose, has articulated their values, has a firm grip on their mental model of the world (worldview), and have a dominating perspective of a humble heart and an open mind (to the input from others) have shown themselves to be innovative,. These folks are stately to their followers. They are the kind of leaders whose “troops are with” them and against whom “there is no uprising.”

Jesus Christ, had that same effect on people – and Christian leaders are called to be Christ-like.

How’s your walk as a leader?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

An Eternal Vision for Leaders

2009-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

A fundamental of authentic, transformational leadership (servant-leadership) is that the leader has a clear understanding of his/her purpose. The platform for personal purpose is under-girded by a person answering essential questions like:

Where did you come from?
Why are you here?
What is your destiny?
What role does God have in your life?
Are you aligned with a purpose outside of self?

If one believes that we are a product of mindless, random chance it is difficult, if not impossible, to be aligned to a purpose outside of self. Self-centeredness is destructive. People perish.

For others, who believe we are a result of a purposeful, redemptive Creator (known by revelation), that belief should shape both personal and corporate visions (or purpose statements) that recognize the power of the law as:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt 28:37-30

What a powerful incentive for biblical-based business leaders. Who is better equipped to express God-breathed behavior in the workplace? Who is better equipped to express the “redemptive revelation of God” to the marketplace? When individuals are focused on obeying God, they are used for a purpose greater than just work. Companies are transformed. Lives are changed. People prosper.

Does the expression of your purpose yield prospering?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Hate – Covetousness

2009-09-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 28:16 (MSG) Among leaders who lack insight [or judgment], abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption [covetousness], the future is bright.

The juxtaposition of covetousness and the lack of insight drive us to look inward to understand motivation and behavior.

The terms “emotional fluency” or “EQ” (the ability to use emotions effectively) are sometimes used when describing the process of developing positive corporate culture by practicing integrity.

Examples of corrupt leadership include:

those who coerce staff to fudge on the inventory; or
book phantom orders in response to quarterly scrutiny; or,
the abusive manager, who sucks the very life out of the team.

Leaders must resist behaviors that is “all about them and their success” by utilizing an equally powerful emotion – hate. That’s right – righteous hate: we must hate corruption and covetousness! It takes that emotional commitment to turn from self-serving behavior to practice integrity.

Integrity built on an understanding of our purpose – a purpose given us by our Creator. Sometimes those insights about our motivations and lack of purpose come from transparent communication with friends who are wise – the kind of insight that helps us lead others into a “bright future.”

Do you have the kind of friends that help you hate your self-serving behavior?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Practice Self-control

2009-09-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 25:28 (NLT) A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

A common characteristic of failed leadership is a lack of self-control - a lack manifested in many ways: but most important among them is the blame game.

Taking full responsibility for our actions, learning from mistakes and using what you have been given to its full advantage are “walls” that will protect the leader.

Learn self-control by:

Curbing curiosity – everything is permitted, but not beneficial – explore carefully also evaluating impact

Checking pride and vanity – it’s not about you – it is always about them (customers, staff, suppliers, stakeholder of any kind!)

Containing anger and revenge – these drain you; and equally important, expressing them will not draw others to you

Confining personal ambition – When yours is palatable, it pushes people away – they will not follow.

Leaders Are Aware

2009-09-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 22:3 (MSG) A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

Foresight is one of the characteristics of leadership, and is especially focused upon in the literature about servant-leaders.

Beyond the simple thought of seeing “trouble coming” and avoiding it, is the deeper realization that developing the awareness to integrate information that is flowing toward and around you into knowledge is a product of maturing wisdom.

Information alone is not a building block of “prudence;” rather, it is a clear understanding of past events, the objective look at current reality and an educated estimation of the intended and unintended consequences of what one “sees…coming” that are the hallmarks of prudent leadership.

Leaders are constantly moving between time states and it is the prudent (wise) leader that understands the past, respects the present and practices humility to face the future – especially a future over which the leader has no personal control.

The authentic leader is comfortable with that ambiguity – the servant who is a leader (the real power of servant-leadership) has the ability to make sense of the chaos of the “trouble coming” and the personal character and breadth of vision to respond appropriately for the benefit of the organization and the team. Forecasts are important: foresight adds insight and is vital.

