5 common characteristics of the Good leaders podcast notes

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“How The Best Leaders Insure A Healthy Staff Culture

So you’re a leader. It’s no accident. It’s just natural. Well, for most people

S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases.  He tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader?” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, “No,” and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college:  “Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower.”

  1. They assume responsibility as the greatest influencer of staff culture.

McDonald’s “McDonald’s vision is to be the world’s best quick service restaurant experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness, and value, so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile.” (No comment) #7 most recognizable logo worldwide

Amazon’s vision is to be earth’s most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online.”

Walmart
To help people save money so they can live better.

PepsiCo
“PepsiCo’s responsibility is to continually improve all aspects of the world in which we operate – environment, social, economic – creating a better tomorrow than today.

Here’s my favorite one. For a time, this was Nike’s vision statement. Crush Reebok.

2. They have mastered self governance. Though their behavior is not fueled as much by personal discipline as an inside out approach. It’s genuine. They have learned self control.

John Wooden led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA men’s basketball championships in 12 years.   The most any other coach has won is 4 championships.

John Wooden coached hundreds of great players, many of which became all Americans and went on to play in the NBA.   He taught them how to shoot and play defense and rebound.  He poured thousands of hours into these talented young men.  But he always started with one simple lesson.  Every year when he gathered his troops for the first time, he started with this lesson. He taught his players how to put on their socks.

John Wooden wasn’t known for his fiery half time speeches.  He wasn’t known for his last second play calling.  He didn’t pace the sidelines and yell and scream at his players to get them motivated.  Most of the time he just sat there with a rolled up program in his hand.  He wasn’t known for any of those things, but he was legendary in his preparation.

3. They are under the influence of The Holy Spirit.

You cannot wring enough life or meaning out of secular accomplishment to satisfy your soul. The hole you are trying to fill has an eternal and spiritual dimension that only matters of eternity and spirituality can satisfy. This is why it is imperative that you discover and participate in God’s multifaceted vision for your life. It is what you were made for. Andy Stanley.

4. They make others feel valued.

By recognizing the unique contribution of each person privately (and publicly) they fuel morale and a spirit of appreciation. Hint: Be specific with your compliments rather than a passing “good job” comment.

As I was writing this message I pulled out a book written by a friend of mine. Liberating Ministry from The Success Syndrome. His name is Kent Hughes and he has written over 20 books. He just recently retired. This book is about his biggest failure. He planted a church over 30 years ago it just beat him up. That little church that he considered a failure was the church I was going to when God got a hold of my life. Kent was a huge encouragement to me. I’ll always remember one moment in particular. I was with my parents and Kent put his hand on my shoulder and said, “This kids going to grow up and be a pastor someday.” I’ll never forgive him for that.

My elder board and I read a book this last year that I highly recommend.  It’s called The Dream Manager,  Matthew Kelly.  Charlie wanted to climb Half Dome at Yosemite. We all called him from church

I spent my life trying to get people to notice me on the stage. Now I’m trying to be the stage.

5. They honor their staff by paying careful attention to how sticky matters are handled.

In difficult situations they take time to separate the person from the behavior. Even when someone is terminated, it can be done in an honorable way where they feel valued as a person rather than disposed of like a broken tool.

The definitive leadership diagnostic tool is finally available. Its elegant simplicity is characteristic of pure science at its finest. To put it in lay terms, this theory maintains that all human beings fit into one of three basic leadership types as represented by this photo. There are three types of leader: the Moe personality type, the Larry personality type, or the Curly personality type. The Moe type is the person with a high need to be in charge. General Patton and Napoleon were Moes. All books with the words vision or leadership in the title are written by Moes. All popes are Moes.

The Larry type is a person who more or less hangs around waiting for Moe to disappear so he can take over. A “rising Moe.” as it were. Larrys often suffer from “delusion of Moe-ness.” All TV or radio talk show second bananas are Larrys. This is why they are so agreeable.

The Curly type doesn’t have a clue. True Curly types will never be anything but Curly types, and could not even tell you the difference between Moe and Larry perhaps due to repeated eye gouges and head slaps and blows from the occasional falling anvil.

The only really confusing part of this test is that the Stooge with curly hair is called Larry, while the Stooge called Curly had a crew cut with no curls at all. Don’t let this minor flaw deter you or influence your own personal hair style.

Of course, some of you have been in abusive situations where your stooge has not been valued. You may be interested in a book coming out this fall: Releasing Your Inner Stooge. And if you’re not happy with your particular stooge, just remember: It could be worse. You could have been born a Shemp. John Ortberg