"The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed..."
As business people we love to celebrate success. The truth is that we walk in the shoes of those before us to be able to truly succeed. And usually those are large shoes to fill, like triple E's. Not everyone understands how much they have benefited from others who have walked before them. The small number of companies that actually spend time celebrating their history, and specifically, those who made a difference, are few. We typically forget quickly who it was that did this job before us. But, think if we were to spend more time remembering or celebrating those before us and also learning from them, their good and their bad? Might we make less mistakes or even be better when we realize how big the shoes are to fill so that we could move forward with greater humility?
Amy L. Sherman wrote a recent book called, "Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good". She describes that in our calling we have the opportunity to address the three e's in front of us; "ethics, evangelism, and excellence". Much of what we talk about in Purposed worKING can be wrapped into these three "e's". If we don't pay attention to those three things then our vocational "calling" will never fulfill our purpose of bringing glory to God in all that we do. If we can indeed walk in the triple e's then we will be on the right path. Today, let's consider whether or not we have incorporated the triple e's into our everyday work callings?
Reference: Proverbs 11:10 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
day 815: Breaking Bread
"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose."
There is always an underlying tension between working together with co-workers or working independently. In business, within companies, we need to work together, towards a common purpose or we will never succeed. The Economist magazine wrote, "Business is a remarkable exercise in cooperation. For all the talk of competition 'red in tooth and claw', companies in fact depend on persuading large numbers of people - workers and bosses, shareholders and suppliers - to work together to a common end. This involves getting lots of strangers to trust each other. It also increasingly involves stretching trust across border...the word company is derived from the Latin words cum and pane, meaning 'breaking bread together.'" Let's remember this the next time we are requested to go our to dinner with someone else in the company. We may not want to go, but that time breaking bread together is all part of finding the cooperation that makes business work.
I personally am not the biggest fan of lots and lots of time being spent with each outside of work (because I like to spend time at home too), but I get how important it is to spend time with our co-workers outside of the office. What can be powerful about this time is that we get to establish relationships that are deeper than we could ever reach in the office. It is in these times that we get the opportunity to reveal the areas of our life that are important to us, like our faith. How we think about this time, is important. As we break bread with others, then let's not forget that true cooperation comes from when we share a set of values and principles with someone else. And, let's not miss this unique opportunity we have to share what is most important to each of us.
Reference: Philippians 2:1-3 (New Living Testament)
There is always an underlying tension between working together with co-workers or working independently. In business, within companies, we need to work together, towards a common purpose or we will never succeed. The Economist magazine wrote, "Business is a remarkable exercise in cooperation. For all the talk of competition 'red in tooth and claw', companies in fact depend on persuading large numbers of people - workers and bosses, shareholders and suppliers - to work together to a common end. This involves getting lots of strangers to trust each other. It also increasingly involves stretching trust across border...the word company is derived from the Latin words cum and pane, meaning 'breaking bread together.'" Let's remember this the next time we are requested to go our to dinner with someone else in the company. We may not want to go, but that time breaking bread together is all part of finding the cooperation that makes business work.
I personally am not the biggest fan of lots and lots of time being spent with each outside of work (because I like to spend time at home too), but I get how important it is to spend time with our co-workers outside of the office. What can be powerful about this time is that we get to establish relationships that are deeper than we could ever reach in the office. It is in these times that we get the opportunity to reveal the areas of our life that are important to us, like our faith. How we think about this time, is important. As we break bread with others, then let's not forget that true cooperation comes from when we share a set of values and principles with someone else. And, let's not miss this unique opportunity we have to share what is most important to each of us.
Reference: Philippians 2:1-3 (New Living Testament)
Friday, January 27, 2012
day 814: Clock Builders (Redux)
"Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom".
After this past's week's State of the Union Address, I thought it would be good to revisit a part of the original "Built to Last"
One of the best business books of our time is "Built to Last" by Collins and Porras. In their book they detail a number of ways that we can be better managers and co-workers. One of the lessons that has stuck with me over the years has been the lesson of the difference between being a time-teller and a clock-builder. A time-teller is someone who needs to have everyone come to them for all information, details, direction and knowledge. This makes them feel important and needed. But, what we find over time, is that these people become bottle-necks and obstacles to others growing and getting better. At some point these people get moved aside because they slow the operation beyond acceptance and no one wants to work for them any longer. Instead of being a time-teller, what Collins and Porras say we should be are clock-builders. These are people who have the confidence in themselves to let loose of having to have people come to them for "what time it is" and information, but instead they build clocks for others to use and then they teach them how to use them. Everyone benefits and learns and the clock-builders see their influence and capacity expand.
Part of why I find this metaphor so compelling and thought-provoking is that there is nothing more precious and personal than our time. If you want to really provoke negativity, just have your time wasted or waste the time of someone else. We all are given the same amount of time in a day and we are expected to make the most of our time to deliver our purpose within our work and our jobs. If we ourselves cannot manage our time well then we cannot expect to make the most of the time we have. David prays the prayer of time management in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom". Each day our clocks are counting down towards an end moment and we must make the most of each and every day that we have been given. Today, at work, there will be many opportunities to make the most of your time, waste your time, and/or do the same for others. As you approach this day, see if today can be a day where we pray the prayer of David and we find in our own way, the way to be a clock-builder so that we can be there for others and have all the time we need to focus on our purpose becoming the center of our jobs.
Reference: Psalm 90:12 (New Living Testament)
After this past's week's State of the Union Address, I thought it would be good to revisit a part of the original "Built to Last"
One of the best business books of our time is "Built to Last" by Collins and Porras. In their book they detail a number of ways that we can be better managers and co-workers. One of the lessons that has stuck with me over the years has been the lesson of the difference between being a time-teller and a clock-builder. A time-teller is someone who needs to have everyone come to them for all information, details, direction and knowledge. This makes them feel important and needed. But, what we find over time, is that these people become bottle-necks and obstacles to others growing and getting better. At some point these people get moved aside because they slow the operation beyond acceptance and no one wants to work for them any longer. Instead of being a time-teller, what Collins and Porras say we should be are clock-builders. These are people who have the confidence in themselves to let loose of having to have people come to them for "what time it is" and information, but instead they build clocks for others to use and then they teach them how to use them. Everyone benefits and learns and the clock-builders see their influence and capacity expand.
Part of why I find this metaphor so compelling and thought-provoking is that there is nothing more precious and personal than our time. If you want to really provoke negativity, just have your time wasted or waste the time of someone else. We all are given the same amount of time in a day and we are expected to make the most of our time to deliver our purpose within our work and our jobs. If we ourselves cannot manage our time well then we cannot expect to make the most of the time we have. David prays the prayer of time management in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom". Each day our clocks are counting down towards an end moment and we must make the most of each and every day that we have been given. Today, at work, there will be many opportunities to make the most of your time, waste your time, and/or do the same for others. As you approach this day, see if today can be a day where we pray the prayer of David and we find in our own way, the way to be a clock-builder so that we can be there for others and have all the time we need to focus on our purpose becoming the center of our jobs.
Reference: Psalm 90:12 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
day 813: Command And Control
"Anyone who doesn't love me will not do what I say."
