Almost daily I see so-called leaders fail to maximize the potential of those they are supposed to be leading. I see this as a reflection of what is being taught in colleges and universities across America. I encounter corporations, businesses, schools and institutions that are less than what they should be because of poor leadership. It is sad to see an organization with poor morale and the leader is either not aware or does not care. Sometimes a false feeling of importance keeps a leader acting as though he/she is someone more special than those they should be leading.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a lady who serves as she leads. She has built a nation-wide business that is more than flourishing. Maxine Clark is the chief executive of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Maxine is the past president of Payless ShoeSource, Inc (Sue cannot pass a Payless store without going in). Maxine Clark cares about the employees of Build-A-Bear. She is putting so much in making sure their needs are being met. They can even bring a dog to work. She does not act as though she is above anyone else, rather goes the extra mile to be of assistance. Maxine was named a Customer-Centered Leader in the 2005 Customer First Awards by Fast Company. She was named one of the Wonder Women of Toys by Playthings magazine and Women in Toys. She has authored "The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart," which was published by Wiley.
I told Maxine that she needs to go to Baylor and help the Baylor Bears win some football games. She replied that she is opening a Build-A-Bear store in Waco.
Maxine Clark personifies a great leader. Without a doubt, she is one.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
LEADERS SHOULD BE SERVANTS FIRST
Almost daily I see so-called leaders fail to maximize the potential of those they are supposed to be leading. I see this as a reflection of what is being taught in colleges and universities across America. I encounter corporations, businesses, schools and institutions that are less than what they should be because of poor leadership. It is sad to see an organization with poor morale and the leader is either not aware or does not care. Sometimes a false feeling of importance keeps a leader acting as though he/she is someone more special than those the should be leading.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a lady who serves as she leads. She has built a nation-wide business that is more than flourishing. Maxine Clark is the chief executive of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Maxine is the past president of Payless ShoeSource, Inc (Sue cannot pass a Payless store without going in). Maxine Clark cares about the employees of Build-A-Bear. She is putting so much in making sure their needs are being met. They can even bring a dog to work. She does not act as though she is above anyone else, rather goes the extra mile to be of assistance. Maxine was named a Customer-Centered Leader in the 2005 Customer First Awards by Fast Company. She was named one of the Wonder Women of Toys by Playthings magazine and Women in Toys. She has authored "The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart," which was published by Wiley.
I told Maxine that she needs to go to Baylor and help the Baylor Bears win some football games. She replied that she is opening a Build-A-Bear store in Waco.
Maxine Clark personifies a great leader. Without a doubt, she is one.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a lady who serves as she leads. She has built a nation-wide business that is more than flourishing. Maxine Clark is the chief executive of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Maxine is the past president of Payless ShoeSource, Inc (Sue cannot pass a Payless store without going in). Maxine Clark cares about the employees of Build-A-Bear. She is putting so much in making sure their needs are being met. They can even bring a dog to work. She does not act as though she is above anyone else, rather goes the extra mile to be of assistance. Maxine was named a Customer-Centered Leader in the 2005 Customer First Awards by Fast Company. She was named one of the Wonder Women of Toys by Playthings magazine and Women in Toys. She has authored "The Bear Necessities of Business: Building a Company with Heart," which was published by Wiley.
I told Maxine that she needs to go to Baylor and help the Baylor Bears win some football games. She replied that she is opening a Build-A-Bear store in Waco.
Maxine Clark personifies a great leader. Without a doubt, she is one.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
AN OLD STORY
In going through some materials to be used at the new One Accord website (under construction) I ran across an article from the "Tulsa, OK Tribune." It was dated December 3, 1964 and was an article about my grandmother Smith who had been a sixth grade elementary teacher in Billings, MO ( just west of Springfield) in 1901 and 1902.
The picture in the article shows my grandmother who was 84 at the time was meeting with one of her students, Elmer Jones for the first time in 62 years. Their meeting took place in the home of Mrs. Smith's niece where Mrs. Smith was staying in Tulsa. "I hadn't seen Elmer since the close of school in the spring of 1902," she said."Naturally, he has changed a lot, but he still resembles the boy who was my student, although larger than I had him pictured."
Jones declared that Mrs Smith "looks a lot like I remembered her during all these years - she sure looks good to me. . I guess I have thought of her a million times over the years."
How did the former teacher and student get together after all these years? "My cousin from St. Louis was visiting with my wife and me and we were talking about teachers who had made an impression on us." Jones said.
I mentioned Rose Smith and my cousin said 'Why she's an aunt of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Burd who arranged for our visit. I'm sure happy she did."
For those of you who teach today, you just never know the impact you are having on your students. God bless our teachers.
The picture in the article shows my grandmother who was 84 at the time was meeting with one of her students, Elmer Jones for the first time in 62 years. Their meeting took place in the home of Mrs. Smith's niece where Mrs. Smith was staying in Tulsa. "I hadn't seen Elmer since the close of school in the spring of 1902," she said."Naturally, he has changed a lot, but he still resembles the boy who was my student, although larger than I had him pictured."
