A leader does not like clutter. He likes to know where and when things are for quick access and use. His favorite shape is the straight line, not the circle. He groans in meetings that do not move from premises to conclusions but rather go in irrelevant circles. When something must be done he sees a three-step plan for getting it done and lays it out. A leader sees the links between a board decision and its implementation. He sees ways to use time to the full and shapes his schedule to maximize his usefulness. He saves himself large blocks of time for his major productive activities. He uses little pieces of time lest they go to waste. (For example, what do you do while you are brushing your teeth? Could you set a magazine on the towel rack and read an article?) A leader takes time to plan his days and weeks and months and years. Even though it is God who ultimately directs the steps of the leader, he should plan his path. A leader is not a jellyfish that gets tossed around by the waves, nor is he an oyster that is immovable. The leader is the dolphin of the sea and can swim against the stream or with the stream as he plans.

A leader does not like clutter. He likes to know where and when things are for quick access and use. His favorite shape is the straight line, not the circle. He groans in meetings that do not move from premises to conclusions but rather go in irrelevant circles. When something must be done he sees a three-step plan for getting it done and lays it out. A leader sees the links between a board decision and its implementation. He sees ways to use time to the full and shapes his schedule to maximize his usefulness. He saves himself large blocks of time for his major productive activities. He uses little pieces of time lest they go to waste. (For example, what do you do while you are brushing your teeth? Could you set a magazine on the towel rack and read an article?) A leader takes time to plan his days and weeks and months and years. Even though it is God who ultimately directs the steps of the leader, he should plan his path. A leader is not a jellyfish that gets tossed around by the waves, nor is he an oyster that is immovable. The leader is the dolphin of the sea and can swim against the stream or with the stream as he plans.

John Piper (via azspot)

Just so long as the leader follows God’s path. Because, like, a leader that doesn’t follow G—uh, hang on a sec… man, religion is confusing!!

;)

I was all into this quote until the God part—then I felt like I had been Rick-rolled. >_< 

NO: a LEADER LEADS.  HE chooses to lead, NOT Him.  Got it?

A leader does not follow.  That wouldn’t make any sense.

And you can’t say that “A leader is not a jellyfish that gets tossed around by the waves” because God creates the waves, right?

You also can’t say “Even though it is God who ultimately directs the steps of the leader, he should plan his path.”

That’s a little bit like casting God as that shitty boss we’ve all had who makes you do all the work but turns around takes credit for it.

“Let me see your plan!” He eyes your plan and then speaks. “Yes, this is fine, I’ve done a good job with this—now go do it!”

So, we’re supposed to be OK with God being a douchebag?

It’s so much easier to just take personal responsibility for your own actions and be thankful that things worked out the way they did.  Trying to rationalize everything in line with some “God” belief just seems needlessly complicated, and frankly, contradictory.