Level 3 Leadership: Production Leadership

In Part 3 of the leadership series, John Maxwell calls this "Production" level of leadership. While the first level is positional leadership, deals more with rights and status in the hierarchy, and the second that works on a relationship level, and the motivation of followers to heed the leaders, this third level focuses on efficiency and efficacy. At this level, people follow the leader on the basis of what works, and what they have done or able to do for the group. It is a higher level mainly because of the credibility that comes with the leadership. After all, who wants to follow a leader who is good for nothing? Such leaders do the following:

• They are effective in what they do
• They deliver results
• They set the standards for all to see
• They bring clarity and reality to the vision setting process
• They solve problems
• They move the organization along instead of allowing it to stagnate
• They build teams.

A) Disadvantages of Production Level Leadership

According to Maxwell, there are four dangers to such level of leadership. Firstly, not all producers are leaders. While production is good, sometimes, leadership requires more than mere results. For example, good technical skills may not necessarily mean good people skills. Secondly, production leaders may have an unhealthy sense of responsibility, when it is the team who is expected to perform, and not just the leader. This easily leads to overwork and an unbalanced shouldering of burdens. Sometimes at this level, it is tough to delegate. Thirdly, making decisions may be difficult. If leaders are unable to make tough decisions, the failure to make them is often more fatal. Perseverence and courage is essential to make tough decisions, and to be decisive in making them. Finally, it is tough to balance level 2 with level 3 leadership. When relationships and results clash, leaders are faced with a challenging situation.

B) Advantages of Production Level Leadership

Maxwell brings out 6 advantages.

1. It gives leader the credibility he needs, when the results are obtained.
2. It sets a clear standard for all to see
3. It brings clarity and vision
4. It solves problems
5. It creates momentum for the whole team
6. It is the foundation of team building.

C) Cultivating Level 3 Leadership

Maxwell describes 6 ways to develop and cultivate this production leadership.  Firstly, a leader grows in understanding how his gifts are linked to getting results. When a leader is more self-aware, he often becomes a better leader. Secondly, the vision casting establishes a clarity, which leads to a commitment toward a successful fulfillment of the vision. Thirdly, by developing people through teamwork, people will be better team players which usually mean better results. Fourthly, setting priorities enable the wise distribution of limited resources. Fifthly, one improves level 3 leadership through being change agents. Finally, the focus on the end goal enables one to be intentional and purposeful.

My Comments

In Christian organizations, sometimes we can commit one or two major errors. We tend to think that relationships are so important that we de-emphasize the importance of results. Or we can comfort one another by saying that the process is more important than the product. That is simply not true. Knowing the process is perhaps more applicable to classroom learning. In the school of hard knocks, results matter a lot. The second error is to become so fixated on results that we sacrifice relationships. The way forward is to remember to seek God for wisdom how to hold all three levels of leadership in tandem. We need to learn to use Level 1 leadership unashamedly. There is no need to be shy. We are called or appointed to that position, so behave accordingly but humbly. We need to adopt Level 2 leadership because relationships are important in a Christian organization. We need to have Level 3 leadership so that results are achieved. Above all, communications and constant relating is key to growing the leader and the team.

Next week, I will write on Level 4 leadership: People Development.


conrade

In Remembrance of my Dad (1941-2010)

Today is a solemn day. It's my dad's second death Anniversary. Time flies. Memory floods eyes. Mood swings. Remembrance brings back many years. My dad loves his garden. He populates it often with new pot s of plants and exquisite flowers.  I love my garden. I populate them with memories of nature, of God, and of my dad's love for nature.

Today, I remember my dad. I remember how he cares for my mum, albeit quietly. He has a quiet disposition, but when he speaks, his words are weighty. He has a good heart, willing to help wherever possible, and ready to give, especially to all things family.

I remember his passion for sports. Each Olympics, the TV will be on many hours. He never grows tired of watching top quality sports, even the uncommon ones. Soccer is one of his favourites. I remember him paying top dollar back in 1974 for a colour TV, so that he can catch the World Cup Soccer tournament. I remember how he will buy tickets to the National Stadium to catch the Malaysia Cup games.

I remember his care for my brothers and I. Regardless of the financial ups and downs, we always have food on the table. His favourite is eating out. From the hawker centers at the Orchard Road Car Park, to Newton Circus, from eating durians at the open market, to eating satay back home, his love for food is contagious. We too love to eat durians, cockles, and all kinds of cooked food. Eating out is his delight.

I remember his deteriorating physical state toward his last years. The first stroke left him half able to move. The second stroke rendered him 90% dependent on external help. My mum took the brunt of the caring. In the later years, a good domestic helper provided needed relief.