Jones declared that Mrs Smith "looks a lot like I remembered her during all these years - she sure looks good to me. . I guess I have thought of her a million times over the years."
How did the former teacher and student get together after all these years? "My cousin from St. Louis was visiting with my wife and me and we were talking about teachers who had made an impression on us." Jones said.
I mentioned Rose Smith and my cousin said 'Why she's an aunt of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Burd who arranged for our visit. I'm sure happy she did."
For those of you who teach today, you just never know the impact you are having on your students. God bless our teachers.
Monday, February 4, 2008
HOW BLESSED WE REALLY ARE
If you have food in the refrigerator,
Clothes on your back, a roof
Overhead and a place to sleep...you
Are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank,
In your wallet, and spare change in a
Dish someplace...you are among the
Top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health
Than illness...you are more blessed than
The million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of
Battle, the loneliness if imprisonment, the
Agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...
You are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear
Or harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you
Are more blessed than three billion people in the world
If your parents are still alive and still married...
You are very rare, even in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face
And are truly thankful...you are blessed
Because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's
Hand, hug them or even touch them on the
Shoulder...you are blessed
Because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received
A double blessing in that someone was thinking of you
And furthermore, you are more blessed than over
Two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass
This along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
Clothes on your back, a roof
Overhead and a place to sleep...you
Are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank,
In your wallet, and spare change in a
Dish someplace...you are among the
Top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health
Than illness...you are more blessed than
The million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of
Battle, the loneliness if imprisonment, the
Agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...
You are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear
Or harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you
Are more blessed than three billion people in the world
If your parents are still alive and still married...
You are very rare, even in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face
And are truly thankful...you are blessed
Because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's
Hand, hug them or even touch them on the
Shoulder...you are blessed
Because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received
A double blessing in that someone was thinking of you
And furthermore, you are more blessed than over
Two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass
This along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE
James C. Hunter has written a second book on leadership, this one called "The World's Most Powerful Leadership Principle." It emphasizes the process of becoming a servant leader.
To lead is not to be "the boss," "the head honcho," or "the brass." Servant Leadership is actually a robust, revolutionary idea that can have significant impact on an organization's performance.
Servant Leadership turns bosses and managers into coaches and mentors. Hunter suggests that the Servant Leader should determine the mission, values, standards and accountability. Servant leaders do not take a poll or take a vote when it comes to these critical fundamentals. When these things are in place, the servant leader turns the structure upside down. They focus on giving employees everything they need to win, be it resources, time, guidance or inspiration. Servant leaders know that providing for people and engaging hearts and minds foster a workforce that understands the benefits of striving for the greater good. The emphasis is on building authority, not power; on exerting influence, not intimidation.
Here are some thoughts about leadership:
Just because a person can do the job well does not mean that he or she can inspire and influence others to do the job well.
I encounter far too many professionals in our educational institutions who see their roles primarily imparting book knowledge to a "bunch of kids" they don't really car much for.
It has been suggested that managers do things right while leaders do the right thing.
You do not manage people, your lead people
One of the operative words in our leadership definition is the ability to influence others for good.
John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach of UCLA had this to say about this book: "For years I have highly recommended James Hunter's first book, "The Servant," to all my friends and acquaintances. I truly believe that "The World's Greatest Leadership Principle" will be of more value to all concerned about becoming and being an effective leader."
To lead is not to be "the boss," "the head honcho," or "the brass." Servant Leadership is actually a robust, revolutionary idea that can have significant impact on an organization's performance.
Servant Leadership turns bosses and managers into coaches and mentors. Hunter suggests that the Servant Leader should determine the mission, values, standards and accountability. Servant leaders do not take a poll or take a vote when it comes to these critical fundamentals. When these things are in place, the servant leader turns the structure upside down. They focus on giving employees everything they need to win, be it resources, time, guidance or inspiration. Servant leaders know that providing for people and engaging hearts and minds foster a workforce that understands the benefits of striving for the greater good. The emphasis is on building authority, not power; on exerting influence, not intimidation.
Here are some thoughts about leadership:
Just because a person can do the job well does not mean that he or she can inspire and influence others to do the job well.
I encounter far too many professionals in our educational institutions who see their roles primarily imparting book knowledge to a "bunch of kids" they don't really car much for.
It has been suggested that managers do things right while leaders do the right thing.
You do not manage people, your lead people
One of the operative words in our leadership definition is the ability to influence others for good.
John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach of UCLA had this to say about this book: "For years I have highly recommended James Hunter's first book, "The Servant," to all my friends and acquaintances. I truly believe that "The World's Greatest Leadership Principle" will be of more value to all concerned about becoming and being an effective leader."
