Be a leader who is likeable

"People don't follow people they don't like"

I got this quote from this blog post. It is an excellent post on the fact that much of what makes a leader effective is their EQ (emotional quotient). It states "Good social skills are woefully lacking in many a leader and interpersonal interactions are half of our jobs as leaders".

I think that there are many who have the knowledge and skills to lead, but are unwilling to work at relating to people and so their influence is diminished. Knowing people is a huge part of leading.

Can a person be a good leader without being somewhat likable?
How can a leader become more likable without compromising their convictions?

Derrick Rose - Chicago Bull

From Chicago
To Memphis
Back to Chicago

With the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls select Derrick Rose.

What are your thoughts on the Bulls pick and on their future?

Police shooting people

There have been 7 people shot by police in the last two weeks in the city of Chicago. 4 of them fatal. A group of Chicago ministers is looking for answers.

Those numbers are quite high by any standard. We should be concerned.

Honestly, I can see both sides of this. Police work is tough. Especially tough in Chicago. The news media is having a field day this year reporting on the shootings in Chicago. And they only report a small number of the actual shootings. So the police know that the guns are out there and they people aren't afraid to use them.

On the other hand, I have to wonder if all of the 21 incidents of people shot by police officers this year in Chicago were justifiable. Are the police a bit trigger happy because of their perceptions of the community? I know that my experiences with the Chicago Police Department have been for the most part less than pleasant if not in some cases down right wrong. And I am a white law abiding citizen who is generally reserved and respectful.

Sometimes, I feel like Bill Cosby and wonder "what were they doing with the gun in their hand anyway when they were shot". Sometimes, I feel like Rev. Marshall Hatch of Chicago who says in the tribune article "We were asked to have patience, and really, we want to communicate that patience has run out in the community,".

What are your feelings about the number of police shooting people?

Joshua's wedding debut

The ring bearer

Other members of the wedding party
With Shayna and Matthew

Celebrating Loving Day

Check out that cake topper

I had the joy and privilege of officiating another wedding yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. David and Robin Rankin. Robin has been a close friend of our family for about eleven years. It was a joy to be a part of her special day.

Last week, I was reading Edward Gilbreath's blog and realized the significance of her wedding. I learned for the first time about loving day celebrated on June 12th. June 12th, 1967 was the date that the Supreme Court of the United States overturned all laws banning interracial marriage. Richard and Mildren Loving took their "illegal marriage" before the Supreme Court.
In the midst of sharing the joy with David and Robin, I also reflected on the history of our nation that would not have allowed them to get married just over 40 years ago.

Congratulations Robin and David!!!!

Do you ever find the joys and pains of your life reminding you of history?
Do you feel any desire to learn the history of our nation's racial mistakes in order to be more affective at living righteously and justly in loving "your neighbor"?

"I don't want to go to church"

Can a person be a Christian and not want to be a part of the church?

This question, comes from several conversations that I have had with different people in the last few months.

What do you think?

Compromise

Marriage is when you agree to spend the rest of your life sleeping in a room that's too warm, beside someone who's sleeping in a room that's too cold.

A breakdown in communication

A man is a person who, if a woman says, “Never mind, I’ll do it myself,” lets her.

A woman is a person who, if she says to a man, “Never mind, I’ll do it myself,” and he lets her, gets mad.

A man is a person who, if a woman says to him, “Never mind, I’ll do it myself,” and he lets her and she gets mad, says, “Now what are you mad about'

A woman is a person who, if she says to a man, “Never mind, I’ll do it myself,” and he lets her, and she gets mad, and he says, “Now what are you mad about?” says, “If you don’t know I’m not going to tell you.”

Sound familiar to anyone?

The breakdown of a society

Sociologist and historian Carle Zimmerman, in his 1947 book Family and Civilization, recorded his keen observations as he compared the disintegration of various cultures with the parallel decline of family life in those cultures.

Eight specific patterns of domestic behavior typified the downward spiral of each culture Zimmerman studied.

*Marriage loses its sacredness...is frequently broken by divorce.
*Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost.
*Feminist movements abound.
*Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general.
*Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion.
*Refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family responsibilities.
*Growing desire for and acceptance of adultery.
*Increasing interest in and spread of sexual perversions and sex-related crimes.

What are your thoughts on his observations?

WHY WHITE CHRISTIANS SHOULD REJOICE WITH OBAMA'S NOMINATION

I found this article quite insightful at the Pure Church blog. I would encourage people to read it. It is an interesting perspective from a very theologically and politically conservative Christian.

I personally am encouraged spiritually that Barack has been nominated by his party.

We as Americans have sinned greatly in how we have treated each other in this country. In fact, we still do. I am encouraged by the fact that this can let many who are hurt, angry, and discouraged by this sin have some encouragement that things can get better.

I personally have a hard time seeing myself voting for Barack because of my disappointment with his stances on policy. I wish that he "thought" differently on many issues. But I am encouraged nonetheless that we as a nation are willing to consider someone who looks like Barack as fit to run our land. For that I rejoice.

What are your feelings about Barack Obama being nominated to run for the presidency of the United States?

What is a friend?

For the learning community that I am involved in, this month we were reading and discussing Kent Hughes book Disciplines of a Godly Man. It is an excellent book that I have read before. Last night, we met to discuss the book. We spent quite a bit of time discussing the discipline of friendship.

I don't often think of friendship as a discipline.

The book shares that it is estimated that only about 10% of men have any real friends. This poses the question of "what is a real friend".

I feel so blessed that in all stages of my life, God has graced me with the gift of friendship. High school, college, different churches- God has put people around me who love Him and who care about me and others. What a blessing. So many people don't have it. Good friendships have a lot to do with growing me into the person that I am today.

What qualities make a good friend? Can a person be a good leader without having close friendships? Should friendship be seen as an indispensable discipline of Christian growth?

Do you love "the world"?

I John 2:15-17 states: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

This world is not the earth or the people, but the world system or way of thinking. Obviously, "God so loved the world" which is the people. But we are not to be caught up loving the world system that exists. In fact, if we do then it is a sign that we don't love God.

This is tough. It is so easy to get caught buying into the world and it's desires.

What are examples of things that we easily love that are of the world? How do you keep your focus on loving God first and foremost?