Is Righteousness a Trait of Legacy Leaders?

John Maxwell on Righteous Leaders (paraphrased):
There's something about righteousness - the kind of morally virtuous
lifestyle - that qualifies a person to lead others.
We should not choose leaders randomly. Legacy Leaders need to be counted on to get things done - and it's not necessarily the one with the most skill, talent, or social standing. Rather, it's the one who daily walks with righteousness. No doubt we all have our own weaknesses and frailties. But a righteous Legacy Leader is an example to other leaders and can be depended on. Legacy Leaders who walk with righteousness can help change the world.

Mike's Thoughts:
The Meriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines righteous as:
1: Acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2a: Morally right or justifiable
It is apparent to me that we need to seek righteous people to be leaders. To be a true leader, one doesn't have to be the most skilled, talented, or socially endowed; rather those who seek righteousness on a daily basis. We all have our weaknesses and frailties, but in spite of those shortcomings, we can still be righteous leaders by seeking what is morally right and justifiable in every decision we make. Will such leaders sometimes fall short of expectations? Of course! Even so, we need leaders who realize their limitations and seek to overcome them. We need leaders who desire to lead others "in accord with divine or moral law".
I can see where when one reads the first definition of righteous by Meriam-Webster where it says, "free from guilt or sin" that one could say that no man can measure up to this and therefore no man should be considered righteous. However, I believe we must take the entire first definition in context. The context is that there is an "act" taking place. While no man is perfect without guilt or sin, a righteous leader can take individual "actions" which are "in accord with divine or moral law" and the impetus behind that
individual action can be "free from guilt or sin".

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to walk with righteousness every day.
2- I need to seek to make morally right and justifiable decisions.
3- I need to take action in accordance with divine or moral law.

The Leadership skill today for Tomorrow's Leaders

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People

19. Remember a Person's Story


Mike's Thoughts:

As a leader, it is important to remember things about my people. Even more important than just "things" is to learn their stories and remember them. It is through our stories that our legacies are passed from generation to generation. When I take enough interest to learn the stories of my people, I earn their respect and I have valuable knowledge of them that I can use to help them channel their talents in a productive manner and place them in positions where they will be most successful.


Mike's Action Points:

1- Take interest in and spend the time with my people to learn their stories.
2- Utilize this knowledge with a pure heart to help them to channel their talents in productive ways.
3- Help my people to move to or create positions where they will be most successful.

If You Fail To Lead Today You Will Regret It Tomorrow

Sunday Night Football:
I had a whole different discussion planned for tonight, but as I was preparing it I was also watching the end of the Eagles/Bears game and an obvious leadership situation developed. The Eagles were winning 24-20 but the Bears' defense had just stopped the Eagles with just over 2 minutes left in the game. The Eagles punted and the Bears got the ball in good field position, but the Bears were guilty of a penalty which put them back in lousy field position. The cameras zoomed in on the Bears' team leader, quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler had a rough game to that point, but there was still hope for a victory. As the penalty on the punt return was announced you could see Cutler's countenance drop, his head sagged and he just walked onto the field without any enthusiasm. Here was the team leader who was in position to motivate and lead his team to victory and he was just walking onto the field with his head down as if he was accepting defeat. I saw it and I'm sure his teammates saw it and felt his defeat. The Bears ran a few plays and then Cutler threw an interception to end any chance they had at winning the game.

Mike's Thoughts:
Wow! What a lesson in leadership! As a leader, it is my responsibility to motivate and lead my people when times are tough. My people will be looking to me for the motivation and confidence they need to overcome the obstacles in front of them and press on to victory in whatever the task is at hand. In a situation that has developed to the point where it is time for me as a leader to stand up and be heard, I must do so with a positive confidence that becomes contagious in the ranks of those I lead. To do anything different would be to let my people down and let myself down.

Mike's Action Points:
1- Seek wisdom to know when it is time for me to step up and make a difference to my team.
2- Have the courage to display positive confidence even if I've had a rough day/time and the odds are against us.
3- Be genuine in my feelings and display of positive confidence.
4- Be a positive example to those on my team who may be future leaders.

