Too often I’m tempted to “power UP” and try to prove my point in a “discussion” or to “win” in some matter that I care about.  But I was convicted again this week that the way of Christ is just the opposite … to “power DOWN!”

Here was the entry from my personal journal yesterday:

I need to power down!

I’m tempted to “power up” – when people challenge my leadership, when my family members push back on an idea I have, or when the worldly mindset of this culture offends me.  I want to “prove” my point or use my influence to “win” the argument.

But the way of Jesus was not to power up – quite the opposite, his approach in the Garden of Gethsemane was not to fight, but the serve!  I’m more like Judas – who wanted to pick a fight and add to the treasury of the ministry!  But that didn’t go the way Judas thought it would.  I would be better off to be more like Jesus!

“Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.

Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.  Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.  He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.” – Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV)

Jesus didn’t look like a winner – but he was!

I want to look more like Jesus!

 

I find it interesting how many folks enjoy being a CRITIC  and how few have the courage to be a LEADER!

• It’s easy to be a CRITIC …

… just start tearing someone else down – it doesn’t take creativity or courage to do that!

• It’s hard work to be a LEADER …

… this requires conviction and character – and you often end up being doubted by critics!

• • The Pharisees were CRITICS  - Jesus was a LEADER!
  • The media is filled with CRITICS – history is filled with LEADERS!
  • The present is lamented by CRITICS – the future is shaped by LEADERS!

So, which do you want to be?

I want to be a LEADER!

Though we are still in the early days of analysis following the people’s uprising in Egypt – what is becoming known as “The Facebook Revolution” – because of the dynamic role that social media played in rallying protest crowds during the early days of 2011 to mobilize change in an oppressive nation – there is a leadership principle illustrated here: “INFORMATION IS POWER!”

This is a corollary to the leadership truth that “people are down on what they are not up on!”  When people lack information, they lack support.  But when they are given information, they are being given power!  In fact, when information is shared easily and widely – there is enough power to overturn powerful military dictatorships!

So – as a leader – be sure you are a good steward of the information in your organization!   (And be aware of trying to ‘hold back’ information which can eventually undermine your leadership!)

More lessons will emerge as these events are studied.  Stay tuned.

 

 

 

There are many things that I do – but they are not equally strategic.  Many things that I do, others can do – but some things I do, only I can do! Those are the things I must focus on!

It’s hard for me to do this, because I genuinely enjoy doing some of the other things – and I have trouble “letting go” of some of them. But the truth is, if I want to make the maximum impact, I must more strategically focus my time and energy on those things that only I can do!

So – I’m going to work on identifying those things a bit more clearly in coming days … and then I’m going to DO THEM!

There are moments in leadership that require a leader to make a decision … usually when things get hard.   This is true with leadership in a marriage, in a family, in a business, or in a church.

Here’s the decision: Will I “give up” or will I “step up?”

When things get tough, it is tempting to “give up” – especially when a leader feels under pressure.  It is easier to be a follower, it is easier to quit … but easier is not always better!

When times get tough, leaders make the decision to “step up”  - that’s what defines leadership … and leading UP!

 

 

One of the great lessons in communication that I learned several years ago from one of my seminary professors, Dr. Bob Tuttle was, “People are DOWN on what they are not UP on!”

When people are “in the dark” on a situation – or when we “surprise” them with information – they will tend to react negatively to what is going on.  This is a mistake I made too often as a younger leader.  I mistakenly thought if I told people too much ahead of time, they would just “block” me from doing what I wanted.

I’ve found the opposite to be true.  The more time and the more information I give people in advance of a decision or an action, the more likely they will be to support the idea. (If it is a good idea!)  But if I fail to communicate clearly about what is going on, they will begin to doubt my leadership – and my ideas! (And if I try to “force” a decision too quickly on limited information – the response will usually be negative!)

So if you want to Lead UP be sure to … keep people “UP” on what’s going on in your organization!

Part of leadership is communication - and one of the keys in communication for a leader is making sure to “get ahead of the story” with your communication. Here is the reason …

When we fail to clarify what is going on in our organization through good communication – people begin to “interpret” the story in their own way – which may or may not be accurate based on the real circumstances.  So, a leader needs to be mindful to “get ahead of the story” in communication.

For example, when there is some kind of change or “news” in your organization, you need to plan to communicate ahead of the change if possible – so people understand the reasons for the change.  In the absence of clear communication, the story can sometimes “spin” in directions that require a significant amount of “correction” which takes extra effort and sometimes requires some “repair” to clarify.

So, if you want to lead well – be sure to provide leadership in your communication – and get the story out to people with clarity before they develop and unclear and possibly inaccurate story on their own.

I spent the last two days at Walt Disney World with my wife Kathy who is attending a Nursing Educator’s Conference here.  While she is here learning, I’m doing some learning as well … from Disney!  (I shared part of this on my “Windsights Blog” but want to share some additional thoughts here …)

ON PLANNING:

To be honest, I’m less interested in the “rides” and the “attractions” that folks pay hundreds of dollars to experience – I’m more intrigued by the operational side of this place!  I’m amazed at the planning that went into the development of Walt Disney World!  The waterways connect with the hotels that connect with the attractions.  The roadways and the infrastructure all work very well – because they were well planned!

This is a leadership lesson for me!  The way to “get ahead” is to “think ahead!”  It takes effort to make a plan work – but before it can work well, it takes some good thinking and planning!

So … I’m resolved in this new year to “think ahead” more – so that I can “get ahead” more!

ON BUILDING:

I drove around Celebration, Florida – a city apparently created by Disney to service it’s staff and I saw a sign on the construction fencing around what appears to be an expansion of their hospital  – the sign says, “Creation … NOT Construction!” I love that!

ON VISION:

An interesting bit of history is that before the construction of Walt Disney World was completed Walt Disney died.  When the park was completed someone said,

“Isn’t it too bad Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?”

Reportedly one of his close confidants replied, “He did see it. That’s why it’s here.”

(It is often said, “You’ve got to see it to believe it!”  — But you have to “believe it” to see it … and create it!)

I’ve discovered something about vacations … VACATIONS renew my VISION!!

When I’m doing the “daily grind” at home and in the office, sometimes I have trouble “seeing the forest for the trees” – but when I “get away” – my vision gets clearer and I can see the “big picture” a bit better.

Today, while on vacation, I went to a multi-site church that I had never really heard about before and that I wasn’t particularly impressed with, but my visit stirred within me some vision insights for my own ministry leadership.  To be honest, I think that was less about what I experienced, and more about having some “time” and “space” to think away from my typical routine!

I also get more “reading” and “thinking” done while on vacation.  The change in schedule allows me to reflect more – and evaluate priorities.  It gives me time to consider what’s “working,” what’s “not working,” and what I need to be “working on” when I get home!  (If I don’t take time to “get away” – I can get “in a rut!”)

These are some of the reasons I try to “get away” on a fairly regular basis at strategic intervals.  I actually prefer shorter vacations on a more frequent basis.  Even just a “weekend away” can refresh my spirit and my mind!

Bottom line:

Vacations are valuable – not only for the “restoration” they provide – but also the “vision” they allow!

Attention Leaders:

If your vision is getting fuzzy … maybe you need to take a vacation!!

Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.” Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

- Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Here is my New Year’s “Leadership Resolution” …

… I am resolved to lead more like Jesus!

Leadership by example is the highest level of leadership – and Jesus is the best example of leadership.  So, I want to lead more like Him!

I want to be able to say with the Apostle Paul:

“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” – 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)