Mel and Steve's Blog » Leadership

Greatness is More than the Sum of the Parts

Mel — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:09:27 +0000

In listening to music today on my IPOD, I was reminded that what makes something great is more than the sum of the parts. When we hear:

Willie Nelson sing “You were always on my mind” or
Ray Charles sing “Georgia” or
Eric Clapton sing “Layla”or
Louis Armstrong sing anything

We hear incredible giftedness. But none of them have the worlds best voices, but they have greatness.

I think we often fail to see that the sum is greater than just having the right parts. There are qualities that are hard to define or measurer that contribute to greatness.

In leadership this may include things like:

Humility
A sevant heart
Trustworthiness
Genuineness
Clarity of commitment

May we move beyond the superficial into the true likeness of Christ!

Elitist or Common Man

Mel — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:14:58 +0000

Whether it is in sports, business, education or ministry. It seems to me that the higher you go in any field or area, the more there is a tendency to take on an elitist perspective. To assume those at your level are somehow better than everyone else. They often become arrogant.

In the New Testament, I think this happened to the Pharisees. They begin to see themselves as better than the other people. It is a danger anyone who achieves some level of success faces.

Of course I think we should all seek to develop ourselves and reach for becoming our full Kingdom potential. This includes being a lifelong learner. But we must be careful we don’t start focusing on our achievements (positions, titles, degrees, status, successes), for this can lead to arrogance, elitism and self centeredness.

Instead be must value others, seek interdependency, and possess real humility. We must see the strengths and abilities in others without devaluing how God has wired us.

Jesus called twelve common normal men to be His disciples and they changed their world. I think great leadership is helping common ordinary people accomplish extraordinary results. That is one reason Jesus is the greatest leader of all time.

Generational Differences in Leadership

Mel — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:06:45 +0000

Here is an excellent article on the difference in view points of leaders from different generations. I encourage you to take the assessment. It would make a good tool for discussion at leadership meetings.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/buildingleaders/ministrystaff/determineyourministryage.html?start=1

5minutesorless.spirituallead.com

Mel — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:19:39 +0000

Recommended Blog: 5minutesorless.spirituallead.com

My friend Ron Kuest has a blog I think you might consider adding to your RSS reader or home page. It is called 5minutesorless.spirituallead.com;

Ron is a quality thinker, avid reader, and strives to integrate the Bible with real life leadership issues. He is a person of high integrity. He has a passion to coach and mentor leaders.

In the next issues he notes: “Bennis says, “The underlying issue in leading from voice is trust–in fact, I believe that truth is the underlying issue in not only getting people on your side, but having them stay there.” He goes on to identify four ingredients leaders have that generate and sustain trust. To read more go to 5minutesorless.spirituallead.com.”