Enduring Leadership - Week 1. Issues of the Lid

Because God made us all in His own image, we all are leaders. Jesus
lived and taught Servant Leadership. This is not an option for the
Disciple of Jesus, it is the only option. Our service, good example
and deliberate goals for empowering others, are potent tools for
positive influence.

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Week 1. Issues of the Lid
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Objective: Participants will be able to define true leadership,
identify current limitations to their leadership and establish a
general goal to tackle their limitations.

Key Terms: Servant Leadership, effectiveness, influence paradigms, limitations.



Biblical example: Jesus - Luke 22:25-26; Negative (Saul), Positive
(David –2 Samuel), The Twelve spies (Numbers 13- 15)


1. Who is a leader? How many of you think you are leaders? A leader is
anyone who has the ability to influence. Therefore everyone is a
leader. We have different leadership potentials reason why we need to
develop the gift (Romans 12:8).

2. Why is everyone a leader? We are all made (equally) in the image of
God (Genesis 1:27). It is in Him that we live, move and have our being
Acts 17:29. No where will you see, however that we should dominate
over our fellow men. Those over whom God has given us responsibility
(church, family, wife etc...). We are called to lead through the
process of influence. We all have the ability to influence someone
else even if we do not have a formal position or title.

This is the true measure of leadership, nothing more, and nothing
less. Jesus didn't have CNN, a Facebook page or a Twitter account yet
even after more than 2000 years, more has been written and said about
Him than anyone else dead or alive. His name is known in all the
different continents on Earth! He did not have an army and didn't
build any embassies. All He had was backing from Heaven! Do you have
backing from heaven?

So why do we have these limitations (like Saul) on our leadership ability?

Reflect on this - "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is."(Proverbs 23:7).

The stories of Saul and David illustrate how Saul's attitude destroyed
him while David's attitude served as a springboard for his promotion.
In leadership we talk about Lids. Your leadership ability will
determine your level of effectiveness ( John C. Maxwell - 21
irrefutable laws of Leadership). Low leadership ability will result to
low effectiveness.

Ex: What were Saul's Lids?

Question - How did David work on his own lids?

Assignment:

1. What are some of the Leadership Lids in my life?
2. What are some of the things I can do to lift these lids?
3. Write down the names of three leaders you know and have access to
4. Within the week, meet with them and ask the following questions:
• Why are you a leader?
• How did you become a leader?
• How do you make your team do what needs to be done?
• What do you do to make your team successful?

5. Write down some changes you need to make as a result of this session.
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The key to leadership today is influence not authority! ~Ken Blanchard

God has given you the Gift and Responsibility to lead so...Romans 12:8

New International Version - if it is to encourage, then give
encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to
lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

New Living Translation - If your gift is to encourage others, be
encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you
leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have
a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

English Standard Version - the one who exhorts, in his exhortation;
the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal;
the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

International Standard Version - If it is encouraging, devote
yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If
it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help
cheerfully.

Jubilee Bible 2000 - he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives,
let him do it in simplicity; he that presides, in earnest care; he
that shows mercy, in cheerfulness.

Douay-Rheims Bible - He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth,
with simplicity; he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.

Weymouth New Testament - The teacher must do the same in his
teaching; and he who exhorts others, in his exhortation. He who gives
should be liberal; he who is in authority should be energetic and
alert; and he who succours the afflicted should do it cheerfully.



DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?- Forteh (at) gmail dot com.

God bless.
Innocent

--
The truth never changes.Do you know Him?
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Enduring Leadership

The next few blogs will be on a lesson I gave in the Middle East. Hope
it challenges you too. Gratitude to all the authors whose material I
freely burrowed.

Thank you and God bless.

Regards
Innocent

--
The truth never changes.Do you know Him?
www.forteh.blogspot.com
www.linda4te.blogspot.com
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Abraham as a Leader

The story starts with God asking Abraham to leave His tribe to go to a
land God will show him. In response to God's call on his life (Genesis
12), Abraham left in obedience taking along with him Lot (his Nephew),
Sarah (his wife) and a host of servants. We can learn a lot from his
interactions in different situations with the different groups of
people he encounters as he proceeded in his 'pilgrimage'. It takes a
leader with a lot of influence, to lead others into new and uncharted
territory.

Some clear aspects of Abraham's servant leadership ability include:

a. Not afraid of change: With all he had in Ur, Abraham could have
opted for a more quiet and 'certain' path rather than electing to obey
God and go on an adventure into a seemingly 'uncertain' path. It takes
a strong leader to both appreciate and institute change especially
when this wields the potential of having an overall positive impact on
either the organization or church in terms of its objectives and the
people. Abraham knew this change was important, if he, his descendants
and the peoples of the Earth should experience God's blessings
(Genesis 12:2-3), and he was not afraid to lead his people into this
change.

b. Vision: It is clear from scripture, God called Abraham. The
promises God gave him, led him into having a clear vision for himself
and followers. A leader without vision is akin to the blind leading
the blind. We can see elements of his possession of a clear vision,
manifesting in various forms such as;

i- Refraining from inter-marriage with the locals in a bid to keep
away pollution from foreign gods (Genesis 24:3). He will live next to
them and together with his people will have to influence them and not
them influencing him. This was like establishing a line and invisible
line that ensured that their values as a people did not get mixed up
with the values of the people who were now their neighbors.

ii- Purchasing land in Canaan. He knew where God had called him to and
instead of just accepting the land as a gift from Ephron, he insisted
on purchasing it hence advancing his claim on the land. He wouldn't
have done that if he had no long term plans for the land. This also
probably conferred on him some form of political status.

c. Discernment- He lived in an era and country of great idol worship
but was able to both discern the voice of God and obey it when He
spoke. Discernment helped him distinguish between the prevailing
circumstance and the possibilities for a better future. He was not
limited by his current circumstances but was able to discern that he
indeed had heard from the true and living God, leading to his decision
to not only leave Ur alone, but also take his Nephew, Lot with him. If
all he wanted was an adventure or if he wasn't sure about the outcome,
he would have gone alone. His action shows he was completely convinced
about who he had heard from reason why he did not have a 'Plan B'.
Leaders need discernment in order to lead their followers with both
empathy and in paths that will meet their true needs.

d. Influence – He was able to influence his nephew lot to follow him.
Good leaders are able to influence others to follow them. You are not
really a leader if you walk alone. Lot brought along his family and
servants to embark on this 'adventure' with his uncle. We cannot tell
for sure what made Lot to yield to Abraham's influence but there are
certain great servant leadership characteristics such as; humility,
integrity, charisma, good communication ability and positive example,
that will help build a leaders ability to influence. His influence on
his household, including his servants, can be seen in how his chief
servant went about his assigned duty of finding a wife for Isaac
(Genesis 24). It would seem his servants had an important status in
his household and were well trained fighters, as they later helped him
in battle. He had empowered them with no fear of losing power himself.
Armed with an address only, the servant had to count on God and prayed
for every step. He probably learned this complete dependency on God
from his master. Abraham was therefore a great example to his servants
and influenced them through his example.

e. Risk taker –Gen 12:1-3 Abraham, left all he knew and the comfort of
Ur to an uncertain future. He could have chosen the path of least
resistance rather than facing the sure hostility in unknown territory,
but these seemingly did not bother him. From hindsight we know he was
well prepared as he had a formidable army in his servants. Instead of
focusing on the risks, Abraham focused on obeying God resulting to
great benefits for him and his followers.

f. Humility – He sought a practical solution to the dispute between
his and Lots' herdsmen. He could have easily raised the fact that he
was the uncle or the vision bearer or some other lofty idea to get his
way but he instead opted to maintain the good relation between his
nephew and himself.

