Today I had to practice accountability.  I knew I would have to take care of this today, Monday and have thought about what I would say and how I would communicate the concerns that needed to be addressed.  I made a brief list of the main points before we met so I wouldn't forget to mention something important and looked back through my notes to remind myself of the last time I had to have a similar discussion with this individual.

Part of the meeting went as I anticipated and part of what I was trying to communicate didn't connect as well as I hoped.  Although the meeting ended amicably, I'm not sure what the response will be, whether there will be an effort at change, obstinacy, or even a resignation.

What I do know is that the choice of words we use makes a difference.  Leaders have a responsibility to carefully choose the words they use in any encounter.  That may not seem fair, but it is the price, and sacrifice, of leadership.  The common cliche is that "it's not what you say but how you say it" is misleading.  How you say what you say makes a difference, but equally as much difference is made by the choice of words.  Some words carry a toxin all their own and when used cause pain.  Leaders know this, and the best leaders have learned how to communicate with precision by the careful choice of words.

Resilient Leadership in the face of Vicissitude is the title of my presentation on September 22, 2010 for the HU Leadership Luncheon.    Vicissitude, of course, simply means change, although I think the word lends a sort of pernicious flavor to an already scary term.

The definition of resiliency I like best is "the ability to recover quickly" another is "buoyancy."  Whenever I think about this I remember comments made by my college instructors about pastors who never read anything to develop themselves professionally beyond sermon preparation.  Unfortunately, once in the ministry I ran into some who fit that description.

I share this with my students and anyone else who will listen.  Always be reading three books beyond those required for work:  A devotional book to help keep you spiritually grounded, a novel to help your brain disengage from stress, and a professional book which may not have immediate application but which someone at the top of your field would probably have read (if you can think of nothing in this category then read leadership books).

If you will follow this practice you will find your brain filling with ideas and your passion renewed.