Hiring Practices

"I saw the virtue of integrating those same biblical principles into my employment practices. In a hiring interview I would emphasize how important a person's ethics were. I began to hire based on a person's values and trusted that the person would then be competent to do the job as their resume stated." ..... Larry Burkett in his book; Business by the Book

Are You Happy?

"In Matthew 16:26, the Bible says, "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" The happiest people in the world today are those who are living in harmony with their innermost convictions and values." Brian Tracy in his book, GOALS!

Become the Legacy Leader God Created You To Be

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win with People:
20. Tell A Good Story - Paul (Acts 26:1-29)
In these verses Paul tells his story to King Agrippa because Paul has been jailed without charges. In the speech Paul makes he recounts where he came from as a Pharisee himself, his conversion and post-conversion life. Paul told his story and the story of Christ without fear. King Agrippa was so impressed with Paul's speech/story that he said in verse 28; "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, it is important for me to model Paul whenever I speak, especially to groups. I need to speak with authority and have my facts straight and to speak the truth without fear.

Mike's Action Points:
1- Before I speak, I will pray for knowledge on the topic.
2- I will pray for courage to speak the truth without fear.
3- I will pray for wisdom on how to present the speech for the most positive
effect on my audience.

Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com

Mike's Thought for the Day:
"Life may not be fair; but it's still good. Let's appreciate our blessings."

Become the Legacy Leader God Created You To Be

Genesis 6:6:
"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."

Mike's Thoughts:
So, did God "mess up" when he made man? Is it possible that our God, who is "perfect" in every way, actually made a mistake in creating man? Absolutely not! The real problem is that God made us TOO well. He gave man free will and God was "grieved in His heart" over how man was exercising this free will. From a leadership perspective, often I beat myself up because I didn't do enough for my people or give them enough direction and I feel that I have failed them because they get off track. However, I need to remember that they have the ability to come to me and ask for help
or guidance and it is not necessarily my fault if they fail to do so. A final note that really got my attention in this verse is that God has a heart! I never think of God in such human terms that He would even have need of a heart. As the omnipotent being in the universe, I just assume that God is love and exists in another dimension that we can't comprehend and has no need for a human heart. Perhaps God is talking to us through the Bible in language we can comprehend and does not literally have a human heart.

Mike's Action Points:
1- Do my best for my people.
2- Keep my door open to them.
3- Listen to my heart, but seek God's will and guidance in my life and decisions that I make.

Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com

Building Leaders Today, Creating Legacies for Tomorrow

Jeremiah 29:1-14:
This is from a Bible study led by Linda Aubert of Grace Community Church in Houston. I won't show all the text here, but please take a few minutes to read it. It is the story of the Israelites who are in exile in Babylon and through Jeremiah, the Lord sends them a message to move forward with their lives while in captivity and that He will return them to their land in seventy years. They are instructed to make peace with their captors, create a comfortable
and peaceful life where they are at and prepare the next generation for their return to their home land.

Mike's Thoughts:
Often, as a leader, Christians tell me they are just going to pray about a situation and wait for God to deliver them or our nation. This is not Biblical! God always demanded appropriate action from His people in addition to their prayers. In these verses in Jeremiah, God gave his people specific actions to take to improve their current situation and prepare the way for the next generation. Prayer alone was not enough. This is the essence of Legacy Leadership; being in prayer, taking appropriate action for today and preparing the way for the next generation.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for God to reveal the appropriate actions He wants me to take.
2- I will take the actions revealed to me.
3- I will work to prepare the way for the next generation.

Please see my Leadership blog: http://legacycoach.blogspot.com

Pass the Credit On

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
9. Pass the Credit on to Others - David and his men(1 Samuel 30:21-31)
Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, it is my duty to develop leaders for future generations ..... Legacy Leaders! Playing off Ken Blanchard's "One Minute Manager", I can help develop Legacy Leaders by offering "One Minute Legacies" such as passing the credit for work well done on to others. This is also teaching leaders to have Biblical humility, a character trait certainly valued by God!

