Weekly Thought – November 24, 2015

Fred believed gratitude was one of the most important emotions. He believed strongly in his admonition to “never lose the good of a bad experience.” To the very end of his life he expressed thanks to all, especially to his heavenly father.

We at BWF are profoundly grateful for you. May this Thanksgiving allow you a moment to stop and reflect on the blessings on our great God and Father.

Power

Any schoolboy with a B average can chant Lord Acton’s cliche: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Power gets a bad name and a bad rap. For all its addictive effects on many, power itself is a neutral instrument. Its morals have to be measured by the use to which it is put. It simply energizes.
Power rises from the spirit of the bearer.

I’m credited with original authorship on the story of the artificial fish which is a metaphor now widely quoted among Christians. It is an expression of the power of the spirit. If you put a live fish in a pool of artificial fish, everybody notices the difference immediately. The authentic spirit of the living fish stands out in contrast to the lump of plastic which forms the others. One after another, people marvel at the movement of the living fish which is doing what it was meant to do.

There are fewer situations which demonstrate the effect of power than retirement. The measure of the executive’s motivation becomes clear. Was the power for personal acclaim and acceleration or for the benefit of the organization? The self-serving conniver has to wear title as armor and power as sidearms.

Associates never want to see this person again after the obligatory retirement party. Some of the worst are the most vulnerable to vindictiveness once disarmed by loss of title and position. Rare is the executive who lives in such a way that colleagues miss the person more than the function.

A senior executive facing retirement asked me what to expect. I quickly answered, “No one will return your phone calls.” The “yes, sir” attitude is attached to the position, not to the person. Retirement awakens the realization of power’s privileges.

But, walking away from the position also provides the opportunity to create authentic relationships. And also, to understand the true power – that of the Spirit. We also can focus on our unique gifts and nurture genuine, appropriate personal power not based on title, but on contribution.

This week think about: 1) What is my power base? 2) How can I develop my gifts beyond title or position? 3) What creates gratitude today?

Words of Wisdom: “Rare is the executive who lives in such a way that colleagues miss the person more than the function.”

Wisdom from the Word: “And he displayed great power and awesome might in view of all Israel.” (Deuteronomy 34:12 NET Bible… speaking of Moses)

Weekly Thought – October 6, 2015

Fred thought ahead so he wouldn’t be surprised. He always thought good executives had the capacity to lead without excessive noise and drama. He demonstrated this in observing: “Some executives build up a legend for sensational saves – shoe string catches – in situations that they should never have gotten into in the first place.”

In these next six months we will introduce two initiatives to serve our Christian institutions of higher education, and the next generation of leaders. Please pray as the BWFLI Prayer Network and the Women’s Leadership Cohort of BWFLI move forward.

Misguided Good Intentions

No executive gains maturity until he or she has fired a friend from a job which is clearly a misfit. Knowing this is in the person’s best interest rarely saves the outcome of a broken relationship, at least for the short term.

One of my friends made this difficult decision knowing it was necessary for his organization – and for the employee. To ignore the situation would be dishonest. Years later, the employee returned to say, “The day you fired me was one of my worst, but now I look back on it as one of the best. This was the wrong job and you had the courage to say so.”

A close friend built up a very successful business. He came to see me to talk over a key personnel issue – his son wanted to join the firm “How will you tell his Mother you are going to fire him?” I asked just like this so he felt the impact on the family, (especially his wife!) not just the business. Long before a family member is hired, they had better think about how they are going to fire them. This may never come, but being surprised leads to bad decisions.

A banker once advised me: “Never use your money to delay a failure.” Out of misguided pity, we often use out time and resources to prolong the agony of a hopeless situation while we ignore the potential of a dozen alternatives.

As a board member and friend of many Christian organizations, I see this way more than I should. The idea of “Christian love” covers up inefficient and ineffective employee relations. People who should be relieved are reassigned or moved to non-essential positions. Our stewardship of people’s gifts requires wise management.

