Leading With “With The Lights Always On”

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

What leaders do and what they fail to do define their integrity.

Recently, we have seen the supposed grayness of integrity as it applies to some candidates for positions in the new administration in Washington, D.C. Different standards seems to exist for some who supposedly have “something to offer” and therefore “get a pass” on what could cause you and me a problem, not a pass.

In Portland, OR, a mayor who lied about a sexual liaison with an adolescent still is mayor, having not resigned. His rationale? He admitted his “mistake” and asked for forgiveness, and he is “best” suited at helping the city in its current financial crises – i.e. his lack of truthfulness had no real consequence except for some embarrassment – and the end justified the means.

Leading with integrity results from behaving “in the dark” as if lights are on all the time. Integrity is about completeness. No division between the light of day and the dark of night.

Are you leading with the lights on – all the time?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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

Intentionality of Leadership

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 advertising/marketing finding a 7-day committed Believer is a breath of fresh air and one such man is Ray Brown, founder of DRB Partners. (http://www.drbpartners.com/) On his desk is a little plaque with verse 5 applied to it- a reminder to him and others that his faith means something to him and how he runs his business - intentionality, discipline and determination in action.

Who do you trust and listen to: myth makers or your Maker?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are Willing To Be Changed

Proverbs 2:2 (NLV) …make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding.


There are two commands in this verse – make open and turn - that's all about the will. William Penn, in 1699 wrote, “No man is fit to command another that can not command himself.”

Will to open. Will to turn. Open to wisdom from others and from your Creator. The leadership stories in both Old and New Testaments provide foundational understanding of leading. Just knowing about them is not enough. We must turn our heart (including our head, hands and habits) – ah, there’s the rub!

What is naturally in us is all about us: what is supernaturally assimilated in us changes our focus to others. That’s the key to “servant leadership.” If you want to influence others, first allow yourself to be changed – the head and the heart internally, the hands and the habits externally.

Are you willing to be changed so you can lead like Jesus?

Coopyrigth (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Simply 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.

Christians in the business world: Do we really believe this?

Our culture demands "tolerance" for behaviors that God called sin: tolerance for life-styles that do not please Him; tolerance for visual stimulation in music videos and movies that only appeal to our prurient natures; tolerance to accept many ways to God when Scripture is consistently clear about “the way.”

To be really Christ-followers in our current culture and this tough business environment takes faith that He is our refuge, our shield, and our protector. Is the “joy of the Lord” our strength? Really?

Our business and personal core values must be clear, consistent and courageous: our personal values must remain contagious, irresistible and inviting. Our life at work (well, everywhere) has meaning.

Is your life at work attractive and pure?

Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell

Gossip: Deadly to Leaders

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

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? One way you make your faith real at work is to be known discerning leader who won't participate in any form of gossip.


Copyright (c) 2009, by P. Griffith Lindell

Clear Water Leadership

Proverbs 25:26 (AMP) Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.


The “secular-progressive” movement is dominating American thought in movies, television, so-called news coverage and business. The educated opinion makers are increasingly marginalizing a Christian worldview. What’s a Christian leader to do – especially in the workplace?

Lead - Lead like Moses, Joshua, Joseph. Lead like Jesus. Keep on continually standing firm in the battle for the American mind. You can because the battle has been won. We know the victor. We know the outcome.

As a “Christian Business Leader” your faith has a place in the workplace. If you abdicate it, the “secular faith” will swiftly fill the void.

The question is: are you a muddied fountain, a polluted spring or are you clear, life-giving water? The world is thirsty: are you a place to quench their thirst?


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.

Who are you depending on?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Motivation and Leadership

Proverbs 21:4 (MSG) Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—are just plain sin.


Why we do what we do says more about the hidden nature of our character than what we do – how we behave.

Arrogant leadership, its motivations hidden from public view, is self-centered and limiting. In Success Built to Last, the authors suggest that leadership that succeeds over time is attributable to the strength of the cause they pursue: "Enduringly successful people serve the cause--and they are lifted up by its power."

Here is a cause to consider: Find and control the motivations that are just about you. Feed and nurture the motivations that are about helping and building-up others.

