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
Showing posts with label ethics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ethics. Show all posts
Monday, October 04, 2010
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Servant-leadership – KNOW Yourself: Ethics
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:
Are you shaping your team, organization or company’s culture? Or are you being shaped?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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?
Are you shaping your team, organization or company’s culture? Or are you being shaped?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Integrity - A Core of Servant-Leadership
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:
Establishing Personal Ethics:
Developing a Worldview
Who and what guide you?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
“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?
Who and what guide you?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Friday, October 09, 2009
Change Is Constant: Direction of Change is a Choice
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:
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
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
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Wednesday, September 09, 2009
The Heart of Ethics
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
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
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Want to Lead Well? Better Learn to Serve.
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:
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
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
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