Tag: Leadership and Training

The blog posts focus on opportunities to learn and share. The workshops were inclusive and impactful.  Even in pre and post pandemic, the insights continue to help us in engaging and sharing with other leaders.  The primary focus is movement with a continued purpose to do all for the Kingdom.

The Lesson of King Nebuchadnezzar: A Cautionary Tale

Note: A YouTube is embedded for your listening.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

A Misguided Leader

The lesson of King Nebuchadnezzar is told in the scripture. What a powerful story of the mind, body, and soul! We meet King Nebuchadnezzar as one who believed in his own power. Boastful, prideful, full of himself. Finally, in the matter of God, the lesson was this: “His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.  All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him.  He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth.  No one can stop him or say to him, “What do you mean by doing these things?”

This was the account of a former king of ancient Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity returned, he conceded that God is the only one who deserves glory and honor.

King Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that God rules. You see, before this, King Nebuchadnezzar in his human power, allowed by God, was the ruler of a great kingdom.  By his power, he said, “I built this beautiful, majestic city of the world.  By my words, I rule and command.” Yes, great was his rule in human society. It gave him pleasure and honor to sin and do what he thought was right.

The scripture tells us how Daniel, a servant of God, became a slave boy in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom.  Daniel was gifted by God and one day was called to interpret the king’s dream. The words were simple. “King Nebuchadnezzar, stop sinning; do what is right, break from your wicked past, and be merciful to the less fortunate.” Yet, the king refused this advice.

Required Punishment of King Nebuchadnezzar

Because the king refused this advice and continued in his evil ways, God had to punish evil. God’s judgment was this:  For seven years, King Nebuchadnezzar, ate grass in the fields like a cow. The angel of the Lord spoke, “King Nebuchadnezzar, until you learn that God is the Most High over all the kingdoms of this world and gives kingdoms to anyone he chooses, you will live like an animal.” Hence, the scriptures say that Nebuchadnezzar’s hair was as long as eagle feathers and his nails were like bird claw

My question is this? “Does God have to make you eat grass like a cow before you learn your lesson?”

For more like this, we suggest these blog posts:

#KingNebuchadnezzar #mindBody#soul #leadership #servantleadership #electronicLearning

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The slang word flossin is getting a lot of play. No, it is not about flossin your teeth, although that is important. In the language of slang, it speaks to a showing-off of one’s wealth. Similarly, the actions are akin to the mentality of a rooster in the barnyard. A person with this kind of spirit is full of self-pride. So, how do you handle the flossin spirit?

Traits of Flossin

First of all, is flossin a negative behavior? To answer this question, one has to examine the intent or outcome of flossin behavior. This behavior is the manifestation of self-pride, selfishness, and self-love. This is because the person places one’s worth based on material possessions. The idea is that one will receive acceptance and praise from others. Of course, this is a temporary, false connection.

How to Combat Flossin

We live in a society where achievement of wealth is celebrated. Added to that, is the sense of overwhelming power. Wealth, on the other hand, is not the problem. It is the misuse of it that is the problem. When it is used as a means of destruction, the individual becomes excessive with flossin (that is, a showoff). This value system is upside down. Thus, the challenge is to understand how to navigate between things of the world and things of the spirit. God designed the “Spirit of Replacement” for these situations.

Replacement

Replace the flossin spirit with a better spirit which will yield treasures of an everlasting life. What might this replacement spirit look like? These are some examples. Why not replace the flossin spirit with a spirit of:

Flossin’ SpiritReplace with the Trait
FoolishnessWisdom
SelfishnessThanksgiving
InflammatoryPeacemaking
CrueltyMerciful
OverbearingMeekness
HatefulLoving
EvilGoodness; grace

Recovery – Not for Crowing Roosters

A person can recover from this type of sickness; the crowing rooster cannot. For it is in the nature of a crowing rooster to make noise. Humans have flaws and flossin is a flaw. Even well-meaning persons can become victims of the love of money and misuse man-given power. To value one’s self-worth based on monetary substance is a flawed assessment. The very idea that your self-worth is purely measured by wealth is contrary to biblical principles. It is this love of money that makes it contrary to godly principles.

Checking the rear-view mirror

Any one of us could be easily caught up by this spirit of flossin. Self-pride, hateful, mean-spirited, and overbearing behaviors are evidence of a flossin behavior. Do a self-check and seek the very opposite. For more reading like this one we, suggest:

#selfpride #roosterMentality #flossin #boasting #servantleadership #leadership #Isaiah14 #leadership #traitsofaLeader

Effective Goal Setting for Success

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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Goal Setting

Welcome to the E-Cafe Lounge

Goal setting is about success. Therefore, do not just wing it! Do not hope to reach your mark if you have no goal in sight. One of the many definitions of the word “wing” is to guide, soar, or travel.  On the other hand, “to wing it” means to improvise; to do something without proper preparation.  Do athletes who run for the prize, wing it? Is their pursuit based on total hope? No! While they may improvise for a shortcoming, it is only to support the goal.

