Leaders Remember to Remember

Proverbs 7:1 [Lindell] My son, keep [remember] my words [follow my advice] [do what I tell you] and store [treasure] up my commands within you [stick to it]….

I’m reminded of a recent article in the July 2009 SMITHSONIAN titled “Salami, Mr. Holcomb?” memorializing, in a Lucian Perkins' photo, the grueling “plebe” experience. Parts of that experience are intense memorization drills, including, for example, the lunch menu. Holcomb (the plebe) received the blistering verbal pounding of the senior midshipman, Sandee Irwin (one of the first women at the Academy) for forgetting salami in his recitation. Memorization drills help build the knowledge base upon which plebes grow into midshipmen.

One can't follow advice if one does not choose to remember it and remembering is a result of an attitude adjustment. Our military academies think this adjustment is important – beginning with memorizing a lunch menu. They had a model from which to work: the Old Testament. God commanded consistently to “remember,” even providing visual metaphors and reminders (altars, clothing, adornments, feasts, festivals etc.)

Our learning to "treasure" the commands and deciding to pay attention to the instruction that flows from Wisdom should become part of our life-long learning. The opposite way of living is called foolishness. In the first nine chapters of Proverbs, both Wisdom and foolishness are presented in the feminine and the latter as a seductive, but “religious,” adulteress (see verse 14).

She is attractive: provocative; stimulating; enticing; full of energy, and, she even smells good. How easy it is to be sucked into the “way of the world.” Just as in all good counterfeits, the distinctions are subtle. The seduction mimics the real. Do you know what is real? Can you discern the distinctions?

Are you remembering to remember to do business God's way?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaderships Lessons Derived From Studying the Ant

Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!


Ants in the kitchen! The mystery remains the source – perhaps some of the fresh strawberries we picked. Pesky little things that demand a second look, according to this verse.

The lesson to be learned in your observation is not just to collect facts, and information, and a body of knowledge; rather, learn to be wise.

For example, ants may be the only group of animals besides humans in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life. That learning seems also to be future-focused, teaching younger ants what they need to know to be effective producers.

Like the ant, leaders should be mentoring. Sharing the “tricks of the trade:” Allowing the “mentee” to discover some “wrong ways” to do something so that a better way may be learned. Answering questions with questions or telling a story and letting the employee work at discovery. Learning.

Leaders are then building a succession plan that has a potential of success.

Who are you teaching? Who are your grooming?

MORE Ant Information Here

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Measure of a Christian Leader

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.

The measure of a Christian leader is how well that leader weaves his/her faith into the fabric of living both at home and at work.

Listening to God’s voice in everything we do takes intentionality, discipline and a determination to be humble, even in business problem-solving. We are often too caught up in the myth of Hollywood that we are autonomous, independent leaders and find ourselves just responding and reacting, that we forget about relying.

This verse is devoid of meaning if we relegate God to Sunday and forget Him Monday to Saturday. In the world of business, finding a 7-day committed Believer is a breath of fresh air. Are you one of them? Are you a person whose faith means something to them and how you run the business - intentionality, discipline and determination in action.

Whom do you trust and listen to: mythmakers or your Maker?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Must Learn to Relax

Proverbs 1:33 (MSG) First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands.

So, you want to relax? Chapter one of Proverbs says there is a simple method that will provide what you need to learn to relax.

Being God-absorbed - seems like it should be very simple, doesn't it? It should not be, but that is the hard part. The "absorbed with God" decision will so drive you that no matter if wars rage, if the economy falls flat, if sickness ravages the family, if the business falls apart, you can relax. You can live without anxiety

Easy words fro me to write: Much harder to do. And the reason? I think 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.

Are you relaxed?

STUDY GUIDE

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Irresistible Leadership

Proverbs 30:5-6 (NLV) Every word of God has been proven true (pure). He is a safe covering to those who trust in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will speak strong words to you and prove you to be a liar.

Christian’s believe that the concept of ethics (the study of human character) follow the concepts revealed in the study of the character of God (theology). We act ethically when we reflect the revealed character of God.

To be really Christ-like in an environment of tolerance for behaviors that God calls sin and intolerance for a belief that what God has revealed defines truth, takes faith that He is our refuge, our shield, and our protector.

Our lives do have meaning. Therefore, our personal and business core values must be clear, consistent and courageous – and yet remain contagious, irresistible, inviting.

Is your life giving meaning to something that is attractive and pure?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Gossip: Deadly to Business and Leaders

Proverbs 29:12 (MSG) When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil.


You're at work. Someone whispers, "Did you hear the latest about...?" What do YOU do?

Ron Heifetz, co-founder of Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, is quoted as saying, “Purposeful honesty and appropriate transparency at all levels are eventual indicators of your organization’s adaptability and ability to thrive.”

What leaders listen to – i.e. honor - matters. One of your team want to share a juicy morsel? Stop them before they blurt out more. If lies, gossip, spurious chatter of any sort is tolerated at the top (of any size “heap”), that lack of judgment drives the true organizational values of the organization.

Honesty and transparency go hand-in-glove with discernment. You want your leadership to be meaningful in the workplace? Your core values real? Then be known as a discerning leader who won’t participate in any form of gossip.

Are you a gossip conduit or stop sign?


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Giving Advice

Proverbs 25:11 (NLT) Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

One of the important functions of leadership is listening; however, there does come a time for the leader to actually give advice. This advice must be timely advice - not constant chattering advice.

Advice is not the same as Micro-managing. “Timely” is advice given at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way giving consideration to the recipient of that advice (What is their learning style? Their communication style? How much emotional capital is invested?). This advice that is not only “beautiful,” but also valuable.

Timely advice can be seen as the process of asking insightful questions, the answers to which will yield clarity (Click HERE for a list of those questions.) A Believer’s advice must be a perfect mixture of grace and truth. If a gracious heart rules your mind, then your advice will be both timely and worth its weight in gold.

Is your advice “as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket?”


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Focus on “Building” Others: Not Wealth

Proverbs 23:4 (NASB) Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.

Motives are everything – especially for the small businessperson in these economic times.

In his book, Principle Centered Leadership, S. Covey derides our culture’s fixation on wealth - especially wealth without work. He notes a correlation between one’s movement away from the laws of nature and the degree to which one’s judgment is adversely affected.

The law of nature (God’s truth) is this: if it's only money that leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time.

Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. [1Tim.6: 9]

Believing leaders beware: the heart is desperately wicked. Focus on your heart and the needs of others -like customers, employees, vendors, etc. Allow profits and wealth to be the consequence of good management and your dependence on the Lord.

Dependence on self = disaster. Dependence on God = blessing.

On whom are you depending?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Consequence vs. Goals

Proverbs 22:4 (NASB) The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.

Riches, honor and life: not a bad payoff. Or is this a payoff? “Plenty and honor” are not goals of this leader: they are the consequence of his/her humble spirit and this includes experiencing a satisfying life during our journey.

People who are "me-centered" will not only fail at leading, but also fail at living. The other-centered journey begins for a leader when a new God-fearing heart begins to yield a life worth living.

People are willing to follow this kind of leader because this leader is first a follower.

