Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Thoughts on Leadership from a Higher Level

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Introduction: The Holy Grail of Leadership Knowledge.....................1The Bible's lessons are relevant today...................................2Your thoughts are important..............................................7Interpret and apply the scriptures.......................................8Part 1 - General Leadership Guidance.....................................11Trust that God loves us..................................................11Align with God's plan....................................................12Balance and harmony in the world.........................................12God provides help........................................................13Treat people with respect................................................14We are of one spirit and purpose.........................................16Learn and grow...........................................................18Training must be practiced...............................................19We have gifts to share...................................................22Our journey and trials in life...........................................23Part 2 – Take the Bible's lessons to work..........................27Introduction.............................................................27Leadership Topics........................................................27Management by walking around.............................................27Be proactive.............................................................30Learn from the master planner............................................32Know your sheep..........................................................34Reduce stress............................................................37Communicate effectively..................................................39Seek experienced guidance................................................40Leaders must delegate to succeed.........................................42Team members have responsibilities.......................................43Leaders have responsibilities to society.................................45Vision and Strategy Development..........................................49Build your vision for the future.........................................49Elements of a strong vision statement....................................50Create business plan strategies..........................................53Communicate the business plan............................................54Get customers and stakeholders involved..................................58Help people accept change................................................59Break down communication barriers........................................62Promote teamwork.........................................................64Sell the strategy to all levels..........................................65The business we are not in...............................................66Develop performance parameters...........................................67Set aggressive goals.....................................................68Customer and Market Focus................................................69Nothing is new in the world..............................................69Respect your stakeholders................................................69Be direct and honest with customers......................................70Put yourself in their shoes..............................................71Deepen your customer understanding.......................................73Profits enable good works................................................74Generate new life........................................................75Be persistent............................................................76Delegate responsibility..................................................78Knowledge Management.....................................................80Measure and analyze performance..........................................80Develop a business review calendar.......................................82Data reporting is expensive..............................................83Real time data is best...................................................84Design effective information systems.....................................84Ensure performance data is reliable......................................85Collect data frugally....................................................86Minimize historical data storage.........................................88Bring information to life................................................89Train associates to use data effectively.................................89Create positive feedback.................................................90Information should correct not criticize.................................91Share best practices.....................................................92Managing the Internal Process............................................95Maintain Christian values................................................95Take corrective action...................................................96Minimize process variation...............................................97Promote continuous improvement...........................................99Create opportunities for customers.......................................100Organizational Results...................................................102Do not micromanage.......................................................102Reports must create action...............................................103Monitor competitors......................................................104Develop partnerships.....................................................105Prepare for a crisis.....................................................106Stay focused on God......................................................107Human Resource Development...............................................110Develop a common business language.......................................110Use words that evoke pictures............................................111Share business information...............................................113Recruit the best people..................................................115Training reduces stress..................................................116Recognize and reward associate skills....................................118Plan for your replacement................................................118Review succession plans annually.........................................120Build a diverse organization.............................................120Train people to interview job candidates.................................121Drive out the fear of failure............................................123Use equitable performance reviews........................................123Communicate expectations to employees....................................125Discipline to improve performance........................................127Ethical Behavior.........................................................130Honesty is the foundation to build on....................................130Avoid improprieties......................................................130Maintain integrity to build trust........................................131Have a code of conduct...................................................132Communicate and enforce ethical...