What is Effective Leadership
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:25-28 (NKJV)
After more than 40 years of direct contact with both effective and ineffective leaders and being in leadership positions myself, I have learned a few important lessons.
What Leadership is not: Leadership is not doing all the work yourself. It is also not directing others through their day by day routines, overseeing their responsibilities. Finally, leadership is not accepting the credit for what others have done.
Effective leadership is: Choosing teachable people with suitable potential for appropriate responsibilities. Training those selected in essential success oriented skills and spiritual principles. Assigning realistic, reachable goals. Making the conditions right for success. Developing a culture of responsibility using relevant, measured oversight that is pointed but not oppressive. Allowing them to succeed. Giving them the credit.
In short, effective leadership involves finding the right people, meshing skills with responsibilities, providing for success, allowing them to succeed, and giving those who do all the credit.
Bruce
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
We're Confused
There seems to be confusion about what it means to be a Christian in society today. I recently read a study completed by The Barna Research Group that would indicate that, “Contradictions and confusion permeate the spiritual condition of the nation.” The moral foundations of the nation are crumbling. This year brought about increases in Americans who believe that Cohabitation 60%, Adultery 42%, Homosexuality (30%), Pornography (38%), and Gambling (61%) are “morally acceptable” behaviors. Although just 38% of the adult public have confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior, 99% claim they will not go to Hell after they die. In fact, a majority of Americans do not believe that Satan exists and most adults are leery about the existence of Hell. The fact that just 9% of born again Christians, have a biblical worldview, sheds light on the distorted viewpoints that reign in the U.S.
In spite of the contradictions outlined in this study, God and his word, the Bible, have not changed. God’s word makes His expectation clear. Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
The question is, “how do we live and survive in the world system and yet not be part of it?” This has always been the critical issue of Christianity and it is a battle that we are losing. The answer to living a successful Christ filled life is simple but difficult. God is willing to equip us for this task if we ask. The keys to success are WISDOM, HONESTY, AND INTEGRITY.
• Wisdom is the knowledge of what is right and true coupled with the ability to put it into action. James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God.
• Honesty is the act of telling the truth. Proverbs 12:17 - He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
• Integrity is living according to moral and ethical principles. Proverbs 20:7 - The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Equipped with these three essential characteristics of the Spirit filled life we can not only live in the world but we can successfully withstand its temptations. Strengthened with the power of God we can say with assurance, “I will never be the same again. I can never return I've closed the door; I will walk the path, I'll run the race, and I will never be the same again.”
In spite of the contradictions outlined in this study, God and his word, the Bible, have not changed. God’s word makes His expectation clear. Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
The question is, “how do we live and survive in the world system and yet not be part of it?” This has always been the critical issue of Christianity and it is a battle that we are losing. The answer to living a successful Christ filled life is simple but difficult. God is willing to equip us for this task if we ask. The keys to success are WISDOM, HONESTY, AND INTEGRITY.
• Wisdom is the knowledge of what is right and true coupled with the ability to put it into action. James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God.
• Honesty is the act of telling the truth. Proverbs 12:17 - He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
• Integrity is living according to moral and ethical principles. Proverbs 20:7 - The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Equipped with these three essential characteristics of the Spirit filled life we can not only live in the world but we can successfully withstand its temptations. Strengthened with the power of God we can say with assurance, “I will never be the same again. I can never return I've closed the door; I will walk the path, I'll run the race, and I will never be the same again.”
Monday, January 18, 2010
We have a partnership with God!
We have a partnership with God!
I recently read an article in “Impact” (the internal newsletter for the California Baptist Foundation written by President and C. E. O. Phillip Kell) discussing the outlook for the year ahead. I couldn’t agree more with Phill’s last paragraph and especially his words, “Business as usual will not get the job done. Thanks in advance for all I know you are going to do to help us get better in 2010. Let’s pray as if it all depends on God, and then work like it all depends on us.”
Central to this thought that we are not only partners with each other in God’s service but God is also completely in the mix. We can accomplish nothing of eternal value without Him and He chooses to use us to realize His work here on earth.
I am reminded of the farmer who had a beautiful but small garden outside the front door of his house. When a friend commented on its beauty the farmer simply said jokingly, “You should have seen it last year when God tried to do it on His own.” We are partners with God.
Paul speaks of this partnership in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.” (NASU) Even though we should view ourselves and our accomplishments as nothing in our own eyes (that’s called humility), God honors our work when we complete it here on earth and gives us the reward for our faithfulness now and in Eternity.
Too often men are given the accolades when things go well and are held responsible when something goes wrong. We know that God is in control of all events at all times. People need to spend more time giving God the credit when it goes well and looking to Him for His blessings in the decisions that go awry.
We sow the seed, water and weed.
He brings to harvest, all we need.
In times of good and times of sorrows
We trust in God, He makes tomorrows.
Phil really gets it. Let’s help those around us understand that real blessings come from giving God all the credit for the success but that God also provides us with blessings that emerge from what we and others view as failures.
Rom 8:28 “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” (TLB)
Bruce
I recently read an article in “Impact” (the internal newsletter for the California Baptist Foundation written by President and C. E. O. Phillip Kell) discussing the outlook for the year ahead. I couldn’t agree more with Phill’s last paragraph and especially his words, “Business as usual will not get the job done. Thanks in advance for all I know you are going to do to help us get better in 2010. Let’s pray as if it all depends on God, and then work like it all depends on us.”
Central to this thought that we are not only partners with each other in God’s service but God is also completely in the mix. We can accomplish nothing of eternal value without Him and He chooses to use us to realize His work here on earth.
I am reminded of the farmer who had a beautiful but small garden outside the front door of his house. When a friend commented on its beauty the farmer simply said jokingly, “You should have seen it last year when God tried to do it on His own.” We are partners with God.
Paul speaks of this partnership in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.” (NASU) Even though we should view ourselves and our accomplishments as nothing in our own eyes (that’s called humility), God honors our work when we complete it here on earth and gives us the reward for our faithfulness now and in Eternity.
Too often men are given the accolades when things go well and are held responsible when something goes wrong. We know that God is in control of all events at all times. People need to spend more time giving God the credit when it goes well and looking to Him for His blessings in the decisions that go awry.
We sow the seed, water and weed.
He brings to harvest, all we need.
In times of good and times of sorrows
We trust in God, He makes tomorrows.
Phil really gets it. Let’s help those around us understand that real blessings come from giving God all the credit for the success but that God also provides us with blessings that emerge from what we and others view as failures.
Rom 8:28 “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” (TLB)
Bruce
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