Training Leaders Today

John Maxwell's "25 Ways to Win with People":
16. Find the Keys to Their Heart

Mike's Thoughts:
Years ago a leader named Nehemiah needed to motivate a work force that was divided between support for Nehemiah's "cause" and the local leaders, he made an appeal to the hearts (emotions) of the work force to attain their support. Nehemiah was a true Legacy Leader in that first he seeked wisdom, then he took action and when he needed help he appealed to the emotions of the people he wanted to motivate. As a leader, Nehemiah left an excellent legacy for me to learn from. Karl Stephen Brunig wrote a song called "Nehemiah Man" (www.karlbrunig.com) which I really like and talks about working with my tools in one hand and guarding my work with my sword in the other hand. This is very good advice for me today. I do need to work hard with the tools I have to work with and, at the same time, I need to be a good steward of the work I'm doing whether I'm doing it for my company, my family, my community or myself.

Mike's Action Points:
1- First, I should seek guidance before taking action.
2- Next, I should take the appropriate action.
3- If I need to motivate others, I should appeal to their hearts/emotions.
4- I should do the best work I can with the tools provided.
5- I need to be a good steward of the work I am performing.
6- I need to always strive to be a "Nehemiah Man".

Building Leaders Today, Creating Legacies for Tomorrow

Leading Through Difficult Times:
Many years ago, the Israelites were captured and exiled to Babylon. Some of the Israelite leaders were instructing the people not to adjust to their new conditions in anticipation of escaping. After awhile, a message came from the nation's true leader to make peace with their captors, to build homes and families and prepare the way for the next generation to return to their home land as a stronger people than the ones that left. The people lived in relative peace and prosperity amongst their captors and the next generation was able to return to their homeland in great numbers.

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, often people tell me that they are just going to sit back and wait for their situation to change; or for some external circumstance to change in their favor. All I can say is NO! We cannot just sit idly by and expect positive changes in our lives. We must take action and keep moving forward to improve our current situations and prepare a better way for the next generation. This is the essence of Legacy Leadership; seeking appropriate actions, taking the appropriate actions and preparing the way for the next generation.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I will seek wisdom to know the appropriate actions to take.
2- I will take the appropriate actions when I feel confident in them.
3- I will work to prepare the way for the next generation.

Why You Need to Learn Legacy Leadership Skills

There is an old story of two brothers who were trying to please the same master. One was a farmer and the other was a sheep herder. At one point, the brothers needed to give the master some of their work to show their appreciation. Evidently, the farmer brought some of his average crops while the sheep herder brought the master the best of his herd. The master accepted the sheep herder's offer and rejected the farmer's. The farmer became upset over this rejection and allowed his disappointment to show. The master chastised the farmer by saying that if he did his best then he would be accepted, too. The master went on to say that when the farmer does not do his best, he is opening himself up to having a bad attitude and falling into bad habits to cover up his lack of effort. Further, he told him that the way to prevent bad attitudes and habits was to always do his best.

Mike's Thoughts:
I found the last three sentences of this story to be very compelling. If I always do my best, I will be accepted! How simple is that? If I don't give my best effort I'm opening myself up to having a bad attitude and falling into bad habits. The cure for a bad attitude and bad habits is to give my best effort.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to seek the strength and discipline to do my best every day.
2- While I can't be perfect, I should always strive to improve and give my best effort in everything I do so that I may be accepted and create and maintain a positive attitude and good work habits.

Leadership Skills Today for Tomorrow's Leaders

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
14. Do for Others What They Can't Do for Themselves

Mike's Thoughts:
As a servant leader, I need to be cognizant of opportunities to help others in ways they can't help themselves. The key is to help in ways they CAN'T help themselves and perhaps I can. What is implied in this message is NOT to do for others what they CAN do for themselves. It is important for me to show tough love for those who seek to take advantage of my servant heart, even if they do not realize they are doing so. Perhaps they are capable of
helping themselves and just don't realize it. In this situation, it is my role to provide guidance and counseling so that they will understand how to help themselves.