There are many leadership styles that we can learn about and adopt. The one that comes most easily to lots of people is the style of "command and control". We learn it from growing up when we are raised. We learn it in school from teachers. We learn it from examples of authority all around us. Then we go to the work world and someone tries and teach us a new way because "command and control" is not considered empowering, inclusive, or collaborative enough. But, at the end of the day, when the pressure is on, time is short and stuff needs to get done now and right, old faithful "command and control" takes the stage. The irony is that at that moment, none of seem to mind that approach. It's when the goal is not clear or decisive and we are wandering around trying to figure out what we are supposed to do that we rebel against "command and control". This is why leadership is situational and one size does not fit all. Like a great baseball pitcher, we have to have more than the high fastball in our repertoire.
Lots of books have been written on the leadership style of Jesus and how we can apply His principles to our business and personal lives. The Bible, as we know from Purposed worKING, is chalked full of leadership and work lessons. Jesus was amazing in that He provided a clear and decisive message that isn't hard to understand and He was very clear with His disciples in what He wanted done, why, and when. But He was able to do this with a touch that was like no other. Even in how he spoke, which was underpinned with the power of God, He did so with humility and sensitivity to all around Him. He led as a servant, but was very much in control. Our challenge, my challenge, is to find that servant humility, follow His commands, and allow Him all the control of us that He desires.
Reference: John 14:24 (New Living Testament)
There are many leadership styles that we can learn about and adopt. The one that comes most easily to lots of people is the style of "command and control". We learn it from growing up when we are raised. We learn it in school from teachers. We learn it from examples of authority all around us. Then we go to the work world and someone tries and teach us a new way because "command and control" is not considered empowering, inclusive, or collaborative enough. But, at the end of the day, when the pressure is on, time is short and stuff needs to get done now and right, old faithful "command and control" takes the stage. The irony is that at that moment, none of seem to mind that approach. It's when the goal is not clear or decisive and we are wandering around trying to figure out what we are supposed to do that we rebel against "command and control". This is why leadership is situational and one size does not fit all. Like a great baseball pitcher, we have to have more than the high fastball in our repertoire.
Lots of books have been written on the leadership style of Jesus and how we can apply His principles to our business and personal lives. The Bible, as we know from Purposed worKING, is chalked full of leadership and work lessons. Jesus was amazing in that He provided a clear and decisive message that isn't hard to understand and He was very clear with His disciples in what He wanted done, why, and when. But He was able to do this with a touch that was like no other. Even in how he spoke, which was underpinned with the power of God, He did so with humility and sensitivity to all around Him. He led as a servant, but was very much in control. Our challenge, my challenge, is to find that servant humility, follow His commands, and allow Him all the control of us that He desires.
Reference: John 14:24 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
day 812: The Influencers - Part 2, The Bad Guys
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
The power of the influencers is quite awesome in today's business world. Twice last week I heard/read this question:
"Are you best off:
1. Getting 3 minutes on CNN.
2. Getting published in the Sunday Opinion section of the "New York Times" and having your column reach #6 on the most emailed list.
3. Having "a guest post you wrote, published on the blog of someone else who has a large readership?"
And the answer is #3."
According to what I read, having Tim Ferris (author of the Four Hour Work Week) say something good was the only promotion that significantly pushed up the book of author Michael Ellsberg, from #1,295 to #45 on Amazon best seller list.
The power of influencers is here to stay.
What we have to watch for is also the power of the negative influencers. In this age of 140 characters I find it easier to say something negative, be cynical, or pithy than it is to say something good and then say why. If this is true, then we need to watch even more closely what the influencers are saying and feeling about our businesses.
It's sad, but true, that our human nature makes it so easy for us to say something bad about someone else. We do it all the time and then wish we could pull back those words, but it is too late. Negative influence is cancerous and goes around the office too fast. But, we can be the blockers and change that if we desire. We are told in 3 John that "those who do evil prove that they do not know God". Wow. When we don't do or say the right things we are actually telling (and influencing) others that we are ones who don't know God. This is dangerous territory if we understand and realize that our influence can carry far beyond what we think possible. Let's consider and sit with this today and be sure that we aren't getting swept up in the bad stuff that is swirling around us but instead breaking out of the cycle to stand up for what is right and good.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
The power of the influencers is quite awesome in today's business world. Twice last week I heard/read this question:
"Are you best off:
1. Getting 3 minutes on CNN.
2. Getting published in the Sunday Opinion section of the "New York Times" and having your column reach #6 on the most emailed list.
3. Having "a guest post you wrote, published on the blog of someone else who has a large readership?"
And the answer is #3."
According to what I read, having Tim Ferris (author of the Four Hour Work Week) say something good was the only promotion that significantly pushed up the book of author Michael Ellsberg, from #1,295 to #45 on Amazon best seller list.
The power of influencers is here to stay.
What we have to watch for is also the power of the negative influencers. In this age of 140 characters I find it easier to say something negative, be cynical, or pithy than it is to say something good and then say why. If this is true, then we need to watch even more closely what the influencers are saying and feeling about our businesses.
It's sad, but true, that our human nature makes it so easy for us to say something bad about someone else. We do it all the time and then wish we could pull back those words, but it is too late. Negative influence is cancerous and goes around the office too fast. But, we can be the blockers and change that if we desire. We are told in 3 John that "those who do evil prove that they do not know God". Wow. When we don't do or say the right things we are actually telling (and influencing) others that we are ones who don't know God. This is dangerous territory if we understand and realize that our influence can carry far beyond what we think possible. Let's consider and sit with this today and be sure that we aren't getting swept up in the bad stuff that is swirling around us but instead breaking out of the cycle to stand up for what is right and good.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
day 811: The Influencers - Part 1, The Good Guys
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Much of the success of products and services getting known in today's business environment is all about the influencers. We must take the influencers seriously and understand what they are saying, how they are feeling, and what's next on their mind. If we can be one step in front of them, and sway their influence, then that is our best chance to have them say what we want/need them to say or "Like". Yes, that "Like" button is important. Back in the day when I was in the videogame business we would bring in the influencers and have them play the game before it was finished and then listen to them to incorporate their feedback into the game. When the game finally came out if they saw their ideas/suggestions, we had a better chance of them being positive influencers. Upstream contact and engagement with the influencers can go a long way.
Like it or not, we are all influencers, to someone. Actually it is impossible to hide from this even if we don't know who the person is that we are influencing. We have to know this about ourselves if we are to be effective in our ability to bring glory to God in our work. If we recognize and take on the responsibility of being an influencer then we can work to set the right examples and follow through with what God asks us to do. In 3 John we are asked to, "Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children...". Yes, you are an influencer. So the question is, what kind of influencer are you?
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Much of the success of products and services getting known in today's business environment is all about the influencers. We must take the influencers seriously and understand what they are saying, how they are feeling, and what's next on their mind. If we can be one step in front of them, and sway their influence, then that is our best chance to have them say what we want/need them to say or "Like". Yes, that "Like" button is important. Back in the day when I was in the videogame business we would bring in the influencers and have them play the game before it was finished and then listen to them to incorporate their feedback into the game. When the game finally came out if they saw their ideas/suggestions, we had a better chance of them being positive influencers. Upstream contact and engagement with the influencers can go a long way.
