If You’ve Seen Me

 bob-maclafferty, Uncategorized  No Responses »
Jul 282013
 

Many years ago, a CEO gathered his leadership team for a strategic meeting. They sat around a large table, sharing a meal. He knew his company was facing a crisis, a truly whitewater crisis. He began by starting conversations to measure the commitment of his leaders; commitment to the organization, commitment to him. He could feel the tension mount. He could see the fear written on many faces. He began to speak, speaking strong words of encouragement, reminding them of what they had learned together, charting a strong course, painting a picture showing a bright future.

And this is what he said:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” -John 14, NIV.

Jesus was talking to His core leadership team. He was casting a vision for the future through troubled and dangerous waters. He reminded them of what made His kingdom different, what key principles would make them successful. 

We are a leadership team not unlike Jesus’ Twelve. We face a whitewater challenge. We face an uncertain future. But what makes our organization different? What can make us successful in a different way from others around us? I believe it is our mission.

If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the mission.

Is this statement true for me?

Do I lead in a way that clearly reflects the mission of my organization? Do I challenge those around me to do the same?

Related posts about my leadership vibe and about leading based on my values.

1.0

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Jul 202013
 
1.0  ….. FTE
For those of you out there with me in the business world, FTE is the acronym for Full Time Equivalent.
What does that mean to you?
  • A few thousand dollars on the wrong side of a troubled financial statement?
  • Something in the way of meeting an arbitrary standard?
  • An impediment to perceived success?
 In one way or another, many of us find ourselves struggling yet again with red ink, decreasing volumes, and high expenses. I know I am. This is especially true in the healthcare industry. Am I alone in this struggle?  ??? I don’t think so. 
 
The loss of 1.0 is a leadership failure.
A failure in prediction, a failure in growth, a failure in hiring and discipline.
Maybe it is not entirely YOUR failure.
Maybe it is largely the fault of the 1.0.
Maybe it’s the product of misguided government leaders, pinching an industry between the demand for more and better services and the continual reduction of funding necessary to do just that.
But it is still a failure. 
 
Some of us have already made hard decisions this year that have affected 1.0.
Some of us have more to come. 
 
1.0 has two hands, two feet, a head and a heart. 
He is a sick wife caregiver, 
She is a single parent with four little ones.
He is a seasoned professional, devoting decades to serving the hurting around him.
She is a fresh faced, idealistic young graduate, eager to make a difference.
 
Jesus was on a mission for 1.0
 
“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner…”  Matthew 15, NIV
 
“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Matthew 15, NIV.
 
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Matthew 19, NIV
 
His words, not mine.
Whether the Lost Sheep, the Lost Son, or Zacchaeus, Jesus lived… and died to save 1.0.
Can I do no less? I challenge myself, and you, to care for 1.0, whether current employee or not, deserving or not.
 
“For God so loved 1.0 that he gave his one and only Son. John 3:16 modified.