Leader know which 'Button' to Push

Leader understands that he/she doesn't have to know everything in order to lead. But he/she know that they need to have a skill to search for resources within his/her own circle: the people he/she is leading. Here is one great example,

Henry Ford took a journalist to court for libel as the journalist had claimed in the article that Henry Ford was not only a bit dull but really rather stupid.

The defending barrister at the libel action put Henry Ford into the witness box and bombarded him with questions on general knowledge and history, asking such diverse questions as: 'Will you explain Einstein's theory of relativity?' etc.

To the majority of the questions Henry Ford replied with: 'I am sorry, I don't know the answer to that.'

The lawyer turned to the jury after this lengthy questioning and said: 'I think I've proved my point.'

To which Henry Ford the replied: 'Hang on a minute. You have been asking me all these questions for the past two hours, none of which, if I knew the answers, could help me to run my business or help me to build more effective motor cars. On my desk I have a console of buttons and if I needed to get the answer to one of those questions while in my office I know exactly which button to press and could provide you with the answer within seconds."

He went on to win his case. You don't need to know everything, people around you may have the answers, and that is what team for.  

Do you have your 'buttons' to push when you need answer? 

Leader need Wisdom

In 1 Kings 3, after becoming king of Israel, Solomon went to Gibeon, a few miles north of Jerusalem and offered a thousand sacrifices to God. In a dream, the Lord appeared to him and asked him, "What would you like me to give you?"

Solomon answered, "You always showed great love... O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule... so give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?"

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this, and so he said to him, "Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies, I will do what you have asked."

I was stunned by the One who asked the question. And I'm more surprised by what Solomon asked for. This is the heart of a true leader. He recognized that in order to lead such a head strong, rebellious and ungrateful people of Israelite during that time- he need wisdom. As a leader, we cannot lead well without wisdom. Knowledge can be attains, but True Wisdom is a gift from God.

With wisdom, Solomon was the wisest man on earth. (He composed 3,000 proverbs and more than a thousands songs - 1Kings 4:32) Without Wisdom he did the dumbest thing in the world. (He worshiped other gods) As you lead, ask for Wisdom.

Part 2: Message before Valentine's Day - You give me 'love', I give you 'good-bye'

A short story. Maybe it's a familiar one. And maybe sometimes ridiculous, well of course... it’s a made-up story. Yes, I'm not a good storyteller and my grammar always failed me. With that in mind, least your expectation on this story okay.  

Her's Story

            It's been 1 month in college, this dude; clean hair cut, tall and with beautiful Asian dark brown eyes makes her wonder- is he the one that she been looking for? After less than a week knowing each other, both decided to go for a date. Quick? Yes, this is common. This is her first date. Excited. Nervous. Happy. Don't know what to do. That night she wearing a pink t-shirt with a cute Mickey Mouse on it, not so high heel shoes she borrows from her roommate and a tight pair of jeans that she bought last month.

            At a Chinese restaurant that night, she couldn't believe that this gorgeous dude is her first date. 'Mamma!!! Is this a dream?' her heart beat faster as she makes a polite excuse to go to a ladies' room and wash her face. After putting her simple make up on, she moves back to her seat.

Dude: You look pretty today~ and I like your pink t-shirt.

Girl: Emmm... (Smile) Thank you... you too... (She don't know what to say)

[Dude was thinking, 'me too? I don't wear a pink t-shirt! Idiot! Well, I have to endure this.]

Dude: it's noisy here... can I come closer?

Girl: Yap~ (dup dup… dup dup... her heart beat faster than before)

It’s been 1 hour but she doesn't feel that way, the clock is jealous… envy, "it’s only 15 minutes!'. She enjoys every moment. 'Yes, he is the one!' she said to herself. Dude is getting closer and closer to her. She kind of friendly girl and this doesn't border her anyway... but that night she felt a touch on her shoulder. Crawling like a spider. Slowly dude makes an attempt to kiss her. 'Almost there…’ Dude proclaimed in his mind. 'Almost there'. Bang! It was a palm of goddess lying on his face, "What?” said Dude.

"Don't do this! I'm not a cheap girl!” she almost screams in her cry.

"I thought you like me. I thought you love me..."

She didn't say anything.

"I thought you love me, why I cannot kiss you? You said you love me don't you?” Dude is kind of pushy.

She didn't say anything.

"Hey, please... please... I'm sorry okay... I'm sorry~"

When Dude tried to hug her, to ‘comfort’ her for his owns fault, she pushes his hands and said very clearly to him, "Yes, I like you. But we just met for 1 week and now you try to kiss me? This is not love; you try to take advantage of me! You give me 'love'... now I give you 'goodbye'!" bang! Another familiar palm strike Dude for the last time.

That night, she celebrated her Valentine alone. After returning her roommate's high heels, she asked herself in her bedroom, 'Is he out there?' Hmmm... She was disappointed with Dude and perhaps her time to meet 'the one' is not this year. She didn't tell this story to her mom, but she called her that night saying, "Mom... (Pause) I'll always remember your advice. I will never allow any man to take advantage of Me." and she talks about how funny it feels when she using high heels for the first time.

You give me ‘love’; I give you ‘goodbye’.

For Part 1 click HERE. 

