Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category

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Notes on Being a Man

November 3, 2025

Observing the growing diversity of genders and races at engineering conferences over the past 20 years has been gratifying. I’ve been a “perp” at times over the years. When I had leadership responsibilities, I promoted unlikely people into strategic roles looking at their skill sets and social maturity. I had a female project manager and a sales engineer in the 1980s when many men were uncomfortable with that. They were good.

Melinda French Gates (Bill’s ex) recently appeared on a podcast. While celebrating the advances women have made, she noted the importance of bringing men along. I applaud the setting aside of an “us vs. them” mentality. I’m with Martin Luther King, Jr. when  he asked that we judge people by the strength of their character, not by external factors.

I have watched for years how some boys and men have not been brought along with the progress of women, people of color, and privileged white men. I would see the woman of the family driving the car, going into the bank to do business, running other errands, while the guy sits slumped in the car playing a video game.

Sometimes parents have not been a help. Sometimes no coach or teacher or neighbor has come forward to offer guidance. They’ve heard that if you don’t go to college, you’re nothing. And their talents are not in that direction.

My last podcast discussed building a workplace that respects people. We need to help bring everyone along for the ride. We cannot sit back and expect other to do this.

[Note: the linked blog post contains language and situations that some will find offensive. The message is clear, though.]

Tim Ferriss writing about Scott Galloway on his blog discusses disturbing statistics about young (and a little older now) men. They need guidance. OK, maybe sometimes a metaphorical kick in the pants. Check out Tim’s post and the discussion about Galloway’s new book.

What can we do either individually or through business to help bring these disaffected people along—all the while not forgetting to enable everyone?

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Posted in Attitude, Compassion, Leadership, teaching | Leave a Comment »

Spiritual Formation from Romans Concluding Words and Thoughts, Part 7

September 8, 2025

Read Romans 15:14-16:33

Are you curious about the first followers of Jesus? Perhaps a little bit about the organization of the ekklesia (the small house church fellowships that formed as the gospel spread)?

It’s always worth noting the people whom Paul acknowledges. It almost always begins with women leaders. The list inevitably includes slaves and slave owners. Jews and Greeks.

For example, check out the beginning of Chapter 16:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

A deacon is a church leader. In this case, a woman. When he wrote in other places that in Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, he must have meant it.

Pause and reflect on this list of special people in the movement. Think of a gathering of such people. Compare to your own gatherings.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my fellow Israelite Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Pay attention to these final instructions.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who create dissensions and hindrances, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For your obedience is known to all; therefore, I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Then he finishes with a benediction. I offer it for you.

Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Leadership | Leave a Comment »

Leadership is a Choice

May 22, 2025

Although sometimes it is thrust upon us.

Still, we can choose to lead rather than only filling a role.

Movies, TV shows, novels, social media all promote a lie that only a few are born to lead. Leaders show up in many place with many guises.

Maybe we’re born into a family that provides leadership examples. Maybe we’re born into a family where low self-esteem is pervasive in the atmosphere. But as we grow, we can choose to lead. It took me years, but it happened. It can happen to you.

Sometimes we decide to try something. I remember standing in the center circle of a soccer pitch in a professional soccer stadium. 22 high school players are lined up ready to decide the state champion. There were several thousand spectators in the stands. There was a local TV feed. I had the whistle. A sinister thought flashed through my mind just before blowing the whistle to start the game—What in the world made me think I should be here??

Many times I’ve been in a tense negotiation or facing a business decision holding great consequence for the company. I’ve wondered why I made the decisions that put me in those situations. Certainly I was not bred for those roles.

Most of you probably have similar examples. But, we all did it. Right? Leaders can be found and nurtured everywhere.

Oh, that soccer game? It was a great game. I even got a “great call” from the professional player/TV commentator. I had a second state final where I had to caution the best player on one side. Then I had a brief chat to manage him to get his head back into the game. He made the assist leading to the goal that won the game in overtime. Sometimes it works out to take the risk.

Two things:

  1. Take the risk to lead
  2. Nurture someone as they take the risk

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Pope Francis

April 22, 2025

Preparing to write this morning, the news centered on the passing of Pope Francis.

I am not Catholic, but I taught 7th grade at a Catholic school long ago learning a lot about the faith and the organization. I also read many Catholic theologians in my day. My favorite is Pierre Teilhard.

I respected Francis from the first I heard about him in his days in Latin America. As Pope, he represented being a Jesus follower well. He did his best to move a huge, bureaucratic organization into modern times.

His predecessor, Benedict, had a marvelous theological mind. He was, however, the ultimate organization man protecting the organization as best he could.

Francis, rather, tried to deal with past indiscretions, treating people with humility and respect.

The best lesson we can learn from him is just that—living in humility and respect for others.

