Refrigerator Faces

This morning as I reached for the cream for my coffee, still half asleep, I paused a moment to appreciate the smiling faces and warm expressions of dozens of old friends. Becky and I are greeted most mornings by these familiar faces. No, we don’t live in a commune and, no, we don’t host routine “sleep-overs.” These friends live on our refrigerator door. Sure, they are only two-dimensional images of the real thing and rarely (ok, never) do they use words to communicate their encouragement; but the familiarity of their faces is none-the-less encouraging. These are the folks who have shared many special occasions with our family; children’s birthdays and graduations, an occasional vacation or camping trip, and numerous backyard cookouts. It’s a Boen tradition that when we are blessed with a picture in a Christmas card or get lucky enough to snap a picture on a special occasion, the photo finds its way to the fridge.

Today, I’m especially grateful for these faces and take comfort in knowing that these people share many of my dreams, passions, and values. These friends also face many struggles and challenges familiar to me and my family. These people know me better than anyone else, yet, love and accept me. With these friends there is no pretending, no impressing, no posturing, and no competition. Their friendship has endured the test of time and they have earned lifetime membership on our refrigerator.

I pray that you will pause for a minute today to appreciate the encouraging faces in your life. Those familiar old friends can offer up security and confidence in unsettling times. They can renew your faith in the midst of doubt and trails. If the faces don’t come immediately to mind, maybe you should post them on your refrigerator.

Did You Say Something?

I had an opportunity earlier this week to hear Michael Barone speak to a group of Civic and Business leaders at a local university. Mr. Barone is a renowned political analyst, senior writer for the US News & World Report and frequent contributor during Fox News’ election coverage. (Don’t worry, I’m not going to write about politics…this time) He was introduced prior to the speech as “more than just a man saying something, Michael Barone is a man with something to say.” It was such a profound and unusual introduction that I must admit I was distracted for the next hour; admittedly a little envious of the commendation and curious about whether or not the same could be said of me. Am I more than just a man saying something? When I speak, is there sufficient power and influence in my words to change the course of action or repair a broken spirit?

We all know people who are always saying something. We hear them in meetings commenting on every idea and attempting to summarize every thought expressed by others. They are identified by their intolerance for contemplative silence, instead persisting to fill every silent void with empty chatter. At worst, they carelessly allow every thought that pops into their mind to roll off their tongue without regard to how it will be received or how it might hurt others. I must confess that I’ve been guilty of all the above. If there is any hope in one day deserving a reputation of being “a man with something to say,” I should put my speech to the following test:

• Are my words motivated by a desire to speak truth rather than to flatter man?
• Does what I have to say add value or provide instruction or clarity?
• Have I chosen my words carefully to ensure they are received as kind and courteous, even though honest?
• Am I in the presence of someone who could use some encouragement?
• Do I have an opportunity to express thankfulness?
  
  “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” Proverb 17:28, English Standard Bible

Excellence in Everything

I often struggle with how to define “excellence.” Sometimes it’s obvious, like the winning goal on the basketball court, or the well written best seller, or closing the deal on a multi-million dollar sale. Other times it’s not so obvious; like the mundane board room decisions, the last load of laundry folded on the couch, or cleaning out the email inbox.

But tonight Bijay gave me a lesson in excellence. I know Bijay only from his name tag and from watching him perform his job to perfection tonight at one of my favorite restaurants, Pei Wei Chinese Bistro. I enjoy going to Pei Wei, especially when I’m eating alone, because I can entertain myself by watching the staff in their open kitchen layout. I enjoy watching the young men and women work together with such skill and orchestrated precision. But tonight, it was Bijay who caught my attention. His job would be what I believe is called the Aboyeur, or the person who puts the finishing touches on each dish and makes the final inspection before the dish leaves the kitchen. Bijay was the guy who put the sesame seeds on top of the Teriyaki Chicken and the chili pepper on the Dan Dan Noodles. When Bijay was ready to hand off the dish to the wait staff (and ONLY when he was ready) he would very meticulously place it on the counter under the heat lamp using only the tips of his fingers, give the dish a 45o turn, slowly move his hands away, and take a step back to give his masterpiece one last inspection before it was whisked away. Bijay performed his job as though he had great confidence that what he was doing held incredible significance to the success of the restaurant. Seemingly unconcerned that others might not appreciate his attention to detail or might think it extreme. It was as though every dish that passed through his care was to be served to royalty…..