Who are you following?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Learn "To Be" First

Proverbs 17:16 (NLT) It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.

Just as money cannot buy happiness, it cannot buy wisdom.

The purchase of wisdom is a heart thing. The heart must first be changed since God's ways are not the ways of the world.

What are leaders at work to do? Stop funding all educational incentives? Disparage the educational system? NO! That MBA will help do stuff: a heart for God will help you be.

Believers are called to a different world: to a different way of living: we are called to learn God’s ways and apply them. It matters little whether we are a butcher, baker or candlestick maker: we are each models of applied wisdom.

What are you working on: being or doing?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Learn to Pray and Plan….and Pray

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

I have a friend who had an interesting discussion with his pastor about planning that is troubling. The pastor felt that Christians, especially in a church setting, should not plan: they should just pray and “wait” for God’s leading.

Don’t think that’s Biblical. God is a God of order. He is also jealous God. He wants to be involved in our planning. Acknowledged. Sought after. He guides a moving person. One sitting still, not using the skills given, is not thought well of in Scripture (think of the story of the talents and the one hidden, for example.)

There is a tension between listening to the still, small voice of the Lord and planning. They work together when we are in touch with The Voice.

The Christian business leader should use good planning and management techniques to control the business: but s/he does this with the absolute certainty that the LORD determines the outcome.

Planning is good. Praying is essential.

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Seek Counsel From the Right Counselors

Proverbs 15:22 (AMP) Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.

For many leaders, the streams of their revenue have dried up. The lake of their reserves now lies with its old, rotten stumps exposed in pools of mud. No water there. It’s not a pretty picture.

It is now a very complex world if interrelated issues, woven together in the fabric of our lives. When things begin to unravel, we need advice. Not from just anybody. From one who is intimately connected with the “Weaver.”

Solomon directs the Christian leader (business or family) to seek counsel from those who know us well – a small (by implication), intimate group with whom we have been transparent: A team proven to be trustworthy with our secrets.

These are the ones with whom we can share the interrelated nature of what is happening to us. They have a special task: They listen. They deliberate. Then, they offer a plan.

Look at the promise: the plans are accomplished. Can’t beat that.

Ah, but it’s conditional. Get counsel from those who get counsel themselves. God has shaped them with life experiences from which they have learned practical and spiritual lessons.

• Do you have a team with whom you are being transparent?

• Do you have people around you who have life experiences from which they have learned something richer and meaningful about God’s grace?

• Are you such a person?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leader’s Words Inspire Others for Change

Proverbs 12:18 (MSG) Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.

Change has been a hot topic recently and change is at least painful and at worst potentially destructive.

Positive change in our relationships takes intentionality. People are sometimes “destroyed” by what is said and how it is said as they spontaneously react negatively to the change.

The wise leader recognizes the various impacts of change on the team and carefully chooses language and speaks words that heal by creating value and meaning for each person experiencing the change.

Are you leading with words that heal or maim?

Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell

For more thoughts about communication, check out today's Kingdom Business Action Point

Leaders Learn to Stop Gossip Quickly

Proverbs 11:13 (NLT) A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

Workplace gossip has become almost like air: it's everywhere. So pervasive that management literature not only recognizes gossip as a force in the workplace, but also has studied how it starts, how to use it, how to make it work for you and how to stop it.

Writers in the field of organizational development, human resources and management seem to recognize that gossip "is a universal human behavior that we all engage in, and which serves a functional purpose for employees and organizations.”(Summerhurst & Talbott)

How do you stop it? Research has discovered that if the gossip is immediately challenged or redirected, the gossip will stop; however, if a second person joins, it grows.

Business etiquette and Scripture agree - stop it before it starts. Do you really trust God with your life? Are you “faithful in spirit?” How you use your tongue will ultimately tell the tale.

Are you trustworthy?

I Recommend For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Rich Leadership. Truly rich.

Proverbs 10:22 (AMP) The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

Quite a promise when you think about it: riches with no sorrow; wealth without anxiety. No worrying about who might take it away; or how you might loose it; or the tax burden because of it; or the misunderstandings about you because you have it.

Blessings from the Lord do not come with continuing lust or passion or focus on “toiling” for more riches. Blessings from the Lord are freeing, not enslaving.

So, just whom does the Lord bless? Those who are diligent to know Him; diligent to be like Him; committed to bless others as He did; and – here’s the kicker - to obey Him.

Without a scent of self-centeredness; without a hint of disputing His law; obeying wholeheartedly.

I’m challenged. Are you?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Keep Your Walk Simple: But, Don't be Simple.

Proverbs 9:6; (NIV) Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

Any learning that leaves out God, is foolish – it's the simple (think simpleton) way.

A Christian leader (or any person) must adopt a worldview that is totally integrated with God's revelation and man's knowledge of life– it defines walking in the “way of understanding.” That walk includes unifying our public/private, sacred/secular lives and gaining spiritual power.

Truth is not subject to man’s rules about discourse and debate. Understanding the principles of Truth is vital since many business decisions are not clearly legal or illegal; rather, they often demand leaders thinking about which of the ethically correct paths that should be followed - and that takes understanding and a clear focus on the Truth. Sometimes we cannot clearly see down the path: following God's lead is a walk of Faith and not sight.

This faith walk begins with "knowing God" and that results from feasting at the table of His Word, filling his time with pray, and fulfilling the mandate (from James) to have transparent relationships with Godly people.

You got “walk?”



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Value Wisdom over Wealth

Proverbs 8:11 (MSG) For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.

Status, wealth, power, and living the "good life" rule the airwaves. Success is measured by the “trappings of wealth.” That love of money has also given rise to a society where truth is not as valued as much as is “correctness.”

For the believer, access to Wisdom is straightforward – ask for wit. One small caveat – ask in faith. Therein lays the key to access: like anything from our Creator, He is believed, worshiped and “accessed” by faith.

Taking a stand in business for The Truth sometimes will yield sneering. To battle that belittling attitude, Christian leaders must remember, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth."

So who wins? "He who has the most toys, wins." or he who has found Wisdom. Which are you pursuing?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Treasure Hunt

Proverbs 2: 1-5 (NIV) My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.


Working in or running a business God’s way is not a matter of a morning prayer of “Bless, oh Lord, my business I pray: now, Lord, let me go on my way…”

Observe the highlighted words in the verse – there is work to do, here. This is not a pretty string of words to light up our spiritual life tree. These are both contemplative and courageous words. They demand action. The result will change your life - that I can promise.

Doing business in a way that glorifies God will develop your character (heart, soul and mind) so that you will become increasingly Christ-like – that’s where the real value is.

Are you searching for the right treasure? Further study may help.

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

God-fearing Leadership

Proverbs 1:7 (NASB) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

There was a time in our culture when the term “God-fearing man or woman” was used to describe a Christian; however the literature of the last century painted an image of this person as hard, cranky, without compassion, stoic, even brutal – not a pretty picture.

Notwithstanding, the “fear” written of here is not the trembling Lion quaking before the Wizard of Oz; rather, this fear includes the attitude of honoring God as having authority over all things rejecting the attitude of “I don’t need God: I can do just as well on my own.”

