Tag: Book Summaries

Cal Ripken, Jr.’s 8 Elements of Perseverance

Ripken Get in the Game

During this fifth month of the year, I focus on my 5th Leadership Tip – “Enjoy the Journey.”  This tip is aligned with the Fruit of the Spirit of Faithfulness.  Part of Faithfulness is Perseverance—or a “steady hand” in the face of peer pressure, disrespect or contempt, distractions, busy-ness, or weariness.  Earlier this week, I wrote our 3rd Grader, Tanner, a note of encouragement as he prepared for State Testing.  I encouraged him to persevere, using 1 Peter 5:7’s admonishment to “Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you.”

As part of this Leadership Tip, I encourage people shooting for the stars to “Get a Mentor.”  In fact, I like to point out that you should have a Mount Rushmore of Mentors, just as I blogged about mine a couple of years back.

One hero or mentor of mine growing up was Cal Ripken, Jr.  I appreciated the way he played the game.  More than seven years after he retired, he wrote Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference.

Click here to learn from the Hall of Famer.

Are You a Steward Leader?

Steward Leader

Shortly after joining the Christian Leadership Alliance nearly two years ago, I received their Outcomes Magazine—a quarterly publication delivering a blend of timely features, personal profiles and practical advice.  Occasionally, the magazine provides book reviews, and the September 2014 edition recommended Scott Rodin’s book The Steward Leader: Transforming People, Organizations and Communities.

Rodin has been in not-for-profit leadership and consulting for twenty-five years, providing counsel to more than 100 organizations across the country and in Canada and Great Britain including colleges, seminaries, schools, churches, parachurch ministries and other not-for-profit organizations.  In his book, Rodin doesn’t start with leadership traits.  Instead, he takes us on the journey to Steward Leadership from a biblical, holistic understanding of our calling to be godly stewards and moves us to an understanding of what it means to lead as godly stewards.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, I’ve witnessed three different generations of Steward Leaders around me.  My grandmother, Mano (now 90 years old), has served God as long as I can remember.  So has my Mom…and now my wife, Jennifer demonstrates Steward Leadership.  She, too, can point to the influence of her Grandmothers and Mother.  I am grateful to be surrounded by such strong women who were Steward Leaders—to those still alive today, I say, “Happy Mother’s Day!”

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