PJ LightHouse

Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright. ~Proverbs 28:16(The Message)

>People today are desperate for leaders, but they want to be influenced by someone they can trust, a person of good character. If you want to become someone who can positively influence other people:

1. Model consistency of character. Solid trust can only develop when people can trust you all the time

2. Employ honest communication. To be trustworthy, you have to be like a good musical composition: your words and music must match.

3. Value transparency. If you’re honest with people and admit your weaknesses, they appreciate your honesty. And they are able to relate to you better.

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Leaders can’t afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, lest, hung over, they don’t know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. ~Proverbs 31:4-5 (The Message)

Beginning in the late 60s and early 70s, people began talking about “finding themselves,” meaning that they were searching for a way to become self-fulfilled. It’s like making “happiness” your goal, because self-fulfillment is about feeling good.

But self-development is different. Sure, much of the time it will make you feel good, but that’s a by-product, not the goal. Read the rest of this entry »

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~The ultimate measure of leaders is not why they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand in times of challenge and controversy~

Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. ~Nehemiah 7:1-2

Two emotions usually follow a great achievement: a sign of relief and celebration and a sense of . . . now what? The period after a success can become a dangerous time. Sometimes we feel tempted toward complacency, especially if we lack another goal. We can become satisfied and let down our guard. Momentum leaks.

The moment of victory is a crucial time for any organization. A transitional problem occurs when the leader does not know how to grow with the organization. Nehemiah’s life illustrates the difference between a catalyst and a consolidator. Read the rest of this entry »

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Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites . . . he shall be chief and captain . . . ” Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. ~2 Samuel 5:8-9

In this world of rapid change, the leader must be out in front to encourage change and growth and to show the way to bring it about. Managers usually are more skilled in the technical requirements of change, whereas leaders have a better understanding of the attitudinal and motivational demands that the followers need.

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“It’s nothing personal; it’s just business,” is a commonly heard phrase in the workplace. However, I tend to disagree with anyone who tries to impersonalize business. At its heart, commerce is a human enterprise, founded upon relationships between people.

Most of us spend a majority of our waking hours in our business or at work, and our vocations endow our lives with meaning or purpose. When we devote ourselves to profession, we’re giving a piece of who we are to our work. In that sense, business is deeply personal. Read the rest of this entry »

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Then Caleb . . . said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people.” ~Numbers 13:30-31

It is usually easier to present change as a simple refinement of “the way we’ve been doing it” rather than something new and different. When a proposal for change is introduced in an organization, people fall into five categories in terms of their response:

Innovators-They are the originators of new ideas and generally are not  acknowledged as leaders or policy makers.

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The first time I heard that it is the leader’s responsibility to define real­ity was from leadership expert and author Max DePree. His assertion made sense to me instantly, and I agreed with it. But that doesn’t mean I was naturally good at it. Of all the lessons I’ve learned about leadership, this one has been the most difficult. I could be the poster child for positive thinking. I am wired to give hope and encourage others. I just can’t help myself. As result, my philosophy has been a little like that of humorist Garrison Keillor, who said, “Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye and deny it” Truthfully, my aversion to being realistic and my occasional reluctance to embrace the fact that it is a leader’s responsibility to define reality has cost me greatly. But at the age of fifty-four, I finally learned my lesson! Read the rest of this entry »

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Now King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, much more than she had brought to the king. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants. ~2 Chronicles 9:12

Before he careened off course, Solomon began to fulfill God’s dream of blessing the nations through the nation of Israel. The Queen of Sheba spoke for those visitors from other nations when she said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God!” (2 Chronicles 9:8) Read the rest of this entry »

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Here’s an article about the 5 truths Leaders understand about Problems by John C Maxwell..

In the comic strip, Peanuts, a hapless Charlie Brown occasionally would be stalked by ominous rainclouds. Although the rest of the sky would shine bright and blue, poor Chuck would be stuck under a dark cloud, getting doused by its showers. While his friends and neighbors enjoyed the beauty of the day, a drenched Charlie Brown would be a scowling onlooker. Read the rest of this entry »

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Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
~ Hebrews 12:1-2

We cannot lead anyone else farther than we have been ourselves. Too many times we are so concerned about the product we try to shortcut the process. There are no shortcuts when integrity is involved. Eventually truth will always be exposed.

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Your company is facing a major decision. The decision you make will have a huge impact on your company, employees and suppliers. How you navigate the process is critical. One wrong move and you will live with regret. Get it right, and you are a hero.

Leaking information could prove devastating. A second opinion would be valuable, but sharing the information could stir up more concern than it is worth. Mentioning your dilemma to your top leaders could put them into a panic. Share the idea with a few key investors and they could decide to bail. Your best friend is trustworthy but lacks the business experience. Your spouse has been with you through thick and thin. Your family has made huge sacrifices in order for the company to succeed. Mention your concept at home and life will be turned upside down. It has been a while since you have had a talk with “The Man Upstairs.” Asking for divine inspiration at a time like this feels too self-serving. Ugh! What is a top executive to do during times like these? Read the rest of this entry »

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Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered.  ~2 Chronicles 31:20-21

The Bible describes King Hezekiah as a leader who “did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began . . . he did it with all his heart.” Hezekiah paid the price to get the job done. But what is the price of commitment? Read the rest of this entry »