This faith is not mere facile declaration. This faith is vigorous, attentive, and “alive.” God-fearers are called to be magnets - attractive people - because they don’t worship self, they value others, and they lead with a moral compass firmly established.

Are you an attractive God-fearer in the workplace?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Understand “Experiences”

Proverbs 29:13 (MSG) The poor and their abusers have at least something in common: they can both see—their sight, God's gift!


These two have little in common, at first glance, except their “business dealings;” but, with all life experiences, there is more here than meets the eye.

It always comes down to what we do with the light the LORD has given. Do we turn away (leave the lesson) and seek the shade? Do we reach out, despite our condition, and ask our Creator to teach us something more? Do we leave the light and seek darkness?

Are you learning or leaving?

Copyright(c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Character: the Key to Leadership

Proverbs 28:14 (NIV) Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

In their book The 5 Pillars of Leadership, Meyer and Slechta posit that the first three fundamentals of leadership are integrity, a servant’s heart and stewardship. The chord of your character, if built with those three strands, will not easily be broken!

For the Christian leader, the source of these strands of character is a reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord: ignoring this fear (The attitude that I will fear no one!) has consequences. There is the final judge. What we do, what we think and what we say ultimately matters.

One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that happiness (blessedness) is born of “fear.”

Know God. - No Fear. Fear God - Know happiness. Are you “blessed?”

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Power of Servant Leadership

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV) Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

The personal application of this verse is a powerful command to those who would practice servant-leadership – or the art of being other-oriented.

Self-adulation is seldom the intent that precedes self-glorifying behavior; often it flows naturally from a heart that is all about self. The heart change of humility is foundational.

The problem for us humans is that this humility is like a slippery watermelon seed: once you get your fingers around it, and you think you have it and it just slips away.

It is a great paradox that in the world of Christians that it is the walk of humility that leads to glory.

Are you on the right path?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Tools of Encouragement

Proverbs 26:3 (NLV) Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!

Leaders must use many different tools to encourage excellence. Some tools are meant to train; others, to govern direction and focus; and finally, there are tools that a consequence of inappropriate behavior. Each must be used with wisdom and without succumbing to emotional anger or disgust or some other expression of how we feel – it should never be about us – it must be about them.

Coaches often use different tools to train a team – I can remember running laps because of an inadequacy in someone else – the lesson was that we were all in this together. We work together. We are “punished” together. It is about team.

Motivations to change are both extrinsic and intrinsic – using a combination of each, at the right time, is what effective leader’s master. That mastery is directly related to the state of the leader’s heart. If your feelings, attitudes and motivations are not congruent with your Creator’s, how do you expect to train, guide and effectively discipline those you are charged with leading?

Are you encouraging growth with the right tools at the right time?

CHECK OUT Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Authentic Leadership is Not Presumptuous

Proverbs 25: 6-7 (MSG) Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence. It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.

In an interview with Larry King, Donald Trump observed that pretenders to success often spend too much time talking to him about all they have done. He has observed that successful people, on the other hand, spend the time learning -- asking questions about his success.

Self-exaltation often results in disaster.

Leaders – lifelong learners - are insatiably curious and more interested in learning than they are in preening. Their focus in not on seating arrangements, but learning from the person they are seated next to. This practical advice about where you think you should be sitting says much about your heart. Christian leaders are called to march to a heartbeat whose cadence is called out by God, not by the meaningless chatter of this world.

Are you seeking God's honor or the world’s?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Must Be Known For The “Right Stuff”

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

For everyone, especially leaders, two attributes are more desirable than all the wealth we can accumulate: to be well spoken of and to be held in high esteem by others.

Both point to personal purpose: knowing who you are and what your purpose is. I hope you have a handle on that.

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 really drives your behavior?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Danger of Shortcuts

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

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!

On whom do you depend when planning? What defines your prosperity?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Don’t Quarrel

Proverbs 20:3 (AMP) Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.


In Genesis, there is a story about land and quarrelling.

It seems that the land could not support both Abram and Lot’s herdsmen who were quarrelling (two groups professing faith) in a land of unbelieving people. Abram’s plea for peace came with a powerful offer to Lot: take half. Lot did not deserve it: was not promised it. But “keeping away from strife” drove Abram’s decision. He trusted God to provide even though Lot chose the best land.

The mix of humility and relentlessness will may define a “Level 5” (Collins, Good to Great), but for the Christian at work, there may be more to consider. Humility is more than some building block toward leadership: it must be an essence of leadership. It is THE definition of a leader that is driven by a desire to serve others.

Sometimes, moving from “good to great” demands a sacrifice resulting in a “move” for which God alone receives glory.

What sacrifices do you need to make to move from “good to great?”

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

A Presidential Leadership Model

Proverbs 19:27 (NKJV) Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

In her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, author Goodwin noted that Lincoln was consumed with learning. A study of his life reveals that he not only read but also studied Scripture.

His Bible was never far from him and one of his quotes, no doubt stimulated by his constant reading of the Scriptures is, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

Believing leaders who now have power to some extent, like Lincoln, have learned that the Bible must be the major business resource when dealing with ethics, leadership, organization behavior and even strategy.

As great of a leader that Lincoln was, we have even a better model. Lincoln died. Christ rose from the dead, is living and “instructs” us today.

Are you still in school?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are All Ears

Proverbs 18:15 (AMP) The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.

Leadership literature lights up when combining listening with leadership. “Google” the subject and within seconds 12,700,000 results those word.

Some 3000 years ago, the world’s wisest man suggested that listening is vital for growth. The New Testament has close to 15 passages related to the subject. Paul Tillich summed it up by stating, “The first duty of love is to listen.” We listen to God because we love him. We should listen to others for the same reason.

Listening demands effort and is intentional and important in God’s economy. One of the roles of leaders is to ask good questions and then listen to the responses. That takes time and is very different from “doing just stuff” – but, in fact, it is the stuff of leading.

Do you take the time to learn by listening?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Chose Words Carefully

Proverbs 15:23 (NLT) Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Seneca observed, “When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.” I certainly know the feeling. The wrong thing said at the wrong time. How I had wished that my reply had been fitting.

It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! The tongue is a dangerous muscle. Words do hurt.

Wise (Godly) leaders are called to offer a distinction to the world by their words: words that encourage and do not destroy; words that correct without demeaning the hearer; and replies appropriate to the occasion.

Leadership is a heart thing. It begins there. It lives there. It ends there.

Do your words show it?

For Further Study

Copyright ©20009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership with Insight

Proverbs 14: 8 (NLT) The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

Reflective understanding and active thinking are activities that happen in rest and stillness.

Yes, activities. Not some empty-minded mediation; but quiet, reflective thinking about purpose, mission, and strategy. It is the prudent leader who takes time to think, to reflect and to meditate on the possible actions and their effect on the team, the customer and stakeholders.

Reflection or deception – that seems to be the choice in this verse.

Believing leaders consult their Creator in prayer and meditation, asking for wisdom and discernment to understand the times, not only in the business environment but also, more importantly, in the shaping of their lives to be more like Christ.

