Weekly Thought – June 3, 2025

Fred believed in the development and use of his God-given gifts. As a teenager a traveling evangelist came to his church and left Fred with words which created a lifelong mission. “Fred, I want you to always remember this paraphrase of Proverbs 18:16: “Take the gift that God has given you, and use it, and you will stand before great men.” The framed words always hung on his office wall.

Creating a Winning Environment

When I saw the old wrangler on whose life the movie “The Horse Whisperer” was based I felt that he was a kindred spirit. He used empathy rather than dominance to achieve his goals. He transformed both the role of the wrangler and the experience of the horse by moving from a hierarchical system, which was tyrannical to a team, or mutual benefit, program. He no longer depended on the horse’s fear but on its friendship. His orders became friendly suggestions that he knew would be accepted.

The famed “winningest coach,” John Wooden of UCLA basketball, used his own nondictatorial system. Reportedly, he never mentioned the word “win” to any of his teams. He simply emphasized the concept of doing one’s best. This was an entirely different emphasis from the usual pre-game pep talk in the locker rooms of his day. Wooden’s philosophy excluded using dirty tricks, bending the rules, violating recruiting regulations and falsifying grades, all of which winning teams often rationalize. Wooden made it possible to win even when losing (which wasn’t often) as long as the men on his teams did their best. He had an eye for talent and for men who would grow in an atmosphere that demanded their best. He built teams of honorable men.

The goal of leadership is to accomplish the vision of our calling. We optimize our associates’ gifts and passions as we work to attain what we genuinely believe is the will of God, and for the glory of God.

We work to find the uniqueness in others and then to develop, encourage, and reward it. We work to find and use our own giftedness so that one day we may hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Catching a vision and then creating an atmosphere in which talented men and women thrive in the role of the leader. Working together in tandem, not operating in an authoritarian system is the sign of a healthy organization.

This week think about:1) What is my uniqueness, as Fred would say? 2) What is my response to a tyrannical workplace? 3) Who can I encourage to find their giftedness and develop it?

Words of Wisdom: “The goal of leadership is to accomplish the vision of our calling.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, LORD, have accomplished it.” (Psalm 109:27 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 27, 2025

Fred grew up facing numerous difficulties, but lived with the maxim: “You can either get bitter or better.” He didn’t adopt an artificial sugar-coated attitude. He liked to say he was not an optimist, nor a pessimist, but a realist.

Avoiding A Bitter Taste

The little black book some use as a “get-even-with” list is nothing more than a poison package. Scripture says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” Revenge has no place in the mature life… it is an acid that eats away at the inner being.

Some individuals are unfortunate enough to build their lives around a single hurtful episode, focusing on vengeance until it becomes a lifetime obsession. It makes the person mean-spirited, cynical, unhealthy, desperate, and joyless. And this person is certainly unpleasant to be around.

Avoiding bitterness when seriously hurt is difficult. Sometimes it is caused by an individual; sometimes it is a particular event or situation. We all know men and women still scarred by abuse, physical ailments, or emotional damage. These wake up each morning with the proverbial “chip on their shoulders.” On the other hand, there are many who live with grace and forgiveness. These can move on to maturity and health.

After speaking at a prayer breakfast in Wichita, KS an executive invited me to see a plant where 200 men and women with learning disabilities were employed. He was chairman of this company’s board and was insistent I travel to the plant with him. I must admit this activity wasn’t on my pre-planned itinerary.

I am so glad he invited me.

We arrived and I was told most of the employees were born with Down Syndrome. We toured and I asked him, “How often do you visit this location?” “Almost every day” was his response. It was clear the employees loved him as they greeted us with hugs and smiles. When we got toward the end a young woman enthusiastically greeted him with a bear hug. He turned to me and said, “Fred, I want you to meet our daughter.” I immediately knew this man could have chosen to become bitter, but he became better – and so did everyone around him.

This week carefully consider: 1) When have I chosen to become better, not bitter? 2) How can I be an influence for forgiveness? 3) Where have I experienced the grace of another?

Words of Wisdom: “Some individuals are unfortunate enough to build their lives around a single hurtful episode, focusing on vengeance until it becomes an obsession.”

Wisdom from the Word : “Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 20, 2025

Fred aimed to be productive, helpful, and achievement oriented. He believed in “paying rent for the space he occupied” through contribution to those whose lives he touched.

Energized By Accomplishment

I have learned that if I end my day feeling beat, I probably didn’t accomplish much that is worthwhile. Accomplishment gives me such joy that it actually restores my energy. Activity, for its sake alone, is draining.

As I have gotten older, I find I am more selective, more thorough, more conscious of what I am trying to do. I learned that activity is not the mark of accomplishment. The more I can delegate tasks that are not uniquely mine, the more attention I can pay to those that are. Do you ever find yourself doing someone else’s work? Why? My friend who was head of a large international company once told me, “I am not going to pay them, and then do their work, as well.”

A leader may feel that he or she doesn’t have the luxury of only doing a few things well, but the principles still apply. I have run small organizations, and I have run large corporations. I have never been short of time because I believe I know how to prioritize. I keep for myself the things that only I can do and delegate the rest.

But many fall prey to the temptation to keep others dependent upon them in order to make themselves feel important. Others fight against feelings of guilt if they aren’t arriving first and leaving last. In the church the concept of “servant leadership” is quite popular. I do not believe that means the pastor should be cutting the yard and sweeping the floor in order to demonstrate leadership.

To follow the delegation model, it is critical to understand strengths. If a leader spends an inordinate amount of time trying to overcome weaknesses, the organization will suffer from anemic leaders. To do what only I could do meant I clearly understood and maximized my strengths.

This week carefully consider: 1) How well do I know my strengths? 2) What defines accomplishment for me? 3) When do I feel the true sense of operating effectively?

Words of Wisdom: “Activity for its sake alone is draining.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Give thanks to the LORD. Call on his name. Make known his accomplishments among the nations.” (Psalm 105:1 NET Bible)