Leaders: Exercise Control Without Being Controlling (#GrowingLeader)

 

In the past, I learned this lesson the hard way: Leaders are responsible FOR people without taking responsibility FROM them 😉🔥✔ #GrowingLeader #ServeToLead

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/             
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/          
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Leaders, Take Time to Recharge (#GrowingLeader)

 

"Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray" (Mark 1:35). If the Leader of leaders take time to recharge, how about you? 💪😊✔ #ServeToLead #GrowingLeader #DisciplineOfSolitude

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/             
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/          
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Cracking Neuroscience (Cracking Series) by Jon Turney, Not-A-Review

 

Cracking Neuroscience (Cracking Series) by Jon Turney

If I want to see the greatness of God, I either look at the vast universe or look into the complex brain. This Cracking series on neuroscience is a good crash-course introduction in the latest scientific knowledge of the workings of the brain 💪 I enjoyed reading Jon Turney's bite-sized chapters (quite wordy as a whole but wonderful graphics makes it doesn't look so) on the field of neuroscience - such as memory, addiction, consciousness, brain waves, mind mapping, etc. - give me the chance to understand the brain, not fully (many things remain a mystery), but enough to be fascinated with it... and a proud owner of one 😉🧠💪

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeader #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #CrackingNeuroscience #BrainPower

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/             
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/          
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Bribery and Corruption: Biblical Reflections and Case Studies for the Marketplace in Asia (2018) by Bishop Hwa Yung, Sort-of-Book Review

 

Bribery and Corruption: Biblical Reflections and Case Studies for the Marketplace in Asia (2018) by Bishop Hwa Yung

Hwa Yung was the bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia from 2004 to 2012 and was the Honorary President of the IFES when he wrote this book. I have met Hwa Yung a few times during camp and conferences. He is a very smart, articulate, quite humorous, and passionate man. It is no surprise that he wrote this book because he - consistently and compassionately - cares about the Christian witness in the world. About this book, he wrote: "This short book is one attempt to respond to the need to help Christians in Asia find a biblical response to the real pressures they face in the marketplace, which takes seriously both the Scripture and the context in which Asian Christians function."

I love this book because the context is in Asia (especially, Malaysia) and not some foreign Western countries. Although both the West/East guilty of the same sins of bribery and corruption, the complexity (or uniqueness) of our culture, socioeconomic, and even theology make a vast difference. The practice of giving 'duit kopi', for example, has been part of our culture. Is it a love gift or bribery? My friends who work in JKR and constructions often face this dilemma. As I read Hwa Yung's thesis, I can't help but to think that corruption has gone too deep in the Malaysian systems that I wonder is there any hope to reverse the order? Maybe not. Or at least, not fully.

The goal is not zero-corruption but calling the Christians to be "salt" and "light" in the marketplace. "God calls His people, not just to save individual souls, but also to bring Kingdom values to bear on the sociopolitical issues of the day," said the bishop. Instead of giving us step by step guidelines, which is impossible due to the complexity I have mention, he provides us with a Biblical framework, fundamental principles, and (what I call) self-awareness evaluations (Bishop might disagree). Three case studies at the end of this book are very interesting too 

#ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #BishopHwaYung #BriberyAndCorruption

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/            
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/         
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

 

The 5 Essential People Skills, (2004) by Dale Carnegie, Sort-of-Book Review

The 5 Essential People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, 

and Resolve Conflicts (2004) by Dale Carnegie

I've read How to Win Friends and Influence People and The Leader In You (to read my review, CLICK HERE) and so this is a refreshing and reminding course for me. Naturally, I'm not a people person. It's not that I don't love people, but people can be troublesome. In the past, I have no problem using people and influence them for my benefit but intentionally want to help and develop people? That one requires continuous learning, practicing, and humility. This book - and others like John C. Maxwell’s Winning with People - have helped me a lot  As I enter the workplace and serve in the ministry, people skill is even more important. Dale asserts, "No matter what your line of work, even if it's in one of the technical professions, your degree of success depends on your ability to interact effectively with other people."

The five (5) Essential People Skills are:

#1 Rapport Building
#2 Curiosity
#3 Communication
#4 Ambition
#5 Conflict Resolution

I want to summarize each skill but after some thought, it is better if you learn it for yourself. I suggest you don’t need to read the book, just listen to the audiobook. You can get so much value from just listening. Go to YouTube for the audiobook (for personal use only), CLICK HERE.

#ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #PeopleSkills #DaleCarnegie

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/            
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/         
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

 

The Holiness of God (1984) by R.C. Sproul, Book Review

 The Holiness of God (1984) by R.C. Sproul

This late Sproul’s classic examines the meaning of holiness and why people are both fascinated and terrified by a holy God. It also explores God’s character, leading to new insights on sin, justice, and grace. People nowadays are so used to "the love of God" that they almost forget about "the holiness of God." When I first read this book in 2010(?), the message changed and reformed my view of the God of the Bible. Now that I read it again, the truths penetrated my mind and heart even deeper. It also brings me to repentance of my personal and ministry sins. God uses this book mightily. This is a must-read for every Christian.