……..Oh that I would do my work always as unto the King.

Calibrate the Compass

As I look ahead at 2008, there’s no way to escape the reality of the change that lies ahead. The coming year promises a few swells and surges that will rock the tranquil boat ride I’ve enjoyed over the past several years.

* My wife begins the New Year with a major change in her schedule having just left her job,
* We will embark on a new ministry opportunity with young married couples in a few weeks,
* Our middle child will be changing colleges; moving 3 hours away from home,
* Our youngest will graduate from High School in May,
* Our oldest will be getting married in the Summer,
* And a major re-organization at work has left several senior executive positions up for grabs, guaranteeing some unnerving instability for a while.

Although these events are exciting and mark positive milestones in our lives, they all involve stretching me into uncharted territory which, to say the least, can be pretty uncomfortable.

Times like these call for a well calibrated compass; a dependable gauge that will ensure a consistent heading as the once familiar elements around me surrender to the unfamiliar. For me, that compass is the confidence that comes from faithful prayer and Scripture reading. By protecting my time alone with God in prayer and Bible study, I can maintain a “true North” heading. I invite you to help me stay the course!

“If Christ himself needed to retire occasionally to the mountain-top to pray, lesser men need not be ashamed to admit that necessity.”—B. H. Streeter

Leaders Abide in Hope

This time of year, I love to read the Christmas story from the first couple of chapters of Luke. Like many others, I used to assume the story ended with the Shepherds rejoicing and praising God for all they had seen and heard in Bethlehem. But for the last several years, I have enjoyed reflecting on a couple of the lesser known players in this historical account – Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22-38); two devout Jews holding fast to the hope of the coming Messiah and gifted with Spiritual insight. Simeon and Anna served day and night in the temple, confident that they would not abandon their temple duties until they had seen the Christ Child. When reading this account, it is apparent that the hope of this single event motivated Simeon and Anna in their daily temple duties. It was the very reason for their existence and provided a great source of joy. And when Mary and Joseph entered the temple with Jesus on that glorious day, Simeon and Anna were overwhelmingly fulfilled. Their joy was beyond expression as they held their Savior in their arms and imparted their wisdom to the new parents.

I am always amazed at the faithfulness of Simeon and Anna. How many times did their hearts leap in their chest when they saw new parents approaching the temple for the atoning sacrifice; always wondering “is this the Child?” How many times did they imagine what it would be like to hold the infant Messiah in their arms? As the months dragged into years, did their faith ever falter?

As leaders, this story can provide inspiration and encouragement to be faithful in our duties. Our faithfulness is strengthened when, like Simeon and Anna, we are confident and unwavering in our commitment to the divine purpose of our being. There will be days when the tasks seem mundane and our efforts go unnoticed and unappreciated by others, but with the proper perspective joy and peace are always within reach.

Glad I Lost My Wallet

We've all had those moments when God takes us on a little journey full of unexpected twists and turns; usually with a surprise outcome that humbly reminds us that WE are not the center of the universe. Sometimes the events and situations in our lives are pointedly orchestrated for the benefit of others. I had one of those experiences a couple of weeks ago. I had been working in Amarillo for a couple of days and was anxious to be returning home on a Friday. I checked out of the hotel in my usual rush and headed to work. The morning was fairly uneventful but as I started out the door to meet a couple of folks for lunch, I realized that my wallet was not in my pocket. Of course my heart started racing and I could feel the blood rushing to my head. I quickly retraced all my steps, checked all my pockets a thousand times, emptied my backpack, searched the car with a fine tooth comb...no wallet. I decided that it just HAD to be somewhere in the hotel so I drove back across town; all the while replaying in my mind the frustration of having to cancel my credit cards, borrow gas money to get home, get my license replaced....uuuugh.

