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ATTITUDE 1: FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Luke 6:31
In order to treat other people how we want to be treated, we are not to seek advantage over them at their expense. It places the burden of a relationship on us. We should treat them exactly like we want them to treat us … with respect, with compassion, with understanding, with generosity of spirit, and with forgiveness.
As a leader, we must not be influenced by the negativity of others. We must listen with compassion and try to learn the reasons for the negative attitudes around us. Concern and kindness can quickly deflate anger, in most situations.
When we challenge our teammates to soar, to take chances, to stretch themselves, to reach their limits and go a little farther, we must also convey that we are willing and ready to catch them if they fall.
People are more motivated when they are trusted. They are more energized and enthusiastic when they have a say over the things that affect their daily lives and professional decisions, and eagerly set out to prove themselves in areas they have not ventured into before. The result of this attitude is increased loyalty to the leader and to the project. When leaders empower the members of their team and protect their setbacks with safety nets, far more will be accomplished and with finer results. Christlike leaders never assume they are infallible or that their opinions and methods for completing a project are the best. They ask for suggestions, stimulate a lively discussion of the submission, and take serious consideration of its implementation.
An atmosphere of acceptance and constructive criticism assures that every worthwhile project will see completion in a timely and praiseworthy way.
ATTITUDE 2: REQUIRE AGREEMENT
… if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:19
Christlike leaders teach their team members about being agreeable, through example. Coercion (intimidation, bullying, force) is seldom effective in the workplace. By restraining or dominating another person, a leader very quickly nullifies individual initiative.
A leader who uses the full disclosure approach with his team members is more likely to earn their respect and cooperation. His truthfulness, humility, and attitude of fairness are well received and rewarded. Workers who are treated by their leader as having a heart and a soul and not as hollow automatons willingly follow that leader.
Gaining agreement with clients can be more difficult than with team members, but it is even more important. Clients are the ultimate and final judge of success as a project leader. They are the ones who really count. They are the only reason for our existence as a project leader. Without them, there are no projects.
ATTITUDE 3: SOW ONLY GOOD SEED
For you will render to a man according to his work. Psalm 62:12
… for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7
The law of sowing and reaping is perhaps the most powerful of the universal laws of creation.
The sign of a good project is one that effectively handles change, establishes procedures to make the changes manageable, and welcomes the change when it is clearly better than the status quo. When we deal with others in an honest, straightforward manner, we are planting the seeds of that attitude in them.
Any sacrifices we make as the leader of a project (our leisure time, an expected bonus, a formerly scheduled vacation, having everything done our way) will often produce more in the harvesting of goodwill and loyalty from our team members.
ATTITUDE 4: BE A SERVANT-LEADER
But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Matt. 23:11-12
The picture we have of a modern leader is someone who sits in his office, often behind closed doors, handing out decrees to subordinate managers who, in turn, hand them to the operating members of the team. Even in the military, where everyone is conscious of rank, the military salute is considered a sign of mutual respect, not a sign of servitude.
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a lesson in humility.
ATTITUDE 5: DELEGATE AND EMPOWER
Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace. Exodus 18:21, 23
Moses was advised by his father-in-law Jethro to delegate and empower others or his goal would likely fail.
It is within our right as the leader of a project to delegate to others the power to decide and act, but the responsibility for the final result is still ours. We remain the ultimate authority and must carefully oversee and guide our project managers so they keep their focus on that end result. It is important, then, that we spend time with team leaders, old and new. They need guidance not only in how to lead effectively but also in how to lead within the project or organization.
Leaders must often assume the role of mentor. While it is almost always rewarding, it can be very time consuming. Shepherd leaders guide their flock to good pasture and clean water in safety and with careful tending. Project team members need the wisdom and tending from an effective and caring leader who can guide them through the tasks required to achieve the goal. They need a leader who offers encouragement when needed and praise when earned. They need a leader who is like a shepherd. Those who aspire to become leaders will find no better mentor than Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
What did Jesus do? He worked in his ministry on earth for less than four years. During that time, He delegated much of His project to His twelve disciples, empowering them with enough authority to be successful at their assigned tasks, even in His earthly absence.
ATTITUDE 6: WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN
Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” Exod. 34:27
These clichés are used often in the business world:
- If it ain’t in writing, it ain’t as important as those things that are in writing.
- If it ain’t in writing, it ain’t ever going to happen.
- If it ain’t in writing, it ain’t as relevant as that which is.
- If it ain’t in writing, it ain’t serious enough to be worth our time.
The purpose behind putting things in writing is to communicate the same ideas to all parties and ensure that they will be around for review, as needed. Many leaders use a simple status report that includes three parts: progress, plans, and problems. With such a report, we can communicate effectively and efficiently with our clients, our bosses, and our project team members.
ATTITUDE 7: BE SLOW TO JUDGE
Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1–5
Jesus was firm and expected high standards, but He was fair in His judgments. Every project manager will make mistakes at one time or another. When that happens, we will want understanding, advice, encouragement, and assistance from our supervisors. Therefore, we must determine to provide everyone with the same degree of respect. We must be benevolent and slow to find fault.