Leadership awareness: are you taking the time to develop the skill of foresight?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Pursue Godliness Even in the Workplace

2009-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 21:21 (NLT) Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor.

Plato taught that moral thoughts are universal and that “the Good” can be attained through reason not through submission to revelation. Pursuing godliness is an act of submission.

Submitting or reasoning? We like the second: appeals to our ego.

Pursuing godliness (righteous living) and love (focus on others) in the workplace results in the kind of life that is attractive. The “work of the Lord” is always about love; therefore, we must speak the truth seasoned with grace.

Even when dealing with an under-performing employee, speaking brutal truth is about us: our reasoning ability to see what is “right and true.” Authentic leadership drives us to use compassion in exploration of the drivers of behaviors that result in negative impact on productivity (what Will Tuttle calls “ethical intelligence”). Honor results when we focus on the impact that truth will have on the hearer for the benefit of the Kingdom.

Pursuing godliness fuels personal outcomes that are attractive to God and others.

What fuels you?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Power of Your Words

2009-09-18T08:45:00.001-07:00

Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.

Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so he is. (Publilius Syrus)

Our words, written or spoken, have power. More power than we often realize. Beyond the obvious meaning of choosing words that feed and nurture a person, as opposed to words that destroy a person, there is a subtly that is sometimes missed.

The leader who is full of jest, quick wit, “in-your-face” retorts or even IYF humor must develop the discipline to know when that kind of confident, carefree speech is appropriate. It would be well to remember what Plato said: Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.

Especially in this day of 140 character “speech” on social networking sites, something written with jest -- not because one has something to say, but because one can say something -- can easily be misunderstood because of the law of unintended consequences.

Developing the proficiency to speak in such a way that one limits the unintended consequences is a skill leaders must continually develop. I know how easy it is to quickly say what I’m thinking instead of thinking before I say.

For the Christian leader, your words have eternal consequences: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” –Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:36-38)

Remember, that the words we say will teach if we practice what we preach.

What do you “preach” by your life and your language?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Understand the Danger of Fools

2009-09-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 17:12 (NIV) Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Does this seem like a hyperbole? A bit melodramatic? A stretch? A human who spreads his/her folly more deadly than a 500 pound Syrian Brown Bear, with bared teeth, menacing growl, towering height and long claws, diving down and running at us?

Fear the deadly, angry mother bear vs. a person wise in their own eyes: doesn’t seem like a choice? A person, who having no need for God, with whom we seek out for advice, listen to and admire is more deadly than that mother bear!

Why is that? Is it because the folly of fools fills us with false hope. Or is it because that folly is seductive: it appeals to our self-centered natures. It makes us feel good -- feeling good is paramount today.

Perhaps it is because the world’s words, having wormed their way into our willing hearts and minds, seem somehow filled with wisdom. And, after all, if “everybody” is thinking “that” way, it takes courage to provide a different perspective.

We have become a timid lot, we followers of the Way. It seems that takes more courage to stand up to a passionate person, wise in their own eyes, having no need for God and seducing the world to idolatry (worshiping anything other than God - a fool in his folly) than the deadly, angry mother bear.

Sharing God’s Word with grace and truth demands of us a discipline of active listening and attractive communication. It demands asking good, thought-provoking questions, not vicious verbal attacks are passionate disagreement.

Committed Christian leaders must be always learning not only when to “stand up” – to discern the seduction of words and thoughts that have their genesis in Hell – but also what and how to say what honors God.

Who are you afraid of most: the bear or the fool?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Believing Leaders Worship God While Doing Business

2009-09-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 16:11 (AMP) A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights of the bag are His work [established on His eternal principles].

A Christian Worldview recognizes that the source for maintaining truth and justice in affairs of commerce is God.

A secularist sees the weights and scale as simply man’s manufacturing ability – man’s ingenuity. The philosophical two-story worldview in which we live (faith, feelings, etc. are in the private, upper story; science, math, commerce etc. are in the public, lower story) is blind to not only the source of the materials upon which creativity is applied, it also denies the Source of all: the Creator God who became man forever broke that false barrier. It is He – our creator - who put the concepts of “just scales” in man’s heart “so that no man can alter them without violating God's rights and authority.” (Wesley)

“God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.” (MSG) The righteous leader knows God is all and in all – even in work.

