Questions on leadership

Questions that occurred to me in the course of 2 weeks in camp. Questions to ponder answers to.

1) What makes officers assume positions of leadership and authority? How do you ensure they carry themselves with dignity and responsibility? By the weight of the authority and powers vested in them? Then what motivates exemplary, selfless behaviour? What about personal pride and concern for others, do they come from within? Is it high EQ and good character that make excellent officers?

2) What do you do with people who don't work well with other people? If they don't take instructions well, how do you still bring them along and not leave them out? How do you bring them from "I" to "We" towards a common objective? Self-awareness is well, self-developed right, what about other-awareness and other-orientation? I guess it takes some other to come alongside to inspire this self to change.

3) Are you afraid of hard work, dirty work, dangerous work? Might we have a mantra where work and challenges are readily embraced? Rewards and recognition help to shape a culture that loves to work. Oh, not forgetting a revelation of the right perspective regarding self, others and the possibilities.

4) Do you lead by example and active involvement? When you do--or fail to do so--people remember it for years. A leader's presence--and absence--is tangibly felt, even on the ground. He sets the direction, the tempo and success markers. He engages positively and defines roles and expectations. A good leader is one who pulls and brings others up together with him. Realise this: one's solo efforts can bring success but with a leader's help, progress can certainly be spurred and hastened.

Ready?

"New triggers momentum," says Andy Stanley in his leadership podcast.

Instinctively we resist change. Change is risky. Change is costly. Change is uncomfortable.

We know this yet we squirm when change comes to us.

Through the years, we learn methods, ways and mechanisms to cope and make things work. We learn from experiences to spot problems and then solve and pre-empt them. We adapt, improve and gun for mission completion.

Then a fundamental shift happens. The bigger the shift, the deeper we got to adapt. At the depress of a finger, off we go, ricocheting into a spiral of buzz and activity.

What do we want to change into? Deja vu, we've asked this before. How do we get there? How do we get others to come along? Are you given the authority to initiate change? Have you an action plan and a set of clear objectives?

So...what makes one, person or agency, embrace change while another fight against it?

(ponder)

There is a time for change. Epochs mark human history. Separated by pivotal moments, borne by persistent individuals, directed by the Divine, are you ready when change comes?

It's easy to point out the failings of others, of your organisation, of your government. Question is, what are you gonna do about it? Do you have the unction of conviction and boldness and the Solution to "do something about it"?

Forty-nine weeks of the year remain. Still unclear what you should pursue? Whatever you have, write it down, tell someone about it, imagine it--your greatest wish--coming to pass. Then kickstart something to kick yourself in the direction of your dreams.

You need it. More than you might know.

Perspective

By Ji Lee

Of Men and Leadership

If you had men to command, how would you lead them? 3 men? 10 men? 20 men? 100? 3000?


Structure, roles, expectations, planning, preparations, regulations, shared understanding, familiar faces, art of communication---ingredients for not just achieving objectives but building an enduring organisation of men to fulfil its mission.

Lessons along the way:

1) Separate planning from admin and define clear roles for each. Planning the direction forward and paving the way of advancement, while admin ensures the people are prepared and keeping in line. Different strengths and personalities serve the demands of each role. Can we expect one to be rotated to perform another?

2) Being decisive and involved is a function of risk-taking, focus and ownership. What makes someone step up to take the lead? What makes someone notice a need and resolve it? Is it independence of thought, innate sense of responsibility and the willingness to bite the bullet?

Be the change you want to see, it's said. Can a ripple of intent change effect progress in an established eco-system? Define your mental model first before you answer that. Transformation is kindled during pivotal moments, yet it takes persistence and progressive work to make it great.

Seek insight, wisdom and discernment of the season. Strength comes from clarity of purpose and commitment of hearts and minds. So build strength where it's needed.

I Exalt Thee

Composed by Pete Sanchez Jr.

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord

Getting Ready To Grow Up

What is growth?

Our physical bodies were programmed to grow into a shape, a structure, a system. What determines its growth pattern? Nourishment? The image set before it? The inner desire to grow? Sufficient space to grow in? Others who spur it to grow through their own growth?

What do we grow into? What do we want to grow into? What do you see yourself as? What do others see in you that you seem to underestimate? What triggers your growth?

What resonates with you? Bold, raw ideas? Comprehensive considerations? Words of piercing conviction? Encouragements and concern?

Having grown, we often forget how we used to be. Well the person we are is absolutely not the same as the person we were years ago.

That said, growth should be deliberate, focused and well...consistent. Don't be a two-headed monster or change for change's sake.

Keep looking forward. Keep growing.

雨の味 (2008)

Does he love me?

Do you wonder if God truly loves you?

If you do--that God wants only the best for you--then why do we struggle everyday?

Do you know His heart? What He feels towards you, what He thinks about you, what He's trying to tell you?

If someone wished you "God be with you", do you wonder, isn't He already with me, or do you think, sure, that's up to God?

Is God passive? Does He wait for us to fulfil certain conditions before moving us along? Or is He actively working in our lives? Then what part do we play?

The heart longs ever so faithful

A deep hunger within stirs, lulls, moans for satisfaction. Neglected and unsated, the same wounds and issues go unhealed and remain unresolved. In circles you go till breakthrough is wrought.

