Tag: Work

Culture

Culture was originally connected to cultivating, or gardening.

Among many technical definitions, basically, culture is the way things are done around here.

Our world is a multi-cultural place, even sporting cultures within cultures: work cultures, educational cultures, religious cultures, age and gender specific cultures, etc.

Leaders can work to understand the culture, but changing the culture is far from easy, if not impossible. The idea has been presented that leaders must create new cultures to draw people into a new way of thinking, believing, or behaving.

Jesus followed this approach to a first century culture, leaving us to consider how we will lead in a twenty-first century culture.

Generous Leaders

Leaders should exemplify generosity. Leadership is built on giving our time, energy, money, emotions, and ability.

When leaders demonstrate generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, our generosity must be checked.

Intention: What is the motive behind our gift?

Object: What is the object of our generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?

Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?

Action: Are we ready to start giving?

Self-examination: What are we losing by holding on to it?

What suits our giving? Do we give what is left over, easy and convenient, or is our generosity suited by the best?

An Example To Follow

Always set an example others can emulate. How do we want others to behave at work, home, or in the church? We must model that behavior first.

The idea of expecting others to behave in ways we are unwilling to do ourselves is the greatest form of hypocrisy and a one-way ticket to losing credibility. Our conduct is all inclusive. We should never compartmentalize our lives into the way we behave on the job, at home, in the neighborhood, and around Christians. A disciple of Christ always lives a Christlike life 24-7-365.

Let us all resolve to provide an example worthy of others to follow.

Improving Our Leadership

Leaders must continually strive to improve. Although the author is unknown, the following thought is powerful, “The day you stop getting better is the day you better quit.”

We point to this idea frequently, but it cannot be overstated. We all need to constantly work at improvement.

Leading in the home requires more attention to provide the right foundation.

Leading at work provides direction for the success of the organization.

Leading in the church is essential to uphold truth, save souls, strengthen faith, and sustain generational leadership.

We must pursue, with fervor, the improvement of who we are and what we do as leaders.

Surveying Our Leadership…

I am not a fan of surveys. Every time I purchase a product, visit an establishment, call customer service, etc. I get a survey in my email. Ugh!
However, there are a few questions, we need to consider.

What would a survey say is the priority of our life? Quality of our work ethic? Consistency of what we believe and practice? The “type” of people we seek to influence?

The list of questions goes on. We need to understand the value of surveying each area of our life and measuring how we live by the example provided in Jesus.

Need for Rest…

Throughout the gospels, we find times where Jesus took the apostles aside to rest.

Leaders can easily get caught up in work, and fail to get the needed rest to reflect, relax, and renew. As hard as this can be, it is necessary to adequately prepare for the challenges leaders face.

A few simple ideas will help.

1) Plan a day, at least every other week, to rest.
2) Turn the phone off for the day and go somewhere peaceful.
3) Ask God to provide rest to strengthen our service.
4) Spend time alone with family.

We improve with a little rest.

Leading with Tenacity…Part 1

When leaders face difficulties, which often plague our journey through life, what can be done to strengthen resolve and motivate perseverance?

The most obvious answer is a tenacious spirit that never gives up. No matter how difficult the challenge, quitting must never be an option.

Seek appropriate help.
Work harder than before.
Remember, you are not alone.

Life presents many twists and turns, some pleasant and others not so pleasant. Regardless of how difficult our journey becomes, the words credited to Winston Churchill still hold true today, “Never, never, never give up.”

Faith and Leadership…

Great faith is always amazing. Leaders need great faith. They need faith that is so big the only answer is God.

I’ve met a few leaders like this over the years. Recently, I was blessed to meet an elder that shared a moving story about how God showed up in incredible ways to provide a Christian Camp. 

The most impressive aspect of his character was his humility. While others expressed thanks for his role, he never accepted it. He knew only God made it happen. Over and over he said, “It was God’s dream. It was God’s work.” 

When leaders possess the kind of humility to acknowledge the power of God at work in this way, we are privileged to see great faith in action.

Leading a Team…

A leader is one who leads a team in one form or another. 

The benefits of working as a team cannot be listed in one post, but here are a few.

1) Work is achieved more quickly.

2) Everyone uses their abilities more efficiently.

3) Ideas are abundant.

4) Opportunities for encouragement are greater. 

In construction, people who specialize in foundations, plumbing, framing, sheet rock, painting, trimming, and interior design are all needed to complete the project.

The same is true in the church. It takes those who cook, clean, teach, preach, sing, pray, serve, shepherd, and the list goes on.

When everyone works together, the result is growth!

Now What?

Now that the festivities of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are behind us, we consider “Now What?”

For some, it is back to the norm. Back to the grind. For others, it is time to focus on the vision. Fulfill our goals.

No matter which side we find ourselves, leadership demands we grow. We continue to work on ourselves, improve our ability to connect with others, and influence the lives of each person God beautiful orchestrates into our lives.

As a reminder, 2020 is the perfect year to focus on where we are headed and who we plan to become. 

Make this the best year EVER.