When I read Dr. Sproul writes about the prophet Isaiah's vision of God in Isaiah 6, I was in awe and amazement. Our Bible Study group is studying the Book of Isaiah chapter-by-chapter weekly and by divine appointment the week that I read it we were studying Isaiah 6! Wow! “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3). In the presence of a holy God, Isaiah suddenly aware of his sinfulness. Dr. Sproul explains: “If ever there was a man of integrity, it was Isaiah ben Amoz. He was a whole man, a together type of a fellow.  He was considered by his contemporaries as the most righteous man in the nation. He was respected as a paragon of virtue. Then he caught one sudden glimpse of a holy God. In that single moment, all of his self-esteem was shattered. In a brief second, he was exposed, made naked beneath the gaze of the absolute standard of holiness. As long as Isaiah could compare himself to other mortals, he was able to sustain a lofty opinion of his own character. The instant he measured himself by the ultimate standard, he was destroyed –morally and spiritually annihilated. He was undone. He came apart. His sense of integrity collapsed.” This and many other powerful sentences in the book.

I encourage you if you can, to read a physical book for it is good to read it slowly and reflectively. But if you can’t find it, don’t worry, the Ligonier Ministries make available Dr. R.C.’s sermon series on this subject on YouTube. CLICK HERE to watch. I've watched this series twice! If you already watch it let me know OR once you finished watching it let me know too ya. I would like to hear your response #ServeToLead #TheHolinessOfGod #RCSproul #1Book1Week #GrowingLeader #LeadersAreReaders

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/            
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/         
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

 

The Leader’s Greatest Return: Attracting, Developing, and Multiplying Leaders (2020) by John C. Maxwell, Book Review

 

The Leader’s Greatest Return: Attracting, Developing, and Multiplying Leaders (2020) 

by John C. Maxwell 

When I heard from a podcast that Maxwell’s newest book already arrived, I straightaway went to the bookstore and get it! One day I read this book at the coffee shop and my friend came to meet me. He was so shocked to see that the price is – RM59.90. He took the book from my hand and inspect the covers, thickness, and weight. After the inspection, he declares: “I can buy 3 meals with that money!” This is the classic clash of our values. He focuses on the loss; I focus on the gain. He thinks about his stomach; I think about my mind. He cannot afford to lose money; I cannot afford to be ignorant. Of course, if I can borrow this book or find the audiobook, I might do it. But since I want to grow in my leadership, a small price for knowledge and wisdom is reasonable. I love Desiderius Erasmus’s quote: “When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.”

My judgment might be super bias - I love this book. Many so-called leaders don’t develop others to become their successors. In fact, for most people, the thought doesn’t even cross their minds. I’ve been in a position where my leaders don’t even intentionally equip me but 'hoping' that someday I will take the leadership position. It was just a talk, no follow up. Such an attitude is rampant around us. No wonder if you look at the government, the organizations, and churches today, there is always a leadership deficit. Mr. Maxwell says the United States doesn’t have enough good leaders – but I say, in Malaysia, we are experiencing a leadership famine. Yes, there are examples of good leadership in Malaysia, but very rare… or perhaps I’m too pessimistic. It's time for a new generation of young people to expose themselves to good leadership (books, mentors, examples), invest in their growth and as they become mature – develop leaders. Even the-not-so-young people who are reading this, it’s not too late to invest in others. But of course, the earlier you do it the better.

“The good news is that,” assured Mr. Maxwell, “leaders can be developed, and everyone wins when leaders develop other good leaders.” It will be challenging, take a long time and we will (no doubt) make mistakes but the Return of Investment (O.R.I.) is worthwhile. As I read this book, I’m convinced and compelled to develop the leaders around me. When I teach, I inform others. When I lead, I inspired others. When I develop leaders, I empowered a team. And with a team, we can achieve our dream. I may not (or couldn’t) follow all the process outline in this book, but I’m applying what I can for now. Thanks, John! “Success for leaders can be defined as the maximum utilization of the abilities of those working with them. There’s one way for a leader to help people maximize their abilities and reach their potential, and that is to help them develop as leaders.” How to do it? There are ten (10) steps: 1) IDENTIFYING LEADERS, 2) ATTRACTING LEADERS, 3) UNDERSTANDING LEADERS, 4) MOTIVATING LEADERS, 5) EQUIPPING LEADERS, 6) EMPOWERING LEADERS, 7) POSITIONING LEADERS, 8) MENTORING LEADERS, 9) REPRODUCING LEADERS, and 10) COMPOUNDING LEADERS. Skip 3 meals and buy this book!

#ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeader #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JohnCMaxwell #TheLeadersGreatestReturn

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.