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Theme of the Week: Leadership Ingredients
Sunday, September 8
Key Bible Verse: It wasn't that we didn't have the right … but we wanted to give you an example to follow (2 Thess. 3:9). Bonus Reading: 2 Samuel 23:13-17
In an old war movie, a general was leading his troops on a desperate march. They stopped just long enough for the troops to eat. When a sergeant brought the general an elaborate lunch from the mobile galley, the general took one look and asked, "Is this what the men are eating?"
"No, sir. It's not," the sergeant replied.
"Bring me what the men are eating," ordered the general. "That way I'll know how far they can go."
This general was a leader, not simply a boss. Lots of managers don't care for this approach. They want to tell other people what to do, assign them to do the dirty work while they get the glory, awards, and big paychecks.
I've found the most effective way to bring out the best in people on my team is to lead by example. The problem? You have to pay a price to be that kind of leader. You often have to be the first to work and the last to leave. You must be one of the hardest, most conscientious workers, producing the best quality product possible—hard work, self-discipline, diligence, honesty, and integrity.
—Joe Gibbs in Racing to Win
Prayer for the Week: Dear God, grant me the resolve to make the changes needed to become a man of influence for You.
Adapted from Racing to Win (Multnomah, 2002); by permission
Inspiration from www.christianitytoday.com