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to pray for humility.
2- I need to look for opportunities to pass the credit on to others in a genuine, not self-serving or patronizing way.

Say Right Words @ Right Time

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
7. Say the Right Words at Right Time - Mordecai to Esther
(Esther 4:13-14)

Mike's Thoughts:
This event documented in the book of Esther was an incredibly stressful,
life or death situation for the ancient Jews. Mordecai, a leader, came to
Queen Esther, a leader, with words of wisdom concerning the events about
to unfold. Esther was motivated by Mordecai's words to take immediate
action, yet in a calm and well-thought out manner that would bring about the
most favorable response from her King Ahasuerus. This is an amazing story of leaders working together to achieve a positive outcome, even though
great risk was involved. Modern leaders could learn much from studying
this story. Let's look at what had to happen for these events to transpire and
progress to a happy ending:
a- Mordecai, as a leader in his own right, had to have a good
relationship with Esther in order to feel comfortable going to her
with his words of wisdom.
b- Esther, a leader and queen, had to have respect for another leader,
Mordecai and the proper character to listen to and receive the
message from him.
c- Esther, upon realization of the magnitude of the tragedy about to
occur, did not panic. Instead, she devised a well-thought out
strategy to appeal to King Ahasuerus and solicit a favorable
response.
d- Then Esther implemented her plan and did not deviate when
tempted to do so.
e- King Ahasuerus must have had great respect for Esther when she
broke protocol to seek an audience with him.
f- King Ahasuerus also had the character to listen to Esther and
take swift, appropriate action to derail the impending tradedy.
To me, the bottom line of this story is all about relationships. It is evident
that Mordecai worked hard at having a good relationship with Queen Esther
and she respected his leadership. Queen Esther also had worked diligently
at accomplishing an excellent relationship with King Ahasuerus and he
obviously had much respect for her as he was willing to give her half his
kingdom if she just asked for it.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to read the book of Esther and pay particular attention to the
relationships between the leaders.
2- I need to pray about my relationships with other leaders and ask for
discernment and wisdom in those relationships.
3- I need to work to form good relationships with other leaders.
4- I need to respect and listen to other leaders who are sharing with
me because I never know when they are "saying the right words
at the right time".

Are You an Optimal Worker?

Ecclesiastes 11:6:
6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good

Mike's Thoughts:
I believe Solomon is telling me to be diligent in my work and not to slack off
at the end of the day for the work I do at the end of the day may prosper
more than the work I did in the beginning or both may prosper as a result of
my obedience. Sometimes it is hard to maintain focus all day long and especially at the end of the day.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to keep my spiritual life in good shape to work at an optimal
production level.
2- I need to keep my mind in good shape to work at an optimal
production level.
3- I need to keep my body in good shape to work at an optimal
production level.
4- I need to pray for discipline and wisdom in those 3 areas.

Do You Compliment in Public?

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
5. Compliment People in Front of People - John the Baptist
(John 1:29-31)

Mike's Thoughts:
When I read this immediately the thought of my brother in Christ, Mike
Marburger came to mind as an example of a leader who practices this
principle. He has often complimented me in front of others and I must
admit that it makes me feel good. I also remember as a child when I would
go into town with my dad (we lived on the farm) that I was amazed and proud that often people would come up and shake his hand and then turn
to me, just a small child, and compliment him to me. What examples they
are! Me? I have always struggled to express my feelings verbally about
others, especially in public settings. Mike's Action Points:
1- I will pray for God to help me to pay genuine compliments to people
and lift them up in public settings.
2- I will practice giving myself compliments so that I may be better able
to compliment others.
3- I will FORCE myself to do so even if it is out of my comfort zone and
awkward for me at first because it is Biblical and a beautiful way
to show Godly respect and love for others.

Do You Need Others?

