Brian Herbert, son of science fiction author Frank Herbert and a prolific author of science fiction himself, once said: “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” This is not only true for individuals but also for…
It happened during a workshop I was leading on creativity for a board of trustees at a small college. A suggestion came up—and I don’t even remember what it was—that was new. It was something this group had never contemplated. As the group discussed the idea, one could sense a…
We have all heard the chorus of experts telling us that business success depends on our diversity policies. The champions of diversity tell us diversity must be central to our strategy and organizational culture. The reason given is that as companies become more global, we must reflect a more global…
We’ve all heard it. It has become a slogan so common in conversation that most people don’t even realize the significance of what they are saying. We use it to end arguments that we’re otherwise unable to resolve. It is a useful tool for leaving a conversation when time demands…
Metaphors are a powerful tool for conveying meaning to an audience. A simple metaphor can do more to communicate an idea than reams of literal verbiage. Metaphors not only help to communicate the content of an idea but they also help us remember that content. They serve as hooks upon…
“Systems Thinking” is Marquardt and Berger’s sixth essential competency for global leadership. Before we can assess Jesus on this criterion, we should define what we mean by “systems thinking” and being a “systems” thinker. Organizations, communities, nations, and the physical universe itself contain many elements that interact with one another…
In my recent series of posts, I have been taking Michael Marquardt and Nancy Berger’s eight competencies of a global leader and applying them to Jesus Christ. So far, I have shown that Jesus fares well. With this sixth competency, the task becomes more difficult. In the book, Where To…
Western culture has segregated Jesus Christ to the religious realm, denying him entrance into the world of organizational management. I believe, however, that—apart from one’s religious view of Jesus—his life exhibits the traits of a global leader and that his example as a leader provides valuable insights that leaders today…
As I wrote the title of this post, my mind pictured someone with arms open wide standing in front of a group of people gathered behind him as I walk toward them. The phrase comes from the imagery of a flock of sheep and a shepherd welcoming a new entry.…
Leaders are always agents of change, individuals whose role it is to guide an organization, or a particular subgroup within that organization, through the process of change. Leaders must prepare both themselves and others for inevitable changes the organization will face. Change is a given. We cannot avoid it nor…