Are you a prudent leader?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Watch How They Speak

Proverbs 13:2-6 (MSG) The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation…Careful words make for a careful life… A good person hates false talk… bullies push and shove their way through life.

Effective leaders use conversation and carefully crafted words to move people to “get stuff done.” They use authentic speech and don’t pretend to have all the answers.

Careful words will encourage commitment from your followers because you keep your commitments.

The wise man, inspired by the Spirit, who penned these proverbs, clearly understood the impact of what comes out of the mouth of a leader reflects the heart (soul) of the person.

Have you acquired a taste for helpful conversation?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Listen & Take Advice

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

Listening leaders are the ones who have learned that the more they know, the more there is to know and they cannot know it all. Simply listening to advice and actually taking advice are two different activities.

In which activity are you engaged?

For Further Study

Delight God in Business by Pursuing Him

Proverbs 11:1 (NASB) A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.

A little adjustment here, a little lie there and white lies everywhere yielding a response to the question, “What can I get away with?"

Our culture today presents leaders with many opportunities for self-righteous behaviors. Believers are called to pursue God, not “advantage.” We are called to righteousness, not riches. We are called to multiply what He has given us for His glory.

Are you delighting God?

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Your Worldview is Critical to Leadership

Proverbs 8: 22-23 (NASB) The LORD possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

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

One’s worldview consists of at least three attributes, 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 the intent, behavior and impact humans have on each other and the role that leaders and followers play in that dance of interaction.

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. Interestingly, they all have a basis in Scripture. “Wisdom” was there in the beginning.

God tells us that effective leaders are first followers of Him. These followers then lead by example;, therefore, effective leadership begins after a heart is changed from its original nature to a Christ-centered nature. A heart changed will shape behavior toward yourself and others.

Man’s theories come and go. God’s laws have remained constant.

Have you considered your worldview and how it shapes your leadership?
The answer matters – today at work and eternally.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Know What’s Precious

Proverbs 7:3 (NKJV) Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye.

The idiom in this verse literally means the “pupil of the eye” but has come to mean, “that which we hold most precious.” Remember the words of our Servant-Leader model about what is precious:

“Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."” Matt 22: 37-40 (MSG)

God’s laws, like principles of leadership, are fundamentally about two issues: personal integrity and the value of others. Robin S. Sharma in Leadership Wisdom from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari put it this way: “The greatest privilege of leadership is the chance to elevate lives."

Robert E. Staub - (The Heart of Leadership: 12 Practices of a Courageous Leader) - reveals that those who purport to lead - but fail - do so because they don't understand who it is they're trying to lead. Sometimes, evaluations of the team are based upon the wrong criteria – they may well be the right “people on the bus” and leaders miss it because they are not holding the skills possessed as “precious.”

According to Jim Collins, “The good-to-great leaders understood …[a] simple truth….if you begin with “who,” rather than “what,” you can more easily adapt to a changing world.” What I have learned is that working on developing the “who” is a rigorous process and takes competency, intimacy, integrity, and passion.

Leaders know what is precious: It not the stuff that must be done; rather, it’s the people who team with them to get it done.

Who is (and/or is it “what is”) most precious to you?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leading in a World of Darkness

Proverbs 6:23 (MSG) For sound advice [that had come from Wisdom] is a beacon, good teaching is a light, and moral discipline is a life path.

This chapter in Proverbs is on living skills and, in the section on warnings about sexual morality, comes this gem about the qualities of a leader who provides sound advice, good teaching (Biblical) and moral discipline.

Life is not simple and neither is leading. Business is in constant flux. Capital gets depleted. Priorities change. Boards demand progress. Individual contributors are often driven by self-centered motives painted in the texture and hue of team effort.

Complexities arise very often fraught with gray areas that take special wisdom.

The ability to discern truth and righteousness demands, of leaders, something beyond their natural skills. Being known as a Christian business leader should have an impact on the lives around you.

It is about being a light. Light has a way of revealing. Christian leaders must distinguish right from wrong even in the face of what might be "legal," but not righteous, in God's eyes.

Is the “light” of your life revealing Christ in you?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Influential Leaders Listen…Well

Proverbs 5:1 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight…

Whether you are leading a small business, a large company, or a team, listening is a skill that has direct impact on your ability to be an influential leader. Listening, learned and applied, is priceless to the person to whom you are listening.

If listening simply means gathering and making sense out of information, and information drives effective communication, then we need to be intentional about developing effective listening skills.

Research indicates that fifty percent of our time is spent listening, but our real attention consumes only twenty five percent – the other half is spent thinking about what to say next. We lose our ability to listen at an alarming rate – in first grade, we heard 90% of instruction and by ninth grade that percentage plummeted to 25%.

In life and in business, the more effective your listening skills, the more you learn about what the prospective customer really needs; what the current customer considers as exquisite service; and what your staff thinks is needed build a team focused on growing revenue or profitability. As one writer states, “The time and money you save by listening effectively can make the difference between success and failure.”

Scripture tells us that developing a “the hearing ear,” or teachableness, results in happiness. Imagine that: a skill we can learn, if diligent, results in something just for us that make us appealing. Leaders who have developed that ear will attract followers not only because they are heard, but also because the leader, who is really listening, is not full of self and is…happy.

We all want to be heard. God does to: Are you listening?

Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

Meditation Yields Motivation

Proverbs 4:5, 13 (NIV) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them…Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Proverbs admonishes us to “get Wisdom.” For business leaders, business school knowledge is important, sometimes even vital for structuring your business thinking. Don’t dismiss it as irrelevant; however what Proverbs drives us to “get and hold on to” has eternal impact – and that is what Christian business people are called to generate – eternal impact.

We must form the habits of “get[ing]” and “holding on to” and “not forget[ing]” and “guarding … well” Wisdom’s instruction. These habits will help us assimilate or accommodate any instruction we receive. Shaping all our learning through the filter of Scripture takes intentionality and effort, especially in a culture that forges a false dichotomy between secular and scared.

Think of brain having boxes defined by rows and columns (like in Excel®) – similar to Piaget’s internal model of your world. New instruction that fits the junction at a row and column is easily assimilated. If the new information does not fit, it must be accommodated. Your habit-pattern of thinking can drive that accommodation.

That’s why meditation on God’s Word must become a habit. It will shape everything we might learn – especially about leadership. It drives our integration of the scared and the secular.

Obedience to “meditate day and night” on God’s works, God’s wonders and God’s Word drives in us a joy that is attractive to those watching. That’s one way leader’s gains followers.

Is your obedience bringing about a motivating and attractive joy?


Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

In Tough Economic Times - Relax

Proverbs 1:33 (MSG) "First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy--you're in good hands.

Rest, Relax, Reflect Then Lead

While thinking about sharing my thoughts on stillness and relaxing, I was later, in bed, reading a Tanenbaum novel last night wherein this description awoke my thinking: “Lucy in the meantime was exercising her primary religious talent…simply keeping still and reflecting in peace and gratitude. This had a radiating effect on the other lunchers.”

That author captured the both the wonder of stillness and result it produces. This result will impact all those around - all those watching you. You want to be a magnet of quiet meaning to those seeking rest and relaxation from the troubles of their life? Relax.

