It's funny how God works things out when you least expect it.
This past weekend I was getting into the elevator to go to Korea University. I needed to use the scanner for my Academic English students. Our neighbor was on the eight floor, who I have met many times, was also in the elevator. We talked a bit in Korean before we said goodbye and proceeded our separate ways. I thought it was strange that he wasn't wearing a mask.
It took me about a minute to realize that I didn't have my keys. I was thinking to myself that it was a little ridiculous that I had remembered everything else but forgot the keys.
Low and behold the neighbor was also going back upstairs. I smiled at him and said key in Korean and pointed upstairs. He laughed hysterically because he had done the exact same thing! There we were, guiltily going back up to get the one item we forgot.
I met him again on the way down. He lives right above us, so I called out, "Mister come to the seventh floor. We can go down together!" And he did come running down the stairs.
In the basement he kept saying a word I didn't understand and motioned for me to come to his car. He handed me two books. As I was looking at the books, I realized that he was the author, and I told that it was great. I was trying to give them back, but he kept insisting that I take it. He kept saying, " I novelist." I took his two books and looked at them carefully later that evening with my husband.
My husband looked at the books after I said, "There is a novelist living on the eighth floor!"
I thought that would be the end of it. It wasn't.
The following evening he knocked on our door. Aidan, my second son, answered the door. Aidan was presented with a rather large box and the box had two rather large and expensive melons in it. "It's a present for your family." I recognized the voice.
I went to the door and said thank you and asked if he was in 803 or 804. He said 804, which is right above us.
It's rather poetic that a novelist lives above us and he is rather kind. I will give him something later on in the week. I am thinking about banana bread muffins...
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What is the secret?
The secret is about great leadership and what great leaders do.
Great leaders serve.
Great leaders are not necessarily on a power trip.
They want to help others.
They want to serve!
It begins with a woman named who just does not know what to do with her team of people at work. She knows they are good people, but she is not sure why they are not performing well. She decides to do something about it.
She starts at the library looking at books about leadership. The books all mention mentoring and she is wondering what to do when she sees an email about mentoring opportunities.
Hmmm. She is thinking to herself that a quick meeting with someone above her could help her out.
She signs up to find out that the meeting will not be quick. She also finds out that her meeting is with the boss of her company!
Together her and her boss go over SERVE.
The S stands for See the Future.
The E stands for Engage and Develop Others.
The R stands for Reinvent Continuously.
The V stands for Value Results and Relationships.
The E? I am not going to tell you because it's a secret!
The principles behind the book are what served the American Chick-fil-A company so well.
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We are in a leadership void at the moment. There are a number of people in leadership, including Donald Trump, who should be part of this discussion. What is it that we want in a leader?
If we don't start discussing what we want in political leaders, economic leaders, and church leaders, we are not going to get anywhere.
I saw great leadership in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder.
I have seen police officers protest and agree with protesters.
I have seen late night talk show hosts explain how the reality of CoVid 19 interconnected with the George Floyd murder, and the systemic existence of racism in the U.S..
Let's talk.
Is it about being smart?
Is it about mentoring people?
Is it about caring for people?
Is it about standing in solidarity when you know something is wrong with society?
Is it about the man who showed kindness on the eight floor?
I just want to get the discussion started...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3.