This is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, and this is the “Leadership That Gets the Job Done” Podcast, Episode 69.
Our Bible passage for this episode is Matthew 20:25-20:28 which says, “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Our quote for this episode is from John Maxwell, who said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
In this podcast, we are using three books as our texts: Spiritual Leadership: Moving People On To God’s Agenda by Henry and Richard Blackaby; Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, by John Maxwell; and Organizational and Management Leadership: A Christian Perspective by Anita Satterlee.
Our topic today is Part 7 of “Chapter 3: Connecting Goes Beyond Words” from Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, by John Maxwell. He continues:
Maintain an Open Posture. Physical barriers are often some of the greatest hindrances to connection for someone trying to communicate. It took me years to figure this out and to become more effective in my communication. When I first started speaking to audiences, I usually stood behind a lectern and didn’t move. As a result, I felt separated from my audience. When I began to walk around the stage and got out where people could see me, my connection with people improved greatly.
Becoming more physically connected to my audience helped me a lot. So did creating a psychological openness. I actually learned this by accident after I injured my back playing racquetball with my friend Patrick Eggers. The injury laid me up in bed for three days and threatened to prevent my going to a speaking engagement scheduled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The only way I could fulfill my obligation was to bring my wife with me to help me get clothed and ready to speak, and to request that the host provide a stool for me to sit on.
I was able to keep my commitment, and during the process I made an astounding discovery. By using the stool, I had more energy than usual—even with an injured back. And I also felt more relaxed and connected with the audience. After analyzing the situation, I came to realize that while sitting, I was more conversational in my communication. That helped me to connect and made me much more effective.
Ever since then, I’ve been aware of the need to keep my physical and mental posture open to others when trying to communicate. When I’m in the office, I don’t sit behind a desk when talking to someone. We sit in comfortable chairs facing one another with nothing between us. Or if we need to work, we sit side by side at a table.
Anytime you remove obstacles and reduce distance, connection becomes easier. And physical touch eliminates distance altogether. A handshake, a pat on the back, or a hug can do a lot to promote connection. Singer/songwriter Sue Duffield told me a story about her father that illustrates the power of touch and how it can help people connect:
I will never forget my dad’s hands. He was a hardworking, blue-collar worker who abused his hands daily—yet somehow maintaining them to be immaculately manicured, tan and perfect . . . [One day] while I lay bruised and injured on a stretcher in an emergency room following a front-end collision, this seventeen year old was a complete wreck until I felt my dad’s hand touch my shoulder. I knew immediately who it was without turning around. I felt his power, his sense of touch; a familiar calming and an instant connection that said, “It’s OK”.
Do whatever you can to remove obstacles and close the gap between yourself and the person with whom you want to connect. And whenever it’s appropriate, use touch to communicate that you care.
— PRAYER —
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here’s how.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless.
BCNN1 WP 