Dad, you are loved. Your grandchildren remember you. Your sons remember you. We miss you. Rest in peace in Jesus.

conrade

Midweek Meditation: Be Still

It is important, even necessary to be still. When we still our hearts, we are actually preparing our inner selves to reflect on what is more important. We begin to calibrate our spiritual compasses. We sharpen our focus while tuning out the unimportant. We pray to God to restore us.

(Credit: Tanchio Household Pjd)

Consider the famous hymn by Catharina von Schelegel (1697-1768), the German hymn writer, who was inspired by Psalm 46:10-11. Incidentally, this hymn has been said to be the favourite hymn of the famous runner, Eric Liddell of "Chariots of Fire" fame.

BE STILL MY SOUL 

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Click here to listen to a beautiful rendition of the hymn, "Be still my soul."

 conrade

BookPastor >> "A Testament of Devotion" (Thomas R Kelly)

TITLE: A Testament of Devotion
AUTHOR: Thomas R. Kelly
PUBLISHER: London: Quaker Home Service, 1979, (114 pages).

This is a classic devotional in the best tradition of the Quakers. Quiet but confident, Earnest yet humble, small-sized but big in contemplativeness, this is truly one of the greatest spiritual literature from the pen of a twentieth century author. First published in 1941, this book has become so popular that it has gone through multiple reprints by different publishers. Kelly, writing from the Quaker tradition, has very little to say about himself but a lot to say about our response to God. Douglas B Steere fills in a much needed preface that describes to readers the person of Thomas R. Kelly.

Kelly is strongly motivated to learn about how things work. His hunger for life fuels his hunger for God. Through this hunger, he goes on to complete a PhD at Hartford Theological Seminary. He goes on to teach at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. His earlier passion for science similarly drives his passion for philosophical method. As much as he is eager to learn, he is also eager to teach. His lectures are often so rich and original that students are moved by his creativity and authenticity. What is most distinct is the way Kelly's inner life blossoms as he personally discovers God and receives a life changing experience. Devotion becomes his new drive. This book is a collection of his lectures. Five themes are brought together to make this book a testament of devotion.

Chapter 1 - The Light Within

Devotion begins introspectively. It is the awareness of the inside that guides the behaviour on the outside. God touches us from the inside out, illuminating the light within us so that we can truly become the light of the world.

"It is a Light Within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and new glories upon the face of men. It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the presence in the midst. Here is the Slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. And He is within us all." (27)

Our response is inner adoration, joy, gratitude, surrender, worship, and constant listening. This is sustatined through continued spiritual practices of good thinking and inner discipline. Kelly talks of two levels of ordering our mental life. At the first level, it is one of activism where we work hard. At the second level, we become more aware of divine presence through prayer, through worship, through a gentle receptiveness to God. What is most interesting is that these two levels cultivate each other. Such devotions at both levels are both painful as well as rewarding. Painful because of the gaps in moving from one level to the other which creates a kind of a start-stop movement which can be frustrating. Rewarding because of the sweetness of having a greater ease of thinking about God. One thing Kelly highlights is that the more we grow in God, the simpler our devotions. This process can be experienced through the increasing comfort of letting God work in us. Another way of putting this reward is as follows. If we begin our devotional life as if "God expects a lot from us." The hope is that once we arrive in God, we will realize that "God gives everything."

Chapter 2 - Holy Obedience

Beginning with a description on how greatly God pursues us His beloved, Kelly points to the nature of true obedience. Complete obedience is wholly and holy. It is without reservation all for God. Using Meister Eckhart's description of many first-half people, and few who bothers to complete the other half, while the journey is fraught with difficulties and temptations, we have the joy and hope of being encouraged that many saints of old have made the journey and have succeeded. Holy obedience is possible and attainable. There are several gateways to holy obedience. Firstly, it is the meeting of God and men, where we realized that all power comes from God alone. It is a state where the "soul is swept" into God's loving Centre. Our response to God comes through an earnest desire to want God. Some of the mystics of old calls this the "passive way." There is the "active way." This leads us to the second gateway, to "begin where we are." Obey whatever we can. Obey where we are. The third gateway is NOT to be discouraged when we slip back to our old ways. Do not let self-accusation stop us in devotions. The fourth gateway is to learn to submit to God for the results. This holy obedience thus depends on God from beginning to end. Humility and holiness are the twin fruits of such holy obedience. The third and fourth fruits are suffering and simplicity respectively.

Chapter 3 - The Blessed Community

Kelly progresses from individual devotionals to a desire for community with the people of God. True devotions that begin inside never grows inwards but outwards. One grows in friendship. One aligns with one another. Love grows. Together, the people of God discover God's love. Differences are marginalized, with commoness in God becoming the central identity.

