Weekly Thought – December 24, 2024

Fred, as a young man, received his early corporate experience at General Shoe Corporation (GENESCO) in the personnel department. His understanding of human behavior was soon recognized and gave him opportunities to quickly advance. The efficacy of training was a particular expertise. This week’s piece offers excellent counsel for trainers.

Criteria for Effective Training

In every aspect of business it is important to establish measurements. This is especially true for those responsible for training. Here are five questions I have found to be helpful in evaluation.

1) Is this job fitting well with his or her talents? If the answer is no, then I have little possibility of maximizing the person’s potential. It is my job to make sure job, talents, and temperament mesh. For example, putting a loner into a team operation will grind the gears long term.

2) How much willingness to do the job am I seeing? I watch to see if the person is basically enthusiastic about opportunity. If the job is simply something to fill time and provide a paycheck, I don’t expect much.

3) How consistent is the person’s effort? Sporadic effort is not what I want. A friend once told me, “The amateur plays well when he feels like it; the pro performs well whether he feels like it or not.” Long-term, consistent, day-in, day-out effort is what pays off in an organization.

4) What are the objective results? A lot of people give activity, talk, and excuses but produce little. Some get by for years without really producing. I know a man who is regularly praised. When I asked what specifically was highly regarded. “Oh, he’s got personality. He is such a likable guy.” But bottom line: he has never produced anything.

5) Is this person willing to be evaluated? I am not going to spend time developing somebody who resists having his results measured. Those who let me know they are self-evaluated and refuse feedback are not candidates for upward progress.

This week think carefully about: 1) How can I apply these questions in my work, my parenting, my community/church relationships? 2) Which question is most helpful in my current situation? 3) What can I do to help someone who is growing?

Words of Wisdom: “Long-term, consistent, day-in, day-out effort is what pays off in an organization.”

Wisdom from the Word: “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 17, 2024

Fred thoroughly enjoyed watching talented people maximize their gifts. He urged everyone to discover and develop their “uniqueness.” He especially appreciated those who could take an idea, mobilize others around it, and see it realized.

Vision Gathering

Leaders coagulate followers around the vision, not themselves. This is where we see integrity. Drawing followers to the person and not the vision is embezzlement. Using personal magnetism as a means of getting things done is, to me, manipulation. Genuine leadership gathers people around the purpose of the organization. Toward that end leaders must recognize:

1) Distinction between decisions and commitments. The first is short-term, the second is long term. Decisions can be for a limited project while commitments are aimed at the ultimate purpose. Both are necessary. People committed only to the long-term vision and not to specific tasks will not accomplish much. For an organization to thrive, the leader’s job is to produce the activity which then moves forward the overall vision. The leader must move people from decision to commitment.

Wise leaders know that when they get a decision, even a group decision, they have not gotten commitment. One of the worst mistakes a leader can make is getting a group to decide something they will not commit to. In the emotional moment of decision you can assume they are committed, but if not, things will fall apart.

2) The “driving wheels.” There’s a difference between people who provide the momentum in an organization and those who ride. Wise leaders know that if they get the driving wheels committed, they will bring the others along. Without the commitment of the driving wheels, the organization moves with an unsteady rhythm.

The best way to persuade the driving wheels if not with emotion, but with comprehension. My close friend, Jack Turpin (founder and president of Hallmark Electronics) gave a speech on sustained excellence. He has no lasting respect for short-term excellence. “Anybody who can reach excellence should try to sustain it,” he said. He knows how hard that is. He went on to say the only way people will perform excellently over the long term is if they fully comprehend what they are doing. A decisions based on emotional fervor won’t last; a fully comprehended commitment will.

Leaders must be honest about the vision, the effort necessary, and the reasons for the commitment.

This week carefully consider: 1) Am I clear about the importance of both decisions and commitment? 2) What important commitments have I made? 3) How am I doing sustaining excellence?

Words of Wisdom: “Leaders must be honest about the vision, the effort necessary, and the reasons for the commitment.”

Wisdom from the Word: “O Lord, teach me how you want me to live. Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you.” (Psalm 86:11 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – December 10, 2024

Fred addressed a large group of pastors in the early 1980s on leadership, by their request. His talk became part of a chapter in his book, Learning to Lead. As you will see, it stimulated much conversation in an era when “servant leadership” held sway throughout church life.

