This week I have been blessed with what a call loud thoughts from God. Readings and speeches this week have blended together to cause me to think upon one concept as a part of leadership.
In his book Speed of Trust, Covey refers to the "golden rule" that we all know and quote so often. Covey points out that, while we know the golden rule as "Do unto others as you would have them do to you", others world faiths and religions have a similar writing that conveys the same message -- no matter the country, religion, or belief, all want to be treated with the concept of the golden rule.
While reading Leading with Soul, Bolman and Deal discuss knowing who you are within in order to lead with your soul -- what makes the best leader. In developing this trust in Spirit, trusting who you are is critical to the strength of a leader. It's the heart (the soul) that knows best.
Today, our preacher made reference to 1 Samuel 16 in which Samuel is instructed to go to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king because God has chosen to reject Saul as king. Samuel meets each of Jesse's sons who all have the looks of a king -- strong and handsome. However, God continues to tell Samuel "no" as each pass before him. Finally, with no other sons brought before him, Samuel ask if there are any others in the house. David is the shepherd boy -- small and "ruddy", fine and handsome, yet still a boy. He was the one. God looks at the heart to find his leaders.
Soul. Heart. Spirit. Trust. Kindness.
These attributes are what builds the foundation of a great leader. It does not matter if you lead in a rural school district, a large urban corporation, or leading in a global (or transnational) position, all want to be lead by someone that treats them well, leads with the heart and soul, and displays trust and kindness.
On our "cru-ze" to leadership, I hope that we all grow in soul, mind, and spirit.
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I love the title of your post! Isn't is amazing how God speaks to us. I have had loud voices in my head all week as well. Mainly,to work on some of the same things you have described.
Soul. Heart. Spirit. Trust. Kindness.
I have had to look at this scripture a few times this week...Luke 6:27-31 - Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
So much of this scripture parallels themes in Speed of Trust and Leading with Soul. I feel one of my greatest challenges is me. One thing I really need to focus on is that I can not change anything, but myself. I believe that I can inspire and motivate others, but any change they make is self driven. I rely on my relationship with God to strengthen me during these difficult times. With him, anything truly is possible!
Traci - I finished reading Leading With Soul last week. I loved it. It has already changed how I do my job.
I love your blog. It looks great.
Traci - your blog lifted me up today! Isn't it truly inspiring just how much we can learn from each other? Thank you for your thoughts.
Very inspiring. You have a delivered a sermon in your own way. Leadership in many ways is complex, but at heart it does come down to what is in the heart. Thank you.
Thank you for your honest observation---and ears to hear. I need to work on that listening and hearing part. I get so busy doing that I don't always pay attention to the why I'm doing things.
Maybe I should say I need to let the Lord work on that listening part.
While reading Leading With Sould I felt it was a nice story, but I also felt the ideas in it would be very difficult to apply in reality. I was wrong. Like you said, leadership often boils down to treating others with respect. Leading with soul is not about being aloof or attempting to apply abstract, philosophical leadership strategies. To the contrary, leading with soul is about being "down to earth" and treating others the way I would want to be treated. Good post.
Amen Traci. I just wish some people could find their soul to realize that they are hurting others more than they are helping. Its amazing how people will try to squash others instead of helping. I have had to look to Amber's scripture several times the last 2 weeks. Is it getting better. I don't know. But as someone used to always tell me..."its all about fun. Have fun and the rest takes care of itself."
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