Leadership
I am a retired military officer with several years of industrial and church leadership experience after my mililtary years. As a professional officer, I was expected to earn an advanced degree, so I got my degree in International Relations.
The reason that I did not get a Masters in Management or an MBA is that most management and leadership writers appear to have limited experience in management and leadership at all levels, from the trenches on up. I have never read a book (other than the Bible) that I found very useful for training in management and leadership.
Jesus' example from the Bible, however, follows specifically the leadership principles that sergeants, lieutenants, etc., on up to flag officers learn on the job while manning the walls.
1. Your people come first--you don't eat until they are fed, you don't take a break until they've all had one, and you don't sleep until they are safely bedded down. You don't get a hot cup of coffee unless they get one as well. You protect them and are willing to die for them, but you also are willing to challenge them to follow you "into the teeth."
2. You must know your people--not just their names, etc., but what makes them tick. This only can happen if you spend a lot of time with them talking to them, and listening to them.
3. You can never know enough about the business in which you are engaged, be it blowing up cities or making disciples. The leader must always be studying, learning, and then learning more.
4. You must stay in contact with HQ at all times so that you are ready to follow the commands of your governing authority. You must communicate to your people all they need to know to get the mission done.
5. You must always set the example, as to honesty integrity, courage, readiness to take risks, and any other attribute needed to get the mission done.
6. You must be willing to discipline, correct, rebuke, and re-instruct, but never in such a way as to create hopelessness and defeat in your troops.
7. You must make a provision for your succession should you perish on the mission--there must be "another of the same kind" ready to step into the gap.
8. If you do these things and practice these disciplines, your people will follow you and charge the very gates of Hell.
I think the analogies are appropriate.
I am a retired military officer with several years of industrial and church leadership experience after my mililtary years. As a professional officer, I was expected to earn an advanced degree, so I got my degree in International Relations.
The reason that I did not get a Masters in Management or an MBA is that most management and leadership writers appear to have limited experience in management and leadership at all levels, from the trenches on up. I have never read a book (other than the Bible) that I found very useful for training in management and leadership.
Jesus' example from the Bible, however, follows specifically the leadership principles that sergeants, lieutenants, etc., on up to flag officers learn on the job while manning the walls.
1. Your people come first--you don't eat until they are fed, you don't take a break until they've all had one, and you don't sleep until they are safely bedded down. You don't get a hot cup of coffee unless they get one as well. You protect them and are willing to die for them, but you also are willing to challenge them to follow you "into the teeth."
2. You must know your people--not just their names, etc., but what makes them tick. This only can happen if you spend a lot of time with them talking to them, and listening to them.
3. You can never know enough about the business in which you are engaged, be it blowing up cities or making disciples. The leader must always be studying, learning, and then learning more.
4. You must stay in contact with HQ at all times so that you are ready to follow the commands of your governing authority. You must communicate to your people all they need to know to get the mission done.
5. You must always set the example, as to honesty integrity, courage, readiness to take risks, and any other attribute needed to get the mission done.
6. You must be willing to discipline, correct, rebuke, and re-instruct, but never in such a way as to create hopelessness and defeat in your troops.
7. You must make a provision for your succession should you perish on the mission--there must be "another of the same kind" ready to step into the gap.
8. If you do these things and practice these disciplines, your people will follow you and charge the very gates of Hell.
I think the analogies are appropriate.
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