On mission - in business II

Session 2 the Effective Leader - Inspired or Tired? by Bill Mullet founder and CEO of Provia Door.

Love this - love hearing from unlikely sources...I shouldn't be surprised but these retreats and the variety of speakers are powerful in part because we get to be resourced by people from all walks of life. Bill is a Beachy-Amish pastor in addition to being a local business leader. His passion for leadership resonated with us on many levels.

Philippians 4:8 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. We as followers of Jesus are called to a higher standard as indicated by Pauls writing in Philippians.

Here are my take-aways:

• No organizational movement, no need to lead. If you aren't going anywhere you don't need a leader.

• Leadership is INFLUENCE. Influence is based on TRUST. Trust is based on CHARACTER, INTEGRITY, COMPETENCE, HUMILITY.

• When all else fails please don't use the authority card. If you do you've pretty much lost the game. i.e. because I'm the boss; I'm your Dad etc...

• An effective leader: Has a strong sense of purpose. Clear sense of calling. Knows what really fulfills them; is persistent; ask questions to help someone else answer their own questions. Possesses humility. Is progressive. Repents when necessary. Is a perpetual student. Loves his work. If you don't love your job...get off the bus. Has the ability to "color" and empower their people. Exhibits relational maturity; transparency. Is confident. Is a good follower. "One will never know how to be a great leader till he learns how to be a good follower!"

Loved this story: A young daughter was complaining about the difficulties of life to her mother and so the mother put three kettles of water on the stove, filling one with some carrots, another with eggs and yet another with some coffee.

After the water was brought to a boil; she put the carrots and eggs on a plate and strained the coffee into a cup. Then she asked her daughter to describe the effect that the water had on each item. Well, her daughter said, the carrots are mushy and soft, and the eggs are hard but the coffee..mmm it smells so good. Right, the mother said, now we have some choices...like the effect that the water had on the vegetables and eggs, do we also allow the water or difficulties of life to define us or do we, as the coffee defined what the water became, take our circumstances and define our environment to create a wonderful aroma?

Favorite quotes:
Howard Hendricks - "Most people don't think, they just rearrange their prejudices."

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.


Bills book recommendations: Speed of Trust - Stephen R. Covey
Good to Great - Jim Collins