Seeking to be popular is to hand your moral choices over to others. An example is a parent who loves a child too little to administer punishment. We know “love is willing the best for the other.” The willingness to make the tough call for the good of the individual and the organization is the hallmark of strong leadership.

Think about this: 1) How would I deal with the family business situation? 2) Who needs a tough love conversation? 3) Why do others shrink back from confronting me?

Words of Wisdom: “No executive gains maturity until he or she has fired a friend from a job which is clearly a misfit.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:1 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 8, 2015

Fred overachieved when thinking. Give him a thought and he would chase it down roads totally unknown to the civilized world. He once started thinking about words to hymns and made a list of hundreds. And, on a sleepless night he remembered the punch lines to 200 jokes. When asked to give 12 principles for high impact living, he finally ran out of paper well into the 40s. This week we complete a four week excursion into the wilds of Fred’s thoughts on this subject. There are scribbles in the margins of these pages, but we will stop with these 40. Parts 1-3 are available at breakfastwithfred.com in the Weekly Thought archives.

Thank you for believing in our work and telling us stories of being stretched by Fred’s thoughts. Continue to pray and when possible, help us financially to keep the website and the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute strong.

Get It Done People – Part Four

High Impact People:

31) Use money as a means, not an end. They know that money is option and they see it as a tool, not an idol. They know how to avoid the “is this all there is?” trap.

32) Unite joy and accomplishment – I wrote a section of my first book (the great undiscovered classic You and Your Network) on “Joy for the Journey.” Work is part of God’s blessing. Accomplishment and achievement bring a sense of purpose and well-being.

33) Emphasize responsibilities, not rights – responsibilities laminate – that is, bring people together; rights divide.

34) Properly define pleasure – There is a misconception that life should be serious and any hint of pleasure is the sure road to hedonism. Baloney! Eric Liddell gives a clear definition when he says, “When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” Pleasure is the emotion of living life in the sweet spot.

35) Recognize reality versus image – we live in a world weary of words and longing for authenticity. Too many who adopt the “fake it ‘til you make it” mindset end up perpetually faking it and never making it.

36) Celebrate – one of my dear friends, Jack Modesett, likes to ask about goal accomplishment by saying, “How will we know when it is time to celebrate?” It is important to celebrate steps along the way to the big mile marker. And joining others in the recognition of accomplishment is key.

37) Understand the difference between character and intelligence – I have rarely seen a gifted person fail because they lacked training, or even intelligence. By far, the majority of failures come because of character flaws. Check the plumb lines to make sure the character is aligned.

38) Create an environment of encouragement – they know how to make others see their gifts, use them, and feel good about themselves.

39) Make long term goals – instant gratification isn’t a hallmark of high impact people. A young man told me recently his idea of long term planning was lunch the next day. That man has much to learn!

40) Aren’t surprised at the price tag for success – I once told a woman who complained about her executive husband’s hours: “Madam, you want the earnings of a racehorse and the placidity of a mule.” There are no shortcuts.

This week consider: 1) Out of the 40 principles, which one grabbed me? 2) How much do I want a high impact life? 3) What am I willing to do to fulfill my potential?

Words of Wisdom: “Madam, you can’t have the earnings of a racehorse and the placidity of a mule.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 1, 2015

Fred was born September 1, 2015. His Mother was his guiding light. She taught him the value of ideas and their ability to affect outcomes. The limits placed on him through physical disabilities and economic lack did not dampen his dreams. The little boy who listened to the world on his crystal radio in the attic became a man who stretched others. We continue with his principles for high impact living. Parts one and two can be accessed at www.breakfastwithfred.com in the Weekly Thought archives or on www.bwfli.com

On this day when Fred would have been 100 years, please tell someone else about the website and the Weekly Thoughts. Help us expand his reach and deepen the impact.