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
3. Let People Know You Need Them - Paul (Galations 4:13-15,
2 Timothy 4:11)

Mike's Thoughts:
God made us to need other people in our lives. That is why He made Eve
as a companion for Adam. In fact, isn't that why God made Adam in the
first place? So companionship and the need for others is Biblical and
natural. I believe that a relationship can't be very genuine if it is a one-way
street. Both participants should need the companionship, encouragement,
confidentiality, support, spirituality and help of the other. Often I have seen
and had and been on the receiving side of a one-way relationship where
one of the participants (sometimes myself) is putting on the facade of
not needing the other person. Often it was in defense of not opening up to
being hurt. This is not Biblical! The Bible teaches that I need to be open
to others, even if it means being hurt from time to time, because the only way to have a genuine relationship is thru openness. God demands it of me
and I should expect and give it in my relationships with my friends, my
family, my spouse (if I had one) and my co-workers. As a leader, I need to
be open to my people and expect the same from them. I should let them
know that they are needed and that I cannot be an effective leader without
them. Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to look at my relationships and see if I have closed myself
to someone I shouldn't. If I have, I need to look for ways to
restore that relationship to openness.
2- I need to look at my relationships and see if someone has closed
themselves to me. If they have, I should approach them in a
loving manner and see if the relationship can be more open.
3- I need to pray for help in all my relationships.
4- If someone continues to be closed to me, then I should remain
friendly and open to them, but draw back from the relationship
and allow God to work on it in His time and according to His
will.

The 30-Second Rule

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
2. Practice the 30-second rule (encourage them during the first
30 seconds) - Jesus and Simon Peter (John 1:42).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah.[i] You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Mike's Thoughts:
I'm always amused by motivational speakers and self-help gurus who
give the impression of having some new revelation that we can all grasp
on to and become better at whatever we are seeking. In reality, if you look
at any worthwhile motivational or self-help theory or thought it has its roots
in the Bible, whether that is acknowledged or not. One that we hear often is
to compliment people on something when you meet them. Well, here is the
foundation for that right here in the Bible! Of course, most of the time when
we meet people we don't have divine revelation or knowledge of them as
Jesus did with Simon. So, we are to look for something about them to
compliment them on; their clothes, their hair, their teeth, their demeanor, etc.
Personally, I struggle with this because I'm generally nervous about meeting
new people in the first place and remembering their name; and to make my feeble mind search for something to compliment them on, too, throws me in
to overload! However, if done with sincerity, I know that it is powerful in
winning people over. Mike's action points:
* I need to pray and ask God to remove the barrier in my mind that is
keeping me from remembering people's names when I meet
them and allowing me to pay them sincere compliments.
* Practice, practice, practice. Work with some friends or work mates
and practice paying each other compliments. When you see
people, even if you aren't going to meet them, look at them and
see what you can sincerely compliment them on and then
rehearse doing so in silence to yourself or in front of a mirror at
home.
*** Important Note: Telling someone you are not already intimate with they are sexy or something related is not a sincere compliment, but a pickup line and can get you into trouble.

Start With Yourself

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
1. Start with yourself - King Soloman.
1 Kings 3:9-14:
9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

Mike's Thoughts:
God wants me to ask of Him not out of selfishness, but from a servant
heart, as did Soloman. God rewarded Soloman for his servant heart with
great understanding, riches and a long life. Sounds like a pretty good deal
to me! Mike's Action Points:
* I cannot be self-serving in my prayers. I need to seek His will for me
as Jesus did in the Garden. For example, if I'm suffering
financially, I should go to God in prayer and be thankful for His
blessings in my life and ask that His will be done with my finances and that He guides my actions in this area.
* I need to seek God's will in my life with a servant heart. Again, if I'm
struggling financially, I should go to Him in prayer and ask how
I can learn from this experience and use it to bless others.

Is Your Work Vanity?

