Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “One's philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”
Do you feel that your choices matter? I was recently reading the account of Jesus birth and was awe struck at the impact that peoples choices made on the events that unfolded. In Matthew 2:13 the Bible says, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
As I read that the thing that really grabbed my attention was God’s response to Herod’s decision. Think about this for a moment, God is sending His Son into the world to save the world from sin. This is something that will benefit all people. Not just those alive at the time but that stretches to right here and now as well. God was making a way for anyone who wanted to come. But in the midst of our story, one guy, now don’t miss that, one guy decides that he doesn’t like what’s happening and then wants to kill Jesus. So what does God do? He accepts Herod’s choice and moves Jesus out of the way. I don’t know about you but I find that utterly amazing because if I’m God I just don’t think I’ll go through the hassle over one guy’s poor decision. I believe that I would just say that Herod’s time is up and leave the new mother and her Son right where they’re at to rest.
God has given us all, free will. I believe that it’s a gift that He’s given because His reasons for creating us is that we might have a love relationship with Him and love in and of itself absolutely requires free choice. If coercion of the will is involved the love no longer is a possibility. So God allows us the freedom to make choices that really do matter, He doesn’t simply steam roll over our will to get things done. Of course He’s going to get everything He wants done taken care of, but He still honors our choices.
That means that if I neglect something there really is a consequence and if I work really hard at something there is also a consequence as well. If you choose to reject God’s gift of Jesus Christ as Herod did, when it’s your turn to die, you really will go to Hell, even if you don’t believe its there.
If you choose to give all you have everyday to your job and continually neglect your family, your home is going to fall apart and I really don’t think that doing this day after day no matter if you’re a pastor or a plumber and then thinking that you will apply prayer as if it were a magic salve will stop this from happening. There will be no need to stand there wondering how this “came out of nowhere.” Almost like the man who wakes up one morning to find an big pile of manure in his front yard and wonders who put it there. To which his friend says, “You did, one scoop at a time.”
It’s the law of the harvest, you will reap exactly what you sow, only in much greater abundance and much later that when you first sow it.
As you examine your life do you see places where you’ve been making poor choices? Have you been ignoring the fact that your on a road that is very quickly going to lead you to destruction, either for you or your family? It’s not to late to turn from that and begin sowing for a much different harvest. Go to God and repent of the poor choices you’ve made, then if those poor choices have impacted other people’s lives, go to them and ask for their forgiveness as well. Finally make a plan as to how you’ll make different choices in the future. Think about what it will cost you up front so you’re prepared to deal with it when it comes and then just begin to make those new choices each day. God Bless and be sure to live out your faith today.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Personal Discipline in the Life of a Leader
It has been more than 21 years since Drill Instructor; Staff Sergeant Jackson stood before the recently formed platoon of new Marine Corps recruits and offered his definition of discipline. On that day and during many that would follow he would tell the men that discipline was, “The instant, willingness, and obedience to orders.” Over and over again that definition was recited and it was so thoroughly taught that at least one of those Marines from platoon 2077 can still vividly remember it all these years later. This definition, however, seems to fall far short of truly explaining a characteristic that nearly all leadership guru’s submit as being essential to the effectiveness of a person in any capacity of leadership. Personal discipline goes well beyond willingness or a desire to do what needs to be done as it deals less with actions and more with character. Certainly actions are the fruit of personal discipline, but the characteristic is rooted far deeper than that, it is who you are as a person and what your underlying motivations are in all that you do.
When the word “discipline” is mentioned, the thought of punishment or pain comes to the mind of many people. Perhaps memories of those elementary school years come flooding back in as pictures of an intimidating principal standing behind you preparing to speak in the clearest fashion available, at his displeasure with your refusal to do your homework, through what was lovingly referred to as the “Board of Education.” This incorrect understanding, when coupled with the prefix “self” makes the whole idea of self-discipline seem to be much more about sadomasochistic tendencies than with anything productive. The word “discipline” is more correctly defined as, “Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character”(Merriam-Webster, 2010). Essentially discipline brings to mind a destination; a place where a leader desires to be and would ultimately consider be worthy of his time. Discipline is keeping that destination in mind as every decision is made from what to have for breakfast to how a particular project will be funded. When something comes into the life of that leader that could potentially cause him to deviate from that desired destination, he himself is the one to make the choice to remove it for the sake of the destination. Aristotle has been quoted as saying, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit (Quote DB, n.d.).” Day after day constantly making these choices form the habit of personal discipline.