Now the heart is a funny thing. It cries, it laughs, it weeps, it calls for attention, it gets bored, it gets tangled in woes and worries. Draw on Life and let dreams fill you. Draw on pain and it will prick you.

Fire breeds passion. Iron sharpens iron. Faith inspires purpose. Surely one heart can gel and connect many others! Loose your vision, be specific and call others to might! Winsome wins hands down!

Inspiration. Desperation. In transition. Transformation.

Let your dream be revived and revved to fruition.

Heaven

By Ian McIntosh

Mercy like a blanket warms my every breath
My anticipation has faded
All my striving comes undone
You are God who sits on the throne

(He reigns)

My every heartbeat catches in my chest
how can I not declare your works
You are just and fair God
Your grace has no end
You are God who sits on the throne

See

Fed a diet of images, what does one see?

War, nudes, unrest, action, empty scenes filled with...stillness. Events, people, persons, preoccupation, inkling of moments to snap.

The art of seeing, a journey in vision. Changing technology, shifting frames, moving horizons. Yielding shot after shot of personal sights and visual songs.

Learn to see life and the likeness therein and the limberness thereof.

Light in the dark

A man steeped in self-doubt and near depression finds newfound faith in himself, revived purpose, a new direction and well, changed writing.

Frightened of poverty, now weighed by family financial burdens, he looks to what brings him cheer and happiness--that is, family, sharing and giving love and abundance in the house.

Now the darkness didn't seem so dark after all. A solution, maybe obvious, comes of one's own hands and abilities. Success came knocking as he simply did what he loved.

Read the story of how Charles Dickens found hope and inspiration as he rushed to write his ever loved tale, A Christmas Carol.

Success has its way of finding itself on one's doorstep, whatever the circumstances.

May you reach out to open the door just in time.

Of Volunteers and Passion

What's the difference between a volunteer and a full-time worker? Between one who offers his/her free time and energies and one who is paid for his time and energies?

Let's just say if both do the same work, invest the same effort, put in the same hours, showing the same degree of interest. So what's the difference?

I'm sure you can easily rattle off reasons like how a paid worker is a dedicated resource who's trained and expected to perform and contractual terms are also in place to ensure stability and continuity over time.

Does the difference lie in the assurance we have that the paid worker can perform because of his specialised skills and experience? Whereas a volunteer isn't as effective?

Well, hypothetically speaking, a volunteer can be trained to be effective. And a volunteer is generally expected to be able to perform and we can't always be making excuses for anything less than acceptable.

After a night of sleeping on the couch and 2 hours of ploughing through photos on the computer, I don't have the full answer. But I think herein lies the difference: It's really not about whether being full-time or not, it's the degree of passion and the extent of rootedness you have.

Why do we give of ourselves? What have we been giving of ourselves to? Would we continue to give of ourselves?

Look back and look beyond. The road ahead will surely be new and yet it will somehow look familiar.

Cheers to a better 2011.

JJ Heller - Wake Up The World

Purpose and power

When passion, talent and service collide, a potent mix results. Passion that fires you up, keeps you going, makes you want to improve, cheers you on.

Talent is what you're gifted to do. Possibly even just a small ability at the right moment makes a great difference.

Service in contribution of greater purpose. No doubt, labour and sweat are involved. Stepping out to serve others with little benefit to self.

Simple yet powerful when the right mix comes together. Can you help someone find this mix today?

The Fullness

By Lovelite


VERSE 1
Here I am safe at last
In Your arms and in Your hands
My body's weak but You are stronger You will carry me

CHORUS
Because You
offer a life that is whole
You brighten my darkened soul
A mystery that I long to know
I am Yours

VERSE 2
Here I am full of hope
Not weighed down anymore
Knowing You changes me
Never let me leave

INSTRUMENTAL

Wishes, Goals and Resolutions

The year trots to an end. New resolutions are bubbling. Easy to set, fun to write, how hard do you/I want them to come to pass?

One thing I really want to change: To think positively and have an attitude of a change-maker. Talking to self, internal dialogue--it's extremely pivotal, the things you dwell and meditate upon, that is, reinforcing in the mind.

A friend blogged that often we set goals instead of making true resolutions. It's easy, too easy to write lofty goals down.

It's not just a wishlist which suggests passive acceptance of fate. It's not an empty confession of possibilities.

What makes the difference between fluffy stuff and reality? What's the price to pay, the labour of focus and resolve?

Say yes. Say let it be. Say I will.

The Sleep Design - The Sound of War

Homely sights

Neighbour's pink bougainvillea perched on the sill, silhouetted in light from without, wavering in the breeze.

Dad finally looking up from newspaper classifieds after I repeat myself. Glasses on nose, pen in hand, notepad on kitchen table.

Mom sewing on the living room sofa in front of the window. Glasses at the end of her nose. Intent yet enjoying her weekly blast of dong fang Billy.

Bro still on his bed at 11.35am. Mobile in hand, pillow in arm, he looks at me as I pass his room. The singlet-tan he got from the marathon still visible.

Love Is

What is love? Is it a feeling? Is it a choice? Is it acceptance? Is it commitment?

What makes one love others? Ephesians 5 tells me it begins when Christ's love is experienced in our lives.

Everyone's different. Every piece unique. Probably already knew that but fitting together takes...a heart with capacity for others.

Motivation? Surely not for one's benefit because others can see and sense that. What then?

What is love? Go figure. Go experience it. Go tell it on the mountain. Go give it. Go.