John Stanko

"In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, 'Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart'" - Nehemiah 2:1-2.

Nehemiah was the king's personal servant and came into the king's presence burdened for Jerusalem and the condition of his people there. The king could have easily dismissed Nehemiah's countenance or missed it altogether. Instead, the king not only noticed how sad Nehemiah was but also asked the reason. The most powerful man in the kingdom was watching his people, 'read' where they were at, and then cared enough to inquire what was going on. This is a classic example of emotional intelligence, for the king was not just observant, but also empathetic enough to probe the matter to see if he could help. When Nehemiah shared his grief, the king helped set a plan in motion to relieve Nehemiah and rebuild Jerusalem.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to improve your ability to 'read' the people around you, especially those with whom you work. First of all, try to do less business via email or phone and have more face-to-face time so you can observe the people while you chat. Then pay attention to body language—when they cross their arms, wiggle in their chairs, or get a sad or excited look on their faces—and then pursue what's going on with questions to see how you can help them.

"The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble" - Proverbs 19:23.

The fear of the Lord causes the one who fears to avoid evil as defined by the commands in God's word. This avoidance of evil will bring peace of mind, which in turn will enhance a person's ability to rest both physically and mentally. Leaders must define for themselves how this fear of the Lord will be expressed in their leadership role. Since they are in the business of promoting, developing, and directing people, this fear should include a component that spells out how those leaders will treat the people with whom they work. When they violate their people philosophy, then they should expect their conscience to bother them and thus their rest will be affected, for that is how God created them to function.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to reflect on and spell out your standards and values where the people you work with are concerned. How will you treat them financially? When will you promote them and make room for their gifts? What will you do when they exhibit harmful attitudes and behaviors? This exercise will actually educate and activate your conscience, which will then be triggered negatively when you violate those standards and values.

"These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow
their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and
flatter others for their own advantage" - Jude 16.

Flattery is the exercise of publicly talking about the characteristics and accomplishments of others, whether true or exaggerated, in order to gain favor with or to make a favorable impression on the one being flattered. Usually the one flattered has something the flatterer wants or needs, so the exercise is based on manipulation and deceit. The difference between flattery and paying a compliment is that the latter is sincere and truthful, and has no ulterior motive. Leaders must be aware that some want to flatter them to tap into their power for some personal reason; leaders must also be careful not to use flattery to get what they want. Sincerity and speaking truth are safeguards against the use of flattery to establish or maintain relationships.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to learn to recognize flattery in your life, whether you are using or receiving. The way to avoid using flattery is to make a conscious effort to encourage people for who they are and what they do in private or to make it a regular habit for all the people on your team. The way to avoid flattery being used on you is to thank people for their comments and then remind yourself that you are not as 'good' as they are making you out to be!

“'Watch me,' he told them. 'Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do'" - Judges 7:17.

Gideon was leading a few men against a much larger enemy contingent and he needed to coordinate and direct their efforts for success. He did not send them out to do what he was not willing to do, staying safely away from the front lines. Instead he led the troops to the edge of risk, giving them clear instructions along with a visual example to follow. He was a true leader and did not ask his followers to do anything he was not willing to do himself. Leaders must work to build effective teams, fostering a spirit of collaboration, if they are to achieve the organization's most important goals. That will not be achieved only by giving commands. What's more, they must also lead these teams by example and not delegate responsibilities that can only be carried out by the leaders themselves.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to assess your ability to foster collaboration: 1) Can you identify the most important values and behaviors needed for organizational success? 2) Are you modeling those values and behaviors for your followers? 3) Are you clearly communicating what you require from your followers? 4) Do you lead them by being among them, or are you aloof and reserved? 5) Do you have courage to lead them to the edge of risk?

"Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance" - Micah 2:1-2.

The prophet had a one-word warning to those who use their leadership power to steal, defraud, and rob people of inheritances, who plan evil at night and carry it out the first chance they have. His one word of warning was (and is) woe. God is watching the business and leadership practices of all people the world over and He shows great interest in their ethical practices. The absence of ethics clearly spelled out in God's word should be a major concern for all business people, for their woe may be that what they do in secret God chooses to reveal for the world to see. Leaders must also take into account the impact their decisions and business practices have on the poor, widowed, and marginalized in society, keeping in mind that God is watching what they do.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to read the entire book of Micah (seven chapters), specifically studying it to identify the ethics outlined in that book. Look for what the Lord has to say about leadership, idolatry, business practices, justice, bribery, care for the poor, and wealth. See if you can identify any other categories and then work to construct a set of business and leadership ethics (or evaluate your current ones) based on what you read in Micah. How can you effectively apply those ethical practices in your work?

"The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud. Ephraim boasts, 'I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin'" - Hosea 12:7-8.

Today's passage contains a description of business people who have prospered because of fraudulent and dubious business practices. They have even boasted about their unethical behavior, claiming that being good business people (by at least employing 'unsinful' but ethically dubious practices) has brought them success. The interesting thing is that God was watching them and of course condemned their practices, proving that God is interested in values-based behavior in the business world. Leaders would do well to remember this so they can develop and be guided by honesty and integrity when they are dealing with employees, suppliers, customers, and the public in general.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to examine your business practices. Look for areas where your talk and your walk aren't quite in sync. First of all, do you encourage discussion around decisions so you can get various perspectives on their ethical impact? Do you have a set of values and standards for customer service, pricing, environmental impact, and product or service quality? How often and how effectively do you audit the application and consistency of those values?

"Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man" - Nehemiah 1:11.

Nehemiah was a servant in the king's court and he was facing the daunting task of persuading his master to release him for a season to go back and rebuild Jerusalem. Nehemiah knew that he had no 'leverage' with the king, except for his excellent service record in the royal court. What did Nehemiah do? He prayed that God would give him favor so he could be persuasive in the king's presence, and when the king asked him why he was sad, Nehemiah had a ready answer along with a request to go back home and rebuild Jerusalem. Leaders would do well to pray the same prayer, otherwise they will command people to perform, and probably see the followers comply. Yet there is no 'buy-in' or transformation of hearts and minds when people are forced to obey. When they choose to follow based on a persuasive presentation, however, the follower and leader both see more lasting and effective results, just like in the case of Nehemiah.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to pray like Nehemiah prayed. For what are you praying? You're asking for a persuasive tongue that can paint a vivid picture of why someone should respond or comply to the direction you see. Part of that is establishing a credible reputation among those with whom you work, as Nehemiah had. Then the other part is framing your argument in such a way that people can see it, ask questions and then willingly agree to follow.

"Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel, all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night" - Song of Solomon 3:7-8.

Today's passage describes Solomon's entourage as it passed by the writer. The king had 60 men in attendance, all dressed in battle regalia and prepared for action, and the writer was quite impressed with Solomon's royal swagger. The problem was that Solomon eventually used his power to enslave the people while he dipped into treasury funds for personal building projects. Eventually he believed he was above God's law, marrying many wives and learning to serve their gods. His show of power ultimately split the twelve tribes into two nations and ruined any chance for the continuation of the glory days of his father David. Leaders must be careful lest, when they surround themselves with pomp and the trappings of power, they think they deserve all the ceremony and hoopla accompanying their presence - and then use that power for personal gain.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to inoculate yourself against power going to your head and giving you an inflated estimation of your importance. One thing you can do is to write your funeral eulogy, for you must be doing today what you want people to say about you when you're gone. What will your legacy be? This exercise also reminds you that you are mortal and will pass from the scene eventually, motivating you to plan for your succession and keeping you accountable for how you use your power.

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep; A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man" - Proverbs 6:9-11.

Rest is not a right, but rather a necessity that follows performing the work that God has assigned. Rest is meant to refocus one's attention on God (and keep the work from becoming an idol) and to recharge for the work ahead. In other words, rest is to have meaning and focus and is not simply a time to do nothing. There are some who believe that doing nothing is a religious requirement and others who believe it is a God-given right. Instead, it is a time to acknowledge God's prerogative to rule schedules and work patterns, for on more than one occasion, Jesus declared Himself to be Lord of the Sabbath. Leaders should acknowledge that God has the right to determine when and how rest is to be taken and that includes the possibility that He requires some type work and worship on days that tired leaders would just as soon do nothing.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to make Jesus Lord of your rest, for He knows what is best for you and your health, creativity, and rejuvenation. That means on your 'sabbath,' He can direct you to 'work' in your church, have you visit a home for the elderly, or do family visits or other family-related activities. He can also direct you to invest your vacation time into missions or some other activity that will energize and refresh you, even though it does not involve physical rest.

"For you yourselves know how you ought to
follow our example. We were not idle when
we were with you" - 2 Thessalonians 3:7.

Leaders are almost always teaching, helping to frame decisions, equip and educate workers and communicate vision and values. While much of this teaching is done using words, some of it is done by the leaders setting an example and modeling the desired behaviors, work habits, and relationships that they believe are necessary for success and ethical practices. While people may not heed or pay attention to the positive role model leaders play, they almost always identify a negative role model - and that poor example usually undermines the credibility of the leader and works against the desired goals or vision that leader sets.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to examine the role model you are providing for those who work closest to you. Are you consciously trying to model your leadership philosophy? Do you accept the fact that you are held to a higher standard that others in the organization? Do you also accept that you are a teacher, for good or not-so-good, and your words carry more power if you have credibility in the eyes of the listener? Where can you improve as a role model?