On Leading Well

Tag: listen

  • How Do You Lead Well?

    In stark contrast to most daily headlines and the last post concerning How The Mighty Fall, I have two deep convictions. First, every human endeavor stands or falls on leadership. Second, good leadership is possible and accessible to most people who are willing to learn, to serve, and to make decisions that are unpopular.

    How do you go about becoming a good leader?

    Warren Bennis, in his excellent essay “Become a Tomorrow Leader” succinctly answers:

    Figure out what you’re good at. Hire only good people who care, and treat them the way you want to be treated. Identify your one or two key objectives or directions, and ask your coworkers how to get there. Listen hard and get out of their way. Cheer them. Switch from macho to maestro.

    Insight for aspiring servant-leaders: How are you growing in the nine areas listed above?

  • Listening Board

    Before we can lead well we must learn to follow. And to follow closely we must tune our ears to listen.

    Our noisy culture deafens me to the more subtle whispers of God’s Spirit. I need a time and place where I can tune it all out and listen.

    For the past seven years the time has been 5 a.m. The place has been our kitchen table. I have never had an office in my home, or any manspace to speak of. This five foot plank has been my listening board almost every day I’ve woken up here. It’s simple, seats six, and is nothing special to look at. Yet it is the place where God has met me, opened my mind and heart to His will, and revealed His desires to me. Armed with coffee, journal, and the Word, it’s provided the perfect anvil on which to pound out the realities of life and relationships.

    We leave Singapore June 1. I will miss this holy place. The search begins for a new listening board.

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