g. Put others first (Relational) – He allowed Lot to choose first.
Here we see Abraham again consistently applying servant leadership. He
considered their relationship more important than his personal
desires. He placed those he served and their needs at the center. His
desire, to see them empowered is again very clear in this example.
h. Care for others– Abraham's intercession on the behalf of Sodom and
Gomorrah is a good example of servant leadership in action, seeking to
protect its own. He possibly was primarily motivated by the presence
of his Nephew in Sodom, but it is clear he was interceding for the
salvation of all of Sodom and all of Gomorrah. He had true concern for
his neighbors and just didn't live only for his personal benefit and
the enjoyment of his relationship with God. The salvation of the lost
was important for him.

i. Integrity – He refused to accept the 'offer' of the king of Sodom.
This in the sight of probably his servants. How often do we find men
of such integrity? He had purposed it to stay true to the God who had
promised to make him rich, than take a short cut that would taint his
testimony.

j. Unshakeable confidence in God: Even though Sarah was barren, he
trusted in God's promise to make him a nation Gen 15:5-6, Gen 17:4.
His faith in God made God to declare him righteous (v6). We see this
also manifesting when without questioning the instruction he received
to go sacrifice his son, he acted in complete obedience.
k. Good communicator: We see this during his negotiations to purchase
the land and even in his communication with those who were sent to
destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. A good leader should build their
communication skills.

l. Equipped his followers; these (servants and other members of his
household) were able to fight a war and turn the captivity of Lot, his
nephew. This again is a key concept of servant leadership, which we
see Abraham manifesting. He empowered his followers and they were
successful.

Are you a Servant Leader?


--
The truth never changes.Do you know Him?
www.forteh.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/inno4te

Kinshasa

This is my last day in Kinshasa. It has been a beautiful experience getting to know and work with the folks here. They were kind to show me around but what I enjoyed most was spending time with Aimee's family yesterday. It reminded me of life in a community!

Little kids running around bare feet, laughter coming from the different homes, women busy around the house with cooking, cleaning etc while the men are busy talking about politics. All of this taking place in one large duplex with a large yard and multiple apartments owned by a former colonel in the Mobutu era. The nameless ex colonel, I was informed, owns multiple properties and now lives in the upscale Gombe neighborhood. Many leaders have beautiful homes in this area of town. I had the opportunity of being housed not very far from the present leader Mr Kabila. Batetela is definitely for those who have made it financially...are in the search of opportunities or have some serious connections. As I looked at the faces of ordinary people daily on my way to work, I could feel the needs as folks struggle to make ends meet. Congo Kinshasa is one of the richest places in the world in terms of natural resources but somehow the ordinary folks are still to benefit from these abundant God given riches.

While the pursuit of physical riches is a noble task, seeking after spiritual riches is even more important. We may not be rich on earth as we all do not have the same opportunities but God gives us the opportunity to be rich spiritually by receiving freely the gift of His son Jesus. Will you receive this free gift and the promise of eternal life? Today is a good day. Confess your sins and ask God to grant you  forgiveness through His son Jesus Christ. Receive the Holy Spirit and your new life.

God bless.
Practically yours. Inno

Who am I?

So it's been a pretty long time since I last posted here. It's exciting however to be back. I have been busy with school and other work mainly but hope to post more regularly going forward.

I am starting a new series which will focus mainly on who I am and what I believe. This is partially in response to questions asked on social media by some friends. My desire is everyone will be blessed and enlightened in the process.

At your service. Practically implicated.

