MARCH 2018

Business Tips:

LEADERSHIP

      Leadership is both an art and a science. It is an art in which we develop the character within ourselves to become someone of influence. The science of leadership is the theory and exacting methods that prove to work in our ability to discipline and hone ourselves into a person of leadership.

      Within the subject of leadership we often talk about character, task, and relationship as a three legged stool in the measurement in our ability to support and stabilize our leadership strength. Where one of these variables fall short, so does the structural integrity of the stool and our leadership ability. We can spend much time on each of these, but suffice it to say that if we honestly measure these in our lives it can determine failure modes that are causing us pain. It can also help us course correct our journey. How are our character traits, ability to perform tasks, and the relationships that we have? What about the people that we lead? Our family, our coworkers, our friends…….how do they reflect these?

      Leadership is a progression in its ascent. One must start as a learner (stage 1) and then work into a performer (stage 2) to begin the climb of becoming a leader. Upon performing well one can move onto becoming an orchestrator of performers (stage 3) and then eventual leader (stage 4). At that point, we find that many stay there, but there are the few that will lead other leaders and eventually train the leaders who will then lead leaders (stage 5). As you can see there is a hill to climb in the field of leadership. With much study, work, and tenacity one can trust in the truth that God has endowed each with an influence to be had in and on this world. You are special and you were created for a reason.

Personal Tips:

GIFT OF WORK

Let’s be honest, most people do not love their jobs. At least that is what some say…..Billy Graham said there should be a time when we ask God to help us see our work from His point of view. Work isn’t always exciting, and when we focus only on its problems or spend our time wishing we were doing something else, we’ll probably end up resentful, angry or bored.

But when we begin to see our work from God’s point of view, our attitude will be much different. We’ll begin to realize that God gave our work to us, and because of this it has dignity and importance. For most of His life, Jesus worked with His hands as a carpenter; the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. From the very beginning of the human race, even before sin entered the world, the Bible says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).

Begin by committing your work, and your whole life, to Jesus Christ. Then thank Him for giving you a job, and ask Him to help you do it well. And if He has another job in your future, trust Him to lead you to it in His time. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).

Life Skills:

Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances, Friends, Fun, Following, Freedom; we call these the 8F’s in life. Many of these categories can tell one where their priorities are in life by measuring the time one would spend in one of the above categories. I know I don’t have it all figured out, but I have a lot of great sources that speak into these items and I welcome your comments. Please feel free to drop us a line concerning any of them.

This year Google says the top issues that face the world are…. SURVEY SAYS….

Relational Issues; Money; Health issues; Anxiety over finding or losing loved ones; Religious questions; Concerns about death

ANXIETY OVER FINDING OR LOSING LOVED ONES

            Much grief, fear, sickness, and emotion come in this subject. In our fragmented culture and the society’s inability to reason when handling the truth of meaning, it is not hard to see how a lack of clarity and hopelessness sets in as people enter into struggle without the proper foundation to stand the storm. Frankly, when a humanistic view is to be had (one where human thought/ideas are trusted), we are left to our own devices or those we think may have the best remedies, pleasures, or quick fixes to drown all of these emotions away…….temporarily.  If the truth is to be told, I have yet to find the deep and truthful answers outside what Christianity brings to this issue. When we can determine meaning from a God that not only loves us, but has set in forth motion to our very being and the world around us; we begin to realize that without the connection of the sacrifice of God’s son Jesus and hope of resurrection, the pain of this life would be unbearable in true depravity. Questions about our meaning, right and wrong (morality), where we come from, and where we are going are a foundation in which finding and losing loved ones can generate the same emotions, but will not leave us forever broken, shattered, or torn. This foundation will prepare you for the storm and give you answers to life. The Christian world view answers these questions and provides the deep meaning and satisfying truth that I have yet to find elsewhere. Being left to only human finite answers will always leave us empty and in some cases literally lost in depression, deceit, and despair. Easter is coming. Find hope in resurrection.

Notable quotes: They are italicized above.

Something I want you to know:

Easter is coming. Tell somebody!