Leadership is Serving God, not the Sheep

You invited me to talk with you about “Pastor as leader.” The right concept of leadership is vital. Some people distinguish between the theoretical and the practical as if theory is not practical. A friend cleared this up for me: “Nothing is as practical as a correct theory.”

Currently one of the most popular concepts is “servant leadership.” Properly understood, it’s a helpful concept, but it has been terribly abused. The Christian leader is primarily a servant of God, not of each sheep. You are a servant or God, given to absolute obedience to what He says. To extend that to say you are the servant of each and every sheep is a fallacy. Let me be clear, this doesn’t mean you aren’t the prayerful undershepherd, but the Chief Shepherd is God Himself.

Steve Brown said he nearly became neurotic when he thought he worked for the church because that meant he had five hundred bosses. When your boss calls in the middle of the night to tell your something, you’re supposed to do it. If everybody in the church is your boss and you’re their servant, you’ve got an absolutely intolerable situation.

If the pastor’s gift is leadership (as evidenced by having followers) then the major expression of their service is leading. Scripture tells us that those who receive it are to lead diligently.

This position is difficult for some pastors to accept because of their personality makeup. Some pastors prefer serving people. Leaders who say, “Anything you need, let me know. I’ll cut your lawn; I’ll drive your kids to school” are not serving God, nor are they offering the best to their people. They are failing to understand the doctrine of spiritual gifts. We are to carefully identify our gifts and then operate within them.

The gift of leadership, as all the others, comes with challenges. If you, as pastor, or organizational head define your comfort zone by being liked, respected, and appreciated, leadership is difficult. If the gifts of helps or mercy are foundational, then you serve a great, essential purpose, but the discomforts of leading are probably an indicator that leadership is not your primary gift.

This week think carefully about: 1) Do Fred’s words from the 1980s have relevance for me today? 2) How clearly have I defined my spiritual gifts? 3) Where has Fred challenged my thinking about servant leadership?

Words of Wisdom: “If the pastor’s gift is leadership (as evidenced by having followers) then the major expression of their service is leading.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Therefore, you shepherds, listen to the LORD’s message.” (Ezekiel 34:9 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 26, 2024

Fred appreciated ideas. His idea of “great fun” was gathering with others who were intrigued with thinking about life as he was. A weekend of friends in Houston served as an impetus for “The Twenty-Five.” Those who gathered in Texas agreed to send an article, idea, or quote to each of the others once a month. A Dallas CEO had an entire file cabinet drawer dedicated to these offerings. One of the ideas which sparked conversation was the difference between management and leadership.

Learn the Value of Administration

Leadership and management are two different skill sets. Many times good leaders are not good administrators. Likewise, good managers are not always leaders.

Peter Drucker, the man known as the father of modern management, defined the difference as: “Managers focus on doing things right, while a leader focuses on doing the right things.” Another distinction by Peter Drucker is “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”

Our country had a President who was an exceptional manager. As an executive he was known to read 300 pages of reports before breakfast each morning. He was certainly the best-informed chief executive, but struggled to provide leadership by getting people to follow him.
Other Presidents demonstrated great leadership qualities, while failing to excel in the day to day details. Many of these had strong communication skills which amplified their acceptance as a leader the people chose to follow.

Even if a leader is not strong in administration, he/she must recognize the crucial value of these skills. Bringing top notch administrative skills to the team is critical, whether it is leading a country or an organization. If the leader delegates widely, the principal of “appreciate it, develop it, and then leave it alone.” Picking the right people with the right skills is the key.

Oversupervision is the great sin often committed against managers. The leader’s task is to say, “Here’s where we are, and there’s where we ought to go.” The administrator’s task is to determine how to get there.

A successful organization has leadership and management. You lead people but you manage work.

Carefully consider this week: 1) Am I more gifted in leadership or management? 2) How am I developing my skill and contributing to my organization? 3) Who could I help with the distinction between leadership and management?

Words of Wisdom: “You lead people and manage work.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good! You will surely wear out, both you and these people who are with you, for this is too heavy a burden for you, you are not able to do it by yourself.’” (Exodus 18:17,18 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 12, 2024

Fred studied leaders. “Lifelong learner” is one personality category used by many personality experts. Fred epitomized that profile. In his book Learning To Lead he discussed principles applicable for both business and church. A fundamental task of leaders is setting direction.