Get It Done People – Part Three

High Impact People:

21) Vision of success – They have a picture of who they want to be and what they want to do. They understand the old Chinese proverb: “If you vision is one year, plant wheat; the years, plant a tree; and 100 years, plant people.”

22) Associate with the Best – Be the smallest fish in the biggest pond. Always put yourself in the arena with stronger players. And remember to associate for growth and development, not social climbing.

23) Travel – Expand your view of culture and cultures. Take calculated risks and enjoy challenging experiences.

24) Read – My friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones says, “Except for the people you meet and the books you read, you will be the same person in five years as you are today.” The old axiom, “leaders are readers” still holds true. But, be discerning. Read in your areas of development. And don’t feel like you have to read something just because somebody recommends it, or sends it to you. Don’t just read what you agree with – let others challenge you.

25) Write – My mentor Maxey Jarman demanded written solutions to any problems I could recognize. He reminded me that thoughts untangle as they pass through the mind and out through the point of the pencil. Writing clarifies.

26) Are Respected by Others – International developer Trammel Crow said, “I only want executives that others want to see succeed.”

27) Pick the right mentor – Never accept a volunteer mentor. Understand the principles of a mentoring relationship. Know what the responsibilities of the mentor and the mentoree.

28) Demonstrate humility – My favorite definition of humility is: “Humility is not denying the power you have but admitting it comes through you, not from you.” Meekness is harnessed strength, not weakness.

29) Operate ethically – One of my friends had a plaque on his desk which read: “You can count on me to be who I say I will be and do what I say I will do.” Nick Moore of Price Waterhouse Coopers put it this way: “It is important to know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for!”

30) Follow Jim Collins’ Good to Great model – “Have the wrong people off the bus, the right people on, and the right people doing the right things.”

This week think about: 1) Which of these strikes me the hardest? 2) Where am I influencing others? 3) Who could benefit from Fred’s wisdom this week?

Words of Wisdom: “Humility is not denying the power but admitting it comes through you and not from you.”

Wisdom from the Word: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11: 2 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 25, 2015

Fred’s interest in those who pursued their gifts motivated much of his thinking. In part of two of “Get It Done People” he continues his thinking about high impact living.

Gratitude was one of Fred’s favorite emotions. He practiced it regularly. And for you we are most grateful. Thank you for your encouragement and consistent support.

Get It Done People – Part Two

High Impact People:

11) Capture the concept of plateauing – they understand the process of growing, assimilating, then growing again. When you grow too fast, you have holes.

12) Keep stress vertical – there are two types of stress: horizontal and vertical… one pulls you apart (horizontal) and one energizes and focuses (vertical). The goal of life isn’t being stress free, but understanding and developing healthy stress which energizes.

13) Have and use a sense of humor – What you cry about today you will laugh about tomorrow. Humor is the lubricant of the spirit. Without humor, the gears clash and the engine burns out.

14) Don’t take destructive action – “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” Too many people carry around a stash of poison pills created from ill feelings and vindictiveness.

15) Anticipate – minimize surprises – Every top executive I know has a cardinal rule: avoid surprises. Preparation and good hiring practices allow them to operate confidently. I think through all the possibilities of a decision or action and thus spare myself from surprises.

16) Work with cause and effect – The scripture tells us we will reap what we sow. That is more than a Biblical admonition. Understanding consequences is a hallmark of high impact leaders.

17) Operate and articulate meaning of life – a clear understanding of purpose is critical. I find strong, meaningful internal dialogue is part of the tool kit for leaders.

18) Have emotional control – they know how to stretch their emotional wheelbase. They have a broad repertoire of emotions, a disciplined imagination, are courageous, and know how to eliminate negatives. They know how to offset external pressures by internal strength. John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death and still saddling up.”

19) Choose their attitude – Frankl in “Man’s Search for Meaning” said we have no control over our circumstances but we can choose our attitudes in the midst of them. High impact people direct their attitude.

