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 A Leader's Private PrayersWhen you've exhausted your knowledge, tap a deeper wisdom.
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I want my words for others
to be your words for me.
Communication
It seems like nothing happens silently among us, God; everything requires words. There are so many words for every event, every dream, every meeting, every relationship, and especially every change. In fact, my leading seems to be mostly words: the words I hear or read and the words I speak or write. I want the organization to change in order to change the world, but mostly what changes is our words. To do things differently, we need different ideas, and the ideas need the right words. What power the right words have, God! They bring our inner reality to life and make our external reality comprehensible. Good words clarify, strengthen, and encourage us. The wrong words confuse us and leave us weakened and discouraged. Oh, Lord, give each of us the good words and the good listening we need to be a great organization. You are such a listener, God! Help me listen to your Spirit so I will be able to listen to the unspoken messages people bring to me. I want to listen the way you do. Make me genuinely accessible. People come with their words, but they hope I will hear their hearts. Whether they speak or write, teach me how to be truly quiet inside and actively listen. Help me open my mind and heart, not just my office door. I cannot lead well if I cannot listen well. I need your messages, for the organization and for those outside. If I speak and write accurately and convincingly, people's ideas will change and the organization will advance. If I speak unclearly or weakly, it will all get worse. My silence is better than wrong words, so guide me, Lord. Help me to hear and to speak the truth in love. I want my words for others to be your words for me. I know that you do most of your teaching and nurturing in my life when you are preparing me to present ideas to others. I need your Spirit to shape my thoughts. Speak to me, and speak through me. Let me listen to the words of their spirits. And let me speak words from your Spirit.
Compassion
Lord, I am called to lead the whole organization forward, but I am also responsible for the welfare of each person along the way. The organization exists to help build great people by serving people's real needs with excellence. We must start with our own needs, God. For so many of us to labor together and serve so many, we need fair policies that express your compassion. Sometimes what seems wise policy for everyone in general also seems to hurt someone in particular. What is the proper compassion for the individual who cannot contribute what we really need in order to reach our goals? If someone is not carrying his fair share of the load, it damages and discourages the others. What is the proper compassion for the individual whom we did not serve well? If I make a compassionate exception for one employee or one customer, I can easily force an unfair hardship on others. |             |
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