Leadership Wholehearted in Purpose

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?

©Copyright 2011 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Persevere

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

Foundations of Leadership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-Leadership - KNOW Yourself: Purpose

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

Leaders Understand What Drives Them

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

An Eternal Vision for Leaders

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 Have Purpose

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)

Frittering away your life away or pursuing a Godly purpose: the choice is yours.

Which will you choose?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell