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While I do not want to raise any flags about political affiliation...I do not understand what's been happening in the last couple of weeks with our budget issues. I live in a very military based town (San Diego) and this has certainly been a large topic of discussion around town. This does not specifically talk about "leadership" but to me, it seemed that there was no way this wasn't a reflection on leadership.

This is an unlikely choice, but I picked it because it represents Judas' opinion about how well Jesus is doing as a leader. (And I happened to hear it yesterday.) And having just read the Drucker, I can't help but think about the haunting complexity of what it means that organizational success is about the leader prioritizing the task, not the leader. What does that mean in this context? I have an easy, possibly snarky UU answer to that question, which is almost certainly wrong.

Judas is shown in Superstar as also making the classic mistake for mistaking the leader for the cause--you know, it's about the church, not about the pastor.

A helpful reminder about e-mail (and, perhaps, moodle posting) communication for leaders/administrators

I don't know, Debbie. I think addressing someone on email by their first name followed by a colon (or not) isn't stiff and cold. I think starting an email with no salutation is cold. (Different strokes for different folks, perhaps.)

I think I agree with you, Judy, or at least I appreciate your reflection of different strokes. My sense is that it differs depending on a whole lot of variables, including sender, reader, topic, and so much more. For example, when someone who doesn't know me is asking for something from me, I tend to respond better to an e-mail that begins with "Dear Dr. Creamer" and then is well written and somewhat formal (but not too long). On the other hand, if it's someone I know sending me something like a brief piece of information, simply including my name (at the beginning with, or without, a colon, or in the first line) is more than sufficient. And when it's the introduction to a forwarded message ("Saw this and thought you'd appreciate it") or a quick reminder ("Just to follow up on what I just told you in the hallway, our meeting will be Tuesday at 2"), I wouldn't need (or expect) my name to be there at all. Maybe what I most appreciate from this post, then, is the reminder to be thoughtful about not just what we say but how we say it, particularly in a space like e-mail that can so easily carry misunderstandings.

"Republicans have hired an Atlanta law firm to defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, risking their budget-cutting message to support a law that denies same-sex couples benefits given to heterosexual married couples." Okay, let me get this straight (pun intended). The GOP is will to risk their "budget cutting message" to what, save marriage? To deny citizens of this country their rights? This is not a good example of leadership. Take a stand (budget cuts) but then ride high on the crest of emotion and spend money on a big law firm. Oh, yeah. Here we go again. How many ways can we say homophobia?

It's depressing, isn't it?!

On the other hand (to play Devil's Advocate - pun intended) this is how our country has an official discussion. The Justice Department, whose legal task it is to defend the laws passed by Congress (and that's what DOMA is, like it or not), has opted to not defend this one. There are good political reasons for this administration to take that stand, but it cuts off the conversation. I would rather continue the conversation than enforce my view. I will especially appreciate this when my view is the minority view, and I will have the power and right to continue the legal conversation.

You got to sell it and you have to get it going! Not just stand by and watch it work...

Utilizing primary source documents by Lincoln; historical examination of Lincoln, the people around Lincoln and the current events; and contemporary theories and examinations on leadership, Phillips writes an applicable text on leadership centered on Abraham Lincoln. This is not simply an examination of Lincoln's leadership "qualities," but a text written to be a resource for self-development.

I think the ongoing situation in Libya provides an interesting illustration of leadership and what happens when there is no clear leadership or at least a process for leadership. Qaddafi seems to have provided a form of leadership for decades - somewhat along the lines of Northouse's narcissistic leader type. Understandably, Northouse does not provide an analysis of the use of violence in acquiring and retaining a position of leadership/power. Yet it seems to me that one reason Qaddafi has been able to retain power when others have fallen is his ability to lead, even if brute force is used to enforce his position. What is the difference between Mubarak and Qaddafi? Why did Mubarak lose the support of his inner circle where Qaddafi has not? Further, a lack of clear leadership seems to be hobbling NATO and the rebels. Those who oppose Qaddafi seem to agree only on the fact of their oppositional sentiment; they seem unable to agree on what should be done to effectively express that opposition.

I found this book an interesting find because I have worked a lot with youth. I found this to me useful particuarly if you were trying to form a student leadership team and training your student leaders. This book boasts that it uses fun and interactive ways to promote leadership and teach students not only the importance of leadership but how to become leaders themselves.

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration warned Wednesday that a federal shutdown would undermine the economic recovery, delay pay to U.S. troops fighting in three wars, slow the processing of tax returns and limit small business loans and government-backed mortgages during peak home buying season. As I read this article, it again reminded me of the awesome responsibility of President Obama - or the president of any country for that matter. Weather or not the federal government remains open for business is now a major issue. As the leader of our country, how does the president deal with this? So much depends on him. The whole world is watching and especially those whose paychecks depend on the U.S. government. As a leader, I would think it would be time to pull out all the stops on this one and I believe that is exactly what is happening. This article is not only trying to appeal to our pocket books, but our hearts as well. This will garner attention, that's for sure. A good leader does, in part, come from the heart, and then there are those desperate moves sometimes...

he Zanders, are a team of transformational leaders that practice globally. Each chapter has a catch word- short and to the point- to be remembered easily in the heat of the moment. Two of my favorites include "Giving an A" and Rule #6. The first is an argument to give everyone an A not as an expectation to live up to but a possibility to be lived into. If you already have the A where can the freed up energy take you. Rule #6 is a reminder not to take oneself so seriously.

Scott Fitzgerald is the main man for Gov. Scott Walker in the latest fight on Union workers. In this article he speaks what he believes is truth, but many believe is not right. So, we will have to wait and see. Gov. Scott Walker could be desribed by Fraud/Northouse as a nonproductive Narcissit

Elia calls judge Tom Colicchio a "sell out" and basically accuses him of violating the trust of the young chefs who look up to him and are mentored by him. Though not able to back up her claims (while Colicchio was), another of the contestants attempts to "translate" the argument into a warning about remaining an authentic leader in the culinary world.

Coach K answers the question: Beyond the obvious of being connected to Jesus Christ, what's "Christian" about "Christian leadership"? This clip does not include the interviewer's question; however, in the original, the interviewer makes this distinction before asking the question.

How could I not share this? CRG, from Alban, is a marvelous resource for ministers and those who care about the flourishing of congregations. And while this post is brief, it makes some interesting distinctions that differ just a bit from what we've already discussed.

Black Poetry in the Diaspora: How Poets Become Leaders In a 2006 interview Madhubuti said , "If an artist, or any person, actually understands the condition of the Black world, it will be a dereliction of duty to not write about that world and expose the injustices that exist in it-injustices imposed upon the weak by white, Black and other cultures."

Sooo this is a bit of fun in high places. Apparently one does not have to be a "fly on the wall" to see those little grey men, one just has to be a powerful buddy of a powerful president!

I found this to be interesting and feel conflicted as I read it. I once did a final paper on research I gathered on leaders of the 60's and 70's in the communal movement in this country. I traveled to many and interviewed people and the issue of innappropriate sexual activity did not escape them either.

OK, this is a stretch - but it shows poor leadership, a leader who is not merely "laissez-faire" but who misses the point entirely. And since Amy Erickson originally posted it to FB, I think it's fair game here. Current and future church leaders, don't be like this fake prof - speak your truth (even if you pay the price)! Be a leader!

I remember Nadia and her church from last year's Journey Days and I think she is a tremendous religious leader and proof that leadership does not always come in a business suit. She knows how to motivate her flock and I think her "anti-excellence, pro-participation" style leads, ironically, to both excellent and participatory worship. She's humble where it counts, knows how to talk to people, lives her values, and is a phenomenal preacher. And an Iliff alum.