LEADERSHIP Series: Choosing the Right Walk

Whether it's Business School or the school of life, any learning that leaves out God, is foolish – it's the simple (think simpleton) way.

A Christian leader (or any person) must adopt a worldview that is totally integrated – it defines walking in the “way of understanding.” That walk includes unifying our public/private, sacred/secular lives, growing in Truth and gaining spiritual power.

Truth is not subject to man’s rules about discourse and debate. Understanding the principles of Truth is vital since many business decisions are not clearly legal or illegal; rather, they often demand leaders thinking abut which of the ethically right paths that should be followed - and that takes understanding and a clear focus on the Truth.

Another example of the “way of understanding” concerns stewardship – managing the world our Creator has given us. I personally, do not subscribe to the global-warming hysteria since I see that its genesis has no real basis in good science. However, there are simple solutions that demonstrate our care for our resources given the current rise in costs associated with heating and cooling the workplace.

Practical "green" tips

Want to walk the "green path" and show care for our culture and remain in the Truth?

• Consider simple solutions to hold in the heat and keep out the cold like window treatments especially for south or west-facing windows.
• For some businesses, windows, open to viewing, are important for crime prevention (the register is out front and can easily be seen); however, for those not critical to crime prevention, consider insulating drapes or blinds.
• Sealing air leaks is another simple way to help with the cost of heating and cooling.
• If you can, replace or clean the HVAC system filters a regular basis.

Understanding some simple things you can do may yield dividends that will save you money and demonstrate understanding of the principles of resource management. Green behavior acknowledges our role as stewards - a way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:6; (NIV) Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.

Sometimes we cannot clearly see down the path: following God's lead is a walk of Faith and not sight. This faith walk begins with "knowing God" and that results from feasting at the table of His Word, praying, and having a transparent relationship with Godly people.

You got “walk?”


Copyright © 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: The Leader’s Reputation – Got the Right Stuff?

Recently, the news has been filled with those business people and other leaders who have achieved a result and their name is not good because of that result.

For everyone, especially leaders, two attributes are more desirable than all the wealth we can accumulate: to be well spoken of and to be held in high esteem by others.

Both point to personal purpose: knowing who you are and what your purpose is. I hope you have a handle on that.

A.W. Tozer offered seven “tests” for us to use when we want to understand better how we are “known” and what really drives us:
1. What we want most
2. What we think about most
3. How we use our money
4. What we do with our leisure time
5. The company we enjoy
6. Who and what we admire
7. What we laugh at

And remember, as my Mom used to say: “What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you say.”

What really drives you? Do you have a personal purpose statement?

Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

For Further Study

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Planning. Collaboration. Prosperity.

Leaders plan: one could probably posit that planning is elemental to leadership.

I like Philip Crosby’s definition (The Absolutes of Leadership):

“Leadership is deliberately causing people-driven actions in a planned fashion [emphasis mine] for the purpose of accomplishing the leader’s agenda….planned fashion means actually laying out a sequence of events that lets people know what is going to happen and what they are supposed to do.”

One way to “let people know” is to clearly express your vision – then share it; publish your mission (which includes your reason for existence - what you do, why you do it and for whom); and promote the values that give shape and meaning to the way you do it.

Leaders build all of this (and more) into planning – note: it is not The Plan – but planning – a dynamic, collaborative process that includes measuring the results, comparing them to the plan and evaluating the variance from the “plan.”

Good planning, in other words, takes hard, collaborative work. The focus is always on results. Shortcuts most often focus on a declaration of success or failure. Remember, you ALWAYS succeed…in producing a result. That success-failure-get-it-now attitude leads to disaster.

What kind of results are you producing? What do those results say about your planning, and work?

Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Dangerous Compromises

Compromises of our moral principles begins when we forget the basis of those principles. Our slide down that slippery slope gains its momentum when we stop learning from the text that really matters – Scripture.

In her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, author Goodwin noted that Lincoln was consumed with learning. A study of his life reveals that he not only read but also studied Scripture. His Bible was never far from him and one of his quotes, no doubt stimulated by his constant reading of the Scriptures is, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

His compassion (an expression of humility) was demonstrated in his 2nd Inaugural Address when he declared: "With malice toward none; with charity for all…" and that began the process of healing between the North and the South.

You, as a leader, now have power – at some level - to heal or hurt. How you use that power with your followers will demonstrate your ability to follow your Creator-leader. Effective leaders must demonstrate in their character what Lincoln lived out – “a paradoxical mix of humility and resoluteness of will” - one of the hallmarks of “Level 5 Leadership” (Good to Great, Collins).