I was FURIOUS with myself for doing something so stupid. I entered the hotel on this last ditch effort to find my wallet. I guess the manager could see the anxiety written all over my face because as I approached the front desk he said, "you must be Mr. Boen." I took this as a good sign and immediately felt overwhelmed with relief. He explained that the housekeeper had found my wallet when she was cleaning the room and had just brought it down to him. Incredibly thankful, I pulled out some cash and asked him if he would pass it on to the housekeeper. With a big grin on his face as though he had just come up with a brilliant idea, he said he would "do me one better" and let me personally give it to her. I obliged and he began to lead me down the hall to a conference room. As we walked he explained that the housekeepers were just beginning to gather for a meeting. We entered the conference room and there must have been about 30 housekeepers chatting it up waiting for the meeting to start. The manager briefly explained the story of the lost wallet and asked the housekeeper to come forward. Nobody moved at first but then someone translated the story in Spanish and everyone began to applaud. The housekeeper sheepishly approached the front of the room and I grasped her hand, "Gracias, Gracias." As I slipped the cash into her hand, she began to cry, covered her face, and returned the "thank yous." I quickly left but the celebration continued and I realized that loosing my wallet had nothing to do with me that day. It was all about the housekeeper. Never thought I would be so glad to have lost (and found) my wallet.

Be Intentional

You know the routine. You arrive home late from work, kick of your shoes, loosen the tie, untuck the shirt, and start thumbing through the mail; sorting the bills from the credit card applications and advertisements. About that time your wife arrives home from picking up the kids from soccer and ballet and the clothes from the dry cleaners. She lovingly tosses your Subway sandwich on the counter and delivers a tender kiss to your cheek. Since everyone else ate dinner in the car, you'll enjoy your 6" Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki at the computer while you pay the bills and check the S&P 500. If you're lucky, the kids will interrupt you with a few questions on their homework. And if you are amazingly blessed, your wife will ask you to help give the toddler a bath. With the kids down for the night, you are back to paying bills which will require a typical discussion with your wife about budget, priorities, and spending. You catch the local news as your wife goes off to bed. You slip in beside her later and catch some rest before starting all over tomorrow.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. For such is the life of every man in American who is content with leaving the leadership of his home to chance. That may sound harsh and maybe there is nothing inherently evil with this routine, but I believe God has something different in mind when he calls a man to lead his family. We must be intentional about engaging our families in the pursuit of Godliness. We must be intentional about developing Christian character in our children. And we must be intentional about sharing Christ's love with our neighbors. Being intentional will change your routine. Try it!

Thermostatic Leadership

In my home, and in most places where I spend any significant amount of time these days, the temperature is controlled by a thermostat; keeping the air a reasonable constant temperature for my comfort. The thermostat serves to prevent any extreme change that may distract me from my task or cause me discomfort that would produce irritability. It occurred to me this week that one of the roles of a leader is similar to the function of a thermostat – to monitor the surrounding environment and anticipate the need for adjustments and to make those adjustments before anyone becomes distracted from their primary mission and objective….to maintain an optimal environment for productivity. In reality, this is displayed as a manager addressing a morale issue before it gets out of hand in the workplace, a CFO who recommends administrative spending cuts when sales drop, or an HR specialist who recommends a market salary adjustment in response to increasing staff turnover. Any good leader will use similar strategies at home and at work to maintain a productive environment.

But there is another more profound application to this theory. Suppose the present “temperature” is not the optimal environment. If you are like me, it is very easy to be persuaded that the “status quo” is the best way to go. Particularly if things are going well and everyone is happy. We can become very satisfied with our lives and our circumstances especially when doing things differently will require the effort and uncertainty of change. I encourage you this week to consider whether God may be calling you to make a change at home or work. Is it time for you to heat things up, or maybe cool things off, rather than being a thermostat maintaining the current temperature? Don’t be fooled into thinking that the leaders’ job is simply to keep people productive and happy. Let me know how it goes!

Lessons from Spring

I love this time of year – warmer weather, working in the garden, the promise of future fruit in blossoms of the peach trees, and the evening sun lingering a little longer on the western horizon. Every free minute has been spent enjoying time outdoors the past couple of weeks; thus explaining the unusual lapse in time since my last blog post. But a surprise Spring shower has driven me inside this afternoon. And so I find myself in front of the computer contemplating whether there are any leadership applications in all this. I’m sure you are not surprised that I was able to find a few.