Like it or not, we are all influencers, to someone. Actually it is impossible to hide from this even if we don't know who the person is that we are influencing. We have to know this about ourselves if we are to be effective in our ability to bring glory to God in our work. If we recognize and take on the responsibility of being an influencer then we can work to set the right examples and follow through with what God asks us to do. In 3 John we are asked to, "Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children...". Yes, you are an influencer. So the question is, what kind of influencer are you?
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Monday, January 23, 2012
day 810: High Five
"Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds."
In the business world when we have a success it just doesn't seem appropriate to do the up in the air hip or chest bumps. (I don't think they have a name, so let's call them "Air Bumps"). Nor do we do celebratory end-zone dances. About the best we get is a high five, a hug, a slap on the back, or maybe a fist bump. But, we want to, and we need to have a way to celebrate our successes and let the excitement out. Even just a little bit of encouragement can go a long way. I was running on Saturday and about 7 miles into my 9.5 mile run I ran by a gentleman at least 25 years my senior. As I was approaching him he held out his hand to give me a high five as I passed him. I responded with a gentle tap and a "Thank you". He turned it around and said, "Go get 'em". I was encouraged and I found a burst of energy from that small gesture. We all need it and in business we need it often. Consider when the last time was you gave a high five to someone on the team?
In Hebrews we are challenged to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord to bring forward "outbursts of love and good deeds". This verse is so good because it reminds us how hard it is to stay in the zone of encouragement and focus on love and our good deeds. We need others around us who can keep us propped up and recognizing the things that we are doing and vice-verse. We can also encourage those around us as we see them doing those things that are upright in the Lord. Let's today work on where our high-fives can be best put to use and see if we can't make a difference in how we encourage others. I suspect that the better we get at this the more we might see those high fives coming back our way too.
Reference: Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Testament)
In the business world when we have a success it just doesn't seem appropriate to do the up in the air hip or chest bumps. (I don't think they have a name, so let's call them "Air Bumps"). Nor do we do celebratory end-zone dances. About the best we get is a high five, a hug, a slap on the back, or maybe a fist bump. But, we want to, and we need to have a way to celebrate our successes and let the excitement out. Even just a little bit of encouragement can go a long way. I was running on Saturday and about 7 miles into my 9.5 mile run I ran by a gentleman at least 25 years my senior. As I was approaching him he held out his hand to give me a high five as I passed him. I responded with a gentle tap and a "Thank you". He turned it around and said, "Go get 'em". I was encouraged and I found a burst of energy from that small gesture. We all need it and in business we need it often. Consider when the last time was you gave a high five to someone on the team?
In Hebrews we are challenged to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord to bring forward "outbursts of love and good deeds". This verse is so good because it reminds us how hard it is to stay in the zone of encouragement and focus on love and our good deeds. We need others around us who can keep us propped up and recognizing the things that we are doing and vice-verse. We can also encourage those around us as we see them doing those things that are upright in the Lord. Let's today work on where our high-fives can be best put to use and see if we can't make a difference in how we encourage others. I suspect that the better we get at this the more we might see those high fives coming back our way too.
Reference: Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Testament)
Friday, January 20, 2012
day 809: Witholdings
"...The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do right"
There is lots of talk today about who pays how much tax and why. Politicians are having to defend their tax rate even thought they paid what was due to be paid. Corporations have also been under scrutiny for their tax rate payments, or lack thereof. The tax system is so complex that when we hear about what an entity has or has not paid in taxes we can't make sense of it anyway. What we do know is that we have to pay our taxes and that is whether we like it or not. In the corporate world some of the highest paid professionals are those who know how to manage the complex tax laws to ensure that a company is not paying one more penny than is required. Today, many international corporations will have offices and operations in place like Switzerland, the Caymans and Ireland to avoid paying higher taxes. It's a complicated subject and usually charged with some emotion, depending on what seat you sit. But, at the end of the day, what the government can withhold within the law, is what we have to abide within.
As workers we also pay taxes and we have those withheld from our paychecks. It is the law and we have to follow the law in order to be doing what is right. What David tells us in the Psalms is that if we do what is right that those things that are good will not be withheld from us. What we are being told is that in all that we do, let's stand upright and follow the moral compass and direction that we are given from God and be on the right side of all that we do. Going back to taxes for a second, I know many people who are small business owners where they have a choice in how they report their income. That choice is about doing the right thing, or not. God has given us a promise. Do the right thing and the good things for us will be delivered. See where I am going? What might feel like is good for us, but causes us to not do the right things, will hurt us in the long run, and worse yet, remove the blessings that God wants to give us. It's something for us all to think about when we think of what we may be withholding from God when we don't do the right thing.
Reference: Psalm 84:11 (New Living Testament)
There is lots of talk today about who pays how much tax and why. Politicians are having to defend their tax rate even thought they paid what was due to be paid. Corporations have also been under scrutiny for their tax rate payments, or lack thereof. The tax system is so complex that when we hear about what an entity has or has not paid in taxes we can't make sense of it anyway. What we do know is that we have to pay our taxes and that is whether we like it or not. In the corporate world some of the highest paid professionals are those who know how to manage the complex tax laws to ensure that a company is not paying one more penny than is required. Today, many international corporations will have offices and operations in place like Switzerland, the Caymans and Ireland to avoid paying higher taxes. It's a complicated subject and usually charged with some emotion, depending on what seat you sit. But, at the end of the day, what the government can withhold within the law, is what we have to abide within.
As workers we also pay taxes and we have those withheld from our paychecks. It is the law and we have to follow the law in order to be doing what is right. What David tells us in the Psalms is that if we do what is right that those things that are good will not be withheld from us. What we are being told is that in all that we do, let's stand upright and follow the moral compass and direction that we are given from God and be on the right side of all that we do. Going back to taxes for a second, I know many people who are small business owners where they have a choice in how they report their income. That choice is about doing the right thing, or not. God has given us a promise. Do the right thing and the good things for us will be delivered. See where I am going? What might feel like is good for us, but causes us to not do the right things, will hurt us in the long run, and worse yet, remove the blessings that God wants to give us. It's something for us all to think about when we think of what we may be withholding from God when we don't do the right thing.
Reference: Psalm 84:11 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
day 808: Thou Shall Not Steal
:Thou shall not steal"
Yesterday there were many places on the internet that were dark in protest and demonstration of not supporting current legislation regarding internet piracy. The SOPA/PIPA bills have caused quite a stir and controversy between content creators and content distributors. Hollywood and Silicon Valley are not happy with each other right now. This is not a new struggle and it predates the internet. Content creators have always been highly protective of their intellectual property (rightfully so) and done all they can to maximize the opportunities from their work. Before the internet, copying, plagiarism, recreating, etc. were all there. The internet and file-sharing (which Napster introduced many of us too) just made the problem worse and put the opportunity to use and manipulate intellectual property in the hands of the masses. Technology companies want to democratize content distribution so that more people can see and enjoy the content creators' work. At the heart of the issue, and there is a compromise and a middle-ground to be reached; it is about the respect of another and being honest, or not. It comes down to basic values that are either followed or not. If someone steals from another, there will be repercussion and backlash, whether it is legislated or not. We are all better off starting from a place of honesty to build trust and when that happens consistently then many of the questions fall away.