Let’s talk. These are a list of 10 questions I have for you.

  1. Is this something that you choose to do?
  2. Why is this important to you?
  3. How much of your time are you willing to invest?
  4. Are the resources immediately available?
  5. How will you continuingly find or replenish your resources?
  6. Will you do this project even if you do not reap monetary benefits as you dream of?
  7. Who is your inner circle?
  8. Is the plan more beneficial to others than to you personally?
  9. Where or how do you seek encouragement?
  10. What is the research?

Now, you are ready to plan for a goal! Your answers to the above questions help in planning a goal(s). Even still, it is normal to have more questions in startup than answers. That is the reason for great research. Why goals? Goals begin with questions and finding answers.

Goals – A Great Startup Plan – EEPA

Establishes Priorities
Establishes a point of Reference
Provides Measurement
Accountability

Today, is not an ordinary day for you. First, goal setting establishes priorities. It is a starting place. It does not mean that things cannot change; in fact, some flexibility is warranted. Second, goal setting establishes a point of reference. Referring to a goal as a point of reference will help in defining a way forward. In addition, a goal provides measurement – one can define the distance between, for example, point A to point B. Thus, accountability becomes a measuring factor of goal setting.

The Mission Impossible for Empowerment

Empowerment becomes apparent. It derives because of the mission or goal. Without a mission or goal, one does not have the empowerment to change what needs to be changed. Without the willingness to change, the result is complacency and wasted time. The person will find himself or herself standing still in one place too long. To coin a phrase, “you are going in circles,” which means you are marking time with little or no achievement. Moreover, empowerment brings a degree of satisfaction as the person completes the task during the journey. Task-oriented goals meet the moment for the next step in the process. Smaller tasks empower the person until the goal is met.

A Force of Nature

You are a force of nature! The moment of NOW is to realize that if not NOW then WHEN? To meet the moment or not meet the moment begins with your mindset. In other words, what drives an individual to soar or wing it? What is the difference between the one who flies or wings it? Be true to what you are feeling. The power of trustworthiness! God entrusts you to complete what He has authorized within you before you were born. You are an olive tree to bear fruits (Jeremiah 11:16). The believer’s trust is not in himself or herself; rather, it is in a greater, higher power.

Final Thoughts

In a similar way, each year, millions encounter the desire to set goals. For example, yearly, people target goals for self-improvement. These might include personal and work goals. In comparison, you have been called to this mission because it takes a person with purpose and who do not mind the hard work that it takes to complete the tasks.  That is, you!  If the task was easy, then you would not have been chosen.  The mission calls for you! It is greater than you! God will equip you for the mission. Yes, one gets weary. That is to remind you of the need of Him through the process.  God’s chosen people are given large jobs!  God sends a person weighing 25 pounds to pick up an object weighing 125 pounds.

If the shoe fits, you must wear it to accomplish the goals!

For more information about goal setting, meet Dr. Erin of “BetterUp Blogs.” From our blog pages, we suggest:

    Walking by Faith: Leading with Purpose

    Man and woman walking over a bridge hand in hand

    Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

    Are you leading and walking by faith? The scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:7, speaks of faith walk of a believer. The believer knows that life on earth is temporary. They take strides here on earth for movement toward an eternal place to dwell. In other words, we walk by faith.

    What is Faith?

    According to the scripture, Hebrew 11:1, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Thus, what is the evidence of things not seen? On this journey, do you not have to rely on faith? Do you know what you will encounter each day? All things considered, do you not walk by faith, even a gain, expecting that today you will get through it, somehow or someway?

    A Faith Walk

    As an illustration, when you sit in a chair with four sturdy legs, by faith, you expect that the chair will hold you. By faith, a believer’s experience with God, adds to his or her faith. By faith, Hebrews 11: 3, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Chapter 11 recounts the faith walk of many courageous servants who made the decision to walk by faith and lead others. Today, the faith walk must be the path which the believer blaze for an eternal reward. To that end, one must lead others by faith.

    Strange Politics in Faith

    This is the story of two community leaders: Pastor John Check and Rev. Dr. T. J. Walker, III.

    John Check hosts a local TV Show called “Check It Out,” broadcasted by WHIG TV, a local community station in Rocky Mount, NC. At that time, T.J., was running for elected office in this local city. Although John is quite a bit older than T. J., there was a mutual respect between two people from different generations, as the interview continued. The discussion centered around social, racial and gender justice. To sum up the session, each offered opinions as to how best to make decisions as leaders for the good of its citizens. For example, what should unity look like? What is restoration? What type of changes are a priority? To that end, what stood out was how these leaders actually listened to each other. Their roles as good listeners were on display. Did they agree in all areas? No, but they showed mutual respect for each other. To rephrase and sum up the situation, there was an acknowledgement that as servants of God, they must be representative of Him at all times as public servants. Second, faith in God, will help them find ways to bring people together to change the community for the good of its citizens.