Arrogance (a lack of humility) and compromising principals starts when we stop “listening to instruction” from the Ultimate Instructor.

Even when we think God is not listening, He is there. As John Eldredge points out (in Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really) “Hearing from God flows out of our relationship” – a relationship born of God, given us through the work of Christ and sealed by the Spirit.

Like any meaningful relationship, this one also takes work. Driven by a daily duty to declare that even our time belongs to Him, we make that declaration real by “listening to instruction” from His Word – first.

Got the Book? Are you hooked on instruction?


Proverbs 19:27 (NKJV) Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: The Reflective Leader

Reflective understanding and thinking are activities that happen in rest and stillness.

Yes, activities. Not some empty-minded mediation; but quiet, reflecting thinking about purpose, mission, and strategy. It is the prudent leader who takes time to think, to reflect and to meditate and think through possible actions and their effect on the team, the customer and stakeholders.

Have you thought about your culture and developed a simple purpose statement? This document articulates your vision (what the future looks like - where you want to go), your mission (what you going to do and to whom [the customer]), and your strategies (the choices you are going to make i.e., just how you do it).

This takes reflection, resources (internal debate, discussion and decisions) and resolve (the willingness to execute). Purpose statements are essential for leaders to focus their thinking, help them understand where the enterprise is going and how it is going about getting there and the what values are in play in that process. This statement also helps followers understand the purpose, the plans and the processes.

These behaviors of reflection, response and reordering do not happen in a vacuum - they are shaped by the values of the leader. Yes, they value collaboration, and believing leaders also value their Creator's insights, and follow His guidelines. They consult Him in prayer and meditation, asking for wisdom and discernment to be acutely aware of what is coming (understanding the times) not only in the business environment in which they operate, but also, more importantly, in the shaping of their lives to be more like Christ.

Proverbs 14: 8 (NLT) The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.

Reflection or deception – that seems to be the choice in this verse.

Are you a prudent, reflective leader?


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Words Matter

Leaders work through people to achieve their vision for the organization. They inspire innovation in their people. It is leadership that moves ideas, gets stuff down and keeps the team motivated and inspired.

And they use conversation to do all this. Effective leaders employ carefully crafted words. They use authentic speech and don’t pretend to have all the answers. Their speech encourages collaboration. Someday, keep track of how many and the variety of conversations you have during the day.

Helpful conversation is not about complaining, commiserating or comparing one to the other; it is about inspiring help from the team because the leader is helpful. Careful words will encourage commitment of the team because you keep your commitments.

Spoken words have power to destroy, discourage or delight the hearer. Idle words inspire no one and can distract from focus.

The casual use of blasphemous words destroys the user’s soul – God is not pleased. Swear words and a potty mouth can creep in and out so very easily because our culture has desensitized language. Believing leaders must guard their hearts against this – I understand – there are times I utter “Uffda!”

Proverbs 13:2-6 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation…Careful words make for a careful life… A good person hates false talk… bullies push and shove their way through life.

Are you a bully or a leader in your conversations?

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Theory and Practice of Leading

The literature on the theory and practice of leadership has been around a long time. Studies have emerged from many disparate disciplines that have shaped and augmented that literature. Each writer, some intentionally, many without intention, have reflected a particular worldview.

One’s worldview consists of at least three attributes, it:

• Assumes something about origins (fundamentally either matter or spirit - first cause - is eternal);
• Defines the problems that beset the human being (at the core it’s either sin, or some evolved set of environmental/societal drivers); and finally,
• Ultimately offers a solution to the human condition.

Our view worldview then determines what we believe about the intent, behavior and impact humans have on each other and the role that leaders and followers play in that dance of interaction.

From Plutarch’s Lives, to more moderns writers like:

• Selznick (1957 – who wrote on the concept of the infusion of values and purpose);
• Greenleaf (1977- who, from reading Herman Hesse’s Journey to the East deduced the concept of the “servant leader”);
• Burns (1978 – who developed the concepts of ethically and morally transformational leadership); and,
• Bennis, Blanchard, Kotter, Maxwell and others who have built on these foundations and added powerful insights -

we have developed a body of literature about the ways leaders need to think and behave to motivate followers - each writer offering valid ideas and processes on leadership. Interestingly, they all have a basis in Scripture. “Wisdom” was there in the beginning.

God tells us that effective leaders are first followers of Him. It is then these followers lead by example; therefore, effective leadership begins after a heart is changed from its original nature to a Christ-centered nature. A heart changed will shape behavior toward yourself and others.

Man’s theories come and go. God’s laws have remained constant.

Have you considered your worldview and how it shapes your leadership? The answer matters – today at work and eternally.

Proverbs 8: 22-23 (NASB) The LORD possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Lighting the Way

Qualities of a business leader often deal with competency, care, and communication. Great qualities to develop. Christian leaders must develop both secular standards of leadership and scared standard that may include providing sound, Biblically-based advice, good teaching that provide “light” and living a life of moral discipline.

Life is not simple and neither is leading.

Business is in constant flux. Capital gets depleted. Priorities change. Boards demand progress. Individual contributors are often driven by self-centered motives painted in the texture and hue of team effort. Complexities arise very often fraught with gray areas that take special wisdom.

The ability to discern truth and righteousness demands, of leaders, something beyond their natural skills. Being known as a Christian business leader should have an eternal impact on the lives around you.

It is about being a light. Light has a way of revealing. Christian leaders must distinguish right from wrong even in the face of what might be "legal," but not righteous, in God's eyes.

Is the “light” of your life revealing Christ in you?



Proverbs 6:23 (MSG) For sound advice [that had come from Wisdom] is a beacon, good teaching is a light, and moral discipline is a life path.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: Listen UP

For some, it is the daily business issues often seem to be “not important enough" for prayer and searching and meditating on the His Word.

It is the "big" issues that drive people to seek God; but it is those small, daily issues that we think we can handle on our own, that begin our slide down the slippery slope of idolatry. “On our own” means we worship the creature (us) rather than the Creator.

Running a business, or being part of a team in a business, includes activities like: determining strategy; developing and implementing a sales plan; and, determining how best to use the human resources available. One might ask, “Where in Scripture will I learn about SWOT analysis, or territory management or Human Resource and Organization Development? You won’t. That’s not the issue.

His Word drives us to consider what are the essentials of life: it provides a foundation for our core values. It shapes our purpose. It gives us true meaning. From these platforms we can develop the strategy, plans and purposes to achieve business goals.

Tuning my ears to God's thoughts begins with my eyes focused on His word and my heart focused on Him in prayer. The result will be a life of significance that provides meaning to those seeking meaning.

How interesting: God listens to us when we listen to Him. Are you listening?

Proverbs 28:9 (MSG) God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

LEADERSHIP Series: GOT A LIGHT?

In John Kotter's 1990 article What Leaders Really Do he observed that: "Well-led businesses tend to recognize and reward people who successfully develop leaders."

I would posit that developing leaders is not the result of quiet (or loud) arrogance or an overweening view of self. Rather, developing and nurturing others to lead takes, at least, an attitude that “followers” have something to offer, too. The burning question is, "Why would anyone want to be led by you?"

In fact, I discovered that Goffee and Jones had asked this very question in a ten-year study and the results published in the Sept-Oct 2000 HBR, Why Should Anyone Be Lead by You? They discovered four "unexpected" traits of "inspirational" leaders and the first is that these kinds of leaders "reveal their weaknesses."

Proud people would shun away from that kind of leading. Their only "light" for their path is themselves. No one else can do it better, think in through better or explain it better. It is all about them. As Coffee and Jones point out, people who try to communicate that "there will be no need for anyone to help them with anything...signal that they can do it themselves." That is not leading: preening, maybe: Leading no!

Leading does require a vision – and then sharing that vision with staff. A sense of command is important to leadership. Passion and strategic thinking are vital. But as important as these traits are to leaders, they will fail to lead if they try to do it from a position of pride.

Moses led millions. He learned to better manage the process by his father-in-law who immediately saw a managerial flaw early in Moses' career as the leader. Moses listened, set up the system to manage the process. And Numbers 12:3 reminds us that "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." Leading, from a position of humility, works.

Christians should have a natural advantage as business leaders. After all, we have "put off the old" haven't we - and now we have "the mind of Christ" ruling our lives, right? But humility is hard work, and for the driven and successful, very hard work. We are so used to solving problems on the fly, driving action, dynamic presentations, and on top of things, that it is very easy to forget that we are stewards of those gifts of leadership. We are called to manage ALL that God has given us for His glory. Our flesh is not about humility, rather about what "lights us up!" And God calls this sin.

Lamps whose light source is self, is a dead light. It's a lamp that lights the path to destruction. On the other hand, we are told to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

It's all about His light. Not ours.

Are you shining? Is it your feeble light or His strong light?

Copyright (c) 2009 by P. Griffith Lindell. This content may be copied with a current recognition of source.