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)