    Faith Among Community Leaders

    As demonstrated by the above, you can disagree and not be disagreeable. The Bible teaches much about sour and sinful leadership. In fact, God condemns sinful and unfaithful leaders. Yet, yow do you recognize such leadership in today’s times? The Word of God has not changed concerning right and wrong. Isaiah 56:1 tells leaders to, “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.” In Isaiah 57, the Lord condemns leaders who walk according to their own flesh and are unfaithful to Him. God still offers repentant to all. He offers comfort to those who come for He says, “I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway.” It takes a walk by faith. Great leadership comes through Him by faith.

    For more blog posts like this one, enjoy:

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    Leadership Choices – Part III

    Leadership Choices

    Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

    This is about leadership choices. Every day people make choices. Who will you lead? Who leads you?

    Servant Leadership NOW: "Stepping Up Your Leadership Call"

    According to a study in Pew Research, most Americans are spiritual or religious in some way and many also say their spirituality and level of religiosity have changed over time. But Americans are far more likely to say they have become more spiritual than to say they have become more religious, according to a new analysis of a 2023 Pew Research Center survey (Read In US, 41% have become more spiritual over time; fewer, more religious | Pew Research Center).

    First of all, each person must make the choice to believe or not to believe. God does not force himself on anyone; He gives every person a free will. Even though each person has a free will to believe, God gives assignments in this earth. Thus, God gives consequences for disobedience to your assignment.

    A Leadership Choice

    Susan emerged from her office. “Jake,” she said, “I would like to reschedule our meeting for 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Will that be a problem for you?” “No, that will be fine. I will meet with you then.”

    Jake was somewhat relieved as he left Susan’s office. On the other hand, more time to reflect, meant more time with this matter on his mind without some answers he desperately wanted.

    Later that evening, in his quietness of the day, Jake began to reflect. He was not going to lie if asked a question; that is a leadership choice wrapped in my integrity – for sure. The truth meant a lot to him. His integrity was at stake. His inner conflict was about how he had handled the situation. It had hoped that Adam’s business practices would eventually catch up with him. However, Jake did not imagine that he would be entangled in a web with Adam.

    Jake reflected, “How shall I pray? What shall I say? Who shall I pray for…the co-worker, Susan, Adam, and others who may be a part of this process?”

    “Lead me, Oh Lord, lead me.”  

    Jake remembers. This leadership assignment is from God. He is the one who continues to guide me each day. I meet company goals. I support other leaders and work as though as I am working for the Lord; therefore, I strive to work with excellence that pleases the Lord. God has NOT given me a spirit of fear. Fear no man. I am accountable to God. He will not leave me nor forsake. He will speak through me. God has provided all of us mercy (click for mercy blogpost). He will attend to my needs. “Greater is He that is within me than he (that spirit of darkness, the devil) that is in the world (I John 4:4).

    We also suggest the blog post “Break the Mold.“

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    Leadership Choices – Part I

    Leadership Choices

    Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

    Leadership choices! Jake is a leader. He also has a supervisor, Adam. Their department consists of both believers and a few non-believers. Each day, Jake starts his morning with a prayer. He asks for wisdom in his leadership of others, compassion and strength at home and work. He prays for those whom he leads and those who leads him.

    In the past months, Jake has witnessed his immediate supervisor operate with intimidation and untruths. Adam has expressed to Jake that this is the way things are done in the world of business if you want to get ahead.

    Today, Jake and Adam have been asked to meet with Susan, the Department Head. The meeting has been called because of the seriousness of a complaint from a fellow colleague. Jake has been named as a witness in the co-worker’s complaint. Neither Jake nor Adam knows all the details of the complaint. It is a fact-finding investigation by Susan.

    Leadership Dealing with Complaints

    As a leader, Jake’s leadership choices should be simple. Right? Will he be able to with stand further pressures of Adam? Moreover, Jake understands that a fact-finding situation is intrusive.  There is no leadership workshop that prepares a leader in these circumstances.

    Comparatively, Adam often speaks as one who holds grudges. It is a deserving reward for others.

    How much in this fact-finding mission should Jake share?  Will his choices hurt others? Undoubtedly, there is no decision that Jake will choose, which will not have consequences?   Jake ponders, “loyalty and kindness.”  Ultimately, does loyalty belong to man or God? What will Jake or Adam do in the end?

    Follow Jake through this process. Check other blog posts that support effectiveness and choices. We suggest:

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    #leadership #leadershipChoices #leaders #servantleadershipNOW

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