Ecclesiastes 1:14:
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Mike's Thoughts:
This certainly presents a paradox for me. As a leader I'm supposed to push
my people to stretch their comfort zones, embrace the vision and mission of
the organization and continually strive to fulfill them, to constantly be looking
for better ways to do things, to work hard on relationships and devote
themselves to on-going personal improvement. And yet, Soloman is telling
me that it is all "vanity and grasping for the wind"? Well, if I just look at these causes by themselves, then yes it is vanity. However, if I look at a
larger picture with God in it, it makes much more sense. Rick Warren, in his
book, A Purpose Driven Life, tells me that EVERYTHING I do should be
about God and EVERYTHING that happens is a spiritual event. God is very
interested in HOW I go about my life and not so much what I accomplish in
my life. Do I put God first in everything I do? Do I live my life to please Him
with everything I do? As a leader I need to work with my people to achieve
the above causes, but only within the parameters of pleasing God with their
work and mine.

Can You Deal with Contention?

John Maxwell's Commentary in his Introduction to Jude:
Jude also teaches leaders how to communicate values. Every organization
has values, whether they talk about them or not. Jude urges his readers to
"contend earnestly for the faith" (v.3). He communicates simply and with
great humility, making an example of Michael, the archangel, who
contended with satan, but who spoke only in the authority and power of
Jesus' name.

Mike's Thoughts:
Of course this caught my attention because of my namesake. There are a several leadership lessons in this paragraph for me.
1- As a leader, I need to communicate the values of my organization
and/or family.
2- He speaks of "contending earnestly for the faith." In light of the
current economic, political, social and foreign relations challenges we are experiencing today, I have been calling for
Christians to stand up to the forces of evil and push them back.
Seems that Jude was calling for much the same in his day.
Perhaps it will be the major struggle of man until Jesus returns?
3- When confronted with a contentious situation, I am instructed how to respond .... to communicate simply, with great humility and ONLY with the authority and power of Jesus' name. Obviously,
in the secular work and family environment I usually cannot say out loud "in Jesus name", but I can certainly think and believe it. I
should seek His guidance before responding and then do so
simply, with humility and in Jesus' name, even if it is said so
silently. God will hear!

Do You Act When You Should?

John Maxwell's Commentary on 3 John 3-12:
Initiative: Leaders Are to Host the People in Their Lives
I his last letter, John uses the picture of a host. Hosts take initiative
with their guests. They do what is right by others, make them feel
comfortable, give direction to conversation, and provide for others.
Leaders, like hosts, don't react; they act. They go first and risk
whether the other person will respond positively. It is part of being a
leader. Consider what this letter teaches us about the leader as
"host." Leaders take initiative ...
* In their lifestyle (vv. 3,4)
* With others, especially strangers (vv. 5,6)
* In owning responsibility (vv. 7,8)
* In doing good, by acting and not reacting (v. 11)
* In modeling for others (v.12)

Mike's Thoughts:
Sometimes I find myself hesitating when I should be "going first" in a
leadership situation. I often justify my non-action as showing respect for
another or other leaders that are present at the time. I pray for wisdom to
know when I should act and for the courage to do so. (fmd)

Do You Measure Up?