Do you spend time "looking in" and "cleaning up"so you can better look out for others?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Inauguration and Humble Leadership

Proverbs 20: 27 (AMP) The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.


Christians should have a natural advantage as business leaders. After all, we have “put off the old” and now have “the mind of Christ” who is to be ruling in our lives, right?

But this kind of humility is hard work for the driven and successful. We are so used to using our analytical skills, solving problems on the fly and driving action.

It is very easy to forget that we are stewards of those gifts of leadership, and we are called to manage ALL that God has given us for His glory. A lamp, whose light source is self, is a darkened light.

It’s all about His light. Not ours. What does your lamp reveal?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

The Generosity of Leaders

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

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

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

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

Mercy is a quality from the heart.

Do you have the heart to lead?


Copyright 2009 © by P. Griffith Lindell

Embrace Trials

Proverbs 13:15 (NIV) Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard (the unfaithful does not endure).


For people of faith, God’s providence must be the foundation of our value system. That core sustains our belief that God cares and is dynamically in charge of all of life, especially our trials.

Christian business leaders understand that God cares far less about the business, than he does about the person.

It is our belief system – our faith in operation – that is of interest to Him; for, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” How you endure (respond to, react to) business setbacks, failures, and persistent problems not only wins favor with those watching you (Your attitude answering the question, “Is the Christian stuff for real?”), but it also is of interest to God who is working in our lives to conform us to the image of His Son.

Are you embracing God’s work or expressing unbelief by questioning it?

Copyright (c) 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.


In his book, Leadership Without Easy Answers, Harvard professor Ronald Heifetz posits that the role of leadership is changing: the new role is “to help people face reality and to mobilized them to make change.”

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. The wise leader recognizes the various impacts of change on the team 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

Leadership that Shapes Culture

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 my thinking from this verse is a personal, subjective value but has nothing to do with objective reality - including how you lead and manage. The thinking goes something like this: it may be OK for you but certainly not for everybody else.

However, if the Incarnation and Resurrection are historical facts, (and I believe they are!) then the dichotomy that defines our culture is false. Have you bought into the view that “values” are the domain of personal and private issues, and that science, math etc. are the domain of only 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, defines our business ethics and therefore shapes 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 Wisdom.

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

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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.

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

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 – that focus will prepare you each day to think, do and say the kind of things that please God and followers will admire. 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

Leaders Learn From the Ant

This instruction is simple, but profound: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!" The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows a pattern of work built into them by their Creator from which we can learn.

Four of the sixteen observed ant “behaviors” include:

Career Training: Ants learn particular jobs, especially worker ants; then, on some schedule, change & learn new careers – small business demands learning many tasks and doing each well. Larger business benefit from people who take on different tasks within an organization to better understand the "how" - something like ants!

Education: Ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life: they pace instruction to the learner’s ability – not all your employees use the same learning style as you did. Observe. Teach them based on how they learn. Some want visual examples - drawings, pictures, etc.: other, just written instructions; some want to watch before they do; others combine all for best learning.

Planning: Ants store food in the warm summer to feed a colony all of winter – Planning is one key to survival. Do you have a business plan? Like ANTS, remember, you must always be planning.

Limited Free Will: It seems that ant inter-relationships between ants more symbiotic than coercive. All of the above thrive in a symbiotic relationship. We can always learn from each other. Symbiotic relationships build on each other's strengths - working together to solve problems, no matter the "rank" of the team member. It's about solving a problem, not securing status. It's about listening. Communicating. On the other hand, coercive relationships are all about "me" and how "I" can get you to do what "I" want, when "I" want it. There is no "team" in coercive, save for the leader ( the "me" person) an all the other team members.

Observe and be wise: Leaders mentor, sacrificing time often to teach – even in tough times; a caring leader paces the instruction; and, an effective leader actively listens, interacting and communicating.

What kind of relationships do you cultivate: symbiotic or coercive?

Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell

Bedrock Leadership for Small Business

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.

Who you look to for wisdom when leading your small business (or large organization) determines – well, everything.

Business ethics adheres to the underlying principle that there is bedrock truth upon which you must build your thought life and behavior. Solomon of old never assumed that truth was relative and that morality was a function of personal choice: his worldview drove this writing of the verse below.

