: cause & effect :

... saw this this morning via Kingsley via Tall Skinny Kiwi via Dave Walker's church cartoons. Hmmmm.

Once, in the middle of Lambrick's 'transition' Roy Bell suggested that there was such a thing as 'good' church politics, but none of us could think of examples, or really knew what he meant. However, he has been around the block a few times, Roy, so we kind of trusted him, or gave him the benefit of the doubt, and waited to see when we might observe 'good' politics. Seems to me, though, when church people get off the principle track, into personal preferences, opinions, agendas and stuff, the result is more often this ... sadly.

I had coffee the other day with a friend who just retired from an educational faculty. He's done a whack of consulting over the years, and seen a lot of things in leadership circles. He mentioned, in passing, in response to a question I asked him, that he had recently finished a book that addressed some of my frustrations. This is from the book jacket:

"Leadership at the Interface" is about leadership in the intrinsically political context of organizational life. The character of that leadership will be determined by what occurs at the interface - the meeting place of politics and principle. The author invites the reader to engage with authentic, results-focused leadership of the sort that can make a positive difference in our organizations, in our lives at work and in community.

This book ... captures the essence of a career-long commitment to the study and practice of the fundamentally human art and science of leadership. Written for those who offer leadership and for those who are drawn toward it by its challenges and possibilities, it calls for leadership marked by a genuine commitment to the people it touches - to their strengthening and growth, to their participation in the process."

... oh that we would be able to find and keep the proper perspectives on this. May we keep in step with the Spirit.

dlc