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

Leading From Wisdom to Point to Wisdom

Proverbs 17:16 (AMP) Of what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom--when he has no understanding or heart for it?

When I read this today, I could not help but think of the AIG boondoggle and ancillary stories of funds misused. Funds were given without the oversight needed to change processes - yielding a different result. The use of taxpayer money was neither skillful nor Godly. And then, there is the foolishness of the recipient, ignoring the intent of the gift, continues to do things in the same manner producing an old result. The stories coming out of Wall Street seem to beg the question: what good is it to provide money seeing that they have no mind for wisdom in the use of it?

For business leaders, the analogy may break down with rigorous analysis; however, one lesson for Leaders is that God’s great goodness is spent even on those who are living life as fools - the ones who are in the most need and have no desire for Him.

Your team, employees, vendors, customers need to see, in you, the practical behavior that results from your willingness to “buy skillful and godly Wisdom.” The world needs to see in our behavior that our purchase was worth the price and that the Wisdom given remains unchanged - unlike the mercurial movement of relative truth. Armed with the Word, we point those watching in the direction of eternal truths that have, time and time again, proven valuable in a business setting.

Believing leader: remember, God reached out for us when we were fools (self-absorbed in life, operating as our own god); because of His grace, we now have a heart for Wisdom. Let His grace shine brightly in your life.

Are you willing to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven…?”


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Take Time to Reflect

Prov. 16:2 (NLT) People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

Pride, seeing my intentions and behavior to be “pure,” gets in the way of most everything we do: the reason? The subtle expressions of pride often happen in the little things that we don’t face and resolve. The accumulation of those unresolved expressions build up behaviors that often have national consequence.

The current economic conditions of 2008-2009 reflect the power of pride, not expressed as haughtiness, but expressed as “the pride of life” that drives people to take mortgages out they could not possibly afford and large financial companies paying out “bonuses” for purposes of “retention” rather than as reward for performance. When pinned down, these people, great and small, easily point the finger outward: never inward.

That’s why this writer continually writes on the heart (motives). Recently, having forgotten a previous agreement, I insisted on grabbing a check for dinner. My behavior, born of my “pure” motive to thank a friend for his recent help, was so overriding that I pushed back in my mind my previous commitment that each couple would pay their own portion of the bill. Between that conversation and dinner, I purposed to pay, driven by a complex of internal motives that were not revealed until after “I won the check-grab.” What words came out as my friend was challenging me were not pure, but prideful: my behavior was full of self - a twinkle in my eye, a “gotcha” in my heart.

It was in the quiet of evening prayer that I realized how easily I had succumbed to “it’s all about me.” What I wanted to do. What I saw was “right.” How pride had driven motive and memory. My motives, even though one could consider them honorable, were all about me – not about “us.”

Do you take the time to listen to what God is saying in your heart, in a quiet time of reflection?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Collaborative Change Management Success Begins with Humility

Proverbs 13:10 (MSG) Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.


In a discussion about misplaced arrogance in leaders, the Center for Creative Leadership recently reminded its audience, “The leading reason managers [leaders] with impressive track records and high potential get knocked off the career track is their inability or unwillingness to change.”

Our current state of the economy - less customers; inventory building; layoffs occurring; a host of challenges to the status quo - demands change. Collaboration becomes the key resource in a small business. Interdependence yields team-based results. Rowing the boat in sync helps manage the stormy seas of the economy. This is not the time for arrogance.

As Jim Collins, author of Good to Great discovered, leaders who successfully manage change are not only humble, but also have learned to collaborate.

Are you fostering collaboration? Are you willing to listen?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Effective Leadership Begins at the Interview

Proverbs 12:13 (NLT) The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.

When Dr. Donn Lobdell, head of R&D for COBE Labs, a high-tech medical device manufacturing company, was asked by the Denver Business Journal, "What's the most important part of your job?" he replied, "Hiring is the most important part of my job, because when you're hiring, you're creating the future of your company."

Good questions to get the interviewee talking are vital. Seemingly innocent questions work wonders. Questions like:

“Tell me about where you grew up?” [What issues do they talk about? Does their answer show awareness of the times and what it meant to their maturation?]

“Describe the work environment that invigorated you?" [What is important to them?]

