Ensign 101

A good read worth passing on.

Ensign 101

Two Absolutes

As a Naval Officer and Christian it does not get anymore foundational than these absolutes:

"There are only two absolute rules of thumb at sea: Don’t let the people in the water tank, and don’t let the water in the people tank." [unknown Sailor]

"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." [Jesus]

The Faithful Centurion

The Faithful Centurion

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."

Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."

The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof [humble]. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." [understand authority]

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

May we lead humbly, fully understanding the authority structure we are placed, while boldly making our requests made known to the God who is more than able - and so doing astonish the Lord with our great faith, such that He acts to bless those under our care.

Leadership Translation Practical

From The Resurgence: 5 Hard Truths

As you read it do the mental translation of how it applies to leading in the military context. Note the extent of similarities - seems leaders of ministry do/experience many of the same things that we all do.

Practice continuous translation of material for application as a leader in what you are doing. Leadership "nuggets" surround us.

Being A Great Division Officer (Part 8)

Last post in a series on leading at the Divo level

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed" (2 Tim. 2:15)

Remember these two words and you will succeed as a Division Officer: humility and service. You are at the entry point of a demanding profession that requires a sense of humility as you learn from all ranks and all types of people - soak it in. You are in a position to serve (not be served). As a leader you do not have the luxury to accomplish your agenda - it is not all about you. Just like a Doctor during residency you are earning your way into a profession that requires much from you. I challenge you to work hard - earn it! Possess a fierce and unrelenting work ethic. Work everyday as one unworthy, striving to legitimately earn the privilege of leading Sailors and being counted amongst the leaders aboard a U.S. Navy warship.

The Divo verse: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:58)

Being a Great Division Officer (Part 7)

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)




- Make decisions and hold others accountable. You have the same Commission as a Naval Officer as the CO and are expected to be a steward of this ship’s people and equipment.
- Work to earn trust and autonomy. Great work creates trust. Trust creates autonomy. Autonomy allows for ownership of your schedule.

Perspective

“It’s only a football game. They’re all heroes.”
– Coach Niumatalolo after winning the Army Navy game, 12 DEC 09.

/pərˈspɛktɪv/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [per-spek-tiv]: the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship.




Leaders must have the ability to appropriately frame all the information received and perceive it in such a way as to distinguish the relative priority of importance.

Now that the game is over - cheer on our Army team mates as they continue to do the hard work of the nation on the ground. Go Army! Beat the enemy!

Great perspective Mr. Dobbs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_v5WADP5rw