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
THE SERVANT
"The Servant," by James C. Hunter is a simple story about the true essence of leadership. Sue heard Mr. Hunter speak at a Christian gathering some time ago. Joe Weller, Chairman and CEO of Nestle USA said "'The Servant' is an intriguing quick read that you will not be able to put down until you have experienced all of its life-changing treasures". As for myself I found it to be very inspiring.
In this absorbing tale, you watch the principles of servant leadership unfold through the story of John Daily, a businessman whose outwardly successful life is spiraling out of control. He is failing miserably in each of his leadership roles as boss, husband, father, and coach. To get his life back on track, he reluctantly attends a week-long leadership retreat at a remote Benedictine monastery.
To John's surprise, the monk leading the seminar is a former business executive and Wall Street legend. Taking John under his wing, the monk guides him to a realization that is simple yet profound: The true foundation of leadership is not power, but authority which is built upon relationships, love, service, and sacrifice. These principles don't demand special talents; they are simply based on strengthening the bonds of respect, responsibility, and caring with the people around you.
Let me share a few quotes from the book:
1. Kindness is how we act, not how we feel.
2. The greatest opportunity we have to pay attention to people is by actively listening to them.
3. Once you begin to look for people doing things right, you suddenly begin to see things you've never seen before.
4. Humility to me is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking about yourself less.
What kind of leader are you?
In this absorbing tale, you watch the principles of servant leadership unfold through the story of John Daily, a businessman whose outwardly successful life is spiraling out of control. He is failing miserably in each of his leadership roles as boss, husband, father, and coach. To get his life back on track, he reluctantly attends a week-long leadership retreat at a remote Benedictine monastery.
To John's surprise, the monk leading the seminar is a former business executive and Wall Street legend. Taking John under his wing, the monk guides him to a realization that is simple yet profound: The true foundation of leadership is not power, but authority which is built upon relationships, love, service, and sacrifice. These principles don't demand special talents; they are simply based on strengthening the bonds of respect, responsibility, and caring with the people around you.
Let me share a few quotes from the book:
1. Kindness is how we act, not how we feel.
2. The greatest opportunity we have to pay attention to people is by actively listening to them.
3. Once you begin to look for people doing things right, you suddenly begin to see things you've never seen before.
4. Humility to me is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking about yourself less.
What kind of leader are you?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
JESUS ON LEADERSHIP
C. Gene Wilkes has written a very interesting book on leadership called "Jesus on Leadership." He is a Baptist pastor in Dallas and I shared with the folks at the 2007 WAJ workshop some thoughts he had regarding "Head Table Mentality." He is an excellent writer and I recommend this book highly. Let me share a thought or two from his writing.
Jesus wants servant leaders to be follower first. Douglas K Smith has written:
"In the 21st century organization, all leaders must learn to follow if they are to successfully lead...Leaders at all levels and in all situations must pay close attention to situations in which their most effective option is to follow...not because the hierarchy demands they 'obey,' but because performance requires them to rely on the capacities and insights of other people."
Biblical leadership always begins with a God-sized mission in the form of a call by God. Leadership begins with mission. Without mission there is no need or motivation to lead. Servant leadership finds its motive from God's commissioning a person to carry out a divine plan among a group of people. Becoming servant to the mission and a follower of the God who called you is the heart of a servant leader.
Jesus teaches us that we learn to lead by learning to follow. How powerful is that from my perspective. Henry Nouwen and his coauthors observed this about Jesus' life:
"Obedience, as it is embodied in Jesus Christ, is a total listening, a giving attention with no hesitation or limitation, a being all ear. When used by Jesus, the word obedience has no association with fear, but rather is the expression of his most intimate, loving relationship. Jesus' actions and words are the obedient response to this love of his Father." A lot of pastors need to understand this.
Wilkes stated these words: "Action is the response of obedience.
Jesus wants servant leaders to be follower first. Douglas K Smith has written:
"In the 21st century organization, all leaders must learn to follow if they are to successfully lead...Leaders at all levels and in all situations must pay close attention to situations in which their most effective option is to follow...not because the hierarchy demands they 'obey,' but because performance requires them to rely on the capacities and insights of other people."
Biblical leadership always begins with a God-sized mission in the form of a call by God. Leadership begins with mission. Without mission there is no need or motivation to lead. Servant leadership finds its motive from God's commissioning a person to carry out a divine plan among a group of people. Becoming servant to the mission and a follower of the God who called you is the heart of a servant leader.
Jesus teaches us that we learn to lead by learning to follow. How powerful is that from my perspective. Henry Nouwen and his coauthors observed this about Jesus' life:
"Obedience, as it is embodied in Jesus Christ, is a total listening, a giving attention with no hesitation or limitation, a being all ear. When used by Jesus, the word obedience has no association with fear, but rather is the expression of his most intimate, loving relationship. Jesus' actions and words are the obedient response to this love of his Father." A lot of pastors need to understand this.
Wilkes stated these words: "Action is the response of obedience.
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