One of the foundational abilities that a leader must possess is a capacity to make sound decisions that affect the course, outcomes, and longevity of the organization he represents. While in one regard a leader can learn decision making skills that will help him to be more effective, sound decisions ultimately come from moral people. In an article examining the reasons for the world financial crisis, one author notes a need for, “more moral leadership practices.”(Board, 2010, p. 276) We are where we are, as it relates to the current and perhaps even still declining financial crisis, because the characteristic of personal discipline in the life of a leader has had the elements of morals and skills divorced from each other,
“making decisions and taking actions in light of moral considerations, developing one’s behavioral capacity to serve others, and leading people effectively do not exist in isolation, but must be understood and utilized in the context of a holistic approach to leadership.”(McCuddy & Cavin, 2008, p. 116)
There seems to be a notion in our contemporary culture that self-discipline is more a technical skill that affects only certain areas of the person. Perhaps at no other time has this misguided thought taken more of a step into prominence and blanket acceptance than during one of the many scandals involving former President Bill Clinton. In an effort to justify his lack of personal discipline supporters were paraded around to the Sunday morning news/talk shows to make the case that character had nothing to do with a person’s ability to make decisions. Personal discipline is rooted in morality, and no matter how much we may wish to separate the two the results are no different than trying to separate a tree from its roots, the outcome is that although it may still have some semblance of being a tree it is in fact dead.
A leader, or really anyone for that matter, is no more than who they are in private. “Moral leaders represent values that are not confined to the secrecy of boardrooms and centers of power but are universally recognized as the fundamental building blocks of a life worth living.” (Becker, 2009, p. 10) While an immoral person may have some habits of personal discipline, that person cannot truly have the personal discipline requisite to properly lead. In his book, “The Way of the Leader” the author said, “If an executive lacks self-discipline, self-control- or self-respect, even if he is the person in charge he will not in fact, be the leader.”(Krause, 1997) Therefore at issue is leadership and not simply the talent and ability to carry out a set of tasks which lead to or even exceed a predetermined goal. A leader is entrusted with tremendous power that impacts both lives and fortunes; they are required to make decisions that go far beyond gathering and adding facts to produce a sum. Leaders must analyze and interpret the information and situations within not only their organization but the world as a whole and without a personally disciplined person in mind, body, and morality disaster is surely eminent.
As shocking as it would be to the founding fathers of the United States, nowhere is this lack of personal discipline more evident today than in our government. Somehow it has not only become acceptable but expected that anyone “serving” in elected office or high levels of governmental leadership is undisciplined and corrupt. “A persistent image in the political sphere is that of the active and powerful man willing to do whatever is strategically important in attaining his desired ends even though doing so may weigh heavily on his conscience.”(Calhoun, 2004, p. 263) The argument that the “ends justify the means” is only the epitome of selfishness wrapped in altruistic clothing. The unwillingness of our governmental leaders to be personally disciplined is foundational to the problems we currently find ourselves in as a nation. “Leadership which lacks ethical conduct can be dangerous, destructive, and even toxic.” (Toor & Ofori, 2009, p. 533) The “toxic” effects of unethical behavior are easily traced back to a leader who has chosen instant and personal gratification over personal discipline. Of course everyone should not only understand and put into practice personal discipline but a failure to do so in the life of a leader touches innumerable lives, negatively impacting each one.
In Proverbs the writer tells us, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”(Proverbs 25:28 English Standard Version) The imagery of this verse is such an appropriate analogy of a leader who lacks personal discipline, for as you get the picture in your mind of a city, any city it makes no difference whether it is modern or historic, you think of all the treasures it has to offer. Perhaps it has a great cultural center, maybe this city is known for its libraries containing vast sums of wisdom. The architecture of this city may be world renown and may boast of tremendous attributes that make it superior to all other cities that exist today. However, imagine that this same city has no protection from those who would seek to do harm. If it is an ancient city in your mind then think more literally as you see this verse and its comment on the walls being broken down, but if it is a modern city you have in your thoughts then picture it with no police force, no military, no protection whatsoever from any invader. This clearly illustrates the leader that lacks personal discipline. This person may have tremendous talent and abilities that could help his organization achieve great things but if his passions and desires are not restrained, soon they will begin to take over and eventually bring about his demise and far too often that of those around him as well.
In 1 Corinthians Paul illustrates the believer as if he were one competing in a game in an effort to win a prize when he writes, “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”(1 Cor. 9:27 New American Standard) The word ‘discipline’ literally gives the indication of someone forcefully and physically restraining another who sought to do harm. It is as if the Apostle Paul viewed the lusts, passions, and desires that he had as if they were an assaulting army that was set on his destruction. This is not to say that each and every inclination that a leader naturally has will destroy him but it does mean that those things left unchecked will at the least turn the attention of the leader from where it should be. The higher the leader goes, the more responsibility that is entrusted to that person, the more that they will need to have almost ‘laser focus’ on what they are to accomplish and tightly stay within the confines of those objectives.
