Weekly Thought – September 27, 2016

Fred’s desire for productivity and accomplishment was core to his personality. Being useful was lived out in his life mission: stretching others. Even in his immobility, he mentored, developed, and prodded. The methods changed, but the motivation remained the same.

Energized by Accomplishment

I have learned if I end my day feeling beat, I probably didn’t accomplish much that is worthwhile. Accomplishment gives me such joy it actually restores my energy. But activity for its own sake is draining. There must be a sense of direction and purpose.

As I have gotten older, I have found I am more selective, more thorough, more conscious of what I am trying to do. I have learned staying busy isn’t the hallmark of accomplishment – there must be production. And, leadership isn’t synonymous with activity.

The more I can delegate tasks that are not uniquely mine, the more attention I can pay to those that are. Do you ever catch 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 someone and then do their work, too.”

A leader may feel he or she doesn’t have the luxury of only doing a few things well, but the principle still applies. 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 then in order to make themselves feel important.

I don’t get joy from feeling needed. I have told my family when I die; I want them to remember our love, not an unhealthy dependence. I want them each to mature to the point they don’t need me. I never want to be like the criminal who, seeing himself on the post office wall quipped, “It is so good to be wanted.”

To me, identifying and defining my uniqueness is critical for human contribution. Unless I know my gifts and skills, I cannot do what I am called to do. But when I am clear about that, I can then freely see what only I can do in almost every situation – whether it is a board activity, organization leadership, or church participation. Doing what only I can do is the proper leadership philosophy.

Many leaders tie ego to activity, forgetting that results are the measure. Opening the door in the morning and turning off the lights at night doesn’t define leadership. Clarifying the particular contribution leads to true accomplishment – and the energy of productivity.

This week think about: 1) When do I confuse active for productive? 2) What is my particular contribution? 3) What should I delegate this week?

Words of Wisdom: “Doing what only I can do is a proper leadership philosophy.”

Wisdom from the Word: “A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.” (Proverbs 18:16 NET Bible) Fred’s life verse which he paraphrased: “Take the gift that God has given you, AND USE IT, and you will stand before great men.”

Weekly Thought – September 20, 2016

Fred spent many years in management consulting, and particularly labor negotiations. He had a fundamental principle: Follow the ego. He was not opposed to a healthy sense of self, but careful to understand what he called “Adamic sin.”

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Managing the Self

I remember an embarrassing situation that occurred one night at a business meeting of high profile business executives. One man who read the business pages of the newspaper considered himself an authority on the international energy scene. He was popping off about the situation and his easy fix.

Unbeknownst to him, a man in the room just returned from chairing an international conference of major oil companies. After the first man finally completed his spouting off, the other man quietly offered his knowledgeable and experienced response which completely exposed the ignorance and foolishness of the other!

I quickly said to myself, “I hope that NEVER happens to me!” I left that meeting with strong resolve to make sure in my speaking and consulting I remember someone else in the room may always know more about a subject than I do. That meeting stays with me and serves as a monitor and governor on things I may have said.

On the other hand, speakers are too often overly impressed with dignitaries in the audience. One night I was in a church listening to a pastor. I noticed a well-known University President slip into the service. The immediate style change let me know the pastor noticed the man’s appearance as well. A sudden shift in delivery occurred. He altered his focus, as well as his message. He went from preaching to the congregation to offering an intellectual dissertation for the sole benefit of the academician. He forgot the rest of us!

Being impressed with ourselves or with the celebrity of another blocks the power of good communication. In our work and in our speech, we should always keep in mind God is listening and as the current best-selling book tells us “we have an audience of One.”

It is never far from my thinking that God is present. If He isn’t, we should dismiss early!

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I rein in my ego to serve me, not rule me? 2) What keeps my eyes on Jesus? 3) Where can I be a good audience for another?

Words of Wisdom: “It is never far from my thinking that God is present. If He isn’t, we should dismiss early!”

Wisdom from the Word: “You must not tremble in their presence, for the Lord your God, who is present among you, is a great and awesome God.” (Deuteronomy 7:21 NET Bible)