The predicate of this principle drives two actions: first, that your view of others will not be self-serving (maintain discretion); two, what you say actually builds the continuity of useful knowledge.

Leadership that honors others and builds a legacy begins at the source.

Do you pay more attention to what God teaches (duties we owe that support our “inalienable rights”) or the situational, shifting ethics of man?


Copyright © 2009 P. Griffith Lindell

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

Being a Dependable Leader

It was David Ogilvy, who told his successor when asked what one piece of advice he could provide, is reported to have said, "No matter how much time you spend thinking about, worrying about, focusing on, questioning the value of and evaluating people, it won't be enough. People are the only thing that matters and the only thing you should think about, because when that part is right, everything else works."

Small Business leaders must first know and manage themselves to be effective leaders. For some, that might begin with simply dealing with how they handle stress, their dark, internal motivations, and the demons that haunt them. Get that right and you won’t be seeking either artificial stimulation or dulling booze offers.

If you can’t manage yourself, how can you manage others? Followers depend on their leaders to know right from wrong – especially in social occasions when they “let their hair down.”

Are you dependable in and out of the workplace?

Proverbs 31:4-5 (MSG) "Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.

Copyright ©2008 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.

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The mix of humility and relentless 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 the leader that drives a desire to serve others.

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.

Sometimes moving from “good to great” demands sacrifice to demonstrate greatness – a “move” that gives glory to God alone.

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Lead with the Future in Mind

Proverbs 23:18 (NIV)

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

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Life happens. The problems of the present may be huge. Leadership is the art of bringing a proper perspective into play – vision casting, inspiring hope.

Iwo Jima is a good example. Hardships were the rule of the day. Taking the island so our fliers could land was the hope. Grounding our flag at the top inspired troops for the battles that raged long after. There was hope and a future for that island!

The Christian Worldview offers hope that will never be cut off. The Christian leader understands that the eternal impact of her/his business life has little to do with market share and domination and more to do with the relationships he/she builds into employees, suppliers, competitors and customers.

Are you building a hope that matters?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Motivation and Leadership

Proverbs 21:4 (MSG)

Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—are just plain sin.

---

Why we do what we do says more about our character than what we do. Our motivations are often hidden – sometimes even from us.

Leadership that is self-centered is limiting. In Success Built to Last, the authors suggest that leadership that succeeds over time is attributable to the strength of the cause they pursue: "Enduringly successful people serve the cause--and they are lifted up by its power."

John Kotter observed in his article What Leaders Really Do , "Well-led businesses tend to recognize and reward people who successfully develop leaders."

Now there’s a cause. Find and control the motivations that are just about you. Feed and nurture the motivations that are about developing your team.

Leading is about others.

Copyright ©2007, by P. Griffith Lindell

Celebrating 2007 President’s Day

Proverbs 19:27 (NKJV)

Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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In her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, author Goodwin noted that Lincoln was consumed with learning. 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.”

His character was demonstrated in a paradoxical mix of humility and resoluteness of will - one of the hallmarks of “Level 5 Leadership” (Good to Great, Collins).

Resoluteness in leading a team – his cabinet – made up of many who opposed him in his bid for the presidency to keep the Union together and emancipate the slaves.

Compassion (expression of humility) demonstrated in his 2^nd Inaugural Address when he declared: "With malice toward none; with charity for all" that began the process of healing between the North and the South.

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

Are you listening?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Connect the Heart and the Mouth

Proverbs 16:21, 23: 6 (NAS)

²¹The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. ²³The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

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One definition of leadership incorporates the word influence: another includes the words process of persuasion.

Definitions of leadership agree simply that a person who has followers is a leader. Street gangs have leaders. Criminal organizations have leaders.

It’s NOT about leadership; it is about the right kind of leadership. Wise leadership develops from other-centeredness that can only flow from a changed heart. Motives are changed. The intent of this heart yields gracious speech that increases impact.

When your heart is in sync with God’s heart, your persuasiveness takes on a winsome patina that results in mobilized action in your followers.

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

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Communicate Carefully

Proverbs 15:2 (NKJV)

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

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

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 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 work experience – that’s more like “belch[ing] out foolishness” ^(NLT) than speaking.