Posted in Humility, Leadership | Leave a Comment »

Advice and Consultants

January 16, 2025

The first time I was hired as a consultant I felt so unfulfilled afterward. My career was management and engineering. The manager of a local non-profit agency hired me to help sort out a problem. I did the research and wrote a report. Then, I walked away. What I did helped him. But I was an implementer by training.

Yes, I’ve had consulting gigs (paid and not-paid) since. I’ve learned the role of researching and providing advice. Sometimes the results are rewarding.

Seth Godin packs a lot of wisdom into his writing. He’s generous giving it away for free. His recent blog post on Good Advice suggests

The cult of consulting suggests that if you simply had better advice from someone who knew more than you, your problems could be solved. Generally, the advice isn’t really the hard part. There’s endless good advice just a click away. The art is in creating the conditions for people to choose to act on the advice. Good advice unheeded is a waste for everyone involved. That’s why expensive consultants can stay in business, and why committing to a process before you’re sure of all the details makes it far more likely that you’ll succeed.

We find in the Book of Proverbs that a wise leader seeks multiple sources of advice.

Advice is only half of the battle. Committing to the process of implementation finishes the work.

Posted in Doing, Leadership, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »

Repeating the Message

December 16, 2024

As Epictetus writes, “Every day and night keep thoughts like these at hand. Write them, read them aloud, talk to yourself and others about them.”

This is not my business blog, but I’d like to cite business legend Jack Welch, former CEO of GE. I dislike just about everything he did building the house of cards called GE at the time including the brutal way he treated people.

There is one idea that I gleaned from his book that I’ve found useful.

Repetition.

A leader must form a story for where the organization is and where it is going. He/she must repeat that story in every meeting they have within and outside the company. This is the only way to assure getting the message through.

This works also in meditation. Zen meditation teaches meditating on a koan, a thought that is usually physically nonsense. Christian meditation includes meditating on the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me, a sinner). Recently I’ve picked up the focus phrase Be still and know that I am God.

Or, as Epictetus suggested, write them, read them, talk to others about them.

Posted in Leadership, Meditation | Leave a Comment »

Be a Generative Leader

September 30, 2024

Are you an insecure leader who needs to be sure you’re the boss? You hire people who will do what you tell them…no more, no less.

Are you a generative leader whose leadership breeds other generative leaders? You recruit people who will become greater than you under your guidance.

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Programs or Change of Heart?

September 6, 2024

I’ve been thinking about organizations. Large ones. Smaller ones. Businesses. Non-profits. Religious.

An idea infuses a leader’s mind. I need to spread the idea, she thinks. Oh, I know, let us birth a program. We will compose a theme. Maybe it can sire a letterism that looks cool on a T-shirt. We will have meetings. We will have small groups focus on the theme for a period of time—say three months.

Then the theme will die. The T-shirts become what the people wear when they paint the bedroom. The banners go into storage.

Or, maybe…

The leader (at any level) decides to act in a certain way. He models a behavior. She asks questions and invites honest feedback. Maybe they quit “majoring in the minors” and begin focusing on what’s important.

Maybe everyone’s heart changes. Maybe just a little at a time. It’s like losing weight. A little change and maybe you lose a pound a week. In a year, there has been a lifestyle change and 50 pounds are gone. Often change is like that. It creeps up on us until one day realization of change hits our consciousness.

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Acknowledging The Team

July 29, 2024

When I teach Romans, I lead people through the spiritual formation path that Paul lays out. It sort of follows the logic chain: self-awareness of our sins, different approaches of Jews and Greeks (very important in 50 AD), Jesus and Grace, now what (once we’ve accepted grace how do we live), and then finally friends, partners, and the team. Chapter 16 describes the latter.

Despite the sentence that Paul wrote to Timothy where he says “I” (not God) do not permit women to teach (addressing a specific problem in Ephesus), looking at the team listed at the end of the letter to the Romans, we get an entirely different portrait of first century Christian leadership. There are women—and men. Couples and singles. I’d imagine many were wealthy and many not so much.

What sort of team and selection of partners have you assembled or are participating?

I never quote this much, but I think the topic needs it. This is from the NIV translation.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.

Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.

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Leadership

July 17, 2024

There are leaders with vision who inspire people to do great things.

There are leaders filled with insecurities who create atmospheres of divisiveness, playing competing groups against each other.

Some follow the visionary leader and do great things.

Some follow the insecure leader burrowing into their group spreading divisiveness.

Remember the religious, business, political leaders of the first type. They are too few.

Think of the the religious, business, political leaders of the second. They are too many.

If you are a leader of any group, please be the first. It’s hard, but valuable. Like a diamond.

Posted in Attitude, Leadership | Leave a Comment »

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