FailingCompany - Back to the Basics

Well, we've now hit 12 weeks of the Unconventional Wisdom of Jesus mini-series. Last week we followed along as Jesus and some of his disciples took a little stroll to a garden. We learned a lot about true determination and courage from that story. What shall we cover this week?

We're going to stay in the Garden at Gethsemane again this week. Do you remember what happened when Jesus was done praying? He was met by his betrayer, Judas, a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons and were there to arrest Jesus.

Like last week, Jesus could have snuck away. Instead, he confronted them and asked who they were looking for and then confirmed to them that he was in fact Jesus. In the process, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the men. What did Jesus do? He told Peter to put away his sword and then performed his last miracle before his crucifixion by healing the man's ear.

Why would Jesus heal the man's ear? They were there to take him away and kill them. You'd think he'd be ready to fight his way out of there. However, like I said last week, Jesus knew what his mission was and was prepared to do whatever it takes to fulfill it. So, why not just leave the ear?

First, I believe Jesus was protecting Peter. He was watching out for someone close to him who made a mistake. Had he not healed the ear, Peter would have surely been hauled off and locked up or worse. Jesus had bigger plans for Peter, so he had to intervene.

We, as leaders, must also intervene for our employees on occasion. They may make a big mistake that will lead them into big trouble. We need them to help run the business, so we intervene and help them fix the problem. It's just what good leaders do for their top employees!

Jesus also wanted them to know that they weren't really winning. By healing the man's ear, Jesus clearly demonstrated that he had the power of God at his fingertips. If he wanted to, he could have wiped out all the men standing before him. Instead, he chose to go peacefully with them.

Basically, Jesus was playing mind games with them. By him healing the ear, they knew that the only way they were getting him back to Pontius Pilate was if he chose to go on his own. They weren't exercising any real power over him. That would certainly put the fear of God in them and throw them off their guard for quite a while.

Have you ever played mind games with a competitor or coworker? Did you let them think they were pulling one over on you and then, when they least expected it, pull the rug out from under them? They were probably shocked and confused, weren't they? This gives you a decisive advantage, as you have the freedom to execute you plan while they are distracted trying to figure out what just happened. I don't condone this on a regular basis, but sometimes you just need to show them that they're playing checkers while you're playing chess!

The last lesson, very closely related to the second, is that Jesus was sending a message. Think about it like his version of the "mess around and find out" saying that's so popular. The real saying starts with an "F" and is more vulgar, but I'm keeping this post clean. Basically, healing the ear of someone who was there to arrest him was a shot across the bow. He was saying that, if you go forward with this, you're walking into a situation in which there is no good outcome for you. He didn't mean here on Earth, but in HIS world in the afterlife where he was King!

Sometimes you have to send a message to your competitors or that nasty coworker. They need to know that, if they keep pushing you, they'll end up regretting it. Sometimes that's all it takes to get them to change behavior. It's sort of like confronting the school bully. Often times, they turn and go find someone weaker to pick on and just leave you alone.

Do you need help sending a clear message to an nasty competitor? Did you fall victim to a competitor's deceitful tactics and need some help recovering? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Welcome to week eleven of the Unconventional Wisdom of Jesus mini-series. Last week we examined the Last Supper, otherwise known as the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. It was more than just a meal with friends. It was more like a transition meeting with Jesus and his disciples. What happens after the last supper? Well, Jesus and the apostles took a little stroll to a garden.

A stroll to a garden sounds pleasant! What was this garden? Most of us know it as the Garden at Gethsemane. You may also know it as the Agony of Jesus in the Garden. Doesn't sound as pleasant now, does it? What happened to make it so agonizing? Let's dig a little deeper.

Once at the garden, Jesus went off to pray while he told most of his apostles to stay back and stand watch. He walked a little farther with Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel extreme sorrow and distress. Jesus then said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”

Jesus walked a little farther on his own and then fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” It is said that he was in such agony and prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.

All of this happened right before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, which ultimately led to his crucifixion. Jesus knew what was coming when he was in the garden praying. So, was he scared of death? Is that why he was asking for the father to let his cup pass from him? And why was he in so much pain and praying so hard that his sweat was like drops of blood?

We'll never have the exact answer since none of us were there. Regardless, I believe that Jesus was accepting his fate. He was human, so like all of us he was asking for a miracle to avoid the horror that he knew was to come. However, he was completely and totally prepared to follow through with his mission even though it meant certain death.

Some may see this prayer in the garden as weakness, where Jesus was begging for a "get out of jail free" card. I don't see it that way at all. I draw a strong parallel between Jesus in that Garden sweating drops of "blood" and the brave soldiers on D-Day in WWII waiting to storm the beaches of Normandy. They were in landing craft off the shore ready to run into virtual hell. They too prayed for a miracle but were prepared to do what was asked of them.

These men saw the horror ahead of them, heard the gun fire, bullets whizzing over their heads and artillery shells exploding all around them. Yet, they didn't turn the boat around and run away. They accepted their fate. They may have even cried or vomited from nerves, but when that front door opened, they were ready to run into a wall of fire. We call these men heroes.

Jesus was the same as these heroes. He wanted a miracle but didn't run away. He could have avoided everything by sneaking out of the city, but he chose to stay. He was preparing himself for his fate and he faced it head on. Jesus demonstrated true resolve and absolute dedication to his mission, regardless of the cost.

How many of us have started working on some great idea, but when things got a little tough, we quit. Maybe it required too much of our own money, or people judged us harshly or it interfered with some other hobby? We didn't believe in our mission enough to demonstrate true resolve and follow through, no matter what!

Now think about something big that you accomplished. Were there big challenges and obstacles to overcome? You pushed through them, right? There were probably nights where you sat quietly in a room contemplating quitting. Begging for some miracle to help turn things around, just like Jesus. Also, just like Jesus, you accepted your fate and knew you had to push through the suffering and pain to accomplish your mission. You were resolute and unwavering in your goals!

Jesus teaches us that we must face our challenges and fears head on. There is no back door, no other way around the obstacle, no knight in shining armor to come save us. If we want to complete our mission, then we must get up off the ground and walk in the direction of the fire coming directly at us.

I think Jesus is also teaching us that we shouldn't face tough times alone. He didn't go to the garden all alone. He took his apostles. He even took a few people with him as he walked off to pray. They couldn't do anything to save him. Heck, they couldn't even stay awake. However, as long as they were there, Jesus wasn't alone.

We get strength when we're surrounded by our most trusted friends and family. Just knowing they're there can be the difference between us getting back up and moving forward or staying down and tapping out. They may not physically do anything that will help us, but they are there.

We all need those closest to us when we're going through very trying times. Sadly, we often try to push them away since it's our problem, not theirs. We need to break this habit and embrace the support that we so desperately need go get through the challenge. It might just mean the difference between success and failure!

What do you think? Was Jesus just scared or was he preparing to face the biggest obstacle of his mission here on Earth? Should we surround ourselves with those closest to us when facing challenging times or keep them at arm's length to protect them? Is their support uplifting or just a distraction? You have to make these choice for yourself. I hope you choose wisely!

Are you facing some huge obstacle and need some folks with you along the way? Perhaps you walked directly into the line of fire and survived, but need some help rebuilding? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Amazingly, we've hit week ten of the Unconventional Wisdom of Jesus mini-series. Last week we followed Jesus through the desert. We were taught the value or regularly testing ourselves. There are lot more miracles and acts that we could continue to evaluate, but I imagine that the key lessons would be very similar to what we've already learned. It's now time for fast forward a bit in the timeline of Jesus' life.

So, what's on the agenda for today? How about the Last Supper, otherwise known as the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. We've all probably seen Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of the last supper. You may have even read the stories in the bible. If so, you've learned about how Jesus transformed the bread and wine into his body and blood. You've also probably learned how the event was a foreshadowing of his coming crucifixion. Is that all to the story or are there other lessons to apply to our lives now?

Hopefully, by week nine you know that I have some additional lessons to share with you. Let's start with the fact that Jesus shared the last supper with his closest disciples. He wanted to spend quality time with them and impart valuable wisdom upon them prior to his leaving this earth. He knew what was coming and wanted to make sure they were as prepared as they could be for the coming events. He also wanted them to know that'd he'd always be with them through the bread they eat and the wine they drink.

I think of the last supper as a mini board or management team meeting of a major company. A critical business meeting if you will. The top leaders of the company need to meet o connect with each other and to ensure that everyone understands where the company is directionally headed. Maybe each leader doesn't see the full picture, or vision, very clearly yet but they must have an idea of the direction in which the company is headed. Similarly, the disciples may not have fully understood the details of what was to come with Jesus' crucifixion, but they certainly understood the significance of the last supper and that they were nearing the end of their time with Jesus on Earth.

What happens when the top leader of a company knows that the company is headed for troubled waters or towards some significant change? Typically, a board or management team meeting is called to discuss what lies ahead. This gives all the key leaders the opportunity to hear about the upcoming change, ask questions and plan for what's to come for their particular line of business or functional area. I believe that's what Jesus was doing with his disciples, who were like his own management team.

A good leader would never keep his or her top leadership team in the dark. Nor would they call a company-wide meeting and announce some big upcoming change to everyone at once without discussion with the top leadership team first. Even if the details can't be shared due to confidentiality reasons, such as the owner selling a privately held company, he or she will let his leaders know everything that can legally be shared. It's just good practice and the right thing to do for those who have been by your side through the ups and downs.

Similarly, if a top leader is leaving the company or retiring, he or she usually pulls the leaders together for a last celebration together. It's like the changing of the guard. Celebrating the time with the outgoing leader and setting the remaining leaders up for successful change when the new top leader takes over. It's a way to say thank you for the team's commitment and dedication and to help ease the natural anxiety of the change to come.

Jesus was doing this with his disciples. They were celebrating their time together that was quickly drawing to a close. Though Jesus may not have given a farewell speech, his actions during that meal did all the talking. They clearly demonstrated his trust, appreciation and understanding for those who followed him so faithfully during his ministry on earth.

Lastly, let's examine the eucharist and holy wine itself. Jesus explains to the disciples that bread and wine that have been transubstantiated are truly the body and blood of Christ. By eating the body and blood of Christ, they will be receiving Jesus and will have life. Basically, Jesus is telling them that, though he may not always be there with them physically, he will always be with them in spirit. That's very comforting for some.

Most top leaders of a company do something similar when they leave a company. They usually don't just leave and never look back. Rather, they offer their contact info so they can answer questions or help guide the leadership team that's left behind. It's also not uncommon for outgoing leaders to offer to continue to stay on in a consulting capacity to help guide the transition as the new top leader gets up to speed. It's about ensuring that no one feels left behind or left to figure things out on their own.

To wrap this one up and put a bow on it, the last supper was much more than a meal together. It was a strategic transition planning meeting to ensure a smooth transition as the top leader, Jesus, moves on to his final destination. The goal was to ensure continuity of all the good works started by Jesus, by ensuring that his disciples were ready to pick up the torch! You, and every other good leader you know, should be doing the same when the time comes to transition out of your role!

Are you starting to think about a transition plan with your company and feel a little overwhelmed? Perhaps you haven't done the best job showing your team some major change that's on the horizon? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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We're now past the two-month mark of the Unconventional Wisdom of Jesus mini-series. Last week we tackled the tricky story of the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. It was definitely one of the tougher stories to break down into applicable lessons for our lives today. Where to now? I'd like to jump back in time a bit to hit on something that I feel inspired to cover. Let's do a little desert wandering.

Desert wandering? Yes, Jesus was called by the Spirit and spent 40 days fasting alone in the desert. While there, he lived among the beasts, was ministered to by angels and was tempted three times by Satan. Ultimately the Devil left him until a later time. I'll leave any biblical interpretation for someone else, so let's see if we can find two or three non-biblical lessons that may be learned from this story.

First and foremost, I believe Jesus is teaching us that we must test ourselves. We grow much faster when we are challenged than when things are smooth, and we are complacent. By intentionally focusing on growth, we will be better prepared when life throws us curve balls, which are inevitable. Basically, if life is a little too smooth, then we it's time to change things up a bit.

There will always be trying times that come up and challenge us, but Jesus isn't teaching us to only test ourselves during those times. He didn't find himself unexpectedly stranded in the desert, but rather he voluntarily went out into the desert. He voluntarily tested himself because he knew that was how to grow strong and be prepared when the unexpected happens.

How often do you intentionally test yourself? This may come in many different forms and doesn't require spending over a month alone in the desert. It could be learning a new skill, taking on a bigger project than usual, taking an adventure in the wilderness, running a marathon, or any other event that pushes you out of your comfort zone. If you haven't done so in a while, I'd suggest planning something today!

What happens once we complete some challenge that seemed nearly impossible before we started? We realized that we are capable of much more than we originally thought. That's Jesus's second, but related, message. You don't test yourself just for fun. That's the best way to discover what you can really accomplish in life. Most of will find that we're operating at a mere fraction of our true capabilities. How exciting is that?

Jesus was still human, so it's possible that he didn't know with absolutely certainty that he could live among the wild beasts or resist the Devil in the desert. However, once he succeeded, he knew for sure that he was capable of doing it. He's now more capable to handle a similar situation that's thrust upon him unexpectedly. We must do the same to succeed in life and business.

For a modern example, look no further than the US military as a perfect role model for regularly testing yourself! They don't just sit around thinking they are ready for a major conflict or all-out war. What do they do? They train and test their capabilities by running real life simulations and war games. Military personnel are pushed to their limits throughout the year, and they quickly hone their skills. As a result, they can transition easily into real action and execute smoothly.

Are you not sure if you can handle that huge customer account if it falls in your lap? Test yourself today. Set up some similar situation to test yourself and your team. If you succeed in the test, then you'll be better prepared for the real thing. You'll quickly be surprised at how much you can do!

I'd say the third lesson that we can learn is self-reliance. Jesus didn't go into the desert with his entourage or a team of survival experts. He went alone and was self-reliant. We too must become self-reliant.

We'd all like to think that, when that big challenge unexpectedly pops up, our team will be there to back us up. In truth, we have no idea what the challenge will be or when it will occur. We must be ready to face it alone, at least initially. We're the leaders and shouldn't run to our teams to ask them what to do. We must be ready to take charge, give direction and execute as if it's just another day at the office.

The best way to develop that type of self-reliance is to regularly test ourselves, continuously leveling up our skills and growing ever more confident in what we can face head on. It works for the military, and it also works for professional athletes. It can work just as well in your business, but only if do it. If you only talk about it but never test yourself, then you can't be disappointed if you fail when that big opportunity presents itself. It'll naturally gravitate to your competitor who did take the time to test him or herself and ensure they were ready to execute. Remember, the harder you work, the luckier you'll get! Don't be left behind!

Did testing yourself pay off and you now need some experts for that huge new account you landed? Perhaps you haven't been testing yourself and your business is stuck in the desert? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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Here we are at week eight of the Unconventional Wisdom of Jesus mini-series. We tackled a little controversy last week as we examined how Jesus dealt with the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Where should we go from here? How about a more challenging story?

A story that I always find challenging is the story of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain. It's not often talked about in my church and always seems to leave people with lots of questions. Was it a real event or simply a made-up story to convey a point? What really was the point of the event? Did Jesus really become dazzling white? Were Moses and Elijah really there with Jesus on the mountain? Lots of things that we could debate for ages to come, but none of us will know the real answers while we're living on this planet.

Instead of trying to answer questions that we can't definitively answer, let's review the story and see if there are some more concrete lessons that we can apply to our lives and businesses today. The story takes place when Jesus along with Peter, James and John the brother of James went up on a high mountain by themselves. Jesus was transfigured before them, which we know meant that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. At the same time, Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. During the transfiguration, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Now you know the story of the transfiguration. Obviously, a big message is that God is confirming that Jesus is the son of God. What else is Jesus telling us? I think he is showing us how important it is to ensure that those closest to us know our vision, or where we're headed. We need to make sure that those in charge of running parts of our businesses understand where we're going as well as we do. They need to understand the vision so clearly that they can see it, just like Jesus gave Peter, James and John a clear glimpse of what's coming for him.

In business, we must all rally around the vision of the company. Otherwise, each team will march in their own direction and the company will fail. It's the job of the top leader, in this case Jesus, to do what's necessary to share that vision. It's an easy thing to skip over. We either assume that everyone fully gets it or we simply get too busy to even think about it, but it must be a top priority. People aren't mind readers and even the most straight forward things can take on different meanings since we all interpret things through our own filters and biases.

Related to ensuring that everyone sees the vision, Jesus is teaching us to help others to truly believe in the vision. His disciples didn't fully believe that he must suffer at the hands of man and be crucified. They wanted him to just continue living amongst them and performing miracles. Jesus used his transfiguration, along with the vision of Moses and Elijah, as a way to help his disciples believe in what must come to pass. He made it so real for them that they couldn't help but to accept Jesus' fate.

Likewise, our closest leaders may fully understand our vision, but may not believe in it at all. How motivated will they be to stay by our sides and help us bring the vision to life if they don't believe in it themselves? We must help them to believe in the vision so that they are fully invested in it themselves. IT must be as real to them as the transfiguration was to the disciples. It's key to keeping the company moving lock step toward the end goal.

I think the last lesson is that you must be selective with whom you fully reveal your vision. Jesus didn't take all of his disciples up on the mountain to reveal his true nature. He took just a few men. Perhaps it was because they needed the most help in believing. Maybe they were his most trusted disciples at the time. It could have even been that he wanted them to go share what they learned with the other disciples. Whatever the reason, Jesus was very selective with whom he revealed his true self.

We have to remember that not everyone working with us or for us will fully buy into our vision. It's our job to be discerning and to surround ourselves with those who believe in us and what we want to achieve. Those are the people that we need to focus on to ensure that they fully understand and believe in our vision as much as we do. These will be our right-hand men and woman and will be charged with spreading the vision throughout the ranks of the business.

Well, I warned you that this one was tough. What do you think about these lessons? Do they totally make sense, or do you think they are as challenging as understanding the transfiguration itself? Whatever you believe, it's up to you to put into practice and test what you learn. Who knows, the results may just make you a believer!

Struggling to help your trusted leaders understand and believe in your company's vision? Did you get so busy with executing that you forgot to spend the time ensuring everyone knew where they were headed? Check out FailingCompany.com to find the help that you need. Go sign up for an account or log in to your existing account and start working with someone today.

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