It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
LEADERSHIP QUOTES
We just finished a long conversation around a Start-Up Process and Pitching Your Idea. You can read past posts to follow the conversations HERE.
I'm going to switch things up with a new format for a number of weeks. It will involve 4 SECTIONS:
#1) LEADERSHIP QUOTE: I'm going to share a quote with you. I'd like to encourage you to think about it, respond to it, process it. You can stop here, or go to Section 2.
#2) A LITTLE BIT DEEPER: I'm going to share a couple of thoughts that come to my mind when I think about the quote. Just a short reaction from me. You can stop here, or go to Section 3.
#3) DEEPER STILL: I'm going to share something I've found from someone else: A quote, some tips, a challenge, a thought....
#4) RUSS' LIST: I'll continue to share some links, ideas, books or products that I think some of you might benefit from.
My dad recently gave me a book of quotes, and as I've sat to think about them, I thought it would be fun to process with you as well. Go as deep as you'd like each week, and let me know what you're thinking about.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"A leader can never be happy until his people are happy" Genghis Khan
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
When I think about this quote, as a leader I'm challenged. Being a leader isn't about ME, it's about OTHERS. If you step into leadership for the position or power it gives you, you're wrong. Leadership is about others. Jesus models this in John 13 when he shows the disciples what leadership is all about.... serving others.
As I look at the quote above, the word "HAPPY" isn't what stands out to me, but the idea of putting others needs above your own is the challenge I take.
As a SON, it's easy to think about the times that my parents put my needs above their own, and as a DAD I hope that my kids can recognize the importance of their safety, happiness and joy in my life.
How do I serve those around me...FIRST?
How do I learn to put my needs and my expectations... SECOND?
DEEPER STILL:
Here's the surprising thing about Genghis Khan: He was a cruel warlord who founded the vast Mongol empire and he was ruthless, yet, once victory was assured, he set out to build an enduring peace.
Something else we learn from Genghis Khan is that he was a leader who endured hardship along with his followers. He said, "When it was wet, we bore the wet together; when it was cold, we bore the cold together." He was one with his people, and this helped him to know what his followers wanted and needed.
Don't separate yourself "above" those who call you leader. Serve them. Walk with them. Know them. Listen to them.
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
If you want to learn more about Genghis Khan, this is a good resource: Ghengis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.
2 other good books that talk about "OTHERS": Simon Sineks book, Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't. Also: Jesus on Leadership by C. Gene Wilkes
I've mentioned this podcast from Harbor Ministries, but this week I was catching up with a couple of episodes that I missed, and I was really moved and inspired. Check these out and you will be too!
I've been using EVERNOTE for a while to manage digital notes and ideas. If you're looking for something that works between devices, check it out. I use the free version and it works great.