This would certainly prove to be a daunting task for any person who operates in a leadership role and all the more so to the leader who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There was once a commercial on television that sought to extol the virtues of a particular car lot by stating that their philosophy of having the same price for everyone was superior to that of their competitors who would lower the price only to make it up by charging a fee somewhere else. The announcer would illustrate the point with a long balloon which he would squeeze in one place and point out how the air just moved to another place. This is similar to the leader who does not seek to discipline himself under the power of the Holy Spirit. Although that person may be able to control their actions in one respect, undoubtedly those weaknesses will manifest themselves in another area. Conversely the leader who not only walks with the Lord Jesus Christ but also seeks to operate in His power will find that, “Self-control is really about bringing your whole life under the Holy Spirit’s control. It is not the outward result of self-repression but rather the inward result of the Spirit’s work.”(Vines, 2001, p. 132) True personal discipline in the life of a leader will come only as a result of a changed heart brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit and this is a work that encompasses the whole person not just particular areas. Therefore un-confessed sin in one area of the leader’s life will affect every area of the leader’s life.
In today’s business world it is clear that “peak performance” (Thornton, Privette, & Bundrick, 1999, p. 253) is not only sought after but demanded of leaders. Unfortunately there seems to be a misconception that personal discipline extends only to that leader’s professional performance and has nothing to do with who they are as a person. One needs to look no further than the current state of the world economy and the seemingly daily faltering businesses. A person makes decisions based not simply on experience and reasoning but on who they are and a leader who lacks either an understanding of the need for personal discipline in every aspect of their life and the will to act on it will ultimately prove themselves to be more of a liability than an asset to the organization they serve. We would do well to remember that, “business does not operate in an amoral space” and as such leaders must be selected based not only on their technical ability and experience as a leader but also on their willingness to personally discipline their life (Becker, 2007, p. 52).
Personal discipline is not just following orders like a good soldier, nor is it only a matter of correcting wrong behavior, although to varying degrees both of these aspects do come into play. Discipline goes beyond that however, to where a leader seeks to go, not just within the strategic plan of the organization but where he wants to go as a person. With that in mind the personally disciplined leader will begin to make decisions in keeping with that destination that are not only good for the organization but are good for him as a person. Ultimately this is the type of leader that this world is in desperate need of.
References
Becker, G. K. (2007). The competitive edge of moral leadership. International Management Review, 3(1), 50-71. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Becker, G. K. (2009). Moral leadership in business. Journal of International Business Ethics, 2(1), 7-21. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Board, D. (2010). Leadership: The ghost at the trillion dollar crash? European Management Journal, 269-277. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2010.04.002
Calhoun, L. (2004). The problem of “dirty hands” and corrupt leadership. The Independent Review, 8, 263-385. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Krause, D. G. (1997). The way of the leader: Applying the principles of Sun Tzu and Confucius, ancient strategies for the modern business world (1st ed.). New York, NY: Berkley.
McCuddy, M. K., & Cavin, M. C. (2008). Fundamental moral orientations, servant leadership, and leadership effectiveness: An empirical test. Review of Business Research, 8, 107-117. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Merriam-Webster. (2010). Discipline. Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discipline
Quote DB. (n.d.). Aristotle . Retrieved from http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/921
Thornton, F., Privette, G., & Bundrick, C. M. (1999). Peak performance of business leaders: An experience parallel to self-actualization theory. Journal of Business and Psychology, 14, 253-264. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Toor, S., & Ofori, G. (2009). Ethical leadership: Examining the relationships with full range leadership model, employee outcomes, and organizational culture. Journal of Business Ethics, 533-547. doi: 10.1007/s10551-009-0059-3
Vines, J. (2001). Spirit fruit. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman.
When the word “discipline” is mentioned, the thought of punishment or pain comes to the mind of many people. Perhaps memories of those elementary school years come flooding back in as pictures of an intimidating principal standing behind you preparing to speak in the clearest fashion available, at his displeasure with your refusal to do your homework, through what was lovingly referred to as the “Board of Education.” This incorrect understanding, when coupled with the prefix “self” makes the whole idea of self-discipline seem to be much more about sadomasochistic tendencies than with anything productive. The word “discipline” is more correctly defined as, “Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character”(Merriam-Webster, 2010). Essentially discipline brings to mind a destination; a place where a leader desires to be and would ultimately consider be worthy of his time. Discipline is keeping that destination in mind as every decision is made from what to have for breakfast to how a particular project will be funded. When something comes into the life of that leader that could potentially cause him to deviate from that desired destination, he himself is the one to make the choice to remove it for the sake of the destination. Aristotle has been quoted as saying, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit (Quote DB, n.d.).” Day after day constantly making these choices form the habit of personal discipline.
One of the foundational abilities that a leader must possess is a capacity to make sound decisions that affect the course, outcomes, and longevity of the organization he represents. While in one regard a leader can learn decision making skills that will help him to be more effective, sound decisions ultimately come from moral people. In an article examining the reasons for the world financial crisis, one author notes a need for, “more moral leadership practices.”(Board, 2010, p. 276) We are where we are, as it relates to the current and perhaps even still declining financial crisis, because the characteristic of personal discipline in the life of a leader has had the elements of morals and skills divorced from each other,
“making decisions and taking actions in light of moral considerations, developing one’s behavioral capacity to serve others, and leading people effectively do not exist in isolation, but must be understood and utilized in the context of a holistic approach to leadership.”(McCuddy & Cavin, 2008, p. 116)
There seems to be a notion in our contemporary culture that self-discipline is more a technical skill that affects only certain areas of the person. Perhaps at no other time has this misguided thought taken more of a step into prominence and blanket acceptance than during one of the many scandals involving former President Bill Clinton. In an effort to justify his lack of personal discipline supporters were paraded around to the Sunday morning news/talk shows to make the case that character had nothing to do with a person’s ability to make decisions. Personal discipline is rooted in morality, and no matter how much we may wish to separate the two the results are no different than trying to separate a tree from its roots, the outcome is that although it may still have some semblance of being a tree it is in fact dead.
A leader, or really anyone for that matter, is no more than who they are in private. “Moral leaders represent values that are not confined to the secrecy of boardrooms and centers of power but are universally recognized as the fundamental building blocks of a life worth living.” (Becker, 2009, p. 10) While an immoral person may have some habits of personal discipline, that person cannot truly have the personal discipline requisite to properly lead. In his book, “The Way of the Leader” the author said, “If an executive lacks self-discipline, self-control- or self-respect, even if he is the person in charge he will not in fact, be the leader.”(Krause, 1997) Therefore at issue is leadership and not simply the talent and ability to carry out a set of tasks which lead to or even exceed a predetermined goal. A leader is entrusted with tremendous power that impacts both lives and fortunes; they are required to make decisions that go far beyond gathering and adding facts to produce a sum. Leaders must analyze and interpret the information and situations within not only their organization but the world as a whole and without a personally disciplined person in mind, body, and morality disaster is surely eminent.
As shocking as it would be to the founding fathers of the United States, nowhere is this lack of personal discipline more evident today than in our government. Somehow it has not only become acceptable but expected that anyone “serving” in elected office or high levels of governmental leadership is undisciplined and corrupt. “A persistent image in the political sphere is that of the active and powerful man willing to do whatever is strategically important in attaining his desired ends even though doing so may weigh heavily on his conscience.”(Calhoun, 2004, p. 263) The argument that the “ends justify the means” is only the epitome of selfishness wrapped in altruistic clothing. The unwillingness of our governmental leaders to be personally disciplined is foundational to the problems we currently find ourselves in as a nation. “Leadership which lacks ethical conduct can be dangerous, destructive, and even toxic.” (Toor & Ofori, 2009, p. 533) The “toxic” effects of unethical behavior are easily traced back to a leader who has chosen instant and personal gratification over personal discipline. Of course everyone should not only understand and put into practice personal discipline but a failure to do so in the life of a leader touches innumerable lives, negatively impacting each one.
In Proverbs the writer tells us, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”(Proverbs 25:28 English Standard Version) The imagery of this verse is such an appropriate analogy of a leader who lacks personal discipline, for as you get the picture in your mind of a city, any city it makes no difference whether it is modern or historic, you think of all the treasures it has to offer. Perhaps it has a great cultural center, maybe this city is known for its libraries containing vast sums of wisdom. The architecture of this city may be world renown and may boast of tremendous attributes that make it superior to all other cities that exist today. However, imagine that this same city has no protection from those who would seek to do harm. If it is an ancient city in your mind then think more literally as you see this verse and its comment on the walls being broken down, but if it is a modern city you have in your thoughts then picture it with no police force, no military, no protection whatsoever from any invader. This clearly illustrates the leader that lacks personal discipline. This person may have tremendous talent and abilities that could help his organization achieve great things but if his passions and desires are not restrained, soon they will begin to take over and eventually bring about his demise and far too often that of those around him as well.