20) Give themselves to something bigger than themselves – A big vision, a big goal, a big dream, a big cause. These move leaders to think bigger. Always stretch.

This week think about: 1) What pushes me to stretch? 2) What are the roadblocks to growth? 3) How can I apply these this week?

Words of Wisdom: “The goal of life isn’t being stress free, but understanding and developing healthy stress which energizes.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:” (Ecclesiastes 2:13 NET Bible)

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Weekly Thought – August 18, 2015

Fred began thinking about a question put to him by a group of high achievers: “Fred, what would you say to us as we enter our 50s and want to keep moving?” He put together a list called “The 12 Principles of High Impact Living.” True to himself, the list soon grew and developed into well over three dozen. For the next three weeks we will outline some of these principles.

Fred finished his earthly assignment on August 17, 2007. His thinking lives on and his heartfelt desire to be useful continues bearing fruit. This week we do part two of the Principles of High Impact Living.

As we think about the years since Fred died, we look at all the Lord has done to expand the reach and deepen the impact of his lifework. You have been with us and for that we are grateful. Remember to share these thoughts with others and encourage them to sign up on the mailing list. We appreciate you.

Get It Done People – Part One

High Impact People:

1) Link passion and uniqueness – they find their particular area of genius and maximize it by utilizing it effectively.

2) Minimize religion and maximize spirituality – Christianity isn’t a religion; it is a relationship. Knowing about God isn’t faith but growing in trust and obedience is.

3) Endure pain to win the gold – Bob Richards, the Olympic vaulter, always asked budding athletes: “What do you with the pain?” Pain isn’t optional.

4) Understand that discipline isn’t punishment – an unruly, chaotic life achieves little. There is always a price to pay for accomplishment. Discipline allows the freedom of productivity. Good habits are there for the times you don’t want to work.

5) Save, invest, then speculate – “Las Vegas Funds” are at the top of the financial pyramid, not the bottom. The foundation of proper financial planning gives option in later years.

6) Control their time and appreciate the dramatic moments – Just as I don’t let other people spend my money, I don’t let them spend my time. Those who capture the drama of time can be particularly impactful. For example, Rudy Giuliani after 9/11.

7) Focus – scattershooting is for amateurs. Big game hunters don’t go out carrying shot guns.
8) Are Energetic – Know what creates energy and what uses it and manage it well. High impact people are generally high energy, as well. They know how to harness the strength.

9) Balance their lives – They stay out of the rat race and avoid obsessions. They integrate all the spokes of their wheel as my friend Zig says. The ride gets bumpy when all the emphasis is on one area.

10) Nurture their curiosity – The great scientist Gerhard Dierks told me to always cultivate my ignorance. “Go to bed knowing less than you did the day before because you see how much more there is to know.”

This week think seriously about: 1) What makes me a high impact person? 2) Which of the ten stimulates my thinking? 3) How can I think deeper about this subject?

Words of Wisdom: “Take the gift that God has given you and use it, and you will stand before great men.” (Fred’s paraphrase of Proverbs 18:16)

Wisdom from the Word: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 7, 2015

Fred distilled and defined. His ability to simplify without losing the essence set him apart from other management consultants. Clarifying without falling into formulaic cliches worked well for him.

Action’s Aspects

There are three aspects to action: 1) concept, 2) system, and 3) philosophy.

The concept defines the basic principles. The system is the implementation of the principles, and the philosophy is the reason for doing. Said another way: The concept is the what to do – the system is now to do it – and the philosophy is the why of doing it.

Once the concept is clearly understood, the implementation or system becomes a technological procedure. This varies according to each specific situation.

For example, in military history we see General MacArthur planning the Inchon invasion. He studied the taking of Quebec by General Wolfe. The concept was surprise. The General asked his staff if this strategy would work, they all answered negatively. With their response, he went ahead and used this concept because he knew it would work. Surprise was going to be successful.

