Awake early, I wanted to read my ‘instruction manual’, fully intending to focus on the chapter appropriate to the date. Instead, I was drawn to writings around, but not within, the central point that I’d thought I would be reading through. Thus, rather than reading the chapter of Proverbs for the seventeenth day of the month, I found myself doing a brief and strategic study on leadership, which was excellent in itself.
The message, I thought, was powerful despite its brevity. As a result of hopping onto a slightly different route, it felt as though it was inspired. To my mind, the message contained speaks to every leader in every walk of life.
Here is the entry from my journal on that day this week, Thursday 17 January 2019, which includes a little self-reflection within the awareness and enlightenment, raw, fresh and as I wrote it.
♥
On Leadership
Reading through bits of Proverbs, this morning, focusing on God’s word.
In Proverbs 16, in the Message version, a little heading says “It pays to take life seriously”, and then some clear descriptions of leadership – good and bad – follow.
I read:
vs 14 “An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
You’re smart to stay clear of someone like that.”
and was struck with the thought:
“Am I constantly focusing on the negative, or am I doing what is necessary?”
I asked myself whether I am obsessed with what is wrong with my life, rather than what is going well and what I am grateful for?
Am I stirring up strife, discord and discontent, rather than keeping MY mouth shut and measuring my own steps?
Am I leading by positive example?
Am I practising what I ‘preach’?
Am I a good Leader, or am I merely telling others how to be a good Leader?
Am I an authentic human being and do I act for the benefit of the whole ‘body’, or am I only thinking about myself?
What do I need to change, to be kinder, more authentic, properly strong and successful in each area of my life?
Where do I need to have more grace, mercy, forgiveness, love and direction in my life and how might I better practise these myself?
vs 10 “A good leader motivates, doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.”
vs 11 “God cares about your honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.”
vs 12 “Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation.”
vs 13 “Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.”
[end of Journal note]
♥
As I closed my journal, I was struck by how profound the simple message for leaders is, and how so much in life can be pared back to the very basic. Indeed, it is often what looks the simplest that takes the greatest effort to set up behind the scenes. It takes a true designer’s mind to simplify, to its very most foundational for optimal performance and most efficient, satisfying end result.
The biblical direction and instruction, guidance and ‘word’ is for the grasping by even the youngest among us. With origins in the complex, the leadership message throughout the Bible is pared right back to ‘confound the wise’ … so that even a child can understand.
I love that.
Lead on with mindfulness, all.
♥
Holly x
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