Maintain The Vision

David Rockefeller was once quoted: “The number one function of the top executive is to establish the purpose of the organization.” Max Depree expressed it like this: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.”

Like the hub of a wheel everything grows out of the vision. Until it is clearly established the door is open to all kinds of trouble. The leader must define why the organization exists – what is its purpose.

Here are several keys:
1. Define it specifically. In my experience, nothing is properly defined until you write it down. When I worked for Maxey Jarman, anytime I was fuzzy in my thinking he would force me to write him a memo. Once I said, “I can’t write it.” “The only reason you can’t write it is because you don’t know it. When you know it, Fred, then you can write it.”
2. Express it so other people understand it. A good statement of purpose is straightforward. A purpose statement with too many categories splinters the vision. If you don’t focus confusion results. If an organization gets spread too widely it becomes difficult to effectively communicate it.
3. Get both organizational and personal acceptance of the vision. Organizational acceptance avoids dueling purposes up and down the org chart. But it has to go deeper. True leaders know how to establish within the people a personal commitment of the purpose. They understand and appreciate they are integral to the success of the organization… not just paid staff.
4. Repeat the purpose over and over. One very effective leader used this phrase in a vision setting meeting: “Say it simply, boldly, and repeat it often.” Any leader who doesn’t consistently (and constantly) repeat the essence of the vision will find the people straying. It doesn’t have to be a sing-song repetition, but a vital repetition through living it out. This produces intensity and direction.

An organization without a clear purpose can get side tracked and involved in tangential projects and activities. When you have a clear vision, you view everything in light of it. Every once in a while you sit down and say, “Let’s stack every activity in this organization up against our purpose.”

An effective leader has a firm grasp on self-understanding applying it effectively to the required responsibilities… first of all setting and maintaining direction, vision, and purpose.

This week think carefully about: 1) When I think of a strong leader who comes to mind? Why? 2) In my leadership experiences, how clear am I? 3) What is the most difficult part of growing as a leader?

Words of Wisdom: “The leader must establish the purpose of the organization – why it exists.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree together, to end your divisions, and to be united by the same mind and purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 5, 2024

Fred wrote much about the multiple facets of leadership. He explored the topic from top to bottom often lifting up corners of the rug to find unexplored areas.

Leadership Is a Function, Not a Title

Some individuals think they are leaders when they really are not. One of my friends in industry was asked by his son, “Dad, what does it take to be a leader?” The man spent an hour struggling to reply and finally in desperation gave the best definition I had heard. “Son, all it takes to be a leader is to have somebody follow you.”

That’s all it takes: followers. If people are not following you, you are not a leader. You may have the title, but that is all. “Leader” is not a title, but a role. You only become a leader by functioning as one.

I remember sitting once in a city park at “Soapbox Corner” where the eccentrics assembled to do their public speaking. One fellow had attracted a large crowd with his harangue. I noticed another man walking around the back of the crowd obviously mad, and gesturing as he muttered to himself, “I came here to talk. I didn’t come here to listen.” He was mad because people weren’t listening to him. They moved away from him, drawn to the other speaker. He felt appointed a talked not a listener. But the crowd thought differently.

We communicate only when people listen. And unless people follow us, we’re not leaders.

Often leaders don’t have the title. In a manufacturing plant, I’ve known many leaders of employees who were not in management, nor did they have a union job. But by the very weight of their personality and experience, they had authority. They were natural leaders.

The major characteristic of a leader in an organization is the ability to turn subordinates into followers. People can be subordinates by definition – by placement on an organization chart, or membership roll. But they alone decide to be followers.

This week carefully consider: 1) How would I define leader? 2) What is my most satisfactory leadership experience? 3) Who would benefit from Fred’s words?

Words of Wisdom: “Unless people follow us, we are not leaders.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor.” (1 Timothy 5:17(a) NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – October 1, 2024

Fred staunchly evaluated character – his own, and others. He believed it to be the foundation of maturity. He wrote to pastors on carrying out their calling with integrity, but knew the same principles applied to all callings.