Moses brought us God's written word when he delivered the Ten Commandments. God knows our nature so He had to be blunt and clear with us, "Thou shall not steal". Sounds easy to understand, but if it is so easy to not to do, then why did God have to tell us not to do it? Because, Father knows best, that's why! We should all take a good hard look at ourselves and how we work. Do we steal? On the big things, of course not, but how about on the little things where cutting a corner, smoothing out an expense report, knocking off an hour early here and there, taking credit for someone's idea, copying that photograph from the web for our work without paying for it? Do we do those? The little things are as big, if not bigger than the obvious stuff. At least, in God's eyes they are. He didn't say "Thou shall not steal the big and noticeable stuff". At the heart of who we are, let's be sure that we don't find ourselves stealing.
Reference: Exodus 20:15
Yesterday there were many places on the internet that were dark in protest and demonstration of not supporting current legislation regarding internet piracy. The SOPA/PIPA bills have caused quite a stir and controversy between content creators and content distributors. Hollywood and Silicon Valley are not happy with each other right now. This is not a new struggle and it predates the internet. Content creators have always been highly protective of their intellectual property (rightfully so) and done all they can to maximize the opportunities from their work. Before the internet, copying, plagiarism, recreating, etc. were all there. The internet and file-sharing (which Napster introduced many of us too) just made the problem worse and put the opportunity to use and manipulate intellectual property in the hands of the masses. Technology companies want to democratize content distribution so that more people can see and enjoy the content creators' work. At the heart of the issue, and there is a compromise and a middle-ground to be reached; it is about the respect of another and being honest, or not. It comes down to basic values that are either followed or not. If someone steals from another, there will be repercussion and backlash, whether it is legislated or not. We are all better off starting from a place of honesty to build trust and when that happens consistently then many of the questions fall away.
Moses brought us God's written word when he delivered the Ten Commandments. God knows our nature so He had to be blunt and clear with us, "Thou shall not steal". Sounds easy to understand, but if it is so easy to not to do, then why did God have to tell us not to do it? Because, Father knows best, that's why! We should all take a good hard look at ourselves and how we work. Do we steal? On the big things, of course not, but how about on the little things where cutting a corner, smoothing out an expense report, knocking off an hour early here and there, taking credit for someone's idea, copying that photograph from the web for our work without paying for it? Do we do those? The little things are as big, if not bigger than the obvious stuff. At least, in God's eyes they are. He didn't say "Thou shall not steal the big and noticeable stuff". At the heart of who we are, let's be sure that we don't find ourselves stealing.
Reference: Exodus 20:15
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
day 807: The Finish Line
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
Work is never really finished. well, that is if if the company is committed to growth and expansion. Even short-term wins and completions are actually starting points for new initiatives and goals. When companies are at their best is when there is enough of an exciting and over-arching vision that all of the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly work is never done, but always pushing towards that vision. Even when people leave their positions the work will stay and someone else picks it up and goes. I can remember working with people who were getting ready to retire and it was hard for them to find the right time to make the leap as they still felt there was so much left to do (or at least the conscientious people felt this way.) As we lead our companies, or work on a team, we are best off to sign up for the Marathon and ready ourselves for a long run, and if we get to pull up short, then great, but otherwise our head is in the run for the long one. That's a lot better than thinking there is a finish line that is there, but gets moved out.
Our work to bring glory to God in all that we do never finishes either. Each and every day that we bring our talents to our work, doing the best we can to set an example that others will want to follow and see Jesus within us, is only just another step on a journey that should never end until we get to stand face to face with Jesus. The most awesome of things is that God gives us all of the tenacity, perseverance, energy and power we need to keep going until we get to see the finish line, if we only allow Him to give all to us that He so desperately wants to give. I know I write of it often, but I was reminded of what God wants to be with us the other day when I saw a film clip of a father going off to work and his son (maybe 5 years old) standing at the front door begging to go to work with Daddy. As the father drives off the son stands in the front window looking so sad. God so wants us to take Him to work with us so that he can do His work within us. Just imagine what it would be like if we all were committed to do so. There's a finish line to aspire to reach!
Reference: Philippians 1:6 (New Living Testament)
Work is never really finished. well, that is if if the company is committed to growth and expansion. Even short-term wins and completions are actually starting points for new initiatives and goals. When companies are at their best is when there is enough of an exciting and over-arching vision that all of the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly work is never done, but always pushing towards that vision. Even when people leave their positions the work will stay and someone else picks it up and goes. I can remember working with people who were getting ready to retire and it was hard for them to find the right time to make the leap as they still felt there was so much left to do (or at least the conscientious people felt this way.) As we lead our companies, or work on a team, we are best off to sign up for the Marathon and ready ourselves for a long run, and if we get to pull up short, then great, but otherwise our head is in the run for the long one. That's a lot better than thinking there is a finish line that is there, but gets moved out.
Our work to bring glory to God in all that we do never finishes either. Each and every day that we bring our talents to our work, doing the best we can to set an example that others will want to follow and see Jesus within us, is only just another step on a journey that should never end until we get to stand face to face with Jesus. The most awesome of things is that God gives us all of the tenacity, perseverance, energy and power we need to keep going until we get to see the finish line, if we only allow Him to give all to us that He so desperately wants to give. I know I write of it often, but I was reminded of what God wants to be with us the other day when I saw a film clip of a father going off to work and his son (maybe 5 years old) standing at the front door begging to go to work with Daddy. As the father drives off the son stands in the front window looking so sad. God so wants us to take Him to work with us so that he can do His work within us. Just imagine what it would be like if we all were committed to do so. There's a finish line to aspire to reach!
Reference: Philippians 1:6 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
day 806: A Special Way...
"O, Lord, the God of my master. Abraham, if you are planning to make my mission a success, please guide me in a special way."
We all seek to have an upper hand, a competitive advantage, a secret sauce, or a special way that our competition doesn't have or has to yet to realize. This quest causes us to move fast, act deftly, and to make investments in areas that are yet uncertain. Why do we do this? Well, we know that if we get someplace first and can stake our ground and that even being there a day earlier makes it harder for others to catch up. So, we spend lots of time and money on R&D just looking for that one advantage, regardless of how small the advantage could be. This search for the competitive advantage is part of what drives us and our businesses and it certainly does keep us on the cutting edge and pushing the envelope, which does make us more innovative and ultimately better. If if feels like the company is lagging or getting sluggish, then it might be time to step back and examine whether we are still seeking that edge and special way. If we aren't then we should stop and reset to find a way to do so.
Eliezer went off to do the work of the Lord, but still asked to be guided in a "special way". As we think about our own work and how hard we strive to have an edge in what we do, whatever that job is, we would be better if we also asked God to guide us a "special way". Imagine what and how we could work if we really turned it over to the Lord to allow us to walk and follow in that "Special way". If there is something that we need to get done today that we have been holding onto and have struggled to find success with, then that may be what God is calling us to give up to Him and let Him take over the finish line. If we are to work to His glory, we have to allow Him to come to work with us and be there with us throughout all that we do. Consider starting today with the prayer of Eliezer, "O, Lord, the God of my master. Abraham, if you are planning to make my mission a success, please guide me in a special way."
Reference: Genesis 24:42 (New Living Testament)
We all seek to have an upper hand, a competitive advantage, a secret sauce, or a special way that our competition doesn't have or has to yet to realize. This quest causes us to move fast, act deftly, and to make investments in areas that are yet uncertain. Why do we do this? Well, we know that if we get someplace first and can stake our ground and that even being there a day earlier makes it harder for others to catch up. So, we spend lots of time and money on R&D just looking for that one advantage, regardless of how small the advantage could be. This search for the competitive advantage is part of what drives us and our businesses and it certainly does keep us on the cutting edge and pushing the envelope, which does make us more innovative and ultimately better. If if feels like the company is lagging or getting sluggish, then it might be time to step back and examine whether we are still seeking that edge and special way. If we aren't then we should stop and reset to find a way to do so.
Eliezer went off to do the work of the Lord, but still asked to be guided in a "special way". As we think about our own work and how hard we strive to have an edge in what we do, whatever that job is, we would be better if we also asked God to guide us a "special way". Imagine what and how we could work if we really turned it over to the Lord to allow us to walk and follow in that "Special way". If there is something that we need to get done today that we have been holding onto and have struggled to find success with, then that may be what God is calling us to give up to Him and let Him take over the finish line. If we are to work to His glory, we have to allow Him to come to work with us and be there with us throughout all that we do. Consider starting today with the prayer of Eliezer, "O, Lord, the God of my master. Abraham, if you are planning to make my mission a success, please guide me in a special way."
Reference: Genesis 24:42 (New Living Testament)
Friday, January 13, 2012
day 805: The Rise Of Productivity
"Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive."
The rise of productivity as a key measurement is nothing new, but in the last three years we have put the focus on this number more than I can ever remember. Analysts are obsessed with how much productivity a company is returning. That is, how much are they getting done with the least number of people they can. I mean, I get it, but taken to the extreme, which is what we tend to be doing in all that we do in the business world these days, a high productivity number can lead to unwanted results like burn-out, morale issues, turnover, etc. As in most, if not all things, moderation is called upon to help us be able to manage over the long run. If we are solely focused on the short-term and an indicator like productivity we can lose sight of the bigger picture and certainly the needs of our people. Let's not allow ourselves to become fixated on productivity as it will drive us to other measures that could be more harmful in the long run.
If each of us want to be the most productive in whatever we do, then we have to learn to give it up for ourselves in order to help and assist others. When we do that, we are being truly productive in a definition that is beyond a measure. Too much of our time can be spent on ourselves and what we want to do and we can lose what and should be our true focus. How much time are we spending on the needs of others versus our own? If seems really weird to have on our to-do list to take care of the needs of those around us, but that is what we are called to do. If we do, then we will see the rise in our productivity with a return that goes toward the Kingdom. Consider that definition of productivity for our pure and authentic measurement.
Happy Martin Luther King Day. Purposed worKING will be back on Tuesday the 17th.
Reference: Titus 3:14 (New Living Testament)
The rise of productivity as a key measurement is nothing new, but in the last three years we have put the focus on this number more than I can ever remember. Analysts are obsessed with how much productivity a company is returning. That is, how much are they getting done with the least number of people they can. I mean, I get it, but taken to the extreme, which is what we tend to be doing in all that we do in the business world these days, a high productivity number can lead to unwanted results like burn-out, morale issues, turnover, etc. As in most, if not all things, moderation is called upon to help us be able to manage over the long run. If we are solely focused on the short-term and an indicator like productivity we can lose sight of the bigger picture and certainly the needs of our people. Let's not allow ourselves to become fixated on productivity as it will drive us to other measures that could be more harmful in the long run.
If each of us want to be the most productive in whatever we do, then we have to learn to give it up for ourselves in order to help and assist others. When we do that, we are being truly productive in a definition that is beyond a measure. Too much of our time can be spent on ourselves and what we want to do and we can lose what and should be our true focus. How much time are we spending on the needs of others versus our own? If seems really weird to have on our to-do list to take care of the needs of those around us, but that is what we are called to do. If we do, then we will see the rise in our productivity with a return that goes toward the Kingdom. Consider that definition of productivity for our pure and authentic measurement.
Happy Martin Luther King Day. Purposed worKING will be back on Tuesday the 17th.
Reference: Titus 3:14 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
day 805: Sign Up. Follow. Share.
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations..."
If we tried, it would be hard to find a successful consumer focused company that does not have a social media strategy. At the end of the day and all the talk about search engine marketing (SEM)and search engine optimization (SEO), both of which are important to understand and have an expertise about, nothing will work unless you have people who will sign up with you (in whatever form you choose them to do so), then follow you, and finally share with others what they have learned or like about your company. It comes down to those three simple concepts. And, of course, for that to even remotely work we must have a product or service that is worthy of consumers spending their time, energy and social capital to sign up, follow and share. We would all be wise to stop and consider what it is that we are asking others to sign up for, how easy we can make it for them to follow and what are we making exciting and compelling enough for them to want to share.
This past weekend at my church in San Francisco, http://www.cornerstone-sf.org, (you may need to copy this into your browser as Blogger link insert is not working correctly), our Pastor asked me to share a few minutes about how we could use social media to get the word out about a new service and location in the city. We had created a small insert card for the weekly service handout and it was detailed about how to Sign up, Follow, and Share. As I was preparing for the short talk I was going to do it was not lost on me that what we want to have happen in Social Media, is the same message that Jesus gave us about how we are to live and express our faith. He asked us to sign up with Him. He then asked us to follow Him, each and every day of our lives, and He asked us to share the good news of His message and gospel. Thousands of years since Jesus walked the earth, we are still being called to do the same things with technology that could never then been imagined. God is calling each of us to Sign Up, Follow and Share. How are we doing in that calling?
Reference: Matthew 28:19 (New Living Testament)
If we tried, it would be hard to find a successful consumer focused company that does not have a social media strategy. At the end of the day and all the talk about search engine marketing (SEM)and search engine optimization (SEO), both of which are important to understand and have an expertise about, nothing will work unless you have people who will sign up with you (in whatever form you choose them to do so), then follow you, and finally share with others what they have learned or like about your company. It comes down to those three simple concepts. And, of course, for that to even remotely work we must have a product or service that is worthy of consumers spending their time, energy and social capital to sign up, follow and share. We would all be wise to stop and consider what it is that we are asking others to sign up for, how easy we can make it for them to follow and what are we making exciting and compelling enough for them to want to share.
This past weekend at my church in San Francisco, http://www.cornerstone-sf.org, (you may need to copy this into your browser as Blogger link insert is not working correctly), our Pastor asked me to share a few minutes about how we could use social media to get the word out about a new service and location in the city. We had created a small insert card for the weekly service handout and it was detailed about how to Sign up, Follow, and Share. As I was preparing for the short talk I was going to do it was not lost on me that what we want to have happen in Social Media, is the same message that Jesus gave us about how we are to live and express our faith. He asked us to sign up with Him. He then asked us to follow Him, each and every day of our lives, and He asked us to share the good news of His message and gospel. Thousands of years since Jesus walked the earth, we are still being called to do the same things with technology that could never then been imagined. God is calling each of us to Sign Up, Follow and Share. How are we doing in that calling?
Reference: Matthew 28:19 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
day 804: Negotiating Principles, Part 3 - When It's All Over
"And the Lord said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it. The Lord went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his tent."
It's not easy to conclude tough negotiations and then want to head out for dinner together or celebrations afterwards. Sure, there is that moment when we shake hands, smile and maybe for large-scale stuff, take a picture or two. But, there usually needs to be a little space after it's all over. It's not a bad idea to take that moment and go our separate ways but not without being sure that we have our next steps defined and it's usually a good idea to have that first goal/milestone defined so we have a set time to come back together. But, at the moment, it's okay to step way and not force it.
Even Abraham and the Lord went their separate ways after they had completed their negotiations. We read that they separated and the Bible doesn't indicate that there was any emotion associated with it, they just went their own way and back to where they felt the best. As we go through tough conversations and negotiations it's okay to recognize that we all need some space and to give it to each other might be one of the best deal gifts we could provide. This is a good reminder that getting to yes is hard. Compromise has to happen and with that comes a healing of wounds. Time takes care of those wounds and a little air can help too. Something to think about if you are trying to bring to close a hard negotiation/deal this week and you want to do it in a way that leaves the best impression and jumping off point.
Reference: Genesis Chapter 18
It's not easy to conclude tough negotiations and then want to head out for dinner together or celebrations afterwards. Sure, there is that moment when we shake hands, smile and maybe for large-scale stuff, take a picture or two. But, there usually needs to be a little space after it's all over. It's not a bad idea to take that moment and go our separate ways but not without being sure that we have our next steps defined and it's usually a good idea to have that first goal/milestone defined so we have a set time to come back together. But, at the moment, it's okay to step way and not force it.
Even Abraham and the Lord went their separate ways after they had completed their negotiations. We read that they separated and the Bible doesn't indicate that there was any emotion associated with it, they just went their own way and back to where they felt the best. As we go through tough conversations and negotiations it's okay to recognize that we all need some space and to give it to each other might be one of the best deal gifts we could provide. This is a good reminder that getting to yes is hard. Compromise has to happen and with that comes a healing of wounds. Time takes care of those wounds and a little air can help too. Something to think about if you are trying to bring to close a hard negotiation/deal this week and you want to do it in a way that leaves the best impression and jumping off point.
Reference: Genesis Chapter 18
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
day 803: Negotiating Principles, Part 2 - Finding Shared Objectives
"And the Lord said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it. The Lord went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his tent."
We sit across the table or we pass back and forth documents trying to get another party to agree to our point of view or proposal. If we are smart we have spent a fair amount of time trying to understand what the objectives are and what the underlying things that are highly valued. If we can find that these are shared between both parties then there is much to work with. It's when there aren't any of these then and we we find that aren't any that are shared then we end up getting nowhere and if we are really smart then we will know that it is better to walk away than try and force a deal between two parties that don't have shared values/principles/objectives. It's really, really important that we have have this understanding and perspective before we go into a deal or negotiation process. It's worth the extra time and thinking.
Abraham was able to negotiate with the Lord. When we read this account in Genesis 18 it is nothing short of remarkable. To negotiate with the Lord? As I read this account again recently, I realized that one reason why this negotiation worked was that both Abraham and the Lord had a shared objective and values. They both wanted to save the righteous people and wanted to make sure they were spared. This is why God was willing to hold back on the destruction so Abraham could come up with an (what turned out to be a smaller and smaller) amount of righteous people. In our own lives we are faced with negotiations and deals everyday. Our workday is filled with them. It's worth the time to find the shared objectives/values so that we can come to the table with a position that is principle based. That position is one that won't go unnoticed.
Reference: Genesis 18
We sit across the table or we pass back and forth documents trying to get another party to agree to our point of view or proposal. If we are smart we have spent a fair amount of time trying to understand what the objectives are and what the underlying things that are highly valued. If we can find that these are shared between both parties then there is much to work with. It's when there aren't any of these then and we we find that aren't any that are shared then we end up getting nowhere and if we are really smart then we will know that it is better to walk away than try and force a deal between two parties that don't have shared values/principles/objectives. It's really, really important that we have have this understanding and perspective before we go into a deal or negotiation process. It's worth the extra time and thinking.
Abraham was able to negotiate with the Lord. When we read this account in Genesis 18 it is nothing short of remarkable. To negotiate with the Lord? As I read this account again recently, I realized that one reason why this negotiation worked was that both Abraham and the Lord had a shared objective and values. They both wanted to save the righteous people and wanted to make sure they were spared. This is why God was willing to hold back on the destruction so Abraham could come up with an (what turned out to be a smaller and smaller) amount of righteous people. In our own lives we are faced with negotiations and deals everyday. Our workday is filled with them. It's worth the time to find the shared objectives/values so that we can come to the table with a position that is principle based. That position is one that won't go unnoticed.
Reference: Genesis 18
Monday, January 9, 2012
day 802: Negotiating Principles, Part 1 - Equal Footing
"And the Lord said, "Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it. The Lord went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his tent."
I was part of a negotiations recently where both sides of the table tried to act that they were on equal footing. The truth of the matter is that someone is always lesser than the other side and it's important to know who is who, and most importantly to know which party you are. If the other side is the strong side of the negotiations and we try and play on the same plane we run the risk of being seen as disrespectful. If it is the other way around and we don't understand that we are the stronger player and miss this then we can come across as arrogant or overbearing. A great deal is one where both sides feel like there is a win and that starts with knowing and appreciating each other. Knowing where we each stand is an important part of that process.
When Abraham negotiated with the Lord about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he did out of the greatest respect and humility. Abraham certainly knew where he stood in relation to God. Abraham had no power or leverage. All he could do was reach to the Lord for an understanding and appreciation of his request. Many times in Genesis Chapter 18 we read that Abraham requested the Lord to make concessions but not before each time he spoke he would humble himself before the Lord. It's worth reading the Chapter to understand the example that Abraham is giving us. To reach someone else for what we need, we should humble ourselves to them so they will listen and appreciate what we are requesting. Consider today how much can be gained by taking this approach.
Reference: Genesis Chapter 18
I was part of a negotiations recently where both sides of the table tried to act that they were on equal footing. The truth of the matter is that someone is always lesser than the other side and it's important to know who is who, and most importantly to know which party you are. If the other side is the strong side of the negotiations and we try and play on the same plane we run the risk of being seen as disrespectful. If it is the other way around and we don't understand that we are the stronger player and miss this then we can come across as arrogant or overbearing. A great deal is one where both sides feel like there is a win and that starts with knowing and appreciating each other. Knowing where we each stand is an important part of that process.
When Abraham negotiated with the Lord about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he did out of the greatest respect and humility. Abraham certainly knew where he stood in relation to God. Abraham had no power or leverage. All he could do was reach to the Lord for an understanding and appreciation of his request. Many times in Genesis Chapter 18 we read that Abraham requested the Lord to make concessions but not before each time he spoke he would humble himself before the Lord. It's worth reading the Chapter to understand the example that Abraham is giving us. To reach someone else for what we need, we should humble ourselves to them so they will listen and appreciate what we are requesting. Consider today how much can be gained by taking this approach.