Are you taking the time you need to communicate wisely?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Understand the Promise of the Budget

Proverbs 14:4 (NIV)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

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Core Values are the promises the “team” makes to each other about how they will fulfill the mission and march to the beat of the vision. The budget puts teeth in those promises.

Whether personally or corporately, the heart follows the dollars – where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

As leaders, you may espouse one thing: your budget tells the team what you really believe.

Oh yes, budgeting is paradoxical: it is about both now and the future. Without the proper foundation (now) growth is limited (future). Does your budget reflect the promises of your values, your vision and your mission?

No oxen. No harvesting of the crop.

Copyright ©2007 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.

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The literature on theories of leadership has been around a long time and studies have emerged from every discipline you can name. All are based on a worldview that assumes origins (matter vs. spirit as eternal), defines the problems with mankind and the offers a (leadership) solution.

From Plutarch’s Lives, to more moderns writers like Selznick (1957 – infusion of values and purpose), Burns (1978 - ethically and morally transformational leadership) Greenleaf (1977- “servant leadership”), Bennis, Blanchard, Kotter and others offer valid ideas and processes on leadership.

God (Eternally Existent) tells us that effective leaders are first followers (of Him) and then lead by example (after your heart is born anew (shaped in Proverbs, demonstrated in the Gospels).

Man’s theories come and go. God’s have remained constant. Your worldview matters – today at work and eternally.

Copyright ©2007 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.

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The idiom in this verse literally means the “pupil of the eye” but has come to mean, “that which we hold most precious.”

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 Courageous Leader) - reveals that those who purport to lead fail because they don't understand who it is they're trying to lead – which takes competency, intimacy, integrity, and passion.

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

What’s most precious to you?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Lessons from the Ant – Part II

Proverbs 6: 6 (AMP)

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise! -

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The instruction is simple, but profound. The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows pattern of work built into them by their Creator.

Three observed ant “behaviors” that mirror our work include:

• Career Training: Ants learn particular jobs, especially worker ants; then, on some schedule, change & learn new careers
• Education: Ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life: they pace instruction to the learner’s ability
• Limited Free Will: It seems that ant inter-relationships more symbiotic than coercive.

Observe and be wise: Leaders mentor, sacrificing time often to teach; a caring leader paces the instruction; and, an effective leader actively listens, interacting and communicating.

What kind of relationships do you cultivate: symbiotic or coercive?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Ponder the “Right Stuff”

Proverbs 5: 6 (NKJV)
Lest you ponder her [a sexually promiscuous woman’s] path of life-- Her ways are unstable; you do not know them.

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People at work often times are put in situations that can breed the wrong kind of “pondering.”

Godly leaders (at home or at work) are called to bring captive every thought by being saturated with Wisdom and then meditating (pondering) on the “right stuff.”

Meditating on the Word is foundational. In addition, developing an integrated Christian Worldview will yield insights, attitudes and behaviors that make the Sunday stuff alive at work and play.

Ponder that!

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are Willing To Be Changed

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Proverbs 2:2 (NLV)

…make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding.

---

William Penn, in 1699 wrote, “No man is fit to command another that can not command himself.”

There are two commands in this verse – make open and turn. It’s a matter of the will. Demanding a choice. And it’s not any wisdom: The leadership stories in both Testaments provide foundational understanding of leading. Just knowing about them is not enough. We must turn our heart (including our head, hands and habits) – ah, there’s the rub!

What is naturally in us is all about us: what is supernaturally assimilated in us changes our focus to others. That’s the key to “servant leadership.” If you want to influence others, first allow yourself to be changed – the head and the heart internally, the hands and the habits externally.

Are you willing to be changed so you can lead like Jesus?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Understand “Experiences”

Proverbs 29:13 (MSG) The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

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.

Experiences shape us, not by what happens, but by what we do about what happens. Enlightenment is offered to both the oppressor and the oppressed. Both can experience the hope for something more than this life offers: the poor for wealth that comes without anxiety and the oppressor for wealth not built on abusive behavior, but on right living.

It always come down to what we do with the light the LORD has given. Do we turn away, seek the shade; or do we reach out, no matter the pain, and ask our Creator to teach us something more?

Are you learning or leaving?

Copyright © 2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders March to the Beat of God’s Drum

Proverbs 26:12 (MSG) See that man who thinks he's so smart? You can expect far more from a fool than from him.

Conceit has captivated humans from the very beginning.

It manifests itself in what otherwise may be thought of as “good” people who may be very successful, and might even do good things for mankind - taking care of the windows, orphans and the generally less fortunate.

However, conceited people, but well-meaning people, who have become their own gods and lives as if God is irrelevant, lives life to the beat of his or her own death-march drum.

Professing Christians, who try to work-in or run a business without God, are operating as practicing atheists, even though they profess a personal relationship. Acknowledging a need for God and working in a way that acknowledges that He is the boss, is not an option.

Who's beating-out the cadence of your life?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Clear Water Leadership

Proverbs 25:26 (AMP) Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

The “secular-progressive” movement is dominating American thought in movies, television, so-called news coverage and business. The educated opinion makers are increasingly marginalizing a Christian worldview. What’s a Christian leader to do – especially in the workplace?

Lead. Lead like Moses, Joshua, Joseph. Lead like Jesus. Keep on continually standing firm in the battle for the American mind. You can because the battle has been won. We know the victor. We know the outcome.

As a “Christian Business Leader” your faith has a place in the workplace. If you abdicate it, the “secular faith” will swiftly fill the void.

The question is: are you a muddied fountain, a polluted spring or are you clear, life-giving water? The world is thirsty: are you a place to quench their thirst?

Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Work With God In Mind

Proverbs 23:4 –5 (MSG) Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.

Being known as a “hard worker” is good: working for the right reasons; now that is important.

We are called in our work life, to use a heavenly screen, as it were, to filter out everything that is about us. Doing it for me is dangerous: God warned us that. "...when your herds and flocks grow large and your sliver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."

It is all about attitude - about what is in our hearts. New cars. New houses. Hobbies. Vacation homes. Traveling. Season tickets to the Symphony, Opera, to sporting events. All of these are subject to our attitude. God has given us a certain level and ability to accumulate resources. What we do with those resources, what we think about this resources, what we say about them reflect our heart.

The question is do these things possess us or are we stewards of God's bounty to us?

Leaders Want To 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.

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.” How are you “doing?”

Copyright ©2007 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 © 2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Are Ambassadors

Proverbs 11: 2 (NIV) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
James 3:13 …Let him show it [being wise] by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom….

James observes that there is a humility that comes from wisdom. Humbling yourself releases you from what would hold you back from acquiring God’s wisdom.

Our deepest desire must not be for the things of God, or for the blessing of God, but for God himself. Harboring selfish ambition of any kind – especially in your business lives – is all about you, not about Him.

Apostle Paul reminds us that a life lived in humility and wisdom make us “ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us…” The ambassador gives glory to the person or country represented. Not her/himself.

For whom are you an Ambassador?


Copyright © 2007 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: Diligent to be like Him; to bless others as He did; and, to obey Him. Without a scent of self-centeredness; without a hint of disputing His law; obeying wholeheartedly.

I’m challenged. Are you?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Walk the Right Path

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

Whether it's Business School or the school of life, any learning that leaves out God, is foolish. A Christian Worldview should be totally integrated – it defines walking in the way of understanding.

Many of the business decisions are not clearly legal or illegal; rather, it is which ethically right path should be followed - and that takes Wisdom. 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, praying, and having a transparent relationship with Godly people. You got “walk?”

Copyright © 2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Humility in Servant-leadership

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

Self-adulation is seldom the problem; it is humility foundational to this verse that is the tough issue. The problem for us humans, is that this humility to like a slippery watermelon seed: once you get your fingers around it, and you think you have it, it just slips away.

Servant-leadership is an expression of humility. The nub is that this kind of leader is one who exercises authority, motivating people to willingly do what has been asked because of personal influence. Authority is different than power. Power can be bought or sold and given or taken. Not so with authority. It is earned because of a person's character as expressed in their behavior.

Christ has left us with the example of the behaviors of humility and servant-leadership. The result of His humble authority is still being felt today. 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?

Copyright ©2006 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 © 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Planning. Collaboration. Prosperity.

