Just a few miscelleneous reflections related to leadership as January 2010 comes to an end...
1) The Calgary Flames are in the midst of a horrid seven game losing streak. All the doctors of Alberta could be employed full-time just setting broken ankles from all the Flames fans jumping off the bandwagon! The common theme from hockey experts as well as passionate fans with varying degrees of knowledge or insight seems to be "there's something that needs to be changed among the core group of players." I'm not personally convinced that there is a problem, personality-wise or talent/skill-wise with the core group. Furthermore, I'm also not convinced that any judgments - or decisions about breaking up the core group - should be made on this team until the NHL playoffs are over... though admittedly that does presume the team gets into the playoffs, an assumption that the current losing streak is bringing into suspense.
2) The Patrice Cormier hit and the ensuing suspension delivered by the QMJHL are appropriate. Cormier's hit was late, intentional, and vicious - you could see his elbow come up directly to Michael Tam's head. Credit to Cormier he issued a statement indicating he would not appeal the suspension and accept the punishment (which is pretty significant for a player trying to make an impression on the NHL team that has drafted him). Additionally, credit the NJ Devils for also making a statement that they will uphold the spirit and letter of the suspension (ie. not call him up to their AHL minor league team to play). A player making a stupid choice, being dealt a severe though appropriate punishment, and accepting it like a man. Really, when was the last time that happened? Maybe he wasn't that bad a choice for Canada's World Junior team captain.
3) Haiti Earthquake Disaster and Relief. I've talked with many people who have travelled internationally and they all agree that whatever other country they may have visited (eg. India, Philippines, etc), nothing compared to Haiti. Haiti was a whole other level of poverty, tragedy, lack of health-anything, lack of political-anything, lack of education-anything, and corruption... long before the January 12, 2010 earthquake. The earthquake that seems to have suddenly drawn everyone's attention to this area of the world has just exacerbated an already unbelievably horrific day-to-day existence in this country.
I don't agree with Pat Robertson's assessment that this earthquake was God's judgement on Haiti. Nonetheless, I think the Scripture is clear that when a nation chooses to honour God in their values and decisions, there will be "success." Likewise, when a nation chooses to explicitly exclude God from their life, it should not be surprising when God allows them to reap the results of their desires and choices (again, pre-earthquake the statistics for Haiti on infant mortality, poverty, life expectancy, etc were deplorable). Admittedly, this may not have been the people's desires as much as the will of a few political and dictatorial leaders.
It is amazing how the world has rallied to the support of Haiti... and it is my prayer that as acts of kindness and care are shown to Haitians, they will also hear the Gospel and begin growing a solid foundation for living for this country until Christ comes again. I think it is really cool that our Canadian government has stepped up to match gifts that citizen give to Haiti in such a generous way, even in the midst of our "economic troubles." Organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Haiti Arise are two that I would encourage friends to consider.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Moses' First Leadership Mis-communication
In the first message in a new series on Moses’ life, our pastor (Tim Strickland) brought out a point from Scripture I had never noticed before. The day after Moses kills an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave, he tries to intervene in a fight between two Hebrews and they have a rather indignant response to him (see Exodus 2:14).
The point I had not noticed is the Acts 7:24-25 commentary on this situation…which is not explained in the Exodus account. “Moses supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” (ESV)
In other words, Moses kills the Egyptian who was beating on the Hebrew slave and expects that the Hebrews will now realize that this guy who grew up in the Pharaoh’s place is really on their side and now is ready to stand up to the Egyptians and save them from the enemy. But Moses’ fellow Hebrews have no such idea. In fact, they seemingly think the opposite. “You think just cuz you’re part of the Pharaoh’s household you can kill whoever you want and nothing will happen to you.”
How often in leadership situations do we presume that others know the reason and rationale behind our actions and decisions… when they may have no clue as to why we made such a choice… and in fact, may think the opposite of our intention? A person could walk away, as Moses did, or throw his/her arms up in frustration, asking “why won’t this people respond to my leadership?” A leader needs to clearly communicate… even stating the seemingly obvious… the reasons behind an action/decision to minimize the probability of misunderstanding.
The point I had not noticed is the Acts 7:24-25 commentary on this situation…which is not explained in the Exodus account. “Moses supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” (ESV)
In other words, Moses kills the Egyptian who was beating on the Hebrew slave and expects that the Hebrews will now realize that this guy who grew up in the Pharaoh’s place is really on their side and now is ready to stand up to the Egyptians and save them from the enemy. But Moses’ fellow Hebrews have no such idea. In fact, they seemingly think the opposite. “You think just cuz you’re part of the Pharaoh’s household you can kill whoever you want and nothing will happen to you.”
How often in leadership situations do we presume that others know the reason and rationale behind our actions and decisions… when they may have no clue as to why we made such a choice… and in fact, may think the opposite of our intention? A person could walk away, as Moses did, or throw his/her arms up in frustration, asking “why won’t this people respond to my leadership?” A leader needs to clearly communicate… even stating the seemingly obvious… the reasons behind an action/decision to minimize the probability of misunderstanding.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Christmas 2009 Pictures - Rachel
Rachel falling asleep with mommy and Caleb on Christmas Eve.(Caleb had a little accident so his hand is in a cup of cold water)
Rachel's stocking had a few gifts for our precious little lamb.
Christmas 2009 Pictures - Caleb
Caleb got a truck, among other things, in his stocking and was quite thankful! 
Caleb got many other wonderful gifts, but his favorite seems to be his Black & Decker tool bench with power saw, drill, hammer, nails and screws!
Caleb is ready to watch the World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatoon... well, actually daddy enjoyed watching it more then Caleb!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Book Review - Love Leadership by John Hope Bryant
Just finished reading Love Leadership by John Hope Bryant (not part of a blog review tour from a publisher, one I bought at Amazon.ca). I was interested in the book because it claimed to be insights based on interviews with 30 top leaders. Though it does list the individuals interviewed at the end of the book, Bryant does not share extensively from these interviews or their leadership stories.
Overall the book is a disappointment. Nice and true principles such as "Lead out of love, not fear" (chapter 2) and "vulnerability is power" (chapter 4), and "giving is getting" (chapter 5). However, a conclusion that the world needs good capitalism not selfish capitalism seems overly idealized. Good capitalism is defined as that which benefits all people versus capitalistic enterprise that just benefits individuals. Furthermore, the idea of "good selfishness" seems to be inconsistent with my understanding of Scripture (no matter how much one "twists" the concepts).
Overall the book is a disappointment. Nice and true principles such as "Lead out of love, not fear" (chapter 2) and "vulnerability is power" (chapter 4), and "giving is getting" (chapter 5). However, a conclusion that the world needs good capitalism not selfish capitalism seems overly idealized. Good capitalism is defined as that which benefits all people versus capitalistic enterprise that just benefits individuals. Furthermore, the idea of "good selfishness" seems to be inconsistent with my understanding of Scripture (no matter how much one "twists" the concepts).
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