Leading With Integrity

Integrity is based in character. It cost me a lot of money in a bad investment to learn that character is more important that intelligence. I mistakenly put mental acuity above character. One of America’s wealthiest investors remarked in a speech to Harvard students that the three qualities he looks for in those with whom he will invest his money are character, intelligence, and energy. Character counts!

It is so important because it cannot be fully evaluated, but will fail at the time when we can least afford a lapse. And, it is almost impossible to buttress weak character. It is not like skill training that can be developed in seminars.

My experience has brought me to a controversial belief about it. Character is sectionalized like a grapefruit, not homogeneous like a carton of milk. When we comment on the strength or weakness of a person’s character we often assume the person’s personality, values, and character are of one cloth. I have not found this to be true. Some totally honest business people are hypocritical and compromising in their personal lives. Some are trustworthy in one section while failing in another. It has been important to my leadership that I build on the solid parts of a person’s character. Few people indeed have all good sections, and few have no good sections at all. I like to think there is clay and iron in all of us. Our daughter once questioned my business relationship with a gentleman she didn’t trust. I listened then responded, “You focus on the clay and I on the iron.”

I have always been intrigued by the story that Willie Sutton, the bank robber, cried when he had to lie to his mother about his life. Criminals often exhibit impeccable loyalty to their own. In working with others we must identify the iron in order to successfully complete collaborative efforts.

Thankfully, God is the great strengthener of character. As the ancients say, God polishes his saints with tribulation, suffering, trials, and silence. I am convinced that God is much more interested in our character than he is in our intelligence.

This week carefully consider: 1) How long has it been since I seriously evaluated my character? 2) Where are my soft spots I need God’s strengthening? 3) How can I guard my heart day by day?

Words of Wisdom: “Few people indeed have all good sections, and few have no good sections at all.”

Wisdom from the Word: “May integrity and godliness protect me, for I rely on you.” (Psalm 25:2 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 10, 2024

Fred wanted his tombstone to read “He Stretched Others.” (And it does!) Strong leaders always developed others. They understood that personal and organizational growth always depended on the healthy stretching of others.

Leading Deep

While leaders at the top are evident and visible, leadership must be exerted all through an organization. That is why Jethro told son in law Moses to divide the responsibilities and authority required to manage over one million people. Moses wisely accepted and implemented the counsel instituting an effective delegation system which is still used in management today.

In any well-run organization, multiple layers of leadership must exist. There must be top management and a strong level of developing men and women. An organization cannot thrive ( or even survive) without bench strength. Moses gives us another example as he asked others to hold up his arms as he prayed for the people. He was not strong enough to sustain the physical strain. Anyone who tries to accomplish as a solo act will eventually fail.

Leadership is more than personality; it is character. To know that accomplishment requires synergy and teamwork is a sign of wisdom and ego control. One key of vision is understanding the effect of achieving minor goals in order to accomplish the major aim. To get distracted on the way to achieving the preliminary steps threatens the entire project. Having capable associates shows not only leadership acumen, but strong character. Keeping the focus on the main thing requires a team.

When one leads as part of an effective team it gives opportunity to share accomplishment. How satisfying it is to say to everyone, “Well done – we worked hard and got it done. We did it together.” Working in an environment like that is greatly preferred to one in which the “boss” wants all the credit. When the limelight only has room for one, the organization is in trouble. It can’t be all about just one.
One of the toughest bandmasters I ever knew was an Army vet named William Fenton. I can still hear him hollering at a quivering trumpet player “You can’t play like that and play in this band. This is a championship band!” Fenton didn’t emphasize his reputation, his ego, or even his personal displeasure. He emphasized the student’s contribution to the organization and the part he played in the quality of the organization. They worked for the group. His character, discipline, and produced champions. And when they won (which they did often) he celebrated with them.

This week think about: 1) How effective am I in developing others, including career, family, and community? 2) What does stretching others mean to me? 3) Who should I thank for developing my leadership skills?

Words of Wisdom: “Having capable associates shows not only leadership acumen, but strong character.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing men -men of truth, those who hate bribes and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:21 NET Bible Jethro to Moses)

Weekly Thought – September 3, 2024

Fred appreciated strong leaders. He understood the high cost and what it took to lead well. Many came to him as a sounding board knowing they could trust him, his skills, and his unquestionable integrity.