If lost in the woods, we are taught to be still. Stay in one place. Our nature is to move. Run. Flee. Frantically find the way out. Instead of frenetic activity, on writer advised, "I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother."1

This verse says there is a simple method that will provide what you need to learn to relax – and it’s free! Go deep into life – be still. It takes patience and discipline to quiet self and listen to the still, small voice of our Creator. For hard chargers like me, it is difficult to quiet my mind, my soul and my body – and I want God to shout. Being still – relaxing – I have learned will help you discover your way.

Do life right: Shift your focus. Being self-absorbed brings anxiety: Becoming God-absorbed yields relaxation. The choice should be clear.

In the stillness, to whom are you paying attention?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

1 David, in Psalm 131:2

Contentment and Leadership

Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV) "Two things I (Agur) ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.


It was the first century Roman philosopher, Seneca, who observed, “Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more.”

Our society has built commerce on carving more and more. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), and the US Government drove the kind of behavior the allowed people who could not afford housing to fulfill cravings for housing. The result has been nothing short of catastrophic.

Today, woven throughout modern secular literature on leadership is the thread of the importance of character in leadership - especially the literature on servant-leadership. The nature of character of contentment – often couched in terms like “finding wholeness” yields behavior that reaches goals but not for purely self-serving motives.

The contented leader is a concept that addresses personal core values and has nothing to say about achieving profitable market share. The later drives a business: the former drives how the leader leads the people who “do the business.” Agur’s prayer – like the Lord’s Prayer – recognizes the truth that living is to be a daily experience.

There’s an old prayer, that I was taught as a child, that might illustrate: “God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for ______.”

How are you filling in the blank?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Catch the Vision: Change the Culture

Proverbs 29:18a (DARBY) Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint


Corporate culture has a least three driving elements: vision; mission; and values.

A vision provides an over-arching view of the future. Great companies have articulated and shared their vision and the research demonstrates that those companies increase shareholder value well beyond comparable companies with no vision.

Vision shared effectively inspires employees to consider every problem as shared by each, calling for teamwork and cooperation, putting the needs of the company and its commitment to employees, customers and other stakeholders ahead of everything else. (The order is important, too!)

The mission presents the company’s reason for existence. It succinctly identifies what is done and the customer who receives the benefits of what the organization offers.

Values effectively shape the behaviors utilized to fulfill the mission.

Effective business leaders will have followers (employees) who understand the “rules” (core values), drive toward completion of a mission and help fulfill the corporate purpose (vision). Without a shared vision, assimilated values and a clear mission, employees not only are unsure of themselves and often unhappy, but also “cast off restraint” yielding an unwieldy team.

Leaders, passionate about the culture, inspire and motivate the team to focus on meeting customer needs in a way that yields a “happy” company (great work environment) and satisfied customers.

Are you taking this eternal principle and putting it to work at work?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leader: Are You Listening?

Proverbs 28:9 (AMP) He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God].

(MSG) God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.

For some, it is the daily business issues often seem to be “not important enough" for prayer and searching and meditating on the His Word.

It is the "big" issues that drive people to seek God; but it is those small, daily issues that we think we can handle on our own, that begin our slide down the slippery slope of idolatry. “On our own” means we worship the creature (us) rather than the Creator.

Running a business, or being part of a team in a business, includes activities like: determining strategy; developing and implementing a sales plan; and, determining how best to use the human resources available. One might ask, “Where in Scripture will I learn about SWOT analysis, or territory management or Human Resource and Organization Development? You won’t. That’s not the issue.

His Word drives us to consider what are the essentials of life: it provides a foundation for our core values. It shapes our purpose. It gives us true meaning. From these platforms we can develop the strategy, plans and purposes to achieve business goals.

Tuning my ears to God's thoughts begins with my eyes focused on His word and my heart focused on Him in prayer. The result will be a life of significance that provides meaning to those seeking meaning.

How interesting: God listens to us when we listen to Him. Are you listening?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Boldness of Leaders with Changed Hearts

Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Once they knew that their Redeemer lived, the hearts of the earliest church leaders changed from fearful to focused, becoming bold breakers of cultural and religious barriers. They faced the world with new hearts and became models of leadership to follow.

Consider the place of women in this community. At the first recorded prayer-meeting, women were present; incredibly, praying with the men. Unheard of in the Jewish synagogues, this was a radical result of the leadership of the Great Servant-Leader. The gender-barrier broken, ethnic barriers fell, and these leaders ultimately changed the diet of the early church. These, and other barrier-breaking behaviors, were lived out in deeds - not just motivating words and were born of hearts broken of self and filled with the Lord of the Universe.

From their lives (especially seen in the book of Acts), we learn that a heart committed to life of significance is educated through a commitment to prayer, enlightened by reading and meditating on the Word, and ultimately empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The result? Even in the workplace, as you work to break down societal and cultural barriers, your heart, reflected in your countenance, will attract followers who want what you have – the beauty of becoming a magnet of meaning to those seeking meaning.


What do you see reflected when you gaze into the mirror? Do you have the heart to break barriers?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

No Leader Is An Island

Proverbs 24:6 (MSG) Strategic planning [wise guidance (NLT)] is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.

Collaboration is a key to effective strategy development. Insights from all categories of stakeholders are valuable. No stakeholder should be deemed “insignificant” or “incompetent” to provide insights to the external and internal factors shaping your strategy.

Leaders in new organizations benefit from the current team’s corporate knowledge, even if it is based on an “old” paradigm and is not in sync with the leader’s new vision. Their current understanding of customers, competitors and the company (the important three “C’s” in business) provide valuable insights in a current-state analysis. As one of my colleagues once put it: you must understand your customers intimately, your competitors thoroughly and your firm brutally.

The same may be said for living a significant life at work, at play and at home. There exists a spiritual battle for the Christian leader. You are not warring against flesh and blood, but principalities, powers and rulers of darkness whose aim it to keep you from achieving significance – especially significance that counts for eternity,

Understanding the three “C’s” above can well drive your product introduction battles. They also drive your life battles (think customers as those you serve as a leader; competitors as Satan and his minions; company as you, and your family). Understanding for both “battles” cannot be done in a vacuum. Personal and corporate “victories” result when you have wise counsel from wise people.

Have you “wised” up?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Seduction of Success

Proverbs 23:17- 18 (NIV) Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Personal success often gets in the way of real significance.

Hoping for personal success always gets in the way of being significant. We are called to significance – to live lives that are magnets of meaning to those seeking meaning.

Our only chance to build a life of significance is driven by a single-minded focus. Scripture tells us that this zealousness is “for the fear of God.” Our culture has softened this Biblical concept. If we are zealous after God, we will not covet, envy and be driven to be like the “successful” of the world.

This change in our leadership attitude means, that as leaders, we hope only in Him for meaning - for significance of our life itself.

Our leadership success is not measured by power, prestige or wealth. It is measured by our impact for Kingdom growth – and that’s often measured in eternity, not here on earth. The results of our life, lived in our workplace should have Kingdom impact.

Are you working for personal success or Kingdom significance?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Share Their Heart

Proverbs 22: 11 (NIV) He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king

Personal values for a Christian Businessperson are simple and direct: purity of heart and pureness of speech. The heart is not often seen: but in the end, it is what is said and how it is said that gives away the heart.