"Tell me about the corporate culture where you experienced the most success.” [This is another way to ask the same question - is the answer essentially the same?]

“What are the three most important values you demonstrate as a leader/manager/team member?"
"Tell me a story that demonstrates how you made those values real within your workplace.” [This helps see if the values are platitudes or prompters to behavior]

The answers reveal character qualities and patterns of thinking that give you a glimpse at the heart. To be effective, your heart and the words you speak aloud must be congruent. Remember, what comes out of the mouth has its source in the heart. Skilled “hands” and great hearts build successfully organizations.

Do you have the heart to ask insightful questions?


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Servant-Leaders Begin with a Humble Heart

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.


In John Kotter & James Heskett’s book, Corporate Culture and Performance, they explored with empirical research how the “culture” of a corporation influences performance. They found that strong leaders:

• “Do not tolerate arrogance in others…
• They remind people often of who they must serve….
• They keep their own egos under control. They make room for other egos.”

Their research revealed that arrogance, inward focus and encumbering bureaucracy are all features of a company in disgrace – unable to adapt to change.

Scripture says that hidden in humility is wisdom: the last sentence of Kotter & Heskett’s’ book says, “…if leaders do not have the hearts of servants, there is only the potential for tyranny.”

There it is again: positive, productive leadership begins in the heart.

Got the heart to be a servant-leader?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership & Wealth

Proverbs 10:22 (NLT) The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

The source of riches is being much discussed in 2009. Getting and keeping wealth has become an issue. Some candidates for Administration positions tried to manipulate the “keeping” part, and were exposed. Because of the market conditions, several financiers have been exposed who were manipulating the “getting’ part and damaging thousands of lives.

Humility drives our understanding that The Creator has a powerful role in the acquisition of riches. He gives us the brains, the timing, the circumstances. Of course, we have the responsibility to correctly take advantage of those gifts. Sometimes we do not. At least, I know I’ve not at times. “I” got in the way because I was leaning on my own understanding. I tried to manipulate my small world – my private expression of arrogance and not humility.

One of the lessons I learned was that leadership should be focused on who we are, not what we are accomplishing. Wealth is not the goal of a wise person, but may be a consequence – one that comes free and clear. Let the Lord determine who will receive the blessings of riches that carry no sorrow.

Business leaders who keep their focus on Him (“seek first the kingdom of God”) lead without damaging those around them (or generations to come). They have learned first to follow so they can better lead. If riches result because of their choices, they acknowledge the source – God who gave them the paths to follow and the impact on wealth that path yielded.

Do not forget, even in this bad economy, those of us living in America, by global standards are wealthy indeed. We must be thankful for the wealth we have and not covet the wealth some others may have.

Are you thankful?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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:

A sharp word of rebuke in public vs. a quiet correction in private;
A belittling remark vs. an encouraging comment; and,
willingness to book business you know will fall out vs. reporting only what is really sold.

The former are self-centered: the later are other-centered. Real choices.

Leaders face many kinds of choices.

To which invitation will you respond: Wisdom’s or Folly’s?


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership – Life Long Learning

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!



Diligence in living your life or in your work (and especially if you are running a business) is vital to healthy companies and a healthy personal growth.

Leaders must have the capacity to observe all that life offers, to learn and then apply that knowledge wisely in the work place. This is a process of life-long learning - antithesis of laziness.

Much may be learned from the study of ant behavior. (Link here for more.) For example, ants may be the only group of animals besides us 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?



Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Effective 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. ( Phil. 4:8*)

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. “Summing it all up… I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”*

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!

The Heart of a Leader

Proverbs 4:23 (MSG) Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.

Effective leadership is a heart issue. The “heart” is where feelings, behavior, attitudes, hidden thoughts live. It is where “life starts.”

Scripture also teaches that the heart is very wicked and deceitful - so much so, it can fool us. That's why it must be guarded. The older I get, the more I understand how much personal discipline it really takes to become a "person after God's own heart."

Not guarding the heart allows it to wander, and it is very easily done - especially in a culture that stimulates the prurient as the driver for purchasing almost anything today. Interesting word – prurient – comes from the Latin meaning “to itch.”