Mike's Action Points:
1- When presented with an opportunity to help another, I should seek
discernment concerning my role in the situation. Should I "do" for them or provide guidance so they can "do" for themselves.
2- If I am led to "do" for them, I need to do so with a pure heart.
3- If I am led to provide guidance, then I should be prepared that this guidance may not be received by pure hearts.

Training Tomorrow's Leaders Today

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
13. Keep Your Eyes Off the Mirror

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, I need to keep my eyes off myself and focus on being and developing servant leaders for future generations.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I will seek an humble servant's spirit.
2- I will focus on helping others to become servant leaders.

Become the Legacy Leader You Were Meant To Be

John Maxwell's Commentary (paraphrased):
You and I were born to lead. Take a look at five observations that suggest our leadership potential:
1- We were created to lead. We were created differently than the animals of the earth. We were created with an intelligence and spirituality that the animals do not possess.
2- Both men and women have been given the ability and authority to lead. Leadership is not gender specific.
3- We are to rule over the earth, but not necessarily over each other. History is largely the story of how men and women have perverted their roles by trying to rule each other.
4- All of us are to serve one another in the areas of our gifting and purpose. Everything was created for a purpose. Our general purpose is to lead, but each of us should seek our more specific purposes.
5- Each person's leadership is best exercised in his or her areas of giftedness. When we discover our gifts, we will naturally lead in those areas where we are most productive, intuitive, comfortable, influential, and satisfied.

Mike's Thoughts:
I (and you, too) am to be a leader and I am to use my talents to be an effective leader. Men and women were not made to RULE over each other, but to serve each other as leaders in each of our areas of strength and purpose. All of us have natural ability to lead in different areas or circumstances. It is important that I understand what my strengths are and seek to use them to positively lead others when appropriate and create enduring legacies for future generations.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I will honor others by being a positive leader.
2- I will honor and respect the leadership of others, male and female.
3- I will seek revelation as to my strengths and purpose for my life.
4- I will step forward as a leader when it is appropriate.

Shhh ... It's a Secret!

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
11. Share a Secret with Someone

Mike's Thoughts:
Share a Secret with Someone! Share a Secret with Someone? My first
thoughts were to ask how this helps to "Win With People"? After thinking about it though, it makes perfect sense as I've often done so myself. There is an important distinction though between sharing a secret and spreading gossip. If I tell someone a secret that I know, it is because I know the facts behind it. Gossip, on the other hand, is just repeating unsubstantiated information that may be damaging to another person. As a leader, I can earn the trust of a family member, a friend or someone I work with by sharing a secret with that person - however, my intentions must be pure and the revelation of the secret must not be damaging to someone else. How the person I share the secret with handles it also will reveal much about that person and their loyalty to me.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I seek wisdom and discernment concerning secrets and gossip.
2- I will have pure motives when sharing secrets.
3- I seek wisdom and discernment in selecting whom I share secrets
with.

You Were Made to Lead

John Maxwell's Lessons in Leadership:
*Humankind was created to lead and rule.
*Leaders must learn to adjust their plans while holding tenaciously to the vision.
*Everyone leads and follows someone.
*No one can lead well without following well.
*Individuals must see the benefits of the vision before they will
commit to it.
*To win trust, leaders must exhibit both character and competence.

Mike's Thoughts:
Mike's Action Points:
1- I will seek wisdom, strength and courage to do the following:
A- Be a leader that others will look up to.
B- Be flexible enough to adjust my plans and yet hold firmly onto
the vision I have been given.
C- To be an excellent example of what a good follower looks like.
D- To be a good communicator of the benefits of the vision I have been trusted with.
E- To exhibit character and competence in everything I do.

Barriers to Legacy Leadership

Today is the six year wedding anniversary of my daughter, Nina and her husband, Stephen, and so I will dedicate today's discussion to them.

From a Message by Garrett Booth in Houston, Texas on 8/16/09:

Four Barriers to Legacy Leadership:
1- Performace/Behavior: we are a performance oriented society and much too often our self-worth is wrapped up in our performance, whether judged by ourselves or others or both. Our acceptance and love/respect for each other should not be based on our performance or behavior. We can accept and love/respect each other even if our performance or behavior is not up to acceptable standards.
2- Motivation: when guilt, fear and intimidation are used to motivate others, it creates distrust, disillusionment and dissatisfaction. Those who use such motivating techniques are insecure with themselves and have self-serving agendas.
3- Playing Favorites: when someone is singled out as a favorite at the expense of others the result is jealousy and envy.
4- Team/Company Melt Down: damaged relationships can cause team/company melt downs that affect generations to come.

