Truths From a Bathroom Stall 1

The city of Denver is a hub for potential hipsters. One of my favorite things about the hipster culture is that they are rebellious in unique ways. They are riding bikes with capes, they are wearing skinny jeans while sipping strange coffee drinks, they are playing instruments they handmade in underground nightclubs, and they are writing inspirational quotes on bathroom stalls.

One evening at a coffee shop, I noticed this quote written on the stall.

“life is like photography, you develop from the negatives.”

I am type of person who tries my hardest to avoid negatives at all costs. I am a control freak and a perfectionist. Experiencing trials and difficulties is my worst enemy and greatest fear. Yet, leaders often express that the trails grow them the most. One of my favorite biblical leaders is Joseph, who could express that the trials he went through in his life were worth everything to bring him to be one of the most influential men in all of Egypt (Gen. 41:39-41).

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and when he was seventeen the Lord gave him dreams. These dreams expressed that one-day Joseph would reign over his family. You can only imagine the kind of pride Joseph felt. His brothers, being human, became extremely jealous and plotted to get rid of Joseph. 

Joseph’s journey brought him multiple misfortunes. His own brothers sold him into slavery; he was accused falsely of adultery; and was forgotten in prison for many years. God used Joseph’s trials to transform a prideful man into a humble man. After two years in prison Joseph is called to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. This time when Joseph interprets the dreams he credits God instead of himself (Gen 41:16). Joseph is granted the second highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh and saves the country from starvation.

Later, Joseph gets a chance to reconcile with his brothers who began this chain reaction of poor events. Joseph’s words show that the trails have brought him to his great success. Joseph said to his brothers, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life…So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Gen 45:5,8).

During the desert seasons and the never-ending trials, God is working. He is orchestrating behind the scenes to prepare and equip His people for amazing things. Everyday I struggle to understand this truth as I walk in fear of my next suffering. Leadership is difficult, one of the most difficult tasks to be called to. Leadership doesn’t call the fainthearted, but calls those who hope in God’s promises that the trials have a purpose.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

When photos are produced we typically only see the positives, forgetting about the process it took to become the beautiful, brilliant picture we see before us. Positive change doesn’t happen in a day. It’s a process with trails of various kinds. Remain steadfast. Keep the hope that God is using the negative pictures to make the full grand effect of the positive picture that is your life.

Nothing New Under the Sun

Leaders are always trying to come up with some new and innovative way to practice leadership. I also wish I could be the next big thing who came up with some brilliant new way to change society. The lie is that my value as a leader is measured by how many new creative ideas and models I can dream up.

When a new tree is planted, the roots quickly find the pathways of old tree roots. The foundation of the young tree finds its strength and vitality through the pathways that have been made before its lifetime.

The same is for leaders. Instead of trying to force some new way of doing leadership, we find our strength in the successful way men and women have led before us. We shouldn’t feel less valuable to our communities because we haven’t written the latest Christian top seller. We shouldn’t harbor guilt because we haven’t had a new epiphany that has changed the world. If you have been gifted and called to a leadership role then you have already been given great tools to practice leadership successfully. No one is asking you to be the next Martin Luther King Jr. or Bill Gates or whoever it is that inspires you. God has used people in the past to do great things and he will use you!

So I reject all the naysayers that believe you are only “making it” when you have created a new profound system of leadership. I challenge you to use the tools that have already been well practiced and make them yours. Every person and leadership context is unique and you can find a way of leadership that works well for you and your community.

A young tree may use old foundations, but it still grows and flourishes into its own. I think the saying is “history repeats itself”… well so does positive change!

"Leadership Killed the Management Star"

America's organizational culture has been experiencing a new kind of transformation in the workplace. No longer do companies or organizations look for managers—they are looking for a motivator, a leader. The term leadership is not a passing fad, but has become the competition’s strategy to having a positive and healthy organization.

Leadership coach Laurence Lyons says, “…the word ‘management’ has come to represent an attitudinal straitjacket that can stifle, and often excuse the need for, that kind of truly innovative thinking that has become a prerequisite for success.”*

So why is leadership the new standard of excellence?

1. Leaders break up the hard ground of outdated “management” strategy. Leaders are in the business of transforming people. Co-laborers are looking for ways to be engaged, challenged, and motivated in their daily work. No longer are people satisfied with financial reward, but seek to learn and be transformed by their work.
2. Leaders provide mutual success. Leaders seek the success of others by providing them with the tools and resources people need to do their best work. Employees are given ownership in the overall outcome of the organization, thus all will act in the interest of mutual success.
3. Leaders create a culture of positive change. Managers organize and maintain, while leaders cast vision for the next stage. Leadership is attractive simply because it brings about new health and new visions for an organization.
4. Leadership is a relationship. Leaders have the ability to establish mentor relationships with their co-laborers. Leaders model the way and take people alongside them for sustainable change.
5. Leaders inspire and inspired organizations are on top. Leaders mobilize others to do extraordinary things. Everyone can think of a leader in their life that has inspired them to be the best they can be! Leadership allows organizations to be fearless of big dreams and grow into healthy teams that effectively impact the people they are serving.

Calling all those who are or will ever be in a position of authority to pursue leadership over management. To create a healthy organizational culture, one has to commit to the responsibility and hardship of being a leader. Organizations need managers, but should partner with gifted leaders who can inspire people to the next level of positive change for them and their community.

*Laurence S. Lyons, Coaching for Leadership: Coaching at the Heart of Strategy. 2012, p.16