In a junior position, we often don’t realize the influence we have and the importance of “leading from below”. Not only is it possible to lead from a subordinate position, it’s potentially as important as being in charge.

Parent – Child
Teacher – Student
Manager – Employee
Coach – Player
Server – Customer

At some point we will embody almost all of the positions above. Each one comes with different responsibilities but they all have one thing in common, INFLUENCE. Whether top down or bottom up, when we communicate with humility and genuine concern, our voices are heard and they make a difference.

Increase Your Influence
Be HUMBLE. Big egos undermine influence.
Be CONSISTENT. Stability builds trust.
Be PERSISTENT. Show up in the face of adversity.

As Naaman turned away in a rage he began to mumble. I have traveled for two days, had to go through all the diplomatic crap to get across the border, I even brought a million dollars in silver to pay, and what do I get? A command to go dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River? BULL CRAP! I won’t do it! Saddle up boys, let’s go home. This was a total waste of time.

In his country, Naaman was considered a man of valor. He was a mighty warrior who had made a lot of money in battle for his king. But Naaman had a problem, he had the disease of leprosy. When Naaman’s king got wind that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure leprosy. He sent Naamna with a letter to the king of Israel. The letter read something like this… Here is my servant Naaman, please cure him of his leprosy.

The king of Israel is distraught when he reads the letter. He knows this is impossible and thinks the letter is some kind of encoded message sent to start a war. The prophet Elisha hears of the king’s distress and tells him to calm down and send Naaman to him for instruction and healing. 

So, here we are, Elisha the prophet didn’t even come outside his house to talk with Naaman, he sent one of his servants to give Naaman the prescription. Go wash in Jordan seven times and your leprosy will disappear. Long story short, as they were riding away, one of Naaman’s subordinates convinced him to follow the prophets simple instructions. He did it and was healed.

Leadership, like anything else, is based on fundamental principles. Here are a few we can learn from the story of Naaman.

1. Great leaders keep their emotions in check. Naaman went away mad, but calmed down quickly.

2. Great leaders can lead from any position. Naaman’s subordinate shows great leadership when he addresses his concerns.

3. Great leaders listen. Naaman showed real leadership when he listened to another point of view.

4. Great leaders remove ego from decisions and allow the best idea to win. Naaman showed why he was known as a man of valor when he changed his mind.

You cannot practice greatness.
You can practice fundamentals.

Get to work.

Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

2 Kings 5:12 KJV

As the third group of fifty men approached Elijah’s house, the captain was shaking in his boots. He had read the reports how the first two groups of fifty had been consumed by some strange fire from the sky at the prophets bidding. He was in a bad place. He knew disobedience to the king’s order would be treason and punished by death. He also knew, if Elijah spoke the words, he could be burned to death in an instant. The captain had an idea.

The first two units had come in the name of the king with force, demanding the prophet’s obedience. The third captain decided to take a more humble and diplomatic approach. With their lives in the balance, he slowly approached Elijah’s house, took a knee, and humbly asked him to spare their lives and to come and meet with the king. Guess what? Elijah granted both requests.

You think you have the upper hand.
You think you’re more powerful.
You think you know how someone will react.

Leading with force reduces the number of possible good outcomes.
Leading with humility limits the casualties.

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

2 Kings 1:13 KJV

Opinions vary based on experience and culture.
Opinions may or may not be based in fact.
Opinions can be wrong.

You are entitled to your own opinion, not your own truth.

When YOUR OPINIONS become YOUR TRUTH, YOU’RE TRAPPED.

Your truth determines your actions.
Your actions form your culture.
Your culture influences your opinions.

See the problem…?

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Kings 18:21 KJV

Opposition is uncomfortable. | Echo is comfortable.

Opposition has a different perspective. | Echo resonates.

By nature, we are more apt to engage with echo instead of opposition. The algorithms of your favorite social media platform are built on this very fact. Algorithms are seeking engagement not insight.

How you think and the decisions you make are your responsibility. Be well informed. Surround yourself with people who will push you, not the people who always agree with you.

Bad decisions are made in an echo chamber.
Your opposition is not always your enemy.

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

1 Kings 12:8 KJV

If something has value, it has cost. Right? We perceive college education as valuable because it is so expensive. Oftentimes, the most expensive tuition is paid at the school of hard knocks.

Quick story on knocks and stocks.
After the financial crisis in 2008, everything was tight and I was thrifty. My wife and I had been working and saving money for a few years. We were really proud to build a 60k nest egg and I thought we were really doing well. I made the mistake of losing focus on the business and started looking for a way to make some easy money. I’m a risk taker but not a gambler…so I thought.

Continue reading “Knocks and Stocks” →

“O, I wish I had a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem.” King David was held up in a cave outside the city. The enemy was stationed there and ready for war. David was tired, thirsty, and wishing out loud, as we all do. Three of his men overheard and went into action. They fought their way through enemy lines, made it to the well, and retrieved the water for their King. David was so moved by the love and honor shown by his men, he would not drink it. He proceeds to pour out the water unto God.

This is one of the all time great stories of humility, honor, love, and respect. The fact that David poured out the water, for which his men risked their lives, is a testament to the reason they went in the first place.

This level of humility begs the question. When was the last time I received a blessing I thought I was unworthy of? 

If being a servant is beneath you, being a leader is beyond you.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

This has been my achilles heel as long as I can remember. I think all entrepreneurs are soloists to a certain degree. That mindset is absolutely necessary when working 80 hours a week just to get traction, but it will kill you if you want to build a company. There are several things I have done wrong along my journey as an entrepreneur. Here are a few, hope you take note and don’t make the same mistakes.

Continue reading “Fast and Far” →