3/13/09

1 Peter 4:8-11:
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”[c] 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Mike’s Thoughts:
As a Christian, there is no better guide to effective leadership than the Bible.
Here Peter gives me 7 principles of leadership:
1. Love one another …. isn’t this the 2nd great commandment?
But notice, Peter doesn’t just say “love one another”; he says,
“have fervent love for one another”! I believe this means that I
am to be excited about loving others and love others with
enthusiasm. Personally, I need to work on my enthusiasm.
2. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. I know many
times I have had the attitude of accommodating someone but,
at least to myself, grumbling about it. Why can’t I just be
hospitable to everyone with a pure heart? It is obvious that I
have to fight my human nature to be more Christ-like. This
takes discipline and concerted effort. I pray that God gives me
these characteristics.
3. Minister my gift(s) to others. Well, I believe this means that I
should not be a closet Christian. Often I find myself being
reserved or shy about my Christianity, even to other Christians.
I pray that God will help me to be more outspoken and outgoing
about my Christianity without being pushy or offensive to others.
4. I am to be a good steward of God’s grace! This is a huge order
for me! I feel so unworthy of being a steward of God’s grace!
I feel this is an order for the mighty archangels Gabriel and
Michael ….. not Michael the imperfect human. I know that to be
an effective leader in business or my family, I must learn to be
a better steward of God’s grace and I pray for strength and
wisdom in this area.
5. Effective leaders speak as the oracles of God. How often do I
allow my mouth to be less than an oracle of God? Lord, give me
strength and discipline to control my words so that I can
represent You in an effective manner.
6. I am to minister with the ability that God supplies. Notice this
does not say with Mike’s ability. Every day I need to pray that
God gives me the ability to be an effective leader.
7. God is to be glorified in everything that I do. Another tall order that I often fall short of. I need to always strive to think, say and
do things in a manner that honors God.
In conclusion, when I measure myself against these 7 principles, I could say
that I would never be able to measure up to God’s standards, and I would be
correct. However, God does not expect us to be perfect like Jesus, only
continually striving to be Christ-like, righteous people doing His good work during our temporary stay on this planet.

How to Evaluate What You are Involved In

3/11/09

John Maxwell on Proverbs 16:1-3:
The Law of Navigation
Effective leaders practice the Law of Navigation. Proverbs 16 opens with
these words: “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer
of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own
eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and
your thoughts will be established” (vv. 1-3).

These verses teach us to:
· check the source of our wisdom
· check our motives
· check the outcome we are pursuing

Consider five key words to understanding how God helps leaders to
navigate their way through life:

1. Process: God’s plan usually unfolds over time. What is He revealing
progressively?
2. Purpose: God wants to accomplish His purposes. Why were you
created?
3. Potential: God will use your gifts and passion. Does this goal fit who
you are?
4. Prioritize: God will ask you to adjust your time and energy. What steps
must you take?
5. Proceed: God will eventually require you to act. When should you start?

Mike’s Thoughts:
God gives us His perfect guide to evaluating whether or not we are on the
right track with what we are involved in. It is SO important for us to
evaluate the spirit/motive behind what we are involved in.

Leading In the Home

3/4/09

John Maxwell on 1 Peter 3:1-7:
Leadership In the Home
No home can thrive without functioning according to sound leadership
principles.
Peter first challenges wives to submit to their husbands, even those who do
not submit to Christ. This is the principle of authority and submission. It shows up most pointedly when you disagree with the leader. When the wife
submits even though she opposes her husband’s decision, she gives a
powerful witness to Christ and brings a special honor to Him.
Husbands are called to live with their wives in an understanding way. They
are to honor their wives and model submission and service. They are to
initiate blessing, rather than retaliate when things go wrong.
Spiritual leaders assume responsibility for the health of their relationships.
This means they set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to
do.

Mike’s Thoughts:
I think the message from Peter and John Maxwell is clear; leadership in the
home should be a joint effort of both the husband and wife working
together and supporting each other and submitting to each other with the
ultimate authority being the husband. In no way does this mean that husbands are to be tyrants and wives are to be pushovers. I believe that
lack of appropriate leadership in the home is the root cause for most of our
societal problems today. Lack of sound Biblically based homes result in
dysfunctional and single parent homes leading to children being raised
without learning proper leadership and discipline. These children grow up
not respecting their parents, their elders and authority figures and seeking family outside the home and we all know that is not a healthy environment.

Inherit a Blessing

3/3/09

1 Peter 3:8-9:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Mike’s Thoughts:
How much better our world would be if we could follow the above advise
in our workplaces, in our families, amongst our friends and in the body of
Christ. Most importantly, in my opinion, is to start with the family. If we can
achieve oneness in mind within our families and living to be blessings to each other, then our families will be stronger and will serve as examples for
the workplace and all other relationships we have.