The technical approach was different from the one used by Wolfe. This was part of the genius. Often, leaders try to borrow the technique along with the concept and failure ensues. It is a mistake to understand few if any perfect strategic analogies exist in life. Each situation must have its own variation.

I faced this in the National Steel strike when I was called in to help management make plans. They had a past success and wanted to repeat it step by step. They failed to update the situation by grasping the difference in the two situations.

This leads me to one of my favorite principles: Stay current. One of the leadership pitfalls is relying on former successes to design a new plan. Many elements can be altered which affect the outcome. To ignore the full scope of the situation opens doors for failure. Staying current means being up to date on everything that will impact the strategy.

Philosophies and concepts are much more constant than the techniques of accomplishment. The three must all be part of the whole, but it is important to consider each separately before finalizing the plan. When we break it down, master each part, and learn to interweave them seamlessly we are well on the way to a workable strategy.

This week think about: 1) Which of the three is the easiest for me? Most difficult? 2) How intentional am I about my planning? 3) What keeps me current on my decision making?

Words of Wisdom: “Staying current means being up to date on everything that will impact the strategy.”

Wisdom from the Word: “May He grant your heart’s desire; may He bring all your plans to pass!” (Psalm 20:4 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 2, 2015

Fred defined success as the ratio between gifts given and gifts used. He saw the personal nature of this measurement. He refused to use wealth, position, or status as gauges for attaining success.

Thank you again for your ongoing support. When you email, call, or visit our Facebook group and page, we are uplifted and strengthened. The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute page on Facebook contains pictures, blog entries, and information about the activities.

Success, A Slippery Slope

Our society is permeated with the success syndrome. Recently, I heard a young motivational speaker proclaim, “Fake it ‘til you make it!” He meant to establish an image of success and then work the daylights out to get there. Somehow this seems like pedaling fast to catch up with yourself.

If we let others define our success, it is truly a slippery slope. If we follow Christ’s example, then we simply go about doing good. Once a young preacher said to me, “I can be happy just being a man of God, but that isn’t enough for my family… it isn’t enough for my board… they want me to be successful and make the church successful.” Heartbreaking, wrong-headed thinking.

I suggest to any Christian who wants to be successful he explore scripture and find a model of someone who focused totally on being successful. I can name five or six who operated with this motivation – and they all failed or were cursed. Remember the man who offered the apostles money for their spiritual gift. Maybe he intended to help people, but he wanted the credit instead of giving it to God. The apostles wisely said, in effect, “Go to Hell!”

Mother Theresa said she would not accept any honors because it took time away from her work. She did not say it was wrong for her work to be recognized, but only that it was a distraction for her. Caring for the dying was more important than receiving the Nobel Prize. She knew inner success.

Breaking Psychological Barriers

Roger Bannister did more than run the first four-minute mile in history. He broke a psychological barrier. Almost immediately others started doing what hadn’t been done before. They, too, broke the four minute barrier. Training didn’t do it. The time span between Bannister and the others was noticeably short.

Leaders need to recognize and break psychological barriers for their people.

One of the greatest I have seen is the power of the church to show people who believed they couldn’t find peace see what life can be when caught in the web of His grace. Christ broke the ultimate barrier: He rescued us from death and gave us entry into life eternal.

This week think about: 1) What is my greatest success recently? 2) How have I devised my own definition of success? 3) Who models psychological barrier breaking for me?

Words of Wisdom: “Leaders need to recognize and break psychological barriers for their people.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning;” (Luke 12:35 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 12, 2015

Fred’s interest in how people think and act enabled him to serve his management consulting clients well. He operated intuitively, understanding the principles of body language, word choice, and behavior. He also studied human nature through reading, associations, and constant observation.

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is an outreach of the BWF Project, Inc. which began as a way to “relevantly communicate the lifework of Fred Smith, Sr.” We now extended the work throughout the country by touching Christian college campuses with our focus on “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders… to the glory of God.”