Leader refuse to fight petty people

Being a leader is not always a 'bling bling' and enjoying everytime; you will surely face challenges along the way. No matter where you are or whoever you are - there are always some people who want to drive you down, who want you to lose, to experience misfortune etc. We welcome feedback but not irrelevant critic. We need advice but not mere complaint. They might be right, so we must learn from it. But there is a point where you can recognize that they meant to break you down instead of build you up; so what you gonna do?

In his book, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, Ph.D., he wants us to remember these 3 things: When Little People Try to Drive you Down, THINK BIG

1. You win when you refuse to fight petty people. Fighting little people reduces you to their size. Stay big.
2. Expect to be sniped at. Its proof you're growing.
3. Remind yourself that snipers are psychologically sick. Be big. Feel sorry for them.

 I heard so many leaders discourage by petty people from their campus, office or even among those who so called 'friends'. Leaders rise up! Your followers are counting on you. The hope of organization or fellowship is entrusted to you. 'Think Big Enough to be immune to the attacks of petty people.'

Week 31: Gratitude - "If I were a Butterfly"

Today, 6th February 2011, early in the morning during Worship Service, I flipped through an old hymn which I have no idea how to sing it but somehow the lyrics had captured my intention. The title of this hymn is called "If I were a Butterfly" by Brian Howard. My eyes didn't blink when I read it, my right-hand write it down, my heart praise the Lord and I knew I should share this to you;

(1st verse)

If I were a Butterfly,

I'd thank You, Lord, for giving me wings,

And if I were a robin in a tree,

I'd thank You, Lord, that I could sing.

And if I were a fish in the sea,

I'd wiggle my tail and I'd giggle with glee;

But I just thank You Father,

for making me 'me'.

In the fast-paced modern life today, the demanding schedules and the hustle of daily routines, it is easy to overlook the thoughtful, caring acts of others and a word of gratitude to one another. The words 'thank you' is one of the easiest of all to apply but seldom people use it because the world demand that 'no time should be wasted'. 'What about your dreams... house, car, money and your popularity?’ the devil whispered to distract us from stopping to appreciate what we had. We often judge our life with what we don't have instead of what we already have.

Go ahead and achieve your dream, in fact you must have one. (I have a dozen of dreams) But take time today to stop, withdraw yourself to a silent place and list down what you already have - Family, friends, shelter, foods, clothes, shoes, computer, books, a good boss, supportive colleagues, pen, hand phone, hair gel, electricity... Life itself etc. Bob Harrison advices his readers, 'What you do not maintain and appreciate you will eventually lose." My mother due to her loving-caring heart said to me, "I'm sorry that we're not able to buy a car for you." In replied I said, "I have legs to walk and hands to work. You have done a greatest job the world by raising a handsome son like me. Thank you very much" That is easy, but we often forget.

Say thanks now, acknowledge the contributions of others and celebrate the success of others. If I were a Butterfly, I'd thank You, Lord, for giving me wings. But I am your creation, I'd thank You, Lord, for giving me life and making me 'me'. Above all, our gratitude is first belonging to our Creator.

(Chorus)

For You gave me a heart,

for You gave me a smile,

You gave me Jesus

And You make me Your Child,

and I just thank You, Father.

for making me 'me'.

Question: What are you gratitude for today?

Leader is a good Listener

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. (Ernest Hemingway)

 Let see if you’re familiar with this:

He sits there, silent. She is telling him something. His eyes wander round the room. He glances at his watch. He leans back in his chair. He yawns. He flicks a speck of dust off his sleeve. He folds his arms. His face shows no reaction to what she is saying. She falls silent. He makes an irrelevant comment.

          One of my greatest mistakes when someone trying tell me something – is not listening well. After they pour out their heart, all I can offer to them is an irrelevant feedback. We may be tired. They may repeat it before or you may already know the story from others. Quite annoying, maybe yes… but if they are telling us something, we must listen.

          Most of the influence leaders that I know personally, for examples Loh Kim Cheng, Annette Arulrajah etc. they are a good listener. Listening is loving. It is giving ourselves and all our attention to those who are talking to us. Listen with care. Don’t just listen, hear. Hear what they are saying. Process it. Digest it.

          Don’t be distracted by how you are going to answer back while they are talking to you… for the present, LISTEN. Leader is a good listener. 

p.s: Boss, gaji naik aaa..? ha2

Leader did not waste His time judging others

"When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person, it merely says something about our own need to be critical." (Unknown)

What surprised me was when my former boss did not ask us ‘What have you all done?’, no he did not, he asked rather more important question, ‘How we gonna solve this problem.’ Well of course he needs to know how it happens, but he doesn't waste his time judging others. He may angry with the behavior but never a person.

Jesus said, ‘…I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.’ (John 12:47) Barnes’ Notes commentary explains that, ‘It was not his present purpose to condemn men. He would come to condemn the guilty at a future time. At present he came to save them. Hence he did not now even pronounce decisively on the condition of those who rejected him, but still gave them an opportunity to be saved.’

On his first coming, Jesus did not waste his time or energy judging others. He knew our accountability. He trusted each of us with our choices. Laurie Beth Jones said, ‘He judge not because He knew the final count was not in yet.’ God alone has the wisdom to judge men.

What kinds of things can you do to support instead of judge?