Inno

Check out @chris_ekklesia's Tweet: https://twitter.com/chris_ekklesia/status/692362760034897924

Servant Leadership & Fighting corruption

Servant Leadership as a tool for fighting corruption and multiplying growth. Innocent Forteh The problem. A recent comment by the EU commission, declared that corruption across the EU is “breathtaking” and costs the EU economy at least 120bn euros annually (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26014387) ! 76%, of Europeans, believe that corruption is widespread according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. What is the root cause of corruption and business mal-practice? You do not need to look very far to identify the reason why. It is completely based on putting self-interest before anything or anyone else. Obsessive self-interest or desires to ‘win’ at all cost, will generally, bury any sort of principles or morality as an elevated sense of survival takes the place of any form of reason. When used literally, such as in computer lingo, the term/adjective “corrupt”, describes a system that is utterly broken. I advance that the reason why, traditional leadership seems to have been powerless in dealing with or effectively fighting corruption is due to its approach, as it’s a heart rather than a head issue. International Institutions like Transparency International have done a formidable job in combatting corruption but this is not enough. Organizations, governments and businesses need to change how the people are led. It is as basic as that, but if indeed everything rises and falls on leadership (John C Maxwell, The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership), then we need to re-think the way we do leadership! Picture this. The problem of corruption, mismanagement and various other malpractices in the market place are central issues to the effective running of any successful 21st century organization be it in Asia, Africa, Europe or the Americas. The high profile public failures, (moral and other), of leaders ranging from politicians, businessmen and sports figures begs the question of morality in the definition of wholesome leadership. Most materials on traditional leadership, unfortunately promote self-interest and the lust for power, directly or indirectly. These seldom concern themselves with issues of personal choices, in a moral way, as pertains to leadership. Somehow, performance is detached from the personal life of the leader and the spot light is focused on individual skills development for greater effectiveness and hopefully overall organizational benefits, through a ripple down effect. This in itself is not the problem but goes against simple logic. The leader is “wholesale” rather than “piecemeal”. Divide and rule therefore, as in laying emphasis only on certain aspects of the leader, has little place in the formation of an excellent and exceptional transformational leader, who has the potential of driving teams to exceptional levels of performance, in the current global village. From former American President, Clinton and his now infamous, Lewinsky scandal, to one of the greatest Ponzi schemes of all times, by ex-stock adviser Bernard L Madoff; the leadership world seems to have seen it all. Recently, the case of sportsman, Lance Armstrong took the sports world by storm, as he confessed to having used performance enhancing drugs in some of his famous races. We live in an age that expects continuous excellence and “superman” performance from its own kind. The bigger, smarter or stronger, the better. We go wild when a new world record is set by Usain bolt, the fastest man alive, and expect pristine performance out of our leaders. Believe it or not, when all is said and done, we remain mere human; an attribute that should probably be celebrated a little bit more. Are the cases of failures mentioned earlier, just a few exceptions to the rule or the rule itself? Is it possible that as leaders grow in their influence and position they seem to actually believe the rules no longer apply under the current dispensation of most widely practiced leadership styles? Should public leaders be held to a greater accountability than everyone else? Is there one, sure foolproof leadership style that not only focuses on the leader but on all stakeholders? It’s my opinion that there is a model that can contribute to dealing with the corruption ‘virus’ and it’s called servant leadership. Servant what? I strongly recommend the implementation of the servant leadership model as an effective tool to help tackle the problems of lack of responsibility and initiative, corruption, lack of innovation, inertia and various other ills and malpractices in the marketplace. While traditional leadership seeks to place power on one person, at the top, who then exercises a sort of pyramidal control, servant leadership on the other hand, is more concerned with deliberately empowering people. Power, responsibility and success are shared in an environment where people come first and the power of a positive example is key and consciously promoted. Power by itself, unregulated, generally degenerates to dictatorship. Servant leadership focuses on the development and needs of the whole man and his responsibility towards others and the organization. It transcends every bit of the person and maximizes the best from the “head” and the “heart”. It brings into play issues that have been proven to enhance performance such as good morality (solid foundation or integrity), empathy, emotional intelligence and personal responsibility. At the very core of servant leadership, is true customer service (both internal and external). I have worked in firms where staffs were directed to provide excellent external customer