The following are a few of the lessons I think we can take from the changing seasons and apply to our role as leaders at home and at work:

· Surprise the team every now and then. Spring brings unexpected new growth, colorful new blooms, different birds at the feeder, and even an occasional hatch of new insects. Likewise, our leadership should also be characterized by the introduction of fresh ideas and new, exciting traditions. Lead the family on a walk after dinner. Take pizza to your kids for lunch in the school cafeteria. Move your Monday morning staff meeting to the parking lot, or to Starbucks. Get creative and shake things up a bit!

· Regenerate some great traditions of the past. In Spring, plants that have been dormant for months start to show signs of life again. Chances are, some of the things you really enjoyed doing as a family or some of the things that you found motivating and effective at work have given way to crowded schedules and changing priorities. Why not resurrect some of those activities this week?

· Be patient. The effects of Spring aren’t instant. The gradual warming over the next 45 days will slowly transform the dry, drab landscape into something much more colorful and inviting. In the same way, we can’t expect instant changes in response to our “new approach.” We will encounter those in our lives who prefer the status quo (a.k.a. dry and drab) over any change no matter how exciting. We must be prepared to deal with those patiently but persistently.

· Take time to enjoy the moment. More than any other time of year, in Spring I find I get lost in thought and can spend hours just sitting and “soaking up” God’s incredible creation. Nature seems to be calling us all to come aside and enjoy. I urge you to intentionally slow down in the weeks ahead. Schedule some time away with the family. Email the boss right now and schedule at least a few vacation days. And be an example to your team of the importance of scheduling some care free enjoyment every now and again.

Declare Your Intentions

I was challenged by a good friend recently to "declare my intentions." His goal was to move us to determine the priorities in our lives and to publicly live them out. I began thinking about this assignment in terms of its importance among other key leadership qualities. Consider the importance of a leader publicly declaring his intentions. We wouldn't consider voting for a political candidate who kept his opinions on important issues silent. When we get a new boss, we are very uncomfortable until we know what organizational and strategic changes the new boss will be making. And how much more effective are our instructions to our children when they are accompanied by clear, consistent expectations of our behavior as parents.

So why are we reluctant to verbalize our intentions? Here's my theory. By being silent about our priorities, goals, dreams, and purposes, we are free to align ourselves with whomever and whatever is most convenient for the moment. No commitments, no enemies, no expectations. But the minute we declare our intentions, there will be those who line up behind us, and those who line up against us. But isn't that what leadership is all about - boldly charting a course motivated by our passionate pursuit of truth and holiness? The followers are incidental.

So here are my intentions:

* I intend to live by faith. The God of this Universe has a plan for my life which can not always be understood by rational theory or human explanation. There will be times I will be called upon to trust in things I do not understand. My character will be defined by my humility during those times. (Jeremiah 29:11)

* I intend to demonstrate generosity to others. Knowing that my needs will be met by the Lord, what more is there for me to do but tend to the needs of others. (Philippians 2:3-5)

* I intend to do my work with excellence. My gifts and talents are God given and to fail to use them to their full potential is unacceptable. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

* I intend to never compromise on absolute Truth. Believing that the Bible is the inspired truth of God, I will devote time to memorization and study so that I will not be easily lured away from the Truth. (Proverb 3:3)

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."

Leadership Discipline

I'm proud of you for reading past this title. "Discipline" is not something most of us are interested in hearing about. But I've been consumed lately with thoughts about why some leaders seem to endure and others have a fairly short career at the helm and, to large degree, I think it boils down to discipline. We usually think of discipline in terms of hard work, perseverance, burning the midnight oil, or sacrificing for the team to get the job done. In many cases, these are in fact traits that describe most successful leaders. However, I believe there is another short list of disciplines that are absolutely critical though conventional wisdom would not necessarily associate these characteristics with good leadership traits.

Just a few of the often overlooked disciplines:

• Balancing work and home life - I strongly believe that the best leaders are those who prioritize taking care of their family and leading at home. Every leader needs a place to retreat for rest, relaxation, and encouragement. "Home" can be such a place but only if we choose to make the necessary investments. (see "Castle Walls" from 11/05/06 blog)


• Taking care of your body - Leadership stamina requires a healthy body. All too often leaders will set aside their own health and well being when the schedule becomes chaotic. I propose that the health risks associated with the added stress of leadership are all the more reason we should prioritize taking care of our bodies. Approximately 77% of men and 61% of women are overweight and only 31% of men and 29% of women engage in at least moderate physical activity on a regular basis (American Heart Association Annual Report 2006). Leaders must have the discipline to develop healthy habits.