Do you want to make a change in your workplace? Work on your heart and leave the rest up to God. His love for you will cover the consequences of your stand for righteousness - your expression of a pure heart.

Do you work for someone who manages by intimidation and also expects the same from you? Smile. Stand firm in your conviction to be well spoken, not mean-spirited. Remember, we are called to love and not to return evil with evil, but evil with good.

Purity of motive: graciousness of speech: What’s not to like?

For more on how to better fulfill God's plan for their lives through business, click here.

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Learn to Let Go

Proverbs 21:1 (MSG) Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends he chooses.


What do successful businessmen like Ken Blanchard, Jim Amos (President of Mail Boxes, Etc.,), John Couch (one of the early VPs at Apple Computer) and Senator Bill Armstrong (former entrepreneur), just to name a few, have in common?

Read their stories and discover that each learned from mistakes - a mistake with the most impact was their pride that made them independent of God. Pride produced results they each did not like. They changed what how they thought and what they did to produce different results.

That journey of change began at the door of self. Denying self and following Christ changed their perspective and their life results. Personal humility grew them and their businesses.

It is our responsibility to plan, vision, propose, motive, implement, control, manage and lead; however, all this is done from an internal understanding that we are but a “channel of water controlled by God.” It is God who must be our strength. It is in Him we must trust. We are not sovereign: Only God is.

Who do you really trust to guide your life?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Take the Time for Counsel

Proverbs 20:18 (AMP) Purposes and plans are established by counsel; and [only] with good advice make or carry on war.

Of course, you might say, leadership asks for advice.

Not according to a survey of 1,400 leaders and managers (by the Ken Blanchard Group) as reported by Nic Paton in www.Management-issues.com. It seems that a whopping 81 per cent of the respondents reported that leaders failed to listen or involve others in the process of planning.

Listening to the team and collaborating drives businesses success. The new CEO, with a new perspective and philosophy, has the difficult, but essential task of mining the imbued wisdom of the existing team before personal adjustments are made. Strategic planning process should be a team effort. Established leaders must develop an intentional process to collaborate. A process that cannot be cookie-cutter – it must match the leader’s learning style and/or communications style. Intentionality is key.

God, who promised us wisdom, not only imparts His wisdom through his Word, but also through others. The growing success of groups like Christ@work) or Wise Counsel or the Internal Coalition of Workplace Ministries demonstrates the benefits of wise, Biblically-based business counsel. A new resource can be found at Kingdom Business.

Are you connected to wise counsel?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Know Who to Fear

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

You are on a leadership retreat in the wild. Does this proverb seem like a hyperbole? A bit melodramatic? A stretch? A human - a living, thinking fool spouting off foolishness -is more deadly than an upright 500 pound Syrian Brown Bear, with bared teeth, menacing growl, towering height and long claws, diving down and running at you?

Hard to imagine that, but we are asked to. We would desperately try to avoid cute little bear cubs if we found them while hiking. No provocation from us. Avoidance at all costs – just as we are to avoid the advice and counsel of those who live life as if there were no God.

A bear; a fool: A person wise in their own eyes can do greater damage After all (we think) we can debate the fool but are not strong enough to withstand the bear - unless we had a sufficient weapon and we knew how to use it so as not to enrage the bear and spawn further attacks. Ah, the comfort of false thinking!

Relationships, not rhetoric wins people. We have become a timid lot, we followers of the Way. Some, because they are not sufficiently armed to “fight” with both an intellectual resolve and a non-judgmental relationship strategy. Others have accepted the marginalization of the Christian worldview as the way things should be (separate business from faith) and, fearful of rhetoric, never engage in relationship.

We are willing to listen when we should stand up to speak; and we stand up to speak only when the audience is “safe.” The attack of the “foolish” can be as divesting as the mother bear! We really do know that.

Are you sufficiently armed to stand up and speak?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant Leaders

Proverbs 16:2 (NLV) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart.

In the forward of Insights on Leadership: Service, Stewardship, Spirit, and Servant-Leadership, Stephen Covey posits, "the power to cultivate servant-leadership comes from the individual. It's an inside-out approach."

And therein lays the real problem.

“Google” servant leadership and you may find as I did 1,160,000 results. A topic that drives some interest and not all are in agreement with the concept. The reason may be quite simple: the “inside” of humans must be changed before an authentic servant-heart emerges.

When the “going gets tough,” for those with hearts unchanged by their Creator, self-serving behavior drives decisions. Motives can be hidden except from the One who will judge the living and the dead. When what we do is about us and not about Him, our motives are wrong. Hard for us to “weigh” that one: our scales are weighted in our favor.

What motivates you - really?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Practice Collaboration

Proverbs 15:22 (NLV) Plans go wrong without talking together, but they will go well when many wise men talk about what to do.

Fresh perspectives are vital to innovation.

Research has shown that collaboration that results from participative management in a flat organization drives better business decisions. According to Sirota, Mischkind and Meltzer in The Enthusiastic Employee, camaraderie that grows in a collaborative environment is one of the fundamental desires of employees. Your key employee turnover may be a key to the answer to how well you collaborate.

In Built To Last, Collins and Porras found that higher performing companies promoted from within – a process facilitated in a collaborative environment which does not happen in a vacuum: it is the result of people actually talking together - not a person telling someone something. Richness of perspective yields well-shaped solutions that drive enduring relationships with the team, vendors, suppliers and customers.

For entrepreneurs, collaboration sometimes must take place within an Advisory Board. If you are a SOHO entrepreneur, you will find the collaboration with members of such a board will add depth of understanding and a perspective, often desperately needed when you are measuring the bark of each tree while they are looking at the shape of the forest.

Are you leading by collaborating or by telling?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Choose Advisors Carefully

Proverbs 14:7 (AMP) Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

Concerning issues of character, morality and ethics where you get your advice is critical.

It is in the “gray areas,” where arguments can be made on both sides of an issue, that “solid” advice is critical. Parsing issues based on legality and balance (is the solution just for all parties involved?) is generally straightforward but are only two legs of a stool: it is the third leg of – “rightness” – that can cause real problems. Even law has issues: for example, do you law as a moral minimum rather than a ceiling?

In today’s atmosphere of “relative truth” (an oxymoron for a Believer), the question of right and wrong can be quickly muddied with expediency. This drive to accept relative truth seems to come from those who could be labeled as “foolish and self-confident” persons. These people live as if God is irrelevant: they would posit that the “God-stuff” is really simply a personal decision and is not really life and certainly not applicable to business.

Their foolish words often are pronounced from positions of power. Don’t be mislead: your discernment that an integrated Christian worldview does not separate law and ethics has power – supernatural power. God's way is not negotiable: business must be run in a way that pleases God and the people you impact.

When “coloring” the gray areas, are you choosing your business advisors carefully?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Lives Are Living Lessons

Proverbs 13: 14 (MSG) The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!

In an article in Harvard Business School’s Working Knowledge publication, authors Sirota, Mischkind and Meltzer deduced that one does not have to motivate employees; they have to stop demotivating them.

They posit three goals – behaviors, really – that must be met: equity, achievement and camaraderie: in other words, treat people justly and with respect; recognize their contributions; and promote teamwork. With these practiced, demotivation will cease and teams will be built.

Core values of an organization, like these three, are the promises its members make to one another. They can’t be traded off: they each must be met. The values become "alive" in an organization when the leader practices them - the leader's life is the lesson.

Interesting: each of the three are taught in Scripture – our “fountain of life” - where the Christian leader is to be drinking deeply.

Are you a “fountain of life” to your team?


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The POWER That Made Sunday - Son-day

He is risen.

Three powerful words in any language.

The Power giving the World a risen Messiah is that same Power that is ours to make the Monday - Saturday stuf alive, active and meaningful.

If you serve a risen Savior and believe He is in the World today; if you know that He is living (despite what the world may say), Monday is your opportunity to make Easter Sunday real.

The world's a'watchin, not for a fluffy bunny, but for people who are committed, living life with a confidence and peace that is beyond normal understanding.

Are you committed? Go with God this week.

IT'S FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY'S COMING

This old message, delivered by Tony Campolo's, pastor, at the mostly-black church in Philadelphia several years ago, still has meaning today.



"It was Friday, and my Jesus is dead on a tree. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s coming.

Friday, Mary’s crying her eyes out, the disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s coming.

Friday, some are looking at the world and saying, “As things have been, so they shall be. You can’t change nothing in this world! You can’t change nothing in this world!” But they didn’t know that it was only Friday, and Sunday’s coming.

Friday, them forces that oppress the poor and keep people down, them forces that destroy people, the forces in control now, them forces that are gonna rule, they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s coming.

Friday, people are saying, “Darkness is gonna rule the world, sadness is gonna be everywhere,” but they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s coming.

Even though this world is rotten, as it is right now, we know it’s only Friday. But Sunday’s coming!"

Easter: Counter-cultural Leadership

Proverbs 9:10 (AMP) The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.


Today’s culture demands that we read this verse privately, personally. After all, they say, it is simply an expression of subjective values - for the individual belief only. This thinking posits that accepting it has nothing to do with objective reality: and it certainly does not speak to how you lead in a business context. The educated opinion-makers would grant that believing this verse might be OK for you, but it is not truth, per se, and is not central to a business leadership construct.

As we approach Easter this weekend, we have to ask: are the Incarnation and Resurrection historical facts? If our answer is “Yes!” then the dichotomy that defines our culture is false – relegating “values” to personal and private issues and placing science, math, etc. to objective reality.

To believe both is a contradiction. God-fearing leaders hold that the Creation, Incarnation and Resurrection are objective Truth that speaks to our purpose and destiny including how we work, live and lead.

Christian leaders must begin to shape our culture – not succumb to it. Christianity offers a “unified, integrated truth” whose source is our Creator who, when He lived among us, molded servant-leadership to a group of men who could not grasp the concept until after He rose from the dead. Serving first, then leading, yields true happiness, contrary to what the world, which is centered in pride and selfishness, thinks.

Who are you going to believe: Our culture or our Creator?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-Leaders Are Present

Proverbs 8: 34 -35 (AMP) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord.

Connecting; active listening; intentionally being present in business conversations: these are three qualities of a servant-leader. Leaders who really listen to follower’s problems, who do more than “nod” and expresses thanks, are leaders will inspire her/his community of followers.

More importantly, however, is being present in the process of letting God superintend your life and your work. This concept is found in two words: “watching” i.e. being diligent every day to connect with the Lord, and “waiting” as being eager. Both are attributes of servant-leadership: eager to learn from our Creator and eager and diligent to learn from people around us and from results of our actions. Life-long learning.

The if/then quality in this proverb (“finds” “draws” “obtains”) are not motivations to get on God’s “good side,” but define a group of consequences that flow from watching and waiting. The Christian leader who practices these principles will receive favor from both the Lord and from the followers being led.

Leadership is not about wealth, power or prestige – it’s about influence. Kingdom-building influence begins with the simple process of diligently and eagerly listening to the Word and then drawing what you need to impact your world.

Do you model being “present” in your communications?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Not Shrewdness

Proverbs 7: 4 (NIV) Say to Wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman.


The Senior Management team in public companies is faced with the realities of Wall Street, P/E ratios, plummeting stock value, and meeting analysts’ forecasts. Sometimes "games" are played that affect those outcomes. Private companies face their own unique challenges to sometimes fudge the numbers to meet expectations.

The Christian business person is charged with managing by a different set of standards –standards that sometimes fly in the face of “how it needs to be done.” Standards have a source that begins with the "right self-talk" – talk that embraces Wisdom as if she were family. "Wisdom, You are the one I know intimately - I need you: Understanding, I call to you to be my Rock through this crises."

It takes both to lead remembering that leading is a spiritual battle. The one who would destroy your relationship with your Creator wants to fool us into thinking that we shrewd enough to do it in our own strength. Not true. Whether leading an organization or a team, God’s ways are not always the world’s ways and remember, "What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous."

Are you intimate with wisdom and understanding?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Inspirational Leadership Listens

Proverbs 6:16 - 17a (AMP) “These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others]…”

You know that look from the person who “has it all together:” a “proud look.” Sometimes it’s a glance. A smirk. A roll of the eyes. The look that says, “How in the world could you ever be that dumb?

It’s a look that should never cross a leader’s face. But it does, sometimes. Pride is like that – insidious. Authentic, inspirational leadership does not underestimate others.

Connecting to the team demands that leaders be vulnerable. Goffee & Jones, in their September-October 2000 Harvard Business Review article, “Why should anyone be lead by you?” wrote about four qualities of inspirational leaders: one of those qualities is that leaders selectively show their weaknesses (“by exposing some vulnerability, they reveal their approachability and humanity.”)

How do you do that? One way to begin addresses attitude: “do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].” (Apostle Paul to Philippian church) Now, be human, vulnerable and approachable.

Powerful stuff that is hard to reconcile with the hard-charging spirit of the times: but it is the leader who is open to the thoughts of others - their experiences, knowledge, and words of wisdom – that leader will truly achieve this Biblical mandate.

Are you willing to listen to your team?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-leadership Is An Attitude

Proverbs 5:21 (MSG) Mark well that GOD doesn't miss a move you make; he's aware of every step you take.

Richard Kriegbaum, in his book Leadership Prayers, points out that we are not business leaders every moment (every step), but we are ourselves every moment.

Ourselves, step-by-step. Every moment counts. OUCH! This reality means our lives - what we think about; how we behave; our impact on people - are a much stronger message than our words.

Integrity – being whole – means that we must be ourselves in all situations and God has called those who claim His name (Christian leaders) to be holy – set apart for righteousness. I know that I can’t do that on my own. Being naturally self-centered and thinking that what I do is "righteous" at all times, I have learned that to be a person of integrity that it takes two.

Servant-leadership begins by following - emptying of self to allow the Spirit to lead. It means giving up what you want to do and letting Him shape you into His image – one step at a time.