Reference: Genesis Chapter 18
Friday, January 6, 2012
day 801: Rejection
"For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!"
I was walking down the street in San Francisco behind a young guy who was having a conversation on his phone. I didn't need to know who he was or what he was talking about to understand the conversation. I have had that conversation myself many, many times and I have been on the other side of the call just as many times. I heard the guy say into his phone, "Okay, I understand. I'm disappointed for sure but there are a lot of smart people who are investing money into this space and I am just sorry that you are not one of them. We will keep you up to date on how we are doing and if we need further funding I will be sure and let you know before we go back out for more fundraising." This is the life of the entrepreneur or a businessperson. Rejection is part of the deal. If we can't accept the rejection that comes with trying to raise funds, close deals, make sales, get partners, etc. then we probably shouldn't be in the business. The key is how to take rejection and have it make us stronger, more resilient and more committed.
Rejection can make us stronger. We've just got to see it that way. If we allow rejection to get us down or to callous us to our compassion and understanding of others then we aren't looking at what we have been given in the right way. Who can not stand in awe of the rejection that Jesus took for each one of us and then persevered through something that none of us will have to endure, all for the goodness on the other side, for us. As we go through the daily rejections of life and especially in our workplaces, let's consider that how we handle and accept those rejections is a reflection to others on how we are modeling the life of Christ, or not. It's something to think about seriously.
Reference: Romans 11:15 (New Living Testament)
I was walking down the street in San Francisco behind a young guy who was having a conversation on his phone. I didn't need to know who he was or what he was talking about to understand the conversation. I have had that conversation myself many, many times and I have been on the other side of the call just as many times. I heard the guy say into his phone, "Okay, I understand. I'm disappointed for sure but there are a lot of smart people who are investing money into this space and I am just sorry that you are not one of them. We will keep you up to date on how we are doing and if we need further funding I will be sure and let you know before we go back out for more fundraising." This is the life of the entrepreneur or a businessperson. Rejection is part of the deal. If we can't accept the rejection that comes with trying to raise funds, close deals, make sales, get partners, etc. then we probably shouldn't be in the business. The key is how to take rejection and have it make us stronger, more resilient and more committed.
Rejection can make us stronger. We've just got to see it that way. If we allow rejection to get us down or to callous us to our compassion and understanding of others then we aren't looking at what we have been given in the right way. Who can not stand in awe of the rejection that Jesus took for each one of us and then persevered through something that none of us will have to endure, all for the goodness on the other side, for us. As we go through the daily rejections of life and especially in our workplaces, let's consider that how we handle and accept those rejections is a reflection to others on how we are modeling the life of Christ, or not. It's something to think about seriously.
Reference: Romans 11:15 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
day 800: Ambitions
“In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”
We all have some level of ambition. It would be hard for businesses or business professionals to be at their best without some level of ambition to work to our full potential. But ambition that crosses a line to something that places ourselves or our efforts and business above other people turns into something else that is not good. Ambition has to be constantly kept in check and balanced against values and principles that keep other people and their needs above our own. Even within a company we have to be careful that we don't let our ambitions get the best of us against our peers. It starts with each of us and how we lead, manage, or interact with those we work. Companies that can't keep their ambitions in check run the risk of becoming bullies in the market and at some point that catches up with them. We know who they are and aren't surprised when they get hung out to dry when they stumble. We are better off in not letting our ambitions get the best of us.
The late Pastor David Wilkerson's brother, Gary writes this about how we are to manage our personal ambitions: "One simple way to measure whether you love well is to examine how you look out for the interests of others. As a pastor, I have to forge an unwavering vision to do this. I am charged by God with a call to stir my people to action and to relentlessly pursue the mission he has given us. The truth is, I can go about this in one of two ways: through my own ambition, pushing to achieve my individual goals; or to adopt the heart of Christ and make my mission to love.
If my church grows to ten thousand and I don’t have love as my vision...if
our church sends out 1,000 missionaries but doesn’t have love…then we are
failing in our calling as a believing body. We are raising up false ambassadors
and exporting a weak brand of watered-down Christianity empowered by something
other than love.How about you? Are your prayers or spiritual ambitions locked in a world of your own wants, needs and desires? Are you bothered or irritated when others’
genuine needs interrupt your goals?What is the remedy for selfish ambition? Paul wrote to the Philippians, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3b). Paul doesn’t say not to esteem yourself, your vision or your life
mission. But he does say others also have vision, purpose and a mission. If you
will esteem them, you will not just be helping them but also strengthening them
in their calling—and perhaps affecting many lives. Think about the power of Paul’s statement. Imagine what might happen if every Christian radically obeyed this truth. We would all have deep, world-impacting interests in others—and none of us would be immersed in our individual goals. The whole body of Christ would be so other-centered we would empower one another in our many varied callings. If each of us is looking only to interests of our own making, our testimony will be limited at best. But if we all are looking in love to build up others, every God-ordained mission will have more than ample support to be accomplished.
Reference: Philippians 2:3
We all have some level of ambition. It would be hard for businesses or business professionals to be at their best without some level of ambition to work to our full potential. But ambition that crosses a line to something that places ourselves or our efforts and business above other people turns into something else that is not good. Ambition has to be constantly kept in check and balanced against values and principles that keep other people and their needs above our own. Even within a company we have to be careful that we don't let our ambitions get the best of us against our peers. It starts with each of us and how we lead, manage, or interact with those we work. Companies that can't keep their ambitions in check run the risk of becoming bullies in the market and at some point that catches up with them. We know who they are and aren't surprised when they get hung out to dry when they stumble. We are better off in not letting our ambitions get the best of us.
The late Pastor David Wilkerson's brother, Gary writes this about how we are to manage our personal ambitions: "One simple way to measure whether you love well is to examine how you look out for the interests of others. As a pastor, I have to forge an unwavering vision to do this. I am charged by God with a call to stir my people to action and to relentlessly pursue the mission he has given us. The truth is, I can go about this in one of two ways: through my own ambition, pushing to achieve my individual goals; or to adopt the heart of Christ and make my mission to love.
If my church grows to ten thousand and I don’t have love as my vision...if
our church sends out 1,000 missionaries but doesn’t have love…then we are
failing in our calling as a believing body. We are raising up false ambassadors
and exporting a weak brand of watered-down Christianity empowered by something
other than love.How about you? Are your prayers or spiritual ambitions locked in a world of your own wants, needs and desires? Are you bothered or irritated when others’
genuine needs interrupt your goals?What is the remedy for selfish ambition? Paul wrote to the Philippians, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3b). Paul doesn’t say not to esteem yourself, your vision or your life
mission. But he does say others also have vision, purpose and a mission. If you
will esteem them, you will not just be helping them but also strengthening them
in their calling—and perhaps affecting many lives. Think about the power of Paul’s statement. Imagine what might happen if every Christian radically obeyed this truth. We would all have deep, world-impacting interests in others—and none of us would be immersed in our individual goals. The whole body of Christ would be so other-centered we would empower one another in our many varied callings. If each of us is looking only to interests of our own making, our testimony will be limited at best. But if we all are looking in love to build up others, every God-ordained mission will have more than ample support to be accomplished.