ATTITUDE 8: BE FAIR IN DISCIPLINE
“Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?”… He straightened up and said:
John 8:4–5, 7
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Galatians 6:1
When we receive discipline from someone who holds the authority to deliver it, it is because we have broken rules we have agreed to uphold. To be self-disciplined is to choose to adhere to our own set of rules.
When we make mistakes, it is important to show our team members that we understand how honest mistakes can happen. We need to show them that we are fair and honest and worthy of their respect and admiration. Most of the problems that occur among team members and on work projects have to do with misunderstandings, mistakes, and accidents. Very few are due to maliciousness.
If we show trust, respect, support, and compassion, we will receive the same in kind.
ATTITUDE 9: MAINTAIN PERSPECTIVE
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
Managers prefer to work with those who are devoted, enthusiastic, and talented, especially when the alternative is to work with those who simply put in their time to collect a steady paycheck.
Showing an interest in the personal lives of our team members demonstrates that we possess a proper perspective and want them to do likewise. As leaders, we demonstrate to those in our charge how to juggle their work lives with their personal lives.
As we work toward becoming Christlike leaders, we would do well to follow His example. He enjoyed life so much that He once was accused of enjoying it too much. He took time away from his ministerial work to socialize with friends, to attend weddings and dinners, and to go alone into the desert and mountains to pray. Mostly, He went out of His way to help people.
ATTITUDE 10: OBSERVE A SABBATH REST
By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Genesis 2:2–3
Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
Rest is a critical success factor for leaders. As Deuteronomy 5:12 says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This biblical text suggests that something within us requires a Sabbath … a day of rest.
Another way for us to deal with our stress is to do something that is sufficiently separated from the project. Do something that will help us forget the project for at least a few minutes. This can be something as simple as taking a walk, shooting a few minutes of basketball, or enjoying an ice cream cone.
We needn’t feel guilty about taking time for ourselves. It is difficult to keep the proper perspective when we are both a leader and a servant,
We should plan our projects to enable proper treatment of the needs of our very human team members. And that includes our needs as well. God worked six days and took the seventh day off for rest and enjoyment of the fruits of His labor. Observing a Sabbath rest is not the same as taking a sabbatical. The rule of the Sabbath is that it is one day out of every seven. You cannot carry them over into the next month or year or decade.
ATTITUDE 11: HAVE A VISION
Write the Vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2
Everyone needs to strive for the achievement of a goal. Goals make life worth living. The process of moving from vision to achievement of the vision is a process of project management.
The strongest project management tool available is a detailed plan and schedule. A vision not supported by a credible schedule is doomed. A schedule is a best estimate, given limited information. But if it is a best estimate, then there should be some pain associated with missing it. A good schedule relieves stress. Having a schedule with deadlines is a means of gently gaining the very best out of ourselves and others.
ATTITUDE 12: NURTURE JOY
… for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
What is joy? It is the emotion brought on when we experience a great happiness or pleasure … when we experience something that brings us a special enjoyment. We experience joy with the success of a job well done. Joy is the emotion evoked by our feelings of well-being, success, or blessing.
Treating people well, caring for them as individuals, respecting their abilities to the point of gaining their agreement, and showing them an exciting vision and a means for its attainment will all serve to foster a sense of well-being. Joy is the result. We leaders must aspire to have an attitude of joy in our projects. We must practice the attitudes of servanthood, the Sabbath, and a clear and worthwhile vision.
As a Christlike leader, we have an obligation to foster joy into our project team’s day-to-day experiences. This can be a difficult attitude for those who are not naturally optimistic and happy. Many successful leaders are naturally pragmatic or even melancholy. Still, the attitude is to nurture joy in yourself and others. The requirement is to recognize the power of joy and to seek it.
ATTITUDE 13: MIND THE SEASONS
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
As quality leaders, we want to be aware of various seasonal concerns in the lives of those outside our immediate team, but we can’t always predict the effect they might have on the members of our team.
It is foolishness, if not management malpractice, to believe that everything will go as planned on a project, and if it doesn’t, it isn’t in any way our fault. The longer the project life cycle, the more foolish this notion is. The larger the project team, the more foolish it is. The more complex the project solution and/or technology, the more foolish we will appear for allowing these avoidable situations to interfere with the project’s success. As a quality leader or manager, it is our job to be aware of the seasons. They can be recognized, and their inherent risks can be mitigated. The farmer—and the manager—who ignores the seasons deserves to starve … and usually does.
ATTITUDE 14: BE VIGILANT
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
No matter how much we prepare, no matter how many rules and truths we apply, no matter how talented our team members may be, sooner or later, bad things will happen.
As a leader, we must expect trouble. Like the watchman in the tower of a castle, we leaders must remain vigilant against the dangers that threaten our teammates and projects.
We must take positive action. We must be proactive. As we seek to become more Christlike in our leadership of others, we must contemplate and come to value the attitudes Jesus used in such positive and effective ways. And then we must work at emulating them every day until they become a natural part of our leadership style. If we do this and allow Jesus Christ to lead others through us, we will enjoy more successes than failures and effectively finish projects with positive results.
1 Peter 5:2-3 sums it up well when it says, “As Christlike leaders, we should continuously work to adopt these same attitudes into our lives. Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).”
May our attitudes reflect those of Jesus Christ, as we seek to live and lead like Him…while shooting for the stars!