Do you honor your Creator – in your business?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Have Purpose

2009-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 15:9 (AMP) The way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

Purpose is the foundation of leadership. Knowing who you are, why you are here and where you are ultimately headed (the eternal) drives decisions directing your life and your leading.

God seeks leaders who have learned to integrate the sacred and the secular to impact the world for Him. The supposed division between the two got its start with Greek thinkers and through the centuries has become the dominant worldview.

Unfortunately, many believers have succumbed, living a Sunday life only Sunday; but that “way” – the way that denies God his rightful position in all of his creation – really does upset God.

“A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.” (15:9 - MSG)

The Leadership Team

2009-09-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 11:14 (MSG) Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

Leaders practice foresight – remembering the past, objectively looking at the present, and ascertaining known consequences of decisions for the future.

Servant-leaders not only provide good direction, they also seek wise counsel. This is not “either/or” thinking; rather, it is “both/and.” The event we honor today, September 11, 2001, is a horrific example of the results of either/or.

Silo thinking is not part of servant-leadership culture and there is an absence of hierarchical vocabulary within the culture and its effect -- lack of collaboration. However, when humility is not regarded as vital, and arrogance is not only tolerated, but also often rewarded, people “lose their way” and become well known for offering answers, not solutions. The people running these kinds of organizations often don't ask for advice from the team despite the admonitions above that are certainly plain enough: get advice - Godly advice (wise counsel).

God has called Believers to adopt a different attitude - one that seamlessly integrates the scared with the secular. God's word - God's people - and You. That's a team that improves “your chances.”

Do you have a Godly team surrounding you?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Heart of Ethics

2009-09-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

A recent study from the IABC found that over 65% of their membership had no training on ethics – and it is this group that advices senior management on ethical decision-making!

It has also been my experience that, for the most cases, those who ran their business with the application of ethics were people who had grounding in the Word. Interestingly, many have rejected Christianity, per se – but all had experienced religious training in school.

Today, ethics training that focuses on company values, internal and external relationships is certainly needed; however, the rules, regulations and process that often flow from that training are generally “head” issues.

For example, how people are treated is an ethical issue. It was Will Tuttle (Ph.D – composer, musician, author) who mused: “Compassion is ethical intelligence.”

Consistent application of ethics is based on a clear understanding of a human's purpose: the verse above points out that our purpose (to be in reverential awe - a healthy fear - of God) - or wisdom - and our understanding (the foundation of ethics) is a heart issue – if the heart is right with God, then the ethics will follow.
-
Is your heart “right?”

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

On a Working Vacation

2009-09-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

The run is rising over the Alabama Hills and reflects dramatically off the
Sierra's to the west.

I'm writing this a a buddy's home awaiting breakfast before we tackle the building of a set of new cabinets for his new house. I tell you this as a way of understanding why I have not written from Proverbs this week.

Mornings start early and at day's end, reading and meditating are not given any priority. Sleep works. Having a blast, however, using muscles long forgotten that have all reminded me of their importance to the functioning of the body.

There's a scriptural truth in there. Maybe someday soon I write about it.

Want to Lead Well? Better Learn to Serve.

2009-08-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 26:17 (AMP) Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.

In a recent Wall Street Journal interview, Robert Bruner (dean of Univ. of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and co-author of the Panic of 1907: Lessons Learned from the Market’s Perfect Storm) said that a lesson emerging from current market conditions comments that “Ethics are always No.1…Leadership is second…” He does not address how a person’s ethics are developed. That is the more powerful issue.

Conceit in one’s own ability to “be” has resulted in an abundance of oxymoronic followers of relative truth. Leaders, like all of us, must first answer these questions:

Where did you come from?
Why are you here?
Where are you going?
Are you aligned with a larger purpose outside of self?”

Max Dupree (former chairman of Herman Miller, Inc.), in Leadership Jazz, observes, ”…Leadership is a position of servant-hood. Leadership is also a posture of debt; it is a forfeiture of rights.”

Serving customers, employees and suppliers demands in us a very different attitude from being “wise in [our] own eyes.” Running a business takes a mix of confidence and humility – humility to accept that “we” don’t have all the answers, and some of answers may even have a spiritual component acknowledging a need for God’s perspective.

Conceit has captivated humans from the very beginning and may be expressed by an assumption that God has nothing to say about business and its relationships – could that be a conceit that makes one a “practical atheist?”

I believe there is one wiser than we and His Word is our guidebook – even for business.

Two questions: Whom do you serve? What are you reading?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Sweet Success Starts with Wisdom

2009-08-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 24:13-14 (NLT) My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

Honey is a powerful food. Not only is it sweet, but also it has healthy attributes and has been used through the ages to treat various ailments. Its sweetness is not open for debate. Once tasted, no arguments can be set forth to convince you otherwise.

Exactly like The Truth, right? Well, not exactly: many have grown up around beehives, honeycombs, various containers of honey – even been schooled “in honey” – but have not actually tasted the honey.

Tragic, really: this metaphor is a picture, however, of many who have been schooled in religion but never tasted the sweetness of an authentic relationship with Christ.

“Tasting” Wisdom is a life-altering experience – it sweetens the soul; brightens the future, and secures your hope. This attributes allows leaders to first focus on others in a way that moves a team, an organization, a family forward. That kind of personal success is attractive – especially in the today’s workplace.

Does your life pass the “taste test?”

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Exhibit Love in the Workplace

2009-08-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 21:21 (NLT) Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor.

Plato taught that moral thoughts are universal and that “the Good” can be attained through reason not through submission to the Revelation.

Pursue godliness (which is an act of submission) or Reasoning? Which is for us? I don’t know about you, but my instincts are for the second choice: it appeals to the ego. Not the best choice.

Pursuing godliness (righteous living) and love (the focus on others) in the workplace results in the kind of life that is attractive. We all want to be attractive, don’t we?

The “work of the Lord” is always about love; therefore, we must speak the truth seasoned with grace. Speaking brutal truth is about us: our reasoning ability to see what is “right and true.” Honor results when we focus on the impact that truth will have on the hearer for the benefit of the Kingdom.

This verse comes with a promise: the aspirations of life, godliness and honor come from our pursuit of “the Good” outside of us, revealed to us by His creation, His word and our moral consciousness. Godliness and love drives personal repentance and fuels our pursuit.

What fuels your pursuit?

Copyright ©2009 by P.Griffith Lindell

The Generosity of Leaders

2009-08-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 19:17 (MSG) Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.

In his article The Cultivation of Transcendent Leadership, Jamie S. Walters posits that generosity is the first of the six principles of “transcendent leadership.”

As he points out, “Generosity of spirit…fosters collaboration, creativity, idea-sharing, knowledge-sharing, camaraderie, trust, satisfaction, and constructive communication.”

Mercy to the needy is not only expressed as financial help (which is important in its own right), but also is expressed, in the work environment, in the sharing of information, delegating both authority and responsibility and/or providing necessary feedback.

Mercy is a quality from the heart.

Do you have the heart to lead?

Copyright 2009 © by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership School

2009-08-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Leaders must be schooled, but it’s not Harvard, Northwestern, Wharton or Stanford where this education must be sought. That’s because money not only does not buy happiness, but it also does not buy wisdom; and in the end, it is wisdom that counts.

The tuition for servant-leaders is paid with the coin of “service” from the bank of “humility” for the school of “others.” The rewards of this education are impact well beyond the personality of the person. People are moved to follow those who demonstrate by behavior that they care for others and have a vision and plan for moving ahead and accomplishing a goal.

In our culture, there are unintended consequences to using the term “servant-leader:” the word “servant” today is often confused with a sense of over-weaning self-effacement - a sad change of the meaning of the word. To serve a person of standing and quality used to be a priority of the first order because that singular association painted the one serving with the same brush as the master. The servant had standing – the master’s standing. The symbiotic relationship brought power and influence.

Serving the living God and intentionally dying to self yields the kind of love that put the needs of others we lead, first. Education in the heart is the first step to real leadership and wealth that matters.

Where are you getting your schooling?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Priority Must Be Singular, Not Plural for Leaders

2009-08-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 14:23 (NIV) All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Peter Drucker is often quoted in Pollard’s book, Serving Two Masters? Reflections on God and Profit. Pollard tells the story that Drucker had a way of keeping ServiceMaster’s executives on task by asking them continually the most important questions in business: Have you determined your priority? And, What are you doing to achieve the result?

Improved productivity is a major challenge facing companies, especially in this downturn. Focusing on the dignity of the worker is a major step in meeting the demands of process to achieve results. However, the focus must be not only on words, but also on the leader’s behavior. What you do speaks louder than what you say.

Management’s hard work includes developing systems to measure productivity, to continually share where workers are on the journey (beginning with where they have started and where they are going) and develop ways that all levels of management can really listen to those closest to the work.

Notice: there may be many activities, but there is only a single priority. The history of that word in our language [see Pollard’s book] reveals that is was not until the twentieth century that it acquired a plural form. It should never be a question of many priorities: just one.

Same with our personal lives: individuals must have a personal priority. Something that drives their decisions. A bedrock ethic against which all demands for time and focus can be based.

Do you know your personal priority?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Love Truth

2009-08-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 13:5 (MSG) A good person hates false talk; a bad person wallows in gibberish.

Sometimes it’s the little things that cause the biggest problems in business – like that “little white lie” that seems to often grow faster than even bamboo!

There are two offenses with false talk: harming truth is the first – and surely vital in an ethical business environment; the second, equally as important (and maybe more so) is the effect of false talk is in the harming of others.

Leaders (all people – leaders and servants) must not harm. They must help.

The little “false talk” grows larger, quickly, and the first sprout of that little white lie is soon a swamp of foolish foliage surrounding the liar. Wallowing becomes a powerful verb about the deceiver.

A person given to “false talk” lacks the framework to exercise leadership – especially the attributes of empathy, selfless initiative and foresight. The underbrush of half-truths, lies, exaggerations and deceit are not easily cleared from the forest of this mind. Just as it takes discipline to weed a garden, it also takes discipline to clear the “underbrush” of the mind – you can’t just trim the top of the weeds – you must get the roots out.

Self-deception makes root pulling practically impossible. We are easily mesmerized by the cutting of the tops of the underbrush: the pulling out of the roots is a gift of God. He forgives and cleans – He refreshes the soil of the soul. We simply must recognize and repent.

Leadership that changes people and organization begins with self-awareness.

Are you working on self-awareness?

Is the forest of your soul populated with tall, trimmed truth-trees?

And, do you have some underbrush that needs tending? I know, I do.

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Wholeness of Leadership – the Ethics of Leading

2009-08-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 11:3a (NKJV) The integrity of the upright will guide them…

The root meaning of integrity is wholeness – we get our word integer from it – a whole number. The Hebrew meaning of the word used here for “integrity” has in its root the word completeness and includes the concepts of ethical straightness and perfection.

Greenleaf (The Servant as Leader) points out that authenticity is at the core of the leader – especially the servant leader – “….begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” Not a manufactured feeling. A natural one. Authentic.

We want our leaders to speak without dissimulation. We expect clarity – wholeness – in pointing a direction. That kind of authenticity flows from an “upright” heart – one whose ethics are based on a dynamic relationship with his/her Creator: it is the “heart” of a leader to which people respond. That’s why Greenleaf posits that the servant-leader must be “naturally” inclined to serve.

Our job as leaders is to plumb the depths of authenticity in our followers. We must ask the kind of questions about a result that connects thought and the action. Our ethic demands that what we say matches what we do. We are responsible to model and behave with compassion. To listen with understanding. To empathize without necessarily accepting inappropriate behaviors or performance below standards.

Just as we cannot create a new primary color, so we cannot change a universal truth (see C. S. Lewis, Abolition of Man) that there are certain things that are really true and really false – an ethic – and it is from this that we derive our source of values that includes respect for the individual. Without that respect, a leader cannot really guide. They lack integrity and will not have committed followers.

What’s your ethical base? Do you lead out of power-of-position or poverty-of-self? Do you know it all or are you learning?

Are you whole?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Bridle the Tongue

2009-08-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) When words are many, sin is not absent; but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Practical insight. Give humans a chance to chatter, without care and forethought, invariably we will exaggerate, hyperbolize, and stretch the truth or just plain, lie.

Why? In our self-absorption, we want to “look good.”

Leaders, who are committed to focusing on others, find it much easier to practice the discipline of listening (you can’t listen and talk at the same time!). In sales training, we often say, “You were created with two ears and one tongue: use them in that proportion.”

The Biblical principle, stated here and other places, is that we will be held accountable for our “idle words.” Listening carefully is more powerful than saying a lot.

Are you listening?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell