Proverbs 5:1-2 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
A battle rages in our culture. Truth (with a capital “T”) and “the lie” are at war.
When working with people about leadership foundations, it is interesting to see how the culture is “taking ground” in this battle, even in the “Christian” community. We have not done well in understanding the ramifications of this war. We have ceded territory needlessly. It’s time to stop.
As I have written before, to whom you look for wisdom determines – well, everything. Are we, like Solomon? Solomon never assumed that truth was relative and that morality was a function of personal choice.
When wrestling with your personal purpose and your ethical framework (as R.C. Sproul points out, “Ethics is about ought to be and morality is about ‘what is’ ”) our worldview is critical. Does Truth have an absolute foundation? Or has our ethical system morphed to reflect polling – a 51% determination of the will of the people within a given group, culture or system. Might makes right. Right? Wrong.
The Apostle Paul said about Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" and that is Truth with the capital “T.” Not might. Right.
The predicate of this principle is not only that your view of others will not be self-serving (maintain discretion), but also what you say builds the continuity of useful knowledge based on the absolutes of Truth. Leadership that honors others and builds a legacy – it begins at this source.
Do you “pay more attention” to God or man?”
Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wisdom. Show all posts
Monday, October 04, 2010
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Idols and Leading
Proverbs 8:4 (NCV) Wisdom calls to you like someone shouting; understanding raises her voice.
I got ‘em. Trying to get rid of them as they become evident. But love them, anyway. After all, they are my idols.
As leaders, we often hang onto old stuff – stuff of our making. Wisdom - the capital “W” Wisdom, which has been around before creation, and is found only in God – and that Wisdom must drive my worship.
I’m reminded of God speaking in the major prophets about those foolish people who find wood, use part of it for a fire, and part of it to carve an idol. Melt some gold to wrap the wood: it’s still wooden. Then they worship it. I used to laugh. “How stupid. How silly. Why did the Israelites, who saw miracles, worship those things?”
I missed the point. I’m just like them. Wisdom was shouting at me. I was transfixed by my idol.
Leading – without the disciplines of knowing yourself, controlling yourself, giving yourself – easily can lead to hubris, not humility. Business publication, journals, papers contain good stuff, but not truth. God is Truth. Learning to listen to Wisdom only happens if we are in the Word.
Wisdom’s calling. Are you listening?
Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell
I got ‘em. Trying to get rid of them as they become evident. But love them, anyway. After all, they are my idols.
As leaders, we often hang onto old stuff – stuff of our making. Wisdom - the capital “W” Wisdom, which has been around before creation, and is found only in God – and that Wisdom must drive my worship.
I’m reminded of God speaking in the major prophets about those foolish people who find wood, use part of it for a fire, and part of it to carve an idol. Melt some gold to wrap the wood: it’s still wooden. Then they worship it. I used to laugh. “How stupid. How silly. Why did the Israelites, who saw miracles, worship those things?”
I missed the point. I’m just like them. Wisdom was shouting at me. I was transfixed by my idol.
Leading – without the disciplines of knowing yourself, controlling yourself, giving yourself – easily can lead to hubris, not humility. Business publication, journals, papers contain good stuff, but not truth. God is Truth. Learning to listen to Wisdom only happens if we are in the Word.
Wisdom’s calling. Are you listening?
Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Leaders Communicate Carefully
Proverbs 15:2 (NKJV) The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
The stored-up knowledge of experience becomes most useful when communicated wisely. It takes care to communicate “rightly” – proper time, proper place, and proper thoughts.
I understand this so very well, because sometimes I fail to wisely communicate. I blurt: Foolish thing to do.
Using any of the many personality inventories gives clues to how a person processes information – how to speak their language. Blanchard/Hershey’s Situational Leadership posits that the right leadership communication style is based on the person being led: leaders communicate with awareness so that relationships can be built – that’s using knowledge rightly.
Foolish people practice “throwing it out there to see what sticks” with no concern to listener’s style, their underlying fears, or where they are in life experience – that’s more like “belch[ing] out foolishness” (NLT) than speaking.
Do you communicate wisely – at home, at work and at play?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
The stored-up knowledge of experience becomes most useful when communicated wisely. It takes care to communicate “rightly” – proper time, proper place, and proper thoughts.
I understand this so very well, because sometimes I fail to wisely communicate. I blurt: Foolish thing to do.
Using any of the many personality inventories gives clues to how a person processes information – how to speak their language. Blanchard/Hershey’s Situational Leadership posits that the right leadership communication style is based on the person being led: leaders communicate with awareness so that relationships can be built – that’s using knowledge rightly.
Foolish people practice “throwing it out there to see what sticks” with no concern to listener’s style, their underlying fears, or where they are in life experience – that’s more like “belch[ing] out foolishness” (NLT) than speaking.
Do you communicate wisely – at home, at work and at play?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Biblical Leaders Worship God’s Wisdom
Proverbs 14:33 (NLT) Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
Wisdom’s place in the heart is not ostentatious. It is quiet: a strength that leads to insightful understanding that has its foundation laid in a clear, personal purpose, a set of consistent ethics, and a compelling, yet coherent worldview.
In their groundbreaking work, Daft and Lengel, in Fusion Leadership point out that leaders must have heart to lead. They proclaim, [that a] “Fusion Leader stay[s] emotionally connected with people and work…and are collaborative and interdependent.”
A heart of wisdom yields emotional connections that integrate grace and truth: not just the cold, hard facts of truth and not just the warm safety of grace; rather, this wise leader combines them in a way that compels understanding, positive emotional reaction and change. This leader’s vision “pursues higher purpose that touches the heart.” Whatever possesses a heart regulates living.
What's enshrined in your heart?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Wisdom’s place in the heart is not ostentatious. It is quiet: a strength that leads to insightful understanding that has its foundation laid in a clear, personal purpose, a set of consistent ethics, and a compelling, yet coherent worldview.
In their groundbreaking work, Daft and Lengel, in Fusion Leadership point out that leaders must have heart to lead. They proclaim, [that a] “Fusion Leader stay[s] emotionally connected with people and work…and are collaborative and interdependent.”
A heart of wisdom yields emotional connections that integrate grace and truth: not just the cold, hard facts of truth and not just the warm safety of grace; rather, this wise leader combines them in a way that compels understanding, positive emotional reaction and change. This leader’s vision “pursues higher purpose that touches the heart.” Whatever possesses a heart regulates living.
What's enshrined in your heart?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Thursday, October 08, 2009
What Leaders Focus Upon Matters
Proverbs 8:9-10 (MSG) [Wisdom speaking] Prefer my life--disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career. For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
In Bruce Doyle III’s book Before You Think Another Thought he suggests that “what you focus on expands in your life…[and]…it is important to focus your attention effectively.”
Focus is a choice – a preference.
The seductions of power, position and prestige can easily distract. Wisdom suggests that choosing to focus on spiritual disciplines and God-knowledge will yield something that wealth will never provide.
Leadership is not about what you preach or what you intend to do: it is about how you behave and the impact that has on people.
How you lead, what you do and say are the result of choosing the right things to focus upon. Begin by focusing on Wisdom – the focus that will prepare you each day to think, do and say the kind of things that not only please God, but also your followers.
As Bruce says it, “What you believe is just you will get.”
Do you believe in Wisdom? Or wealth? Your answer matters.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
In Bruce Doyle III’s book Before You Think Another Thought he suggests that “what you focus on expands in your life…[and]…it is important to focus your attention effectively.”
Focus is a choice – a preference.
The seductions of power, position and prestige can easily distract. Wisdom suggests that choosing to focus on spiritual disciplines and God-knowledge will yield something that wealth will never provide.
Leadership is not about what you preach or what you intend to do: it is about how you behave and the impact that has on people.
How you lead, what you do and say are the result of choosing the right things to focus upon. Begin by focusing on Wisdom – the focus that will prepare you each day to think, do and say the kind of things that not only please God, but also your followers.
As Bruce says it, “What you believe is just you will get.”
Do you believe in Wisdom? Or wealth? Your answer matters.
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Thursday, October 01, 2009
Leaders Are Always Learning
Proverbs 1:5 (NASB) A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel…
Life-long learning is an attribute of leadership – especially of those seeking to hone their skills as a servant-leader.
From recorded history, wisdom has been institutionalized, and with good reason. The wise were about sharing, training and producing wise people. We learn from history. We learn from the imbued wisdom of intact teams who have been with an organization for years.
Leadership foresight is an attribute of Greenleaf’s servant-leader and is the result the synergy between the lessons of the past and the realities of the present. These are connected in such a way that the potentials for both intended and unintended consequences in the future represent the right thinking at the right time and in the right manner.
Note the parallel construction in the second phrase in Pr 1:5 The word counsel is used only in Proverbs and Job and means to guide, and direct with the attributes of right thinking and experience in decision making.
Increase in learning. Acquiring counsel. Are you a life-long learner?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Life-long learning is an attribute of leadership – especially of those seeking to hone their skills as a servant-leader.
From recorded history, wisdom has been institutionalized, and with good reason. The wise were about sharing, training and producing wise people. We learn from history. We learn from the imbued wisdom of intact teams who have been with an organization for years.
Leadership foresight is an attribute of Greenleaf’s servant-leader and is the result the synergy between the lessons of the past and the realities of the present. These are connected in such a way that the potentials for both intended and unintended consequences in the future represent the right thinking at the right time and in the right manner.
Note the parallel construction in the second phrase in Pr 1:5 The word counsel is used only in Proverbs and Job and means to guide, and direct with the attributes of right thinking and experience in decision making.
Increase in learning. Acquiring counsel. Are you a life-long learner?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
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
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
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Monday, March 09, 2009
Life Is Full Of Choices
Proverbs 9: (NIV) 4"Let all who are simple come in here!" 16"Let all who are simple come in here!"
Twice in this chapter the same words are used: the first time it is Wisdom calling out; and the second time it is the siren song of the seductress – Folly, she is called.
At face value, seems a simple choice. Not so. The seductress is subtle, often mixing the messages easily and with little distinction from the calls of Wisdom.
Discernment demands discipline. Godly leaders must be rooted in a Christian Worldview to better discriminate between the calls. But often, acute decision-making is blocked by repeated simple behaviors that reflect Folly, not Wisdom: Examples may include:
Leaders face many kinds of choices.
To which invitation will you respond: Wisdom’s or Folly’s?
Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Twice in this chapter the same words are used: the first time it is Wisdom calling out; and the second time it is the siren song of the seductress – Folly, she is called.
At face value, seems a simple choice. Not so. The seductress is subtle, often mixing the messages easily and with little distinction from the calls of Wisdom.
Discernment demands discipline. Godly leaders must be rooted in a Christian Worldview to better discriminate between the calls. But often, acute decision-making is blocked by repeated simple behaviors that reflect Folly, not Wisdom: Examples may include:
A sharp word of rebuke in public vs. a quiet correction in private;The former are self-centered: the later are other-centered. Real choices.
A belittling remark vs. an encouraging comment; and,
willingness to book business you know will fall out vs. reporting only what is really sold.
Leaders face many kinds of choices.
To which invitation will you respond: Wisdom’s or Folly’s?
Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Monday, March 02, 2009
To Lead, You Must Follow
Proverbs 2: 6 (MSG) …God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
The greatest command is to love God with – well, everything. When the object of our love gives us a gift, we normally accept it. The gift is Wisdom and it’s free.
In good or bad economic times, wisdom to make good business decisions should be accepted cherished, and loved. One definition of wisdom is that it is knowledge guided by understanding. The FREE offer is packaged: it comes with plain, straightforward knowledge and understanding. If the definition of understanding includes “knowing things in their right relationship,” this should be an offer that should be hard to refuse. Many leaders do, however. The burning question maybe well be - Why?
Leadership is not a “self” thing. To be a great leader, you first must be a great follower. Jesus tells the story about the shepherd and his sheep and that “….he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow…” We sometimes think we are the shepherd – leading. We are the sheep, following.
Who you follow makes a difference. Our natural inclination is to follow our learning, our native ability to analyze, synthesize and capitalize upon the patterns we find in the data. Following God in our business life, seems, somehow, incongruent. Praying about niggling business decisions seems, to many, a waste of God’s time (and ours). It seems that for many of us, that we are more comfortable following our instincts or following the advice of a friend, a consultant, an author or academician. Are you daily taking advantage of the free gift of Wisdom to lead your business, your group, your team and/or your family?
Leader: Are you first a follower?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
The greatest command is to love God with – well, everything. When the object of our love gives us a gift, we normally accept it. The gift is Wisdom and it’s free.
In good or bad economic times, wisdom to make good business decisions should be accepted cherished, and loved. One definition of wisdom is that it is knowledge guided by understanding. The FREE offer is packaged: it comes with plain, straightforward knowledge and understanding. If the definition of understanding includes “knowing things in their right relationship,” this should be an offer that should be hard to refuse. Many leaders do, however. The burning question maybe well be - Why?
Leadership is not a “self” thing. To be a great leader, you first must be a great follower. Jesus tells the story about the shepherd and his sheep and that “….he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow…” We sometimes think we are the shepherd – leading. We are the sheep, following.
Who you follow makes a difference. Our natural inclination is to follow our learning, our native ability to analyze, synthesize and capitalize upon the patterns we find in the data. Following God in our business life, seems, somehow, incongruent. Praying about niggling business decisions seems, to many, a waste of God’s time (and ours). It seems that for many of us, that we are more comfortable following our instincts or following the advice of a friend, a consultant, an author or academician. Are you daily taking advantage of the free gift of Wisdom to lead your business, your group, your team and/or your family?
Leader: Are you first a follower?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Leaders Understand the Impact of the Starting Point
Proverbs 4:7 (NLT) The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! And with all you have gotten, get understanding. {AMP = discernment, comprehension, and interpretation.}
For business success - or life success – having a clear understanding of beginnings is vital. In this tough economy, attitude drives business decisions. Understanding “beginnings” is the foundation of all your thinking.
Solidifying your comprehensive worldview (answering questions like these - Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?) will define where you look for wisdom and how your are (your attitude toward others, yourself and life) at business.
Believing leaders understand that the source of Wisdom for all of life (yes, business life too) comes from God who created us and provides a clear path of communication with Him.
The “external wisdom,” whose beginning is matter, or sensory data or “whatever,” is often packaged to look like "spiritual" wisdom. Good packaging. Bad product.
Either God is God of all (including all of wisdom and your work life), or he is not God at all. There’s a starting point that changes everything.
Are you getting your wisdom from the eternal or external?
Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
For business success - or life success – having a clear understanding of beginnings is vital. In this tough economy, attitude drives business decisions. Understanding “beginnings” is the foundation of all your thinking.
Solidifying your comprehensive worldview (answering questions like these - Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?) will define where you look for wisdom and how your are (your attitude toward others, yourself and life) at business.
Believing leaders understand that the source of Wisdom for all of life (yes, business life too) comes from God who created us and provides a clear path of communication with Him.
The “external wisdom,” whose beginning is matter, or sensory data or “whatever,” is often packaged to look like "spiritual" wisdom. Good packaging. Bad product.
Either God is God of all (including all of wisdom and your work life), or he is not God at all. There’s a starting point that changes everything.
Are you getting your wisdom from the eternal or external?
Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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Friday, January 02, 2009
Small Business Leaders: Choose Well To Whom You Listen
Proverbs 2:5 (NLT) Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart {inclining and directing your heart and mind} on a life of Understanding.
Tune your ears to: make them open to; get them on the same frequency as - Wisdom.
More than just passive listening, this requires recognition of the worldview of the speaker. However, lest we tune-out the verb beginning this verse, break it down and discover that it's not a matter of just hearing; rather, it is a matter of choosing to listen.
We are bombarded with all kinds of "wisdom" especially with the Internet, from the media and from the educational system. Revisionists thrive. “Peer review” is left for the “stuffy journals.” What’s a small businessperson to do?
There is one Book that contains all the principals from which proven leadership actions emerge: for example, it outlines Duties all humans share such as: telling the truth; keeping your promises; respecting the rights of others. Just as one tunes a car radio, the wise business leader must tune their "radio" to pick up the "station" that provides Wisdom.
Where are our dials set?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
Tune your ears to: make them open to; get them on the same frequency as - Wisdom.
More than just passive listening, this requires recognition of the worldview of the speaker. However, lest we tune-out the verb beginning this verse, break it down and discover that it's not a matter of just hearing; rather, it is a matter of choosing to listen.
We are bombarded with all kinds of "wisdom" especially with the Internet, from the media and from the educational system. Revisionists thrive. “Peer review” is left for the “stuffy journals.” What’s a small businessperson to do?
There is one Book that contains all the principals from which proven leadership actions emerge: for example, it outlines Duties all humans share such as: telling the truth; keeping your promises; respecting the rights of others. Just as one tunes a car radio, the wise business leader must tune their "radio" to pick up the "station" that provides Wisdom.
Where are our dials set?
Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell
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