Christian business leader, are you allowing the Spirit to work in you and for you?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

On Business Trip

Will not be posting while traveling. Posting again begins April 6th, Lord willing.

Praise Will Test a Leader’s Motivations.

Proverbs 27:21 (NLT) Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.


When we communicate, we reveal much about ourselves, especially our authenticity. When providing sales training, I’ve noticed that some trainees want to adopt certain, perceived personality traits thinking those traits will make them better sales people. Not so. Lack of authenticity is soon detected. Sales people, like leaders, must root their communication in authenticity. Authenticity in communication purifies the messages delivered.

We all like to hear “job well done!” How we hear it and who is telling us are both critical to our ability to process the communication. When pricked with praise, bleed humility. Can’t do that if you’re faking it. A leader, in touch with his/her Leader, will be able to respond to the test of praise with honesty and gratitude, appreciative of the praise, but not gloating in it.

Your followers also like to hear praise. When you praise them, sincerely, you also can begin to get insight into their hearts. Does pride or arrogance creep out at the edges? Does giving credit where credit is due emerge? (Is that authentic or a simply dressing up a lack of self-confidence?) Praise is a powerful management tool. It revels much.

Authentic, Kingdom-driven, servant-leaders must daily empty self to allow the Spirit to move in. Discipline is involved. Commitment to the final praise from the Almighty (“…well done, good and faithful servant…”) must drive us. Followers, motivated by leaders who express character, compassion, concern and conviction, produce results that catch the attention and praise of those watching. How the leader handles that adulation the first time will predict whether a second time will result.

How are you handling the test of praise?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Sincere Leadership

Proverbs 26:23 (MSG) Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery.

Why, in 2009, am I struck by this verse? Could it be all the smooth talk filling the airwaves?

The image in the verse is striking and apropos. Adding glaze, as fill, was the old trick used to hide blemishes. The Greeks marked their fine pottery after inspection with the word from which we get our word sincere – meaning unmixed or pure.

Leadership that builds trust, that is original, innovative, focused on people works best when it originates from a heart that is pure in motive. The antithesis is Machiavellian leadership. People want to be lead, not manipulated. That’s all about heart – motive.

The leader’s prayer must daily be the Psalmist prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God.” This is heart “surgery” that motivates followers and magnifies the leader’s Leader.

Are you willing to have daily heart surgery?


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders and Competitors

Proverbs 24:17-18 (NASB) Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.


There is an interesting metaphor about competition that vibrates with military images - the competition is somehow “the enemy.” The paradigm posits that business is about winning no matter what or who is crushed in the process.

What’s the Christian businessperson to do? This verse makes it clear. We lead with a different mindset; an attitude that is from above, not below.

The good news is that excellent marketing is not about crushing the competition: it is about differentiation: about distinguishing, from competitive offerings, the features your product provides, their compelling benefits, so that the user understands the value your product delivers. No crushing needed. Targeted, value-based messages produce positive results. (Need help with competitive differentiation that impacts your market? Click on the title above.)

Once again, for the Believing businessperson, it is all about attitude - a heart thing.

Are you rejoicing in Him, alone - no matter the marketplace circumstance?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Know For Whom They Work

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NLV) Do not work hard to be rich. Stop trying to get things for yourself. When you set your eyes upon it, it is gone. For sure, riches make themselves wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.


Former President Bush (43) warned Congress in 2001 that what “looked good” at Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, was not. He was ridiculed. Ignored. The reaction of those in Congress reminds me of the mythological story of Icarus who, in his exuberance with successful flight, flew too close to the sun and melted the wax in his wings, falling to his death. Our economy, riding on the back of our Icarus-Congress is falling also.

Working hard and achieving success is generally good. However, according to J.L. Badaracco, Jr., a professor at Harvard Business School, in his book Questions of Character he writes, "The basic problem with the flow of success is that life can look very good when it really isn't.”

Working hard for the right things is always best. Work – no matter the job -- is really a mind-game; it is an attitude that must flow from seeking “first the kingdom of God" to living life with the core value of stewardship, not ownership. Like the example of Abraham of old, who possessed nothing, not even his son, stewardship must define how we think and act about what we have.

The daunting challenge for many leaders is, paradoxically, the very thing we aspire to achieve - a successful life and career and all that comes with them -- can be fleeting if we find we are working for the wrong reasons.

Who are you working for – God or yourself?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leading Cross-generational Teams

Proverbs 20:29 (AMP) The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head [suggesting wisdom and experience].

Baby-boomers were looking forward to “those golden retirement years.” The 2009 financial markets have changed the plans of many. Retirement’s forestalled. Some are working in an environment recently energized with a new generation. New ways of thinking: behaving; processing information; using technology. Tensions mount.

It is interesting to me that this proverb is in Scripture. Then it dawned on me: We, who are older, sometimes fall in the trap of dismissing the enthusiasm and inexperience of our younger team members. After all, we have been there, done that. Sadly, some of us have had a singular good experience which we only repeat without change, enhancement or modification. Some, in gray, forget to pursue life-long learning.

Leaders, serving the needs of the team, recognize the strengths each generation brings to problem-solving. They foster a culture that maximizes the powerful properties of each generation. The vigor of the young can be shaped by the older generation. The gray generation becomes open again to the vigor of youth who see barriers as mere impediments that must be overcome. Strength and experience combine for robust and unique solutions.

Are you a leader who makes the most of your team, young and old?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Longsuffering Leader

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

In Measure of a Leader, the authors posit that it is followers who define the leader. These followers, among other attributes, will make sacrifices for the leader’s cause.

Those kinds of followers are lead by one who not only practices patience, but also leads compassionately. Compassionate leadership often yields followers who give more to an organization than the letter of the job description requires – they give to the “spirit” of the job.

Perhaps, overlooking an offense is the appropriate action; but this is not some fluffy, whimsical compassion. This is leadership compassion that exercises both discretion and provides direction. It is more than empathy. It involves action.

For example, when a follower has demonstrated that s/he can’t reasonably be expected to perform to an organizational standard, it is compassionate, to both the individual and the organization, to move that person to another opportunity (in or out of the organization) that will best use what they have to offer a leader or a team.

Patient, compassionate leadership does require wisdom that flows from an intimate relationship with the One who is Wisdom: the One who left us the Spirit, whose fruit in our lives includes patience. Leading like Jesus is not natural: it is supernatural.

Got patience? How’s your fruit of the Spirit at work?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Listen - Actively

Proverbs 18: 2 (AMP) A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding [(MSG) thoughtful discourse] but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.

Part of living in a world ruined by rebellion is that what began with Eve and was established in Adam has become a natural “way of being” for many – the creature not only thinks s/he knows more than the Creator, but also, and too often, thinks s/he knows better than anyone else. Caught up in their own hubris, s/he barely listens with “half a ear” while forming thoughts about what to say next. You know, pontificate.

“Understanding” often begins with the simple act of active listening – a trait leaders learn early and must develop continually. Authentic leaders listen - actively: the pretenders nod their heads, interrupt mid-sentence. They send the message that what they think is more important than learning what you think. A “pretender” may tell you he/she respects your opinion: it is their behavior that more clearly communicates.

Have you learned to actively listen?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell