Leadership When the Lights Go Out

Textbook leadership involves casting a vision, coaching people to progress toward that vision, removing barriers along the way, and celebrating victory when the team reaches the goal. Easy enough…..if you can see where you are going. The true test of leadership comes when the lights go out. When darkness falls on everything we thought certain. What are we to do when we are called to lead through times of uncertainty? How do we lead when 1st quarter financials are significantly below target and we’ve been told to cut half our team? What does leadership look like when enemy troops have staged an ambush blocking the only route out of hostile territory? How is a man to be the spiritual leader of his family when his wife has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer?

Even though we are Children of Light, God never promised that our path would always be illumined. In fact, he assures us that we will face dark and trying times. Check out Isaiah 50:10-11,

“Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment (ESV).”

Read that a couple of times and let it soak in. Did you catch the timeliness leadership truths buried there? During the dark times when the joy is gone and all evidences of heaven are clouded, we are called to demonstrate the one character trait that all the management books and conventional wisdom tell us have no place in a strong leader - FEAR. But Isaiah is talking about that paradoxical fear of God that produces unimaginable confidence through faith. When the dark times come, resist the urge to self-righteously “walk by the light of your own fire.” Instead, demonstrate leadership courage by fearing God. The lights will come back on.

Neotony Needed

I was honored this week to be a student of world renown speaker and author, Kevin Caroll. Google him and you can find all kinds of fun resources. Kevin challenged a group of us in Dallas this week to reintroduce "play" into our daily routine. He gave us permission to resign from the traditional world of adulthood and assume the responsibilities of an 8 year old again. He opened our eyes to how adults today have become overly rigid; convinced that in order to be taken serious, we have to BE serious; convinced that playful imagination, dreams, and storytelling have no place in the board room; convinced that the insatiable curiosity of our children must be replaced by practical realism to ensure their success. How wrong could we be?! This week I've come to realize that the complexities of the world in which we live require playful camaraderie, naive creativity, imaginative solutions, and a childlike faith in miracles. And the best part...there is acually an "adult" word for this concept. Neotony - "the state resulting when juvenile characteristics are retained by the adult of a species." Cool huh? So here's my challenge to you. Consider areas of your life where you could interject some play this week. At home, at work, at church? When you decide to resign your adulthood and assume the responsibilities of an 8 year old, you can tackle problems from an entirely different perspective; color outside the lines so to speak. You can unlock your creativity by replacing practical reality with an anything-is-possible attitude. Imagine hearing your kids say, "when I grow up, I want to have fun like daddy."

On a personal note...I have to acknowledge the influence of my wife of 22 years for her role in keeping things fun for me. Thanks Bec, for marshmallow blow guns, toe-to-toe push wars, silly Ray Stevens songs, and an occasional pededal. You inspire me.

The Glue That Holds All Things Together

I’ve been studying the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians lately. I’m amazed at how articulate he was in encouraging the Colossians with the fact the incomparable Christ could be such a relevant and practical solution to their everyday problems. He reminded them that ALL things in heaven and on earth were created by Christ for His good pleasure and that in Him, all things hold together (1:16-17). I like that…He is the glue that holds everything together. I would guess that if each of us would stop to think for a few minutes, we could identify an area of our life that is beginning to crack, crumble, or come unraveled. Maybe it’s a failed merger, an over budget project, a strained relationship with our spouse, a son whose failing chemistry, or a broken promise to a friend. These are everyday occurrences that too often leave us feeling hopeless. But there IS hope. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are ours for the asking through Christ. I challenge you to study the character and attributes of Christ this week and see if you don’t discover the “glue that holds all things together.” Start by reading Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

Don't be a Tumbleweed

Four days into the New Year and I anticipate that most resolutions are already history; good intentions that never translated into a behavior change. I've been thinking about resolutions this week and came to this conclusion....rather than "committing to a New Year's resolution," wouldn't it be great if we would "commit to being resolute in the New Year." Let me explain. Webster's New World Dictionary defines "resolute" as "having or showing a fixed, firm purpose; determined; resolved; and unwavering. " As Christian leaders, we should be characterized by our steadfast convictions rooted in the absolute truth of scripture 365 days a year. We must constantly be on guard against persuasive and trendy philosophy, politically correct fads, and shiny new ideologies. We must never be like the West Texas tumbleweed I've been watching on our 13 acres for the past several months; blowing back and forth between the south and north fenced boundaries depending upon the direction the wind is blowing. Let's be resolute in 2007!

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (New American Standard)
"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."