"And this Fellowship is deeper than democracy, conceived as an ideal of group living. It is a theocracy wherein God rules and guides and directs His listening children. The centre of authority is not in man, not in the group, but in the creative God Himself. Nor do all members share equally in spiritual discernment, but upon some falls more clearly the revealing light of His guiding will." (78)

Chapter 4 - The Eternal Now and Social Concern

Kelly continues his spiritual trajectory from individual to community, and from community to the society at large. Key to this understanding of "eternal now" is the delicate balance of heavenly desiring and earthly living. We either take heaven too seriously that we forget about the present earth, or we take earth too seriously at the expense of hope of heaven. Kelly urges us to hold both the time now and the timelessness future. What truly makes the spiritual experience special is not our man-made diligence to join the earthly work with heavenly hope, but the sudden experience that it is God who is behind everything. Such an experience of God that joins the time and the timeless is evident through three kinds of fruits. First, it is joy unspeakable. Second, it is love. Third, it is peace. This peace erases earthly anxieties. It takes away a performance mindset in many believers. This brings us then to the motivation for social concerns.

"We have tried to discover the grounds of the social responsibility and the social sensitivity of Friends. It is not in mere humanitarianism. It is not in mere pity. It is not in mere obedience to Bible commands. It is not in anything earthly. The social concern of Friends is grounded in an experience - an experience of the Love of God and of the impulse to saviorhood inherent in the fresh quickening of that Life. Social concern is the dynamic Life of God at work in the world, made special and emphatic and unique, particularized in each individual or group who is sensitive and tender in the leading-strings of love. A concern is God-initiated, often surprising, always holy, for the Life of God is breaking through into the world. Its execution is in peace and power and astounding faith and joy, for in unhurried serenity the Eternal is at work in the midst of time, triumphantly bringing all things up unto Himself." (102)

Chapter 5 - The Simplification of Life

This chapter comes back full circle to the inner life of the believer. Far too often, we tend to think that the problem of life or the solution to it lies out there. The fact is, there is much work to be done in us. We have been guilty of making the world too complex for our own good. As a result, we are "unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful we shall be shallow."

Simplicity means living from the Center. It means living with a sole focus on God. In contrast, our complex lives lie in being too worldly. Too many idols. Instead of listening to only one voice, our ears are drowned out by the many noises. Simplicity means singleness of mind, singleness of sight, and silently watching for God. Here are some of the questions that Kelly use to challenge us toward simplicity in God.

"Do you really want to live out your lives, every moment of your lives, in His Presence? Do you long for Him, crave Him? Do you love His Presence? Does every drop of blood in your body love Him? Does every breath you draw breathe a prayer, a praise to Him? Do you sing and dance within yourselves, as you glory in His love? Have you set yourselves to be His, and only His, walking every moment in holy obedience?" (109)

My Thoughts

This book is dense with its focus on God and soaked with spiritual wisdom. Written from a person who has experienced the Center in God, it invites readers to enter into this journey toward God. It is a testimony of God's grace to men that all of our devotions begin with God. It is a trial of challenges that one needs to overcome in order to disentangle oneself from the tyranny of worldliness, and the deceptions of self-strengths. It is a testament of devotion that leads one from inside to God, from individual to community, from community to social concerns, and from social concerns, back to a needed reminder that our lives need simplification. This book is a guide for deeper devotions. The best way to use this book is with a spiritual guide, or a more mature believer.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

Level 2 Leadership: Permission Leadership

In this second level of leadership by John C. Maxwell, the gist of leading at this level is simply liking people, and people liking you. Compared with level 1, where one leads mainly on the basis of position or title, at level 2, people essentially chooses to follow us because they "want to." In fact, moving from level 1 to 2 is a sign of growth in the leader. Woe to those leaders who are stuck at level 1. At Level 2, we move from position to relationship, one that is more powerful that price, than delivery, than quality, than service.

John Maxwell lists the following advantages and disadvantages of "permission" level leadership. I summarize them in the following table for ease of reference.

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
It makes "work more enjoyable"	It "appears too soft for some people."
It "increases the energy level"	It "can be frustrating for achievers"
It "opens up channels of communication."	It "can be taken advantage of"
It "focuses on the value of each person."	It "requires openness to be effective."
It "nurtures trust."	It "is difficult for people who are not naturally likable."
	It "forces you to deal with the whole person."