Everyone is Motivated

We use motivation as if it were only a forward motion at various speeds. This is a misunderstanding.
Those who are doing nothing are motivated to do nothing. Those who are active are motivated by activity. If we are to stimulate people with the desire to do nothing, we have to overcome the fundamental motivation to do nothing. Forward motion isn’t automatic.

I was told by a corporate president who manufactured railroad engines that the biggest problem was getting enough power to start the train rolling. Aircraft designers have to build in enough power to break the pull of gravity before they can ascend.

As leaders we need to recognize that inertia is motivation-based, not just the lack of motivation.

Creating Thirst

Dr. Howard Rome, the eminent psychiatrist, once told me: “Fred, you don’t understand motivation until you understand thirst. Motivation is satisfying a thirst.”

When Howard said that, I thought about the church. Many pastors are presenting water to non-thirsty members. The person who doesn’t want to understand scripture doesn’t listen, even to the very best teaching. Pastors who are thirsty to teach and preach the Bible must find listeners with the desire to hear. This may be one of the great frustrations in preaching.

In any situation, we must first recognize the lack of thirst and strive to create it before we can provide the satisfactory quenching they will gladly receive.

The Power of Passion

The respected church consultant, Lyle Schaller, has said, “If a pastor does not have a passion for the mission, he can forget the rest of leadership.” A passion to make a worthwhile difference is indispensable to effectiveness. Passion and vision need to work together. Passion energizes vision, and vision disciplines the passion. The clearer the vision, the greater the passion.

This week think about: 1) How clear is my vision? 2) What motivates me – to activity and inactivity? 3) When do I operate most effectively within my passion?

Words of Wisdom: “The clearer the vision, the greater the passion.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – May 5, 2015

Fred and Mary Alice married in June, 1937. Without money, a honeymoon was impossible. They boarded a trolley in downtown Nashville, rode to a Krystal burger restaurant and shared a slider, the little bite-sized menu item. In some ways, his mini-essays are wisdom sliders – bite-sized servings of thought.

A Real Fire

A.W. Tozer remarked that his flame might be small but it was real. It is important that the fire be authentic. One can start a forest fire with a single match, but can’t light a bonfire with a poster of a match, no matter how blazing the flame. A picture of a blowtorch remains a picture. The counterfeit life becomes old but the zeal of the dedicated life cannot be quenched.

Healthy Attrition

A certain attrition rate in leadership is healthy. The armed services actually look for a wash-out percentage… the Army has seven; the Marines have fourteen and it is rumored some drill sergeants think it should be as much as twenty-five percent!

We don’t focus on disqualifying people, but we should not keep people in our organizations who self-disqualify either by lack of character or gifts.

Making people aware of their shortcomings isn’t easy, but is crucial. I say this knowing how painful discouragement can be. It happened to me. I started out in voice lessons, hoping for an operatic career. Fortunately, I had an honest teacher. One morning after a lesson he said, “Fred, you have everything to be a successful vocal artist. You work harder than any of my other students; you have a great desire to sing well. You are only lacking one thing – talent. You are sacrificing to study with me. You can’t make it professionally, so don’t waste your life trying.”

He was so right and so courageous. He blessed me with his honesty. I went into business where I was talented.

Helping someone discern their gifts is one of the great joys. Assisting men and women to exit as well as enter careers is an act of wisdom.

Seminaries should discourage poor leaders before they assume pastoral positions and demonstrate their inabilities. Always remember what Spurgeon told his young preaching students: “Young man, if you can’t speak, you weren’t called to preach.” Certainly God can develop skills that are immature, but rarely does He call us to work for which He doesn’t gift us.

This week think about: 1) Who helped me recognize my strengths? 2) Where am I trying to follow a dream that may not be mine? 3) How real is my fire?

Words of Wisdom: “We don’t focus on disqualifying people, but we should not keep people in our organizations who self-disqualify either by lack of character or gifts.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29 NET Bible)