Are You Good at Pictures?

John Maxwell's Commentary in his Introduction to Jude:
Lessons in Leadership:
* Leaders must use pictures to capture the hearts of their people.
* Leaders must express certainty when possible, but clarity at all
times.
* Effective leaders don't demand, but exhort, appeal, and urge others
to act.
* People need both negative and positive reinforcement.

Mike's Thoughts:
I have always struggled with the first point on using pictures to influence
people. I have just bought a book called, "the Power to Write" by Caroline
Joy Adams and I hope it will help me in this area. It is advertised as "a
writing workshop in a book" and has "Seven Keys to Discover Your Writer
Within". Isn't it interesting how virtually every modern leadership philosophy
that is worth its salt can find its basis in the Bible? I believe the above
mentioned traits are just as important in the family, if not more so, as they
are in the work place.

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!

What to do about a Wanderer ...

John Maxwell's Commentary in his Introduction to Jude:
Jude teaches leaders how to confront those who meander from the vision.
He is direct, yet rational. He is convictional, yet compassionate.

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, when people in my organization begin to wander from the
vision of the company (or family or community), it is my job to "reel them in" and get them back on track. According to Jude, there are four characteristics I am to show when confronting a wanderer.
1- I need to be direct with the wanderer and not beat around the bush.
2- I need to communicate in a rational manner to the wanderer why
he/she is off base and why they need to stay focused on the
vision.
3- I need to communicate conviction in my attitude about staying
focused on the vision.
4- At the same time, I need to communicate compassion and
understanding to the wanderer.
Also, as a leader, I need to understand that on rare ocassion it may be
appropriate to adjust our vision to meet shifts in the marketplace or our own
capabilities and resources.

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)

How Do You Equip Your People, part 2?

3 John 1:6b:
If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
Mike's Thoughts:
Yes, same verse as yesterday... I feel like I needed to add to my ideas of
how to equip the people that I lead; especially in a secular environment:
4- Love the people.
5- Show them respect.
6- Listen to them.
7- Be a Christ-like example without beating them over the head with
Christianity.
8- Exercise tough love when necessary. (fmd)

Are You Equipping Your People?

3 John 1:6b:
If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

Mike's Thoughts:
What an excellent leadership mandate from John. If, as a leader, I can
equip my people to go about their lives at work, in the community, and
with their families in a manner worthy of God, I will do well. Sounds easy
enough, but just how do I go about equipping them in a manner worthy of
God? I've got a few ideas:
1- Help them to study God's Word.
2- Help them to learn to pray.
3- Help them to learn to have positive, uplifting, Christ-like
relationships.

Do Your Values Align?

John Maxwell on 2 John 1-4:
Values: Leaders Must Cherish Truth More Than Anything
Leaders need to examine their professional relationships in light of
their organization's vision. Energy follows when the leader's
personal beliefs align with the organization's values. When leaders
eliminate hypocrisy and deception from their organizations, libery
and power prevail. John uses the word "truth" five times in this
short letter to underscore the necessity of integrity.
Leaders must value truth more than anything else. When truth
presides in an organization, several benefits result:
1. Trust is evident among staff.
2. The leader has less mental clutter.
3. People feel the freedom to be transparent.
4. The leader has credibility when he or she speaks.
Mike's Thoughts:
I have worked in organizations where my beliefs did not align with the
company's values and it was always a contentious relationship. I would
encourage every leader to examine whether his/her beliefs were in line
with their organization's values. If not, I would offer the following advise:
1. Pray about it and a way to reconcile the differences.
2. Seek Godly counsel about it.
3. Make appropriate changes or adjustments.
Another point that stuck out to me is that the leader has less mental
clutter when their beliefs align with the organization's and the
relationship is based on truth. As a leader, it is so important for me to have
a clear mind and I am just not as effective if I'm having to juggle the clutter
of misalignment of values and the absence of truth. (fmd)