Have you ever given thought to how you compose your inner circle? A friend sent me this article and I’d like to share it with you here.A Leader’s

Inner Circle

By Dr. John C. Maxwell 

Months before President Obama took the oath of office he began assembling an inner circle of advisors. He and his transition team painstakingly pored over the qualifications of candidates to identify the strongest leaders for cabinet posts. In methodically vetting future leaders of his administration, President Obama demonstrated that he understands the law of the inner circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him or her. 

Past presidents have learned the hard way that failures of a leader’s trusted advisors can bring disaster. During the

Clinton administration, investigations into the conduct of five cabinet members eroded public perception of the President’s judgment. The indictments and allegations gave ammunition to

Clinton’s foes and cast doubts on his character, especially after the Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light. 

Likewise, President George W. Bush faced embarrassment when the man he appointed as head of FEMA, Michael D. Brown, failed to provide strong federal leadership in the aftermath Hurricane Katrina. Inexperienced in emergency management, Brown was overwhelmed by the crisis. During the height of the disaster, he fretted about finding a dogsitter and fussed about his attire. His unpreparedness and inaction left the Bush Administration vulnerable to scathing accusations of neglect and indifference.

Five questions to ask when forming your inner circle:

Do they display exemplary character in everything they do?Deception eats away at a leadership team like cancer. Dishonesty on the part of one member of an inner circle can bring shame and disaster to all. Entire organizations have toppled from the misbehavior of one bad apple. 

Do they bring complementary gifts to the table?Imbalance within an inner circle can attune a leader’s ear to only one side of an argument. When putting together an inner circle, prioritize diversity of personality and perspective. By doing so, you widen the range of your vision and the breadth of your influence. 

Do they hold a strategic position and have influence within the organization?Members of the inner circle must have the platform and influence to implement a leader’s decisions. If they cannot be relied upon to execute a chosen strategy, then they shouldn’t be entrusted with a spot on the leadership team. In addition, inviting uninfluential advisors into the inner circle disrupts the political balance of an organization. High performers suffer a motivational blow when they see a less deserving colleague granted special access to top leadership. 

Do they add value to the organization and to the leader?When considering someone for the inner circle, you should be able to articulate clearly the value they will bring. Ask yourself the following questions: What will they infuse into discussion? Where do they have expertise? What unique skills can they be counted on to bring to the table? 

Do they positively impact other members of the inner circle?If you’ve ever inhabited a house with a feuding husband and wife, then you can understand the need for leaders in close proximity to get along. Infighting saps energy and focus from a senior leader, forcing him or her to mediate conflicts with time that could be better spent elsewhere. Differences of opinion signal healthy debate, but personal animosities destroy a leadership team. Make sure members of your inner circle have the emotional intelligence to keep arguments from becoming too personal.We’ve looked at the questions to consider when gathering a team of trusted advisors, I’d also like to offer thoughts on the two traps you can fall into when forming their inner circle.

Two common errors in constructing the inner circle:

Soliciting praise instead of candor.Stacking an inner circle with flatters and “yes” men ranks among the lousiest decisions you can make as a leader. Doing so restricts your perspective, exposes you to blind spots, and leaves you on an island when do-or-die decisions must be made. When picking members of your inner circle, be sure they have the gumption to voice dissent. You’ll rely on them to question your assumptions, to focus you on the mission, and to measure the integrity and worthiness of your ideas.Driving away talent so that your power isn’t threatened.The wisdom of accumulating a talented inner circle may seem intuitive, but a rising star may threaten insecure leaders. Leaders should not be, and cannot be, the utmost authorities on all matters germane to the organization. Invariably, people have weaknesses. Wise leaders staff around their weaknesses, and welcome talent in areas where they lack strength.

Summary

Questions to Ask of Candidates for Your

Inner Circle

:

1. Do they display exemplary character in everything they do?
2. Do they bring complementary gifts to the table?
3. Do they hold a strategic position and have influence within the organization?
4. Do they add value to the organization and to the leader?
5. Do they positively impact other members of the inner circle?

Traps to Avoid when Staffing Your

Inner Circle

:

1. Soliciting praise instead of candor.
2. Driving away talent so that your power isn’t threatened.

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Is it really true? We are only three days away from the end of January!? 2008 flew by and I feel like we are getting one of those fast starts to this new year as well. 2009 is already marked by the fact that we have our first African American President, so it will stand out anyway. But I wonder how else will it stand out?

So far “they” say that our economic situation will take another year or maybe more to recover. It’s a thought that many people including myself find hard to imagine. But it is what it is. I for one don’t think Obama (excuse me President Obama) can make a miracle happen. This economic bail out plan that they they are working on and voting on Weds is dizzying. The people voting on them don’t even know all there is to know about the “plan” yet due to the urgency they find themselves having to vote on it asap. 

So far, this whole economic mess is impacting nonprofits as well. It was only a matter of time. As someone who has worked with nonprofits, in nonprofits and for nonprofits for many years, I knew it was going to hit sooner or later. The Harlem Children’s Zone,  a nonprofit in Central Harlem has had to cut staff. One thing they have that many nonprofits I know don’t though is a $94 million endowment! I think they can draw down some money from there to help them ride the wave of this economic downturn. However, I am concerned for the nonprofits I know around the country who don’t have cash in the bank to “draw down from” especially since many of these same organizations 1) don’t have a credit line with a bank; 2) if they did they are probably getting the letters saying we are reducing it or closing it like many other nonprofits in the country or 3) they never had money in the bank living like most people do, paycheck to paycheck or their case grant to grant.  The Jan 26, 2009 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy even reported that the Gates Foundation (yes that one, Bill Gates!!) lost 20% of its assets due to the economic crisis! Really, everyone is feeling this pinch.

