Kathy and I were having dinner with our friend, Sandy, when I noticed that Sandy was being blinded by the hot sun on her face. I asked the waitress to adjust the blinds, but there were no blinds on that particular window. The waitress, however, realized that her customer had a problem that needed resolved. She quickly moved our table ...
My wife, Kathy, recently shared with a group of friends that she was named “The Best Waitress in Kansas City” in 1985 by a local magazine. Kathy was quick to say, “There were many waitresses far better than me, but I was fortunate to learn who I was serving.” Her award came about because a busboy informed Kathy that she ...
After being involved in a wreck, my car spent a month in a body shop. This wasn’t as frustrating as I imagined because this body shop has learned a valuable tool in customer service – communication. Two to three times a week, I would receive a text message or a personal phone call with an update on my car. They ...
In this series, we’ve been discussing a Biblical perspective on work. Many believe the purpose of work is for a paycheck only, or, something to be avoided. On the other hand, God has created each of us with a purpose that fits into His greater plan. God has created an earth that needs cared for and people who need provisions ...
Coach Tommy Bowden recently shared with our network the changes he saw over time when he was recruiting players. For example, early on, there was usually both parents involved in his player recruitment conversations. That has changed. Now it’s rare to have two parents involved. Tommy determined he needed to spend more time on character development. He developed a system ...
Many years ago, two businessmen considered buying a bank. They had discussions with me about becoming the CEO of that bank. Unbeknownst to me, they asked a former boss of mine his opinion on my ability to run the bank. It was reported to me that he told them, “Rick certainly has the skills and background for that job, but ...
In the book “Rare Leadership in the Workplace,” authors Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder contend that maturity is the core leadership quality. They define maturity as a “collection of skills and habits we develop over time.” When thrust into leadership, our past skills of self-management are important, but incomplete. For now, we are charged with leading others as well. Relationships ...
Do you remember the 1989 movie, “Dead Poet’s Society”? Portraying an English teacher, Robin Williams teaches his students the Latin phrase, “Carpe Diem.” It simply means to seize the day or make the most of the present time. As Biblically principled leaders, it is imperative that we Carpe Diem, but do so with God’s will for the future in mind. ...
One not so positive thing I’ve learned about myself as a leader is that I sometimes procrastinate on the things I don’t want to do. One of those procrastinations involves having difficult conversations with staff. Can you relate? Mark Twain said, “If you ever have to eat a live frog, it’s best done first thing in the morning.” If you ...
Wikipedia defines leadership as “the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.” Usually that goal is surrounded in selfish gains like success, power and the love of money. Christian leadership is defined as “the act of influencing and or serving others out of Christ’s interests in their lives, so they can accomplish God’s purposes for and ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
