Tom's Thoughts

May 13, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader”. – Ken Blanchard pg.5- Lead Like Jesus-  Matthew 14:23- And when He (Jesus) had sent the multitudes away, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. “Jesus modeled for us the value of spending time alone to see recalibration of our spiritual instruments for finding the ‘true north’ of God’s will and pleasure.” Blanchard 156 If you look at our definition of leadership, it is influence.   To influence people, you need to be around people.   Often times, if you are around people, you don’t take time to reflect and learn.   If you are an extrovert, you love people, you are energized by ...

May 6, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 Matthew 28:19-20- 19  Go, therefore, and make disciples   of all nations,   baptizing   them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   20  teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always,   to the end of the age.” Leaders who delegate stay in the information loop and are ready to help if they are called.” Blanchard 137 Leadership is about equipping people for a task.   In leadership, the challenge is to paint a clear vision of what an accomplished task looks like.   To be in leadership, a leader realizes (or should) that ...

April 15, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 Matthew 4:19-   “Follow me,”  he told them,  “and I will make you fish for   people “If there is not clear communication of what a good job will look like when it is accomplished, somebody will end up frustrated-either the leader or the follower or both.” Blanchard 123 I wish I could lead like Jesus.   To know the beginning from the end.   To never make mistakes, to never have a second guess about the direction.   To always be able to lead with confidence and not have questions myself.   I wish I could teach like Jesus and be able to truly minister to others like Jesus did.   I cannot but I c...

April 1, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 John 15:13- 13  No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life   for his friends.   “If the leaders live their values, then others are ready to follow suit.” Blanchard 93 The sheep follow the shepherd.   The soldiers follow the general.   The people follow the leader.   When we look at the people of our church.   Are we excited at what we see them doing?   Are we encouraged by how they interact?   Are we happy with their growth towards Christ?   These are great questions that I ask myself.   The humbling question to ask is to ask the questions of myself.   So many times ...

Mar. 25, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 Matthew 22:36-39 36  “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” 37  He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  38  This is the greatest and most important command.  39  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. “Most companies that have stated values either have too many values or do not have rank ordered values.   Research shows that if you really want to impact behavior, you can’ emphasize more than three or four values, because people can’t focus on more than those.”   Blanchard- 90 Why is leade...

Mar. 18, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 Psalm 33:13-22- 13  The  Lord  looks down from heaven; he observes everyone. 14  He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from his dwelling place. 15  He forms the hearts of them all; he considers all their works. 16  A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. 17  The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. 18  But look, the  Lord  keeps his eye on those who fear him— those who depend on his faithful love 19  to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine. 20  We wait for the  Lord...

Feb. 26, 2020 The definition of leadership “a process of influence.   Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5 Matthew 23:6- 6  They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,   7  greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people. “The best use of power is not to have to use it at all.   People follow great leaders because they respect them, not because they have power.”   Ken Blanchard- pg. 67 This passage of Scripture is so powerful.   Jesus is paying respect to the Pharisees and saying listen to what they say.   However, Jesus says don’t do what they do because they don’t practice what they teach (vs. 2-3).    What a compliment and criticism of their lead...