(Credit: John C. Maxwell)

If we take our time to consider, we can easily come up with our own sets of advantages and disadvantages at this level leadership. What is important is that we need to be able to grow in our leadership skills and mature. I want to spend some time on the following suggestions on how to move to this level of leadership. At the same time, I will make some comments as I go along.

In the book by John Maxwell, he gives us five strategies in order to move to Level 2.

1) "Connect with Yourself Before Trying to Connect with Others"

Maxwell argues strongly that one needs to know self before knowing others. In self-awareness, one needs to size themselves up. In self-image one needs to get along with themselves comfortably. In self-honesty, one cannot lie about oneself to self. In self-responsibility, one needs to recognize the doing that comes with the knowing.

The good point about this is self-knowledge and an appropriate understanding of one's limitations and potential. A better word to use would be appropriate knowing of oneself. I agree that knowing self is a critical step in leadership. Having said that, I can understand if there is anyone disturbed about this level of self-focus. There is also a danger of a leader becoming too self-absorbed or self-seeking in such a focus. That is why for Christians, leaders need to cultivate a worshipful heart. In worship, one learns to center on God, and let the Holy Spirit show us the way to be better leaders for God's sake, and wisdom to lead for the people's sake.

2) "Develop a People-Oriented Leadership Style"
This is a key trait in level 2 leadership. Due to a heightened level of relational leadership, knowing self needs to lead to knowing others as well. Maxwell explains:

"If you want to be successful on Level 2, you must think less in terms of systems and more in terms of people's emotions. You must think more in terms of human capacity and less in terms of regulations. you must think more in terms of buy-in and less in terms of procedures. In other words, you must think of people before you try to achieve progress. To do that as a permissional leader, you must exhibit a consistent mood, maintain an optimistic attitude, possess a listening ear, and present to others your authentic self." (John C. Maxwell, The 5 Levels of Leadership, New York, NY: Center Street, 2011, p108)

I applaud Maxwell for the idea of moving from systems to people, and to see beyond regulations, procedures, and be authentic with people. Yet, I am somewhat troubled by his use of "must." There is a compulsion that appears more systemic rather than authentic. It sounds a little more leadership regime discipline rather than a personable kind of a disposition. The idea is good, but the implementation needs some tweaking. Perhaps, a Level 2 leader ought to train himself to be more relational by watching the inner heart, and guiding it toward willing submission to put others more important than self. Otherwise, readers may unwittingly see the "musts" as strategies to achieve gains for self. Imagine a leader who is only self-seeking, to be focused on promoting to Level 2 for self-glorification. That will be wrong. I am sure that is not Maxwell's intention, but I want to simply state this as a precaution. Otherwise, we may be guilty of using people for our own gains. Having said that, Maxwell admits later that such a way may be "manipulative" and recognizes the "fine line between manipulating people and motivating them." What I am concerned is the subtle manipulating of self that is not in line with God's prompting. For example, how do we know who to approach more or less? Surely, wisdom is necessary for spiritual leadership. 

3) "Practice the Golden Rule"

This particular advice is a useful guide on how to lead.  In fact, it will hardly go wrong as this biblical teaching is also universally treated as truth by many other religions and philosophies. Do to others what you want others to do to you.

4) "Become the Chief Encourager of Your Team"

There is no rule against kindness. For all our words and works, one act of kindness can touch lives in a way that no other way can reach. I think this kind of encouragement needs to be on the lips of every Christian leader.

5) "Strike a Balance between Care and Candor"

Maxwell spends quite a lot of time on this. Essentially, it means speaking the truth in love. One needs to learn when to establish and when to expand the relationship. Through care, one learns to value the person, to firm up the relationship, to define, and to allow greater candor. Through candor, one values the person's potential, the relationship, and guide the relationship to a new level. Both care and candor are needed to enhance the relationship. Of all the five points, I find this most helpful.

Maxwell summarizes this level of leadership by urging leaders to serve others, to be influential in a good way, to cultivate trusting, to connect well, to learn to be persuasive.

Part Three will be published next week.

conrade

Midweek Meditation: Desiring God

Here is another prayer that we can learn from Thomas Merton. Sometimes, when we pray, we tend to be so full of ourselves, filled with wanting our material wants be met. In doing so, we miss out the joy and delight of prayer: Desiring God.

"O my God, I don't care about anything; 
All I know is that I want to love You.
I want my will to disappear in Your will.
I want to be one spirit with You.
I want to become all Your desires and thoughts.
I want to live in the middle of Your Trinity 
and praise You with all the flames of Your own praise.