Mike's Action Points:
1- I am to love/respect others regardless of whether or not their performance or behavior is up to appropriate standards. As a leader, I need to distinguish between love/respect for the person and dislike for their lack of performance or behavior. I should communicate this when confronting a team member whose performance or behavior is not up to appropriate standards.
2- As a leader my personal motivation greatly affects the motivation of team members. If I show a servant attitude with love/respect for the person, then team members should be likewise motivated.
3- I cannot show favoritism towards one team member over another. Does this mean that I cannot draw closer to one team member than
another? Of course not! But it should be clear to all team members that there is love/respect for everyone. Does it mean that every team member is treated exactly the same. No, it does not! Every team member needs to be treated according to their personal needs and personality.
4- The good news is that regardless of where I am or what has happened to me, I can break the bonds of team/company melt down and create an awesome future for myself, my organization and future generations. I can repair damaged relationships or create new positive ones.

Pass the Credit On

John Maxwell's 25 Ways to Win With People:
9. Pass the Credit on to Others

Mike's Thoughts:
As a leader, it is my duty to develop leaders for future generations ..... Legacy Leaders! Playing off Ken Blanchard's "One Minute Manager", I can help develop Legacy Leaders by offering "One Minute Legacies" such as passing the credit for work well done on to others. This is also teaching leaders to have humility, a character trait that many may see as weakness, but in reality requires strength and maturity!

Mike's Action Points:
1- I need to seek humility in my accomplishments.
2- I need to look for opportunities to pass the credit on to others in a genuine, not self-serving or patronizing way.

Legacy Leaders are Encouragers

Number 8 on John Maxwell's list of "25 Ways to Win with People" is to Encourage the Dream of Others.

I believe that encouragement is one of the key characteristics of a successful leader. Everyone needs encouragement whether it is at work, at school or in the home and it is the leader's responsibilty to do so. In marriage, so much positive energy comes from a relationship of mutual encouragement. I can't emphasize this point enough. I truly believe that if more marriage partners encouraged each other, we could easily cut the divorce rate in half! An encouraging environment at school or work provides a foundation for excellence and achievement.

Mike's Action Points:1- I will work to encourage everyone in my life.
2- I will practise by encouraging myself and anyone I talk to every day.
3- I will read encouraging books, go to encouraging movies and events and associate with encouraging people.

We Are Our Own Worst Enemy

John Maxwell asks; "Isn't most of history the story of conflict among people trying to lead and rule one another, ....?"

If you study the story of Queen Esther, you will see an example of how leaders working together thwarted evil ambitions and did good things. Another obvious example would be how leaders of the Allied Nations worked together in WWII to defeat common enemies. I'm sure there are countless examples of how leaders of nations, of states and cities, of businesses, of communities, of homes and churches have worked together to overcome adversity and do great things together. That being said, I believe one of the two biggest problems in our society are leaders who are only interested in how short-term results will make them look good and imposing their self-serving agendas on others. I believe this holds true for leaders in every position, whether it is the leader of a nation or the leader of a home. While I cannot change all of mankind, I hope that I can have a positive effect on many. I have committed myself to help create Legacy Leaders who look beyond the short-term to see how their decisions will effect future generations and help them to create Servant Leadership agendas that will encourage and develop
Servant Leaders for future generations. Please join me in this quest! My new company, Legacy Coach International will be launching soon for this purpose. The web site (not yet developed) will be www.legacycoach123.com.

Mike's Action Points:
1- If you are inclined to pray, as I am, then join me in prayer for our leaders and for my/your leadership agenda. If not, please meditate on how you can have a positive effect on leaders and yourself in this area.
2- I will look at the long-term effects of my decisions.
3- I will develop a Servant Leadership agenda and strive to influence Servant Leaders for future generations.