• Schedule time for reflection and introspection - The executive leader is driven by schedule and agenda; both of which are typically overly optimistic of what can be accomplished in a given time allotment. Even the greatest of intentions will not win out over the next appointment beeping in on the blackberry. Therefore, if we are not intentional about scheduling time out for personal reading, reflection and prayer, the time will be filled with something or somebody else. Schedule a daily appointment WITH YOURSELF!


• Be an intentional listener - I'm always surprised how easy it is for me to go through the day and never really solicit anyone else's ideas. It is far too easy for us as leaders to fall into the trap of always being the one with the answer to give and never being the one with the question to satisfy. Imagine what we could learn if we approached others thinking more about what we could learn from them rather than what we could impart to them.

Remember, if it were easy and independently gratifying it wouldn't be called DISCIPLINE.

Things Come Together

It's been a grueling couple of weeks of study, business travel, endless meetings, and presentation deadlines. The climax came a few days ago when I came down with a nasty cold on my way to Chicago for a business presentation. Feeling lousy, I remember questioning everything...why me? why now? why this job? why here? After two days of flight delays and a NyQuil induced brain fog, I finally made it back home and began to recover; emotionally and physically.

Then on Saturday morning, I sat down with a cup of coffee and began to read over a Bible verse that a friend and I have been working to memorize, Colossians 1:24-29. To paraphrase the passage, Christian leaders should be about the business of admonishing and teaching others about Christ. It will not be an easy road but we can rejoice in our suffering if we are working in obedience to the Lord. We can persevere in our labor if we rely upon God's strength which makes us mighty men. Apostle Paul's words to the Colossians could just as well have been a personal note to me. This passage just brought it all together for me on Saturday morning. If I believe my leadership influence is a tool to minister to others, then I should expect suffering but I should rest assured in the victory because the Lord works in me to accomplish His purposes. Let's allow God to use us in a mighty way this week, regardless of our human frailty or fault!

360 Evaluation

360 Degrees

The 360 degree evaluation is making a comeback in the leadership development circles. The concepts is fairly simple; you send comprehensive surveys to your boss, peers, direct reports, friends, and family and ask them to give you honest feedback for the purpose of self-improvement and professional development. Done right, the evaluations are returned to a trained consultant who distills the results and packages the feedback in a way that will be insightful, constructive, and actionable. A couple of weeks ago I met with my consultant to get feedback from my latest 360. I have to admit it was pretty painful to have my weaknesses and shortcomings laid out so blatantly before me. We all know we have them but we assume we've become proficient at covering them up or compensating for them. Not so much I guess. Anyway, after licking my wounds a while, I'm now ready to roll up my sleeves and do what it takes to become a better leader!

I was intrigued by the process of the 360 evaluation. As helpful as it was to get feedback from those closest to me; their opinions and suggestions are limited to their observations of my behavior and actions. What I REALLY need feedback on is my heart, thought and motives. I was reminded of the prayers of Job and David and of God's faithfulness to "evaluate" us when we earnestly ask. Check out these verses:

Job 31:6 - "Let Him weigh me with accurate scales, and let God know my integrity."
Psalm 26:2 - "Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart."
Psalm 139:23,24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
(New American Standard Bible)

So, if we are sincere about becoming better leaders, God offers the ULTIMATE evaluation. Just make sure you are prepared for the feedback!

Castle Walls

Castle Walls


occasionally, every leader must retreat temporarily. On the front lines, leaders are required to be self-sacrificing, out front, persevering in the face of opposition, tenaciously defending the cause, and tirelessly pressing toward the goal. It can be exhausting. I've been thinking a lot about the importance of retreating lately; of taking time out in a safe place to rest, reflect and regroup. I'm concerned that today's leaders don't prioritize and plan for retreat but I'm even more concerned that they don't have a PLACE to retreat. This led me to think about castles - the ultimate medieval retreat. Inside the castle walls the warrior could let down his guard, take off the armor, stow the weapons, stop looking over his shoulder, love his wife, play with the kids in the courtyard...You get the picture. And why was this possible? Planning and design. The medieval castle was designed with retreat and safety in mind. Let's look at the architecture of the castle:

• Walls - up to 20 feet thick and 40 feet high, these structures were designed to be impenetrable and unscalable.
• Moats - added protection against the enemy getting too close to the walls and possibly becoming undetected. Also kept hoists and ladders at bay.
• Drawbridge - tightly controlling everything coming into and leaving the castle.
• Portcullis - heavy, protective grilled gates opening and closing vertically at either end of a narrow passage way. A sort of "contingency" defense useful for trapping enemy troops successful in infiltrating the drawbridge.
• Watchtowers - set at each corner of the castle to provide keen monitoring of all the enemy activities and other approaching threats. Useful for surveying the activities within the castle walls as well.
• Authority and Order - the impressive defensive architecture of the castle was useless in the absence of clear direction and commitment on the part of the castle occupants. Peace and order on the inside only served to fortify the mechanical defenses.

I encourage you this week to evaluate your "castle." Is home a safe retreat? Have you been diligent to create an environment that is emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy? If you haven't been intentional in this area, chances are you'll find at least a few vulnerable weaknesses. Make sure you know who and what is coming and going. Not just through the front door, but through cable TV and the internet. Ask a few close friends to help you make an objective assessment of where you might need to shore things up a bit. Make sure unconditional love is communicated freely, creatively, and enthusiastically. You'll be a better leader if you can effectively retreat from time to time.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)

Rules for Life

Rules for Life

I read these "rules for life" written by Archbishop Edward White Benson a while back and they have stuck with me. Although written around 1882, they are timeless. I keep them in a frame on my desk and consult them daily as I sort out the important from the urgent. Parentheses are mine.

• Eagerly start the day's main work. (does your alarm have a snooze button like mine?)
• Do not murmur at your busyness or the shortness of time, but buy up the time all around.
• Never murmur when correspondence is brought in. (even though it contains bills)
• Never exaggerate duties by seeming to suffer under the load, but treat all responsibilities as liberty and gladness. (even mowing the yard)
• Never call attention to crowded work or trivial experiences.
• Before confrontation or censure, obtain from God a real love for the one at fault. Know the facts; be generous in your judgment. Otherwise, how ineffective, how unintelligible or perhaps provocative your well-intentioned censure may be.
• Do not believe everything you hear; do not spread gossip.
• Do not seek praise, gratitude, respect, or regard for past service.
• Avoid complaining when your advice or opinion is not consulted, or having been consulted, set aside.
• Never allow yourself to be placed in favorable contrast with anyone.
• Do not press conversation to your own needs and concerns.
• Seek no favors, nor sympathies; do not ask for tenderness, but receive what comes.
• Bear the blame; do not share or transfer it.
• Give thanks when credit for your own work or ideas is given to another. (ouch)

Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders (Moody Press, 1994)

Nothing New

Nothing New Under the Sun

Ecclesiastes 1:9
That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.

With an unexpected hour of down time resulting from my delayed flight out of Chicago O'Hare, I wandered into the bookstore in the airport terminal. My eyes scanned the latest best-sellers targeting the business traveler. As I considered the common themes on the bookshelf (motivating others, vision casting, ethics, productivity, creating learning cultures, strategy development, etc) I reflected on how relatively unchanged those themes have been over the past dozen years or so. I wondered if there could truly be that many original thoughts on the age old issues facing business leaders today. I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 1:9..... it has all been done before and there can't possibly be anything new under the sun. My thoughts turned quickly to the Old Testament Proverbs and I soon concluded that the conventional wisdom of today's business schools and leadership gurus are in many ways just variations on the timeless truths in scripture. Allow me to paraphrase a few:
Proverbs 29:18 - The survival of any organization, in part or in whole, is dependent upon the leader's ability to cast a vision.
Proverbs 21:5 - successful execution of business strategy begins with a well crafted business plan.
Proverbs 14:23 - increased efficiency is paramount to the bottom line.
Proverbs 16:11 - honesty and integrity toward employees, customers, partners, and suppliers is non-negotiable.
Proverbs 15:22 - executive accountability is good business practice.

I'm a firm believer in life-long learning and always enjoy reading other's thoughts on leadership. But I think it is important for the Christian leader to remember that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Can there be anything new under the sun?