O my God, knowing all this, 
why do You leave me alone in my selfishness and in my vanity and pride,
instead of drawing me into the midst of Your love?
My God, do not delay any longer 
to make me a saint and to make me one with You,
and do not delay to live in me.
And if it requires a sacrifice, 
You will give me the courage to make all sacrifices.
You will consumer me in Your own immense love.
So do not be afraid of my weakness, O God,
because You can do everything.
I believe in Your love above all things.
I have forgotten everything else (that is, I want to).
I live for Your love, if You will only make me live so."

(Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence, New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2001, p31)

Pray not to seek earthly treasures. Pray for the heavenly Kingdom be done, and trust God to provide our earthly needs. One more thing. When we pray, we are actually doing heart surgery. We let the Spirit of God prompt us about where our desires are. For God? Or for the fulfilment of our wants?


conrade

Five Things Worth Doing Before You Die

Last Sunday, in a sermon entitled "The Middle Years: Crisis? What Crisis?" the preacher tries to share a small video clip to help drill in the point that we need to prioritize our more important things in life. Unfortunately, the video only displays the pictures and the music, but lacks the spoken voices. A dear brother in Christ has found this video clip and has shared it over email. As a service, here are some of my thoughts as well as an embedded segment of the video clip below. Let me summarize this article as "Five Things Worth Doing Before You Die."

1) Reflect and Resolve
See how the opening scene reveals a man who resolves to do what is right and what is important in life. It reminds me of the parable of the Prodigal Son. "When he came to his senses," imply a realization not only what we need to do, but also a resolve to do it.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father. (Luke 15:17-20)

Look at how the prodigal son determines to repent, and to go back to his father.

2) Forgive and Ask for Forgiveness
"I suppose I am responsible, and for that I'm sorry" and "I owe that to you." Forgiveness remains a core element of relationships. Are we going to live through life bearing our hurts and our disappointments with people? Perhaps, we can be free from the burden of unforgiveness. I remember one of my favourite authors, Lewis Smedes who beautifully describes forgiveness as follows,

• "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." 
•  "Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future."

Like the prodigal son, the first thing upon returning to his father is to seek forgiveness. The confession of "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you," is a great reminder that whenever we sin, we sin in two ways. It is firstly sinning against God, and secondly against people. If we are truly God-fearing people, this realization will lead us to seek forgiveness with fellow people as well.

3) Thank Someone and Show Gratitude

Gratitude is another theme in the video. Have we failed to be thankful to God in our lives? Have we failed to show gratitude to our loved ones, our friends, and people living around us? Don't just say it. Show it. The prodigal son demonstrates his gratitude for all his father has been doing. He remembers the abundance that his father has provided even to mere servants. How much more him, as a son? It takes a person who has been blessed in order to bless others. It takes a person who has received much who is able to give much. The trouble is, we tend to take too many things for granted, and in the process, we take other people for granted. The moment we complain about our lack, we fail to acknowledge the plenty that we have ALREADY been given.

4) Find the Joy and Encourage Someone

There is hope. Even though we may not have many years to live, it is important to pass on joy. Last Sunday, the preacher reminds the congregation of the importance to pass the baton to the next generation. That is so important for every Church and Christian organization. Perhaps, leaders at all churches need to take a hard look at themselves, and ask how to help another person, especially a younger person to find joy and encouragement. "Find the joy in your life."

5) Affirm Another

Toward the end of the clip, the narrator speaks to us, "Do something for me." I think this is a wonderful opportunity to pass on the baton. It calls for one to seek out true joy and meaning, in order to pass the finding to the next person or the next generation. That is so important for us, especially for those of us living in an individualistic me-first society. Why are we rushing to make the first million? Why are we eyeing the spanking new car? Why are we climbing the ladder of power? Is it for self-gratification? Or is it for the sake of others? More importantly, how is our worldly pursuit bringing glory and honour to God? Truth is, if we are honest with ourselves, many times, it is all about us.

Do something for others, by first doing something for ourselves. Learn that accumulating wealth, reputation, things, and fame for self is not everything. Use whatever we have to bless, to bring life, and to affirm others.

Some Reservations
Having listed out the five things worth doing, I want to caution readers about the strange theology that is in the clip. "Our lives are streams flowing into the same river toward what heaven lies in the mists beyond the forests." It tends to suggest erroneously that all human beings are on the river to heaven. There is a strong suggestion of universalism, that all roads lead to the same destiny. It is not biblical. If there is any truth, Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned, and Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. That means that if there is any streams, it is one that is flowing automatically into a river of death. For all the nice teachings about the more important things in life, this philosophy thrown in has spoiled the whole clip for me. My suggestion: Watch it but always let the Bible be your guide, and the final say.

A scene from the movie "The Bucket List" which shows the thoughts of a reflective man, going through some of the items of his bucket list of