An Eye on the Destination

A leader should never try to lead without first being captivated by a vision. Paul never lost the vision of his divine appointment to be an apostle to the gentiles.

Intensity must always have focus, of course. If you are intense about the wrong things people will lose respect, think you are neurotic, and certainly cease to follow. In Christian work too many buy into the romantic notion of “Never attempt anything that isn’t too big for you, so you can be sure God has to do it.” I am convinced it is much better to tackle those things He gives that are at hand and doable.

Seldom does an unknown person win an Olympic goal medal. Seldom does a no-name catapult into a place of leadership. In fact, scripture warns against putting novices into leadership positions. Taking the inexperienced and thrusting them into big dreams and visions without seasoning often ends up unhappily. Leaders are grown- they accrete. That word is one of my favorites because it carries the sense of gradually adding layers to create increase. For me, that is an appropriate visual. Leadership requires experience and emotional control. It demands the ability to persuade, and the ability to solve problems. These skills take time.

After being named an officer at Principal Financial Group our daughter left a high level meeting impressed with the SVP’s handling of a problem. She went to his office and thanked him for this effective illustration. “I have seen that same problem in multiple variations for 20 years. After awhile you identity the core problem and know how to attack it. It just takes time and experience.”

The vision we pursue must be worthy. It must make the effort seem like a good investment. Those asked to do the work must say, “What I am doing is worth the cost.” A strong visionary sees beyond the odds. They must be able to see how they can change the odds. If not, failure is on the horizon.

Goals may not be reached in one lifetime. Sometimes we leaders have to realize we are laying foundations. We can’t get dissatisfied with the slow work. It requires a certain patience. In effective leadership our ego must be subservient to the vision.

This week carefully consider: 1) What is my core vision right now? 2) How do my visions for work, family, community work together?3) Who models leading through healthy visioning for me?

Words of Wisdom: “A leader must never attempt to lead without being captivated by a vision.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 27, 2024

Fred studied leaders to distill principles which could help others. As a lifelong learner, he consistently applied knowledge to situations for the benefit of developing leaders and organizations. This purpose gave him a strong reputation as a wisdom figure.

Strategy for Winning Leadership

Bill Glass, All-Pro football player of the 1960s, said he was never on a winning team that didn’t have high morale. But the morale came from winning; winning didn’t come from the morale. “That’s what people who are not in leadership don’t understand, Fred.”

It is important for a leader to generate some progress – some “wins” to show people. Browbeating them with their failures is a poor way to motivate. People need to see success, to catch a feeling of progress.

No matter what the circumstances, there is always some kind of progress to be made – and shared. The leader finds out what that is and leads in that direction. It may not be dramatic. But progress is imperative.

Charles Pitts, the man whose company built the Toronto Subway told me, “When you ride up to a site and find fifty or a hundred people standing there waiting for the boss to make a decision, you don’t call a committee meeting. You get them busy immediately. If you don’t know exactly what to do, you at least get them doing something that won’t hurt. People have got to feel the boss knows what ought to be done.”

A leader simply must have the confidence to lead. You can’t afford to get confused in front of your people. If you want to be confused, do it at home!

Every leader also needs to understand that early sacrifices have to earn a place in leadership. When you are young you can’t set out to be both a supreme court justice and a pro athlete. You have to pay the price of preparation.

Many books on the New York Times bestseller list offer the secret formula. Successful organizations understand the truth of what it takes. My friend, Glenn Baldwin, upon selling his very successful financial services company was asked the strategy he used. “Well,” he said, “back when I started twenty-two years ago, I worked very hard and had a good year. Twenty-one years ago, I worked hard and had my second good year. Then twenty years ago, I worked hard and had my third good year. The secret of my success was twenty-two consecutive good years.” The interviewer asked, “Is that all? Wasn’t there some secret?” Glenn replied, “there was no secret, no trick. I just put one good year on top of another.”

He created an energetic environment supported by vision, hard work, and progress. His people bought in and together they built twenty-two years “good years.”

This week consider: 1) How would I answer if asked for my definition of success? 2) Who represents for me a wise leader? 3) What would I say to a young leader about sacrifice?

Words of Wisdom: “A leader must simply have the confidence to lead.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:20 NET Bible)