J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
-
Leadership lessons from my computer keys
A few days ago I was reflecting on what healthy leadership looks like. In mid-thought, I happened to look down at the left side of the keyboard on my MacBook and I saw these keys:
control
shift
option
command
caps lock
the space bar
The thought hit me instantly: these keys are often the posture, style and/or response of most leaders:
control: controlling the situation (people, outcomes, programs, results, information, etc). When the leaders control, they believe they are leading well.
shift: wrestling with the status quo leaders realize it is vital to shift (i.e. their mindsets, paradigms, approach, vision, style, role and/or responsibilities, etc) in order to see the great mission accomplished, even at their own expense.
option: keeping options open (i.e. listen to all sides, brainstorm different outcomes, ask lots of courageous questions, consider different action steps, etc) in order to come to a decision.
command: command that people listen to them and respond to their orders as the leader see fit.
caps lock: SHOUT AT OTHERS, MAKING SURE THE LEADER’S OPINION IS VOICED SO FOLLOWS KNOW WHO IS IN CHARGE. AS A RESULT, MORALE IS LOWERED AND PEOPLE FEEL LOCKED IN BY FEAR AND WORRY THAT THEY MIGHT MAKE THE LEADER MAD.
the space bar: step back – either out of wisdom or fear – and assess the situation before acting. (This could be either positive or negative, depending upon the situation).
Leaders: which key do you use most often in your leadership?
geoff holsclaw said...
1what about “return”?
Leaders have to constantly return to the core, to Christ, and begin again, never assuming that what worked before will continue to work.
and then there is “eject”. never be afraid to get rid of something just because it was once needed.
08/3/10 10:31 AM | Comment Link
Kathleen said...
2And dust and dirt can get a key stuck, perhaps the control key, due to fear, and lack of trust.
Makes me think of a Keith Green song, Rushing Wind:
Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
I’ve been born again…..
A breath of the Holy Spirit on the keys could keep them clean and functioning well.
08/3/10 5:06 PM | Comment Link
DougG said...
3JR, The Air Force came up with a fairly interesting and useful combat leadership model several years back called the OODA loop: Observe (the situation), Orient (deploy your troops based on the observation), Decide (make the attack decision), Act (allow the field commanders to engage) and keep repeating the cycle as you progress. The key is to do your own actions well and “get inside” (and not wait for) the enemy’s own OODA loop so they can’t complete his own cycle, before you are on your next cycle and they become disoriented. Kind of interesting when you tie it to spiritual warfare, etc. DougG
08/12/10 12:09 PM | Comment Link