In 1 Corinthians Paul illustrates the believer as if he were one competing in a game in an effort to win a prize when he writes, “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”(1 Cor. 9:27 New American Standard) The word ‘discipline’ literally gives the indication of someone forcefully and physically restraining another who sought to do harm. It is as if the Apostle Paul viewed the lusts, passions, and desires that he had as if they were an assaulting army that was set on his destruction. This is not to say that each and every inclination that a leader naturally has will destroy him but it does mean that those things left unchecked will at the least turn the attention of the leader from where it should be. The higher the leader goes, the more responsibility that is entrusted to that person, the more that they will need to have almost ‘laser focus’ on what they are to accomplish and tightly stay within the confines of those objectives.
This would certainly prove to be a daunting task for any person who operates in a leadership role and all the more so to the leader who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There was once a commercial on television that sought to extol the virtues of a particular car lot by stating that their philosophy of having the same price for everyone was superior to that of their competitors who would lower the price only to make it up by charging a fee somewhere else. The announcer would illustrate the point with a long balloon which he would squeeze in one place and point out how the air just moved to another place. This is similar to the leader who does not seek to discipline himself under the power of the Holy Spirit. Although that person may be able to control their actions in one respect, undoubtedly those weaknesses will manifest themselves in another area. Conversely the leader who not only walks with the Lord Jesus Christ but also seeks to operate in His power will find that, “Self-control is really about bringing your whole life under the Holy Spirit’s control. It is not the outward result of self-repression but rather the inward result of the Spirit’s work.”(Vines, 2001, p. 132) True personal discipline in the life of a leader will come only as a result of a changed heart brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit and this is a work that encompasses the whole person not just particular areas. Therefore un-confessed sin in one area of the leader’s life will affect every area of the leader’s life.
In today’s business world it is clear that “peak performance” (Thornton, Privette, & Bundrick, 1999, p. 253) is not only sought after but demanded of leaders. Unfortunately there seems to be a misconception that personal discipline extends only to that leader’s professional performance and has nothing to do with who they are as a person. One needs to look no further than the current state of the world economy and the seemingly daily faltering businesses. A person makes decisions based not simply on experience and reasoning but on who they are and a leader who lacks either an understanding of the need for personal discipline in every aspect of their life and the will to act on it will ultimately prove themselves to be more of a liability than an asset to the organization they serve. We would do well to remember that, “business does not operate in an amoral space” and as such leaders must be selected based not only on their technical ability and experience as a leader but also on their willingness to personally discipline their life (Becker, 2007, p. 52).
Personal discipline is not just following orders like a good soldier, nor is it only a matter of correcting wrong behavior, although to varying degrees both of these aspects do come into play. Discipline goes beyond that however, to where a leader seeks to go, not just within the strategic plan of the organization but where he wants to go as a person. With that in mind the personally disciplined leader will begin to make decisions in keeping with that destination that are not only good for the organization but are good for him as a person. Ultimately this is the type of leader that this world is in desperate need of.
References
Becker, G. K. (2007). The competitive edge of moral leadership. International Management Review, 3(1), 50-71. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Becker, G. K. (2009). Moral leadership in business. Journal of International Business Ethics, 2(1), 7-21. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Board, D. (2010). Leadership: The ghost at the trillion dollar crash? European Management Journal, 269-277. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2010.04.002
Calhoun, L. (2004). The problem of “dirty hands” and corrupt leadership. The Independent Review, 8, 263-385. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Krause, D. G. (1997). The way of the leader: Applying the principles of Sun Tzu and Confucius, ancient strategies for the modern business world (1st ed.). New York, NY: Berkley.
McCuddy, M. K., & Cavin, M. C. (2008). Fundamental moral orientations, servant leadership, and leadership effectiveness: An empirical test. Review of Business Research, 8, 107-117. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Merriam-Webster. (2010). Discipline. Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discipline
Quote DB. (n.d.). Aristotle . Retrieved from http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/921
Thornton, F., Privette, G., & Bundrick, C. M. (1999). Peak performance of business leaders: An experience parallel to self-actualization theory. Journal of Business and Psychology, 14, 253-264. Retrieved from www.liberty.edu
Toor, S., & Ofori, G. (2009). Ethical leadership: Examining the relationships with full range leadership model, employee outcomes, and organizational culture. Journal of Business Ethics, 533-547. doi: 10.1007/s10551-009-0059-3
Vines, J. (2001). Spirit fruit. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman.
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