service, even though; the reverse was true for internal customer service. Psychologists have constantly proven that a man will generally treat others as he has been treated in the past, yet we hope to by some miracle, achieve excellent results by providing archaic leadership, whose primary focus is results. Yes, results matter but are we talking about just meeting your goals or exceeding them (wholesome success)? Are we talking about staff that care and protect their jobs, or staff that see their jobs as a sort of a cash cow? It is an open secret that a firm or organization that deliberately invests in truly developing customer service and firmly believes and invests in its people will spend less on trying to figure out what its competitors are doing. Servant Leadership, forces the leader to see the leader in others, maximize their potentials and build other servant leaders who together serve the organization and each other in an atmosphere of true team spirit and trust. That is a perfect mix for a corruption free, highly performing environment! What’s the difference? This (servant leadership) is not a new concept either in the corporate world or in leadership circles. The bible records Jesus saying “He came to serve rather than be served”. This is a beautiful model of true leadership, service, nothing more, and nothing less. If we had more leaders, modeling and leading (mentoring) through service, we’d probably have fewer cases of corruption and business mal practice. Author Kent Keith, states in his book, “The Case for Servant Leadership”, that servant leadership is ethical, practical and meaningful. Servant leadership therefore seeks to build capable model leaders out of followers rather than mindless followers, who’re there just to follow the rules and receive instruction. Author, John C Maxwell in his work, “the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership” seeks to demonstrate that growth can be achieved in either a leadership situation where there is a strong leadership and followers (“big-boss”) or where there is a strong leadership which has as objective to transform followers to leaders ( “servant leadership”). In the later, growth is multiplied rather than just added as in the former. Double digit growth, greater competitive edge/ transparency and lower levels of turnover are some direct benefits of adopting servant leadership in an organization. Other proven advantages of Servant Leadership include: • Maximizing and benefitting from the potential of the whole workforce at all the levels of the organization. A last in the line, mechanic, like anyone else in the chain, might end-up being the one who proposes that bright idea, which revolutionizes production, achieves huge savings and stream lines the process. The problem with traditional leadership in this regards is, this same mechanic may never have the opportunity to be heard, may get disgruntled and start looking for another job, while “killing” time with his current employer. • Increased competitive advantage through, increased innovation and creativity. When staff across the organization understand they are taken seriously and are directly involved in decision making as pertains to production, marketing or other key aspects of the organization, their “buy-in” to the organization and its leaders are greater. When staffs have an unforced “buy-in” into the company or enterprises’ values and leaders, they become the values of that organization, their customer service is second nature and their creativity is greatly enhanced. Who does not want to walk in such a team? • Loss prevention through the creation of ownership and greater buy-in. Servant leadership creates a very strong sense of ownership and revives a feeling of accountability. You can’t hurt an organization you love. • Increased accountability. • Greater empathy, emotional intelligence, trust and collaboration. Traditional leadership sometimes address the need for creating empathy and developing emotional intelligence as a means of being in a place to better discern and meet the needs of your staff. Servant leadership lays the onus on the leader to not only consider it as a nice principle but model and teach the same. • Increased loyalty and reduction in staff down time. Loyalty like ownership is good for business, any day. Not without road bumps! The implementation of the Servant leadership model can be difficult in a context which is traditionally used to and has come to expect, “big-boss” or autocratic leadership. This is precisely why; organizations need to consider seriously adopting transformational servant leadership as the model par-excellence for the practice of leadership. The case of specific cultural contexts should not also be ignored. In the push for the markets of the world to become more accessible, hence realizing the global village dream, the thin line between cultures is slowly being erased. I understand this is a bold statement but dominant cultures have always dominated lesser cultures and in some cases completely replaced them. Everything rises and falls on leadership (Maxwell) and the market place of the 21st century is experiencing rapid constant change with the development of tools, partnerships and technologies to ease access to new markets, increase productivity and return on investment. The one factor often ignored which is key to making the machinery succeed is the state of the human resource. The workforce unfortunately is usually seen as an expendable and hence underdeveloped and ill equipped to achieve the desired or optimal results. Forward thinking leaders will consider the necessity of adopting the servant leadership model in empowering and positioning their organizations for success in this new era.