Now get this, in the middle of all this financial chaos I am trying to establish the Dream Center of South Florida. Similar to the LA Dream Center, yes in its social service aspect but a little different. We are also focusing on the arts. Long story short, we are writing grants and I surely don’t know what is going to happen but I am believing that we will get something.  Florida has been hit hard by all the economic woes and the people here need help in a big way.  I am hoping we can partner with area churches to provides these services in different areas at a fraction of the cost if we utilize each other’s resources and stop trying to 1) create our own little kingdoms and 2) make it all about the church. It’s about the people we want to serve, we are all in the people business. Besides foundations love partnerships!

So far, I had our first leadership meeting of the year this past Sunday. At the end of the meeting we did a foot-washing ceremony. I just feel so honored to be pastoring such a great group of people. I expect such great things in 2009. 

So far, I’ve read Leadership Journal and three things from the Winter 2009 issue made me pause.

1. There is an Executive Pastor program starting at Talbot School of Theology/Biola University. It sounds interesting! I am getting the itch help!!!

 2. In the article “The Megachurch and the Monastery”(pgs 41-44), the author in writing about how he and his staff practice various forms of of prayer quoted Dallas Willard, “the greatest enemy of intimacy with God is service for God.” Did that hit you? It hit me because it is so true and it was in my own spiritual journey through crisis and discovery that I realized this for myself, but I’ve never seen the struggle so beautifully put.

3. Finally, John Ortberg’s article on “Your Hidden Curriculum” (pg 49) was a great way to remind leaders of the organizational culture you profess and the one that is actually rooted in the organization. This is another constant struggle for leaders everywhere and when that I myself try to address all the time where ever I am and for whomever I work for. As a matter-a-fact, my evaluation and assessment of this was one reason a “sort-a-big name college” laid me off aside from my “advocacy for women in leadership”. LOL. Whateva! I’ve never been one to play the politics so much that I get lost in the system. “To thine own self be true”

So far, I am not winning the battle of time management. Dog gone it! I want to! Homeschooling my oldest son, working for the church, building two organizations (CEFL and the Dream Center), planning events (I can’t even begin to give you the run down), involved in my sorority, having dinner ready by 5:30 the latest, dealing with a special needs son, trying to get this book proposal done…I mean, I should go to sleep at 8 pm and rise at 5 am!!! Put I plan on starting February with a schedule for myself!

Anyway, friends that’s January 2009 so far…

The Bush twins left a letter to the Obama girls. I think it was so thoughtful of them to do that and I like what they wrote. View article here.

I went on search to be a leader,
Searching high and low above the meter,
 

I spoke with authority that I remember,
All would follow, all but one member,
 

“Why should I trust you?’ the one did ask,
“What have you done to achieve the task?”
 

I thought long and hard of what I did wrong,
Then I rolled up my sleeves and worked right along,
 

Shoulder to shoulder we got things done,
We worked side by side, all were one,
 

A mate of mine stumbled, I stooped to assist,
My hand he did grab, a smile did persist,
 

One was lost, didn’t know what to do,
I showed him how, the ropes, something new
 

I praised them one and all for their work,
All were unique, but I encouraged each quirk,
 

When the task was done, one did shout
“You’re a great leader!” they all turned about,
 

“Without you there to support our plight,
Lost would we be with no end in sight”,
 

I learned that day that I lead best,
When I get off my butt and help the rest,
 

To lead by example is the true treasure,
The secret of leadership, in one simple measure.
 

Victor Antonio G., December 2004

I am on a 21 day Daniel Fast and while I do have things I am praying for breakthrough for in my personal and ministerial life, I am also just anticipating here from God clearly. I’ve never done a fast like this or for this long. Besides the obvious physical benefits (I already lost 4 pounds and its only been 3 days! Water I’m sure but still!) there are many spiritual benefits that I hope to experience. I had a headache the first day without coffee but haven’t had one since. Thank the Lord! I thought my caffefine addiction was going to get the best of me but praise the Lord, it wasn’t so bad.

I also am praying for a better economic turn in 2009. Experts say that the economy will not turn around in 2009, that it will take at least two years before we see anything really concrete. We can’t place high expectations on Obama, he is only a man after all and this problem took years in the making, we could only expect the same in its recovery. I’ve never seen such financial woes in my life. As I talk to people, as I am involved in ministry and see how giving has been going down, even in my own life. But hey I’m trusting in God. 

Just this a.m. I read about people taking their lives due to the economic downturn. It reminds me of when I read about the great depression and many of the rich folks killed themselves due to placing their trust in the money. Read this.

But in a nutshell, here are my hopes for 2009:

1. That I may know God more intimately
2. That I give more time to the relationships that matter to me
3. That I continue to be their for my children in a way that will impact them forever
4. That my time with God privately will display publicly in the gifts and fruits of the spirit I have
5. That I find a permanent part-time job that will help me financially
6. That I finish my book!!!!
7. That I have the strength to do what God called me to do and that I learn to discern the difference between Him calling me to do it versus me wanting to do it

I just saw that a city not too far from me is on the most boring list. It’s funny to me since this is city is where I hear many things go on in the cuban community. Read it here. Sorry to all those who live there. What a bum rap.