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Small-Time Leader Vol. 2

Seven Words of Life

The cabin door of the plane was about close when he came rushing down the aisle and flopped down in the seat next to me. I wasn’t in the best of moods, but he was. Hand extended, he said, “My name is Jim. What is yours?”

We small talked for a while. He told me he was a trainer and consultant and had been doing that for most of his business life. He owned firm and was doing management, sales and communication seminars with business groups around the country. Then he asked, “What do you do?”

This was the one question I didn’t want to hear or talk about, but Jim did. I told him I had lost my job and wanted to do the kind of work he had just described, but I had little experience. Jim asked, “Would you like for me to help you?”

Naturally I was leery of help offered by someone I had known for 15-20 minutes, but there was something different about Jim. I thanked him and said I would think about his kind offer. For the rest of the flight, we talked about hobbies and family and the sort. He gave me his card and asked me to call him if I wanted to know more about his offer. A few days later I did.

To make a long story short, Jim flew down to my home in Louisville, Kentucky and taught me to lead one seminar and gave detailed instructions on how to sell it. I followed his method step-by-step and things began to work.

I was proud of my early success and wanted to share it with Jim, so I invited him to come and listen to a session I was leading. He enthusiastically agreed. However, this event wasn’t my finest hour. There was a small crowd and I blundered several times during my presentation. I was feeling pretty bad. Later that day, as we were walking thorough the airport for Jim’s flight home, he stopped at the gate. He thanked me for the trip and time, then he look me in the eye and said, “Mike I want you to know that you spoke with a lot of authority in the class today.” Regarding the small number of paying attendees, he smiled and said, “Remember God always sends the perfect number.”

No critique. No do this or don’t do that. He graciously spoke confidence into me and added the gentle reminder that we are not in control here. Those two concepts , in two seven-word phrases, ring as clear in my ears today as they did 30 years ago.

Journal Entry: Do you know someone who it is discouraged and could use an acknowledgment of a personal strength you noticed within them? Could he or she be helped by a kind tap on the shoulder about heir option of placing their worries in God’s hand as they seek their way in leadership and Life? Could you be their small-time leader today?

10 Things Bad Managers Say (and Small-time leaders don’t)
If you don’t want this job, I’ll find someone who does
I don’t pay you to think
I’ll take it under advisement
Who gave you permission to do that?
Drop everything and DO THIS NOW!
Don’t bring me problems. Bring me solutions. i.e. “Don’t complain — shut up and deal with it.”
Sounds like a personal problem to me
I have some feedback for you … and everyone here feels the same way
In these times, you’re lucky to have a job at all
From Article “10 Things Bad Managers Say” – Bloomberg Businessweek

Leaders don’t look for recognition from others, leaders look for others to recognize. – Simon Sinek

It is easy to acknowledge, but almost impossible to realize for long, that we are mirrors whose brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us. – C. S. Lewis

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – The Bible – Old Testament Book of Proverbs 3:5-6

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