Does leadership require a team? Does the team paradigm enhance the function of leadership? I believe so. All the current leadership agrees, yet . . . what do you do when you find yourself in a context which gives verbal assent to the concept while practicing a practical autocracy? Depending upon your position within the organization . . . and the approachableness of the autocrat, the answer may be "live with it." This is hardly an answer, however, for the individual who seeks the fulfillment which could be part of such a team. In this case, it will be up to the individual to evaluate his own calling, position of service and prayerfully consider what God wants, both for the organization (which may mean sticking with the program) and the individual.

Issues on Strategic Planning. It is amazing to me that this concept is so misunderstood. Planning which is strategic is simply planning which is designed to accomplish a set of goals. Thus, Strategic Planning is completely mis-named if one does not have a set of goals or outcomes. If one has a goal, in the church world for instance, of developing a better, more informed, awareness of the Word of God among the congregation, then the strategic plan would lead to that reality. Obviously, time-lines and resources are important considerations, as is the very real consideration of just how many goals an institution can pursue at any one time (and which of these have the highest priority). These factors make strategic planning complex, but even more complex than the plan, in my opinion is the process used to define the goals, thier priority, and the time line for accomplishing those goals. And this hinges upon the mission of the institution. Another factor is the "brand" image of the institution both internally and externally. OK, I guess I can see how strategic planning can be mis-understood. After all if you undertake to do "strategic planning" when you have not addressed the mission, the brand and the goals, what can you expect, except confusion.

Life abhors a vacumn. A vacancy demands that something fill that space. This is especially true in Leadership. When there is no leadership in an organization, or the leadership is inadequate, one of two things will happen. Those who recognize the need will either move toward filling need, or, if that is not possible or the structure cannot be solved without the additional clout of position, these people will leave the situation/organization.

Leaders are influencers. In the best sense they use their influence to empower those around them in the fulfillment of the goals. In the worse sense, they manipulate those around them to make themselves look good regardless of anyone else.

7/11/03 One of the best books I have recently read on the subject of leadership is The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. Although the book is not very long, it is well written and challenges past the basics. I recommend this book and will be posting reflections from my reading in upcoming blogs.

7/11/03 I don't know why but I couldn't sleep this morning and it seemed like a good idea just to go ahead and get up and make an entry here. I have been thinking a lot about the mechanics of leadership and realize that, even though those mechanics can be learned, the heart of a leader is developed much earlier, while growing up. There are certain principles of life which I believe to be foundational enough that I have attempted to teach them to my children from their earliest days. They are: 1. All of life can be reduced to relationships, 2. Everything rises and falls on leadership, 3. Excellence in all things, 4. It is not what happens to you but how you respond, and 5. Perseverance - don't quit. These principles are then build on the Shema which says: The Lord God is ONE, love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. I can't overemphasize the importance of these principles when practiced in conjunction with the guiding force of the Shema. Teach them to your children, talk about them at the table over a meal, meditate upon them in the situations of your life.

7/9/03 Communication is a key component to effective leadership. In fact, you could say that without strong communication skills leadership, at least over the long haul, is impossible. What are the basic pieces of the skill set needed for effective communication? Just remember your PEAS. P=precision. A leader's communicatin must be clear, without ambiguity. E=enunciate, as in pronounce the words correctly. It is VERY annoying to hear people in leadership mispronounce words. A=articulate, as in make sure you speak distinctly enough to be clearly heard by everyone in the audience (whether that audience is one person or a hundred). Mumbled, indistinct speech is a big off-putter. S=simple. Keep your focus on the subject at hand.

6/23/03 There are some who might contest the truth expressed in the title of this blog, i.e. that everything rises and falls on leadership. They might contest that leadership is but one of the components of success and that other factors contribute to the rise or fall of any endeavor. And there is some truth in such an observation. However, all other factors can be overcome/enhanced through good leadership, or be allowed to scapegoat poor leadership. That is the core of much of what we see happen around us: Leaders who whine about inadequate resources, inept followers, and the unfairness of their circumstances. Unfortunately, true leadership is rare. Leaders whose passion and willingness to "stand in the gap" are the great need of our nation, our communities and our churches. Although this theme "Everything rises and falls on leadership" first came to my attention through the work of John Maxwell, I have tested its validity in a myriad of situations and can definitely attest that even when it seems as if there are reasonable excuses for failure, leadership is the culprit, just as consistent success is the evidence of good leadership.

Are you succeeding or failing? Have you taken leadership of your own life, or are you waiting on something to happen so that you do not have to expend the effort?

6/23/03 I am beginning this Blog as a result of an experience I had while attending ALIVE 03 in Canton, OH. During that time I sensed that I needed to be sharing some of the information which I have accumulated on the subject of leadership. I will be posting critical reviews of various books, articles, and chapters, as well as personal observations about leadership.