People at work often times are put in situations that can breed “prurient pondering.” Behaviors have changed. The unintended consequences of how people dress, what the joke about, and what they notice sometimes creates an “itch” that we scratch by “pondering.”

Effective leaders think of others before thinking of self (prurient pondering is innately selfish!) This kind of leadership demands a humble heart, which takes effort on our part and that effort is focused on guarding our heart – keeping the pondering in check.

To become better prepared for work, do you spend as much time reading the Word as you do the Harvard Business Review? The former, aimed at filling the heart with God-thoughts, will not only yield more than the latter about the issues of life, but also will make implementing insights from HBR more effective. Their articles can be helpful, but even more so when you see how research lines up so often with Biblical principles.

Are you disciplined for leadership?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Who Owns Your Business? Really...

Proverbs 3:9 (MSG) Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best.

Honoring God is not a subject with which to trifle; it is an all-or-nothing attitude. This is not only a leadership principal: it is for every one.

God has made it clear that paying lip service to Him, but behaving as if YOU are really God, is dangerous and is the quintessential definition of hypocrisy.

How is God-honoring attitude expressed? One way, for the business owner, is realizing that the innovations for product development, the implementations of manufacturing efficiencies, the impact on the marketplace each have their source in God. This insight could radically change how one views business.

God honoring begins with how we view our origin and destiny. It is expressed in our personal relationships. It sometimes meets a roadblock with business – after all, it is just business. Wrong. In the marketplace, especially, those not in touch with God watch carefully those who claim to be connected to Him. Giving Him the best includes giving the boss the best – not matter how the boss treats you. You work for Him.

If you own the business, there is even a greater opportunity to honor God in the way you respond to employees, customer, vendor and others. This God-honoring thing it not a Sunday thing – it is a life thing.

Do you give Him the best you have to offer – or do you save that for yourself?



Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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

Leaders and the Power of Friendship

Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.


People are meant to be interdependent. John Donne reminded us that “no man is an island” and it today’s economy, being connected is important and ultimately healthy to each of us. Conversation helps. Praying together helps more. Find one or two friends with whom you can connect.

But then note: it is iron we are talking about. Not tin. Not soft rock. Strong iron is filed by other iron ores to refine its shape, to sharpen its edge or to shine its surface. A lonely piece of unrefined iron, by itself, does little.

It should never be “lonely at the top” for effective leadership is not a solitary endeavor. The leader must have around friends who provoke the leader to deeper thinking (energizing the intellect) or provide authentic encouragement --both brighten the countenance.

Testing ideas in conversation refines our skills: it is also the penetrating questions of the soul that shapes our spiritual being. The influence is great; therefore, leaders must choose wisely the friends who would brighten their countenance.

Do you have friends that can sharpen you? That you can sharpen?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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Leaders Answering Fools

Proverbs 26:4-5 (NASB) Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes.


What appears to be contradictory in these verses is not.

Verse four admonishes us that sometimes it is best not to answer a question whose foundation is foolishness: silence is golden for the question that was not asked not to learn, but only for selfish purposes. Leaders often face foolish questions: a good question in return, aimed at the real crux of the foolish question, is needed. You know – the way Jesus handled the religious elite of that day.

But there is a time to answer the foolishness of this world: and that time is when the truth is at stake. In this instance, to not be ready with an answer might lead the foolish person to swallow their own foolishness and contaminate others, leading them to believe that the fool’s words were unanswerable. Humans causing global warming might be a good example: the science demonstrates that the correlation between sunspot activity and temperature changes. Not humans. Are you prepared with the science - not the politically motivated speculation? (see http://www.icr.org/article/does-carbon-dioxide-drive-global-warming/ )

This is why Believers are admonished to “Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

Are you working hard – armed with Biblical Wisdom and by those who uphold a Christian Worldview?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Practice Self-control

Proverbs 25:28 (NLT) A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

A common characteristic of failed leadership is a lack of self-control - a lack manifested in many ways: but most important among them is the blame game.

Taking full responsibility for our actions, learning from mistakes and using what you have been given to its full advantage are “walls” that will protect the leader.

Learn self-control by:
Curbing curiosity – everything is permitted, but not beneficial – explore carefully also evaluating impact

Checking pride and vanity – it’s not about you – it is always about them (customers, staff, whomever!)

Containing anger and revenge – these drain and don’t draw others to you

Confining personal ambition – When yours is palatable, it pushes people away – they will not follow.

Emptying yourself of destructive curiosity, vanity, revenge and ambition creates a void that is crying out to be filled: fill it with the God who created you. He will build strong walls to protect you granting peace and safety to you who have learned to control themselves and give control to their Creator.

Which of those four “Cs” do you need to work on?



Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Can Debate Without Debasing

Proverbs 24:7 (MSG) Wise conversation is way over the head of fools; in a serious discussion they haven't a clue.


Life is a spiritual battle: the world tries to make it material. The economic condition of 2009 is a good example of spiritual battles being fought by powers and forces of the unseen. Now, imagine positing this at your next cocktail party. Not working for you, right?

The Sarbanes-Oxley environment over the last several years has produced much talking, little wise conversation. The world just does not "get it." As one public executive told me, "The Ten Commandants haven't worked; why should we think our rules will work?" He missed the spiritual element.

A discussion of ethics without a discussion of morality and truth is useless, yet it happens often. The content of many texts assume ethics is an emergent attribute of evolved human behavior.

Recognizing the spiritual forces in play, a wise leader’s conversation is more about parables than pontification; it’s peppered with interesting questions rather than interrupting sarcasm; and although it is simple, it is not simplistic.

Sensitive to the spiritual void, a wise leader can approach an issue without being antagonistic to the person.

You know, like Jesus did.


Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Look Ahead

Proverbs 23:18 (NIV) There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.


Life happens. The financial, social and spiritual problems of the present may be huge.

Leadership is the art of bringing a proper perspective into play – vision casting, clarity of mission and inspiring hope. For the Christian Leader, understanding the source of hope and the practical expressions of hope demands an understanding of Sovereign context – it’s the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.

This business leader understands that the eternal impact of her/his business life has little to do with an all-consuming focus on market share and keeping a business afloat. The impact has more to do with the relationships he/she builds into employees, suppliers, competitors and customers – relationships that reflect his personal hope in a God who remains faithful to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

My personal question: Am I positioned to allow God to use my life as an expression of hope in the middle this global economic downturn?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Worldview

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

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

However, the increasing secularization of society has given us a humanistic worldview that eliminates the need for personal responsibility other than that which is demanded by current society mores. The belief that random matter gave rise to not only our physical self, but also our “knowing” self means that 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 © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell. Cartoon Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com

Leaders Learn to Live Untouched by Trouble

Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) - The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The world, in 2009, seems to be crumbling around us. Distrust in financial institutions, business and political leaders abound. Uncertainty about property values, food prices, and jobs rules the day.

Disappointment, discouragement and despair can dog a leader – or any person. It is the discipline of the will that does not let our personal disappointments wash over others. That discipline, for the Believer, has a solid core, driven deep into the bedrock of faith.

Fearing God is not a trivial thing, or easily grasped and even held on to. It is the opposite of self-reliance and yet, paradoxically, the more we rely on Him, the more confident we appear to others. "Untouched by trouble" is not about the circumstances that swirl around us: it is about our attitude, born of faith, about God remaining sovereign no matter what's happening.

God-confidence vs. self-confidence – one is driven by faith, the other by sight.

Got real, alive, vibrant faith? That’s where contentment lives – no matter the circumstances.


[Gratitude is an attitude - see http://www.wisebread.com/spiritual-insights-from-a-rich-idiot ]

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Lead With a Smile

Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

Health professionals have long recognized this truth; but it is even now permeating the business community.

According to author Susan Heathfield, writing on employee motivation, leaders should: “Start the day by showing a positive, cheerful attitude (Your arrival at work sets the employee motivation tone for the day.)”

Good medicine for you: good medicine for your business. The leader lays the foundation for the culture. Your smile and disposition not only helps you, but also others.

Are you smiling?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Collaborate: Lesson from the “Stimulus” Bill

Proverbs 13:10 (MSG) Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other's counsel.

Caught-up in their hubris, ideology drove a Bill to completion without real input from those with legitimate and different views. Despite protestations to the contrary by the President, the facts (and the rhetoric of the Speaker) tell a different story. More discord will result. Less collaboration will rule the day. Not the kind of change wanted.

As Jim Collins, author of Good to Great discovered, leaders who successfully manage change are not only humble, but also have learned to collaborate.

These business times demand honest collaboration, looking at potential results of each position and that position’s ability to meet real needs. This is not time for arrogance. This is the time to “listen to each other’s counsel.” To learn and grow.

Do you collaborate? Even with the contrarian?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Discipline

Proverbs 12: 1 (AMP) Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

To put this verse more simply – “to learn, you must have discipline (NLT).” To grow personally or to lead a business, a non-profit, your family, the team – whatever you might lead - the discipline to learn from the results you produce yields the knowledge needed to be an effective leader.

Discipline is the result of the willingness to ask the questions about results produced that produce instruction or, if needed, correction - the discipline to listen and learn. I’m reminded of what M. Scott Peck said in his book The Road Less Traveled, “without discipline we can solve nothing.”

Some organizations just love strategy formulation - big plans and wonderful Power Point® presentations: but it is the discipline that comes from strategy implementation where the rubber meets the road. Leaders learn that every action taken is a learning experience: they see it as producing a result- not as success or failure, per se.

Learn from the results you produce - that’s the attitude of loving discipline. If you don’t like the results, change what you are doing – don’t be a “brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.”

Are you a leader who is willing to learn, change where needed and grow?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

You Got To Have Heart

Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

In John Kotter & James Heskett’s book, Corporate Culture and Performance, they explored how the “culture” of a corporation influences performance. They found that strong leaders “do not tolerate arrogance in others. They remind people often of who they must serve….They keep their own egos under control. They make room for other egos.”

Whether large or small business, arrogance, inward focus and encumbering bureaucracy are all features of a company in disgrace – unable to adapt to change. Adaptability in today’s economy is vital.

Scripture says that hidden in humility is wisdom: the last sentence of Kotter & Heskett’s’ book says, “…if leaders do not have the hearts of servants, there is only the potential for tyranny.” There it is again: As I have posited in other blogs, positive, productive leadership begins in the heart.

Got the heart to be a leader?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Understanding Personal Values Systems

Proverbs 10: 4 (AMP) He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

If you follow the behavioral science that looks at what drives people, this verse applies to those who prefer the "Supporting-Giving® window to the world." This type believes that hard work is what will get them ahead, and they are correct.

Others prefer to be driven by diligently capturing opportunity and that will "make one rich." Some think the way to move ahead is to collect and analyze data and understand the trends that the data may show. Others feel that adapting built on the value of harmony is the key to success.

Each value system produces a positive result. How can that be? The value drivers may be different; being diligent to capitalize on our drivers, to moderate their use and to supplement when needed is the key to personal success. God has wired you a certain way and he expects each of us to learn how we are wired and use it for His glory – the turn coin of the riches realm.

Do you know what value system drives you?

For more on diversity of value systems, see: http://www.grifflindell.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Christian Business Owners Are Clear About Ownership

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


How well do you and I really understand that “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever” (Westminster Catechism)? Enjoying God while the economy is hurting? While your business is adjusting? In the midst of weak sales, less and less customers? YES! One way of “walking in the way of understanding” is to get who owns your business. As one writer posited, "...the goal of a business is not profit. It is stewardship. Profit results from good stewardship."

I like that for it says to me that even the business is something that is not "mine.” It is His and how I run it should reflect the owner: How I treat my staff; How I nurture customers with exceptional customer service; How I deal with the bank in integrity; my face to the public. All should reflect my “understanding.”

Even for a CEO of a public company - the business is "owned" by shareholders and the CEO is responsible for being a steward of the assets of that company. Those assets are not for him/her. Someone else is always the owner!

Who owns you and your business?


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Value Others in a Down Economy

Proverbs 6:16a (AMP) These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: [#1] A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others]…


Bill George, in his book, Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value, proclaims: “… that leadership begins and ends with authenticity…(it’s) being the person you were created to be.”

He then points out that truly understanding self takes some risk and humility – learning to be open to others. Sometimes that may mean simple actions in a down economy – like keeping everyone working with less pay or less hours - everyone sharing in the business status. Thinking about the needs of others does take effort – including thinking about solution implications.

“As a person thinks in his heart so is he.” What are you thinking about?

Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

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