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

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.

Shortcuts in life and in business are doomed to certain poverty. An attitude of stewardship drives “good” planning - not hasty responding. God's people are instructed over and over again to seek the counsel of other Godly people when making plans. Learning to ask others for advice is a process of humility - asking admits that I don't have all the answers."

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

Copyright © 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Foundations

Proverbs 20:12 (AMP) The hearing ear and the seeing eye--the Lord has made both of them.

Some truths are self-evident: the USA Declaration of Independence reflects this philosophy, as does this verse.

Our secular society says that random matter gave rise to not only our physical self, but also our “knowing” self: they say our thoughts, our emotions and our ability to make choices evolved; but that idea has no grounding in reality of what humans know as “self evident.”

Time does not result in complexity: rather it results in chaos. Organizations, left to themselves, deteriorate. It is evident that humans seek leadership.

Are you a leader seeking grounding from a relativistic, changing world or are you grounded in the reality of a Creator who made your eyes and ears?

Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Have Purpose

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

God seeks leaders who have learned to integrate the sacred and the secular to impact the world for Him.

The supposed division between the two got its start with Greek thinkers and through the centuries has become the dominant worldview. Unfortunately, many believers have succumbed, living a Sunday life only Sunday; but that “way” – the way that denies God his rightful position in all of his creation – really does upset God.

Maybe this translation hits home better: (15:9 - MSG) A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line.

Are you frittering your life away or do you have a Godly purpose in all your pursuits?

Copyright ©2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Lead From Confidence - Not Cockiness

Proverbs 14:14 (AMP) The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].

Backsliding is that practice of ignoring the study of what God says and depending on what the world says. It leads to the myth of the “I” where confidence is ruled by cockiness.

Interesting juxtaposition here: by God's grace, I am free of the law and free to be me - but in a new way: a way that acknowledges that God is All and in all – this is authentic confidence. I slide backwards, when that "free to be me" becomes all about me, and not about Him.

Freedom for believers is not about a set of rules to be followed. It is about a principle: "love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself." Not some of your heart. All.

So, when life happens, with what is your heart filled? Where is your satisfaction?

Copyright © 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders “Wise Up”

Proverbs 13: 20 (NLT) Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

In life and especially business, those with whom you "hang around" will shape you. The wise are those who not only recognize God's existence but also the personal impact of a God “who was never alone but became alone so that we might have a personal relationship with Him.” [Pastor [Doug Webster]

Since the Creator is preeminent, these wise people work at being honest about themselves and seek to support others. They recognize that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. They openly, passionately and respectfully engage in exploring ideological conflicts without becoming defensive or scornful of a contrary opinion. The exchange of ideas is more important than just their idea. After discussion, debate and a final decision, they support a team decision as if it were their own. No time for false pride, bad language or bitter rivalry in this group.

Are you a small-business person? Build the executive team with the wise and expect cohesion and increased productivity. Large, corporate person? Build your advisory team with wise people.

Hang with the spiritually wise and become wiser.

Copyright © 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell

Generous Leaders Create Positive Impact

Proverbs 11:24-25 (MSG) The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

A new generation of employees wants something more from leaders than simply increased stock value: they want impact outside the corporate walls. Research is demonstrating that leaders who drive values that include meeting societal needs attract employees and investors.

A core belief of the servant-leader is stewardship – not ownership - the underlying question is: How can I best use the assets available to me to positively impact employees, vendors, the marketplace and society?

Impact your world by making available your time, your talent and your treasure. Lead by giving. Grow by blessing others. That’s the spirit of Christmas.

Copyright © by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership From the Heart

Proverbs 8:17 (MSG) I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. (NIV) I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search [for me.]

Two uses of “love” here: the first use is a word that drives the future - that love is on-going - in the hear-and-now and forever. The second describes a love that drives action - not an observational love (I love sunsets when I happen to see them); it is a love that includes the willingness to always look for sunsets, putting myself in a position to see them and to manage my time to be available for them. It includes sacrifice of inconvenience, and with it a promise.

When God is really sought, He will be found and will be exalted in our lives and our businesses. What we say and how we do what we do will reflect God in us - and not us.

Who are you reflecting?

Copyright © 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell