February 29; Making The Future Come Alive MANAGEMENT BY THE BOOK: 365 Daily Bible Verse & One-Minute Management Lessons For The Busy Faithful
Chapter Two: Influence; 29 February (an orphan day)
…Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless…?”
Genesis 15:2b
| Making The Future Come Alive |
Look Forward
The best leaders shape the future. This can be done in a company or a community-or kids. Children need parents, god-parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Leadership is always ‘other’ directed.
We stand on the shoulders of giants to reach up vertically for success, paraphrasing Isaac Newton. But our personal legacy is seen closer to home on a horizontal timeline through our children.
Children are the family vision. A living mission statement.
As the lack of a company vision stunts growth, the lack of children can be the end of the family line. Without a vision for a business—or children for a family—the people perish; a family dies out; a business fails.
Childlessness can be a concern to a married couple. There seems to be no hope, no fit for the future.
…Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless…?” Genesis 15:2b
I once had a conversation with a distant relative of Ernest Hemingway at a pro-life dinner. We talked about the wit of the famous writer.
As the story is told Hemingway was already established in command of his craft when he was enticed by a clever wager. He considered the bet (probably in a bar as these bets go) and accepted the challenge:
“Can you make me cry in six words?”
Hemingway thinks, then scratches out on a cocktail napkin:
For Sale
Baby shoes
Never worn
Empty shoes or an empty vision. Life hurts for a future that never was.
Families and the family that is our business must have a tomorrow to look toward. The CEO has the responsibility to create for the future. If the leader does not envision and inspire then opportunities will be lost or the business will be lost. Not doing this job will simply cause too much pain in the tomorrows to come.
Leaders must create a vision.
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