Reference: Philippians 2:3
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
day 799: Keeping The Power On
“Then he called his twelve disciples together and gave them power"
In today's day and age when the power goes off at work it's like a snow day. Very little can get done in today's workplace without power flowing into the business so we might as well go home until the power comes back on. I once was in a meeting in India when the power went off and at that time it was such a normal occurrence that the meeting just kept on going in the pitch-black conference room. This lasted about 10 minutes until the power came back. It was surreal for me and normal for all of the others from there. A couple of weeks ago the San Francisco 49ers were playing on National TV on Monday night football. Just before the game started a transformer blew in the neighborhood and plunged Candlestick Park into the dark for almost twenty minutes. Then again in the first half it happened again, delaying the game again. The ESPN announcers had a hay-day with the outages saying that the city should be embarrassed, etc. When the power goes out, it's never good. Literally we need to keep the power on in our businesses and metaphorically we have to also keep the power flowing. It's a way of thinking and an attitude to develop. Uninterrupted flowing of consistent power can be the difference between success and failure.
Jesus knew the importance of power being able to flow. He gives others His power. In Luke we read about how He gave power to His Disciples. What I find interesting in this verse is that there are many ways that Jesus wanted to transfer and give power to the disciples. He called them together to do this. It wasn't done individually and this should give us great confidence in that as we work with others that there is power in numbers and those believers that we work with can and will be part of our own ability to stand firm, be strong and faithful to Him. We are also part of the power for others. Today as we go to work and are purposeful in bringing glory to God through our work, let's do our best to a part of the positive power charge in our office and the lives of others.
Reference: Luke 9:1
In today's day and age when the power goes off at work it's like a snow day. Very little can get done in today's workplace without power flowing into the business so we might as well go home until the power comes back on. I once was in a meeting in India when the power went off and at that time it was such a normal occurrence that the meeting just kept on going in the pitch-black conference room. This lasted about 10 minutes until the power came back. It was surreal for me and normal for all of the others from there. A couple of weeks ago the San Francisco 49ers were playing on National TV on Monday night football. Just before the game started a transformer blew in the neighborhood and plunged Candlestick Park into the dark for almost twenty minutes. Then again in the first half it happened again, delaying the game again. The ESPN announcers had a hay-day with the outages saying that the city should be embarrassed, etc. When the power goes out, it's never good. Literally we need to keep the power on in our businesses and metaphorically we have to also keep the power flowing. It's a way of thinking and an attitude to develop. Uninterrupted flowing of consistent power can be the difference between success and failure.
Jesus knew the importance of power being able to flow. He gives others His power. In Luke we read about how He gave power to His Disciples. What I find interesting in this verse is that there are many ways that Jesus wanted to transfer and give power to the disciples. He called them together to do this. It wasn't done individually and this should give us great confidence in that as we work with others that there is power in numbers and those believers that we work with can and will be part of our own ability to stand firm, be strong and faithful to Him. We are also part of the power for others. Today as we go to work and are purposeful in bringing glory to God through our work, let's do our best to a part of the positive power charge in our office and the lives of others.
Reference: Luke 9:1
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
day 798: Back To The Ordinary (Annual Post)
...they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee."
First posted on January 2nd, 2009
January can be one of the most exciting months of the year because of the feeling of a new start that comes with a new year. But for most, January is the month of deprivation. This is the month that we resolve to do more with less, lose a few pounds with less intake and more output, be more diligent with exercise schedules, balance out work and life better, etc. You know the list. At work it is the beginning of a quarter or a fiscal year and even before the year is really started we are already setting down and planning and adjusting to be sure that we can hit the targets that we have set for ourselves. With a swirling external economic climate, we may already be cutting back to make sure that we have breathing room in the coming months and year. So, after all the Christmas build up and holiday enthusiasm, January can feel like a real let down and a hard time for many. As I reflected on the January doldrums I was reminded of how Joseph and Mary must have felt after their first Christmas. What a heady experience to have given birth to a new son, to have experienced the coming of the angel and the visitors being drawn to the stable to see and worship the baby Jesus, and to have gone to the Temple and had Simeon and Anna prophecy over their child. And then, it was over. The angel was gone, the shepherds and visitors had gone their own way and it was time to go home. Mary and Joseph left the temple and the Bible says in Luke 2:39; "...they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee".
For Mary it was now to work to raise a child and for Joseph it was back to his carpentry and making a living for his family and now with one new mouth to feed. It was back to the ordinary for both of them. It was a January and a new year, a year to go back to work and do what was needed to make their own ends meet. Our life and work life of purpose is not to always be filled with highs. It would be great if it was that way, but we all know that it just doesn't work out that way. Our lives are filled with the ordinary and the routine. And, even in the ordinary and the routine we are to seek and work to live to the high standards we have been given as followers of Jesus. As we each start this work year, let us take all of the lessons given to us and do our best to apply them each and every day, knowing that like Joseph and Mary, that returning back to Nazareth was one ordinary step on what was to become a miraculous life journey. They didn't know it then, as we don't know today, but what can come from the ordinary, lived and pursued with righteousness, can be nothing short of extraordinary.
Reference: Luke 2:39 (New Living Testament)
First posted on January 2nd, 2009
January can be one of the most exciting months of the year because of the feeling of a new start that comes with a new year. But for most, January is the month of deprivation. This is the month that we resolve to do more with less, lose a few pounds with less intake and more output, be more diligent with exercise schedules, balance out work and life better, etc. You know the list. At work it is the beginning of a quarter or a fiscal year and even before the year is really started we are already setting down and planning and adjusting to be sure that we can hit the targets that we have set for ourselves. With a swirling external economic climate, we may already be cutting back to make sure that we have breathing room in the coming months and year. So, after all the Christmas build up and holiday enthusiasm, January can feel like a real let down and a hard time for many. As I reflected on the January doldrums I was reminded of how Joseph and Mary must have felt after their first Christmas. What a heady experience to have given birth to a new son, to have experienced the coming of the angel and the visitors being drawn to the stable to see and worship the baby Jesus, and to have gone to the Temple and had Simeon and Anna prophecy over their child. And then, it was over. The angel was gone, the shepherds and visitors had gone their own way and it was time to go home. Mary and Joseph left the temple and the Bible says in Luke 2:39; "...they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee".
For Mary it was now to work to raise a child and for Joseph it was back to his carpentry and making a living for his family and now with one new mouth to feed. It was back to the ordinary for both of them. It was a January and a new year, a year to go back to work and do what was needed to make their own ends meet. Our life and work life of purpose is not to always be filled with highs. It would be great if it was that way, but we all know that it just doesn't work out that way. Our lives are filled with the ordinary and the routine. And, even in the ordinary and the routine we are to seek and work to live to the high standards we have been given as followers of Jesus. As we each start this work year, let us take all of the lessons given to us and do our best to apply them each and every day, knowing that like Joseph and Mary, that returning back to Nazareth was one ordinary step on what was to become a miraculous life journey. They didn't know it then, as we don't know today, but what can come from the ordinary, lived and pursued with righteousness, can be nothing short of extraordinary.
Reference: Luke 2:39 (New Living Testament)
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