The Timeless Book on Leadership

By Vinnie Venturella

Organizations rise and fall on leadership. Leadership is so necessary in our world. There are innumerable places where the epitome of leadership is practiced. There are also innumerable places where leadership is lacking.
I love the study of leadership, have been doing it for 33+ years, and expect to do it my whole life. Leadership fascinates me and the more I study it the more I validate how critical it is to teams, organizations, our nation, and our church.
Leadership lessons are everywhere – what to do and what not to do. You can see it in day-to-day experiences, in the movies, in the church, in a small group, and especially in the Bible. In this book, I articulate 200 leadership lessons from God’s Word.
My life’s purpose is to Positively Influence Lives. This is done primarily through leadership. My measure of success with this project is expose readers to God’s Word, expose readers to some leadership lessons, and enable readers to build upon their leadership knowledge.
Ultimately, I hope this newfound knowledge and perspective encourages readers to amplify their leadership regardless where they are in society or within an organization.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728331171

Vinnie Venturella

This is Vinnie’s seventeenth book. Vinnie and his wife Tammie have two daughters, Meaghan and Sophia. They live in Texas. Vinnie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. His Mom Joyce and Dad Frank were a big influence on him, and he has a twin brother, Frank and younger sister, Jill. He graduated Woodsville High School in NH. He has a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Campbell University, NC; and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Vinnie retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air Force after 21+ years as a Combat Controller in Air Force Special Operations. Vinnie works in the Personal Finance industry. He has a passion for reading, writing, and physical fitness.

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© 2019 Vinnie Venturella. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/09/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3118-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3117-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019916089

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

DEDICATION PAGE

This book is dedicated to Rex Freriks.

We’ve known each other since 1990 and we’ve been very close friends, peers, brothers, and confidants ever since. He has encouraged me throughout our friendship. He is the Barnabas in my life. I will forever cherish his friendship and encouragement.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Some Notes and Explanations

Introduction

1.       Created in God’s Image

2.       Take Responsibility for your Actions

3.       Measure Up

4.       Righteous, Blameless, Walking with God

5.       Don’t be Egotistical

6.       Don’t Wait to Give God the Credit

7.       It’s Easy to Connect the Dots when you Look Back

8.       Some Leaders May Need More than a Nudge

9.       Leaders Must Persevere

10.     No Whining and No Complaining

11.     Value Appropriate Outside Feedback

12.     Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

13.     Appoint Leaders at Various Levels

14.     The Power of Strong Leadership

15.     Sometimes Just Simply Eliminate the Problem

16.     The Power of Belief

17.     Proof of a Lack of Leadership

18.     Doing the Right Thing May Require Sacrifice

19.     Actions Speak Louder than Words

20.     The Intent Versus the Letter of the Law

21.     It’s the Heart that Matters

22.     The Power of Supreme Confidence

23.     The Right Tactic at the Right Time

24.     Jealousy Hampers an Organization’s Potential

25.     Never Follow an Illegal, Immoral, or Unethical Order

26.     Don’t Waste Resources on Unimportant Things

27.     Words and Demeanor Matter

28.     Avoid the Slippery Slope

29.     Beware the Self-Serving Politician

30.     Leaders Need Direct Feedback at Times

31.     Courage Under Pressure

32.     A Discerning Heart

33.     A Win-Win Relationship

34.     Lust Will Lead You Astray

35.     Leaders are Servants

36.     Good or Bad – Short or Long – Leaders Have Impact

37.     Have Courage to Call Out Bad Leaders

38.     Maximize What You Do Have

39.     Don’t Dismiss the Simple

40.     Don’t Undermine Your Leader

41.     Leaders Need a Faithful Mentor

42.     Seek Out Experts

43.     Be Specific in Your Requests

44.     Leaders Know Their People

45.     There is Always Time to Pray

46.     Say What’s on Your Heart

47.     Get First-Hand Knowledge

48.     Cast a Big Vision

49.     Teams are Like Links in a Chain

50.     Deal with Haters According to the Situation

51.     Don’t Ignore Conflict

52.     Progress Over Perfection

53.     Trust God but Post Guards

54.     Be Willing to Adjust the Plan

55.     Plan for Emergencies

56.     Constant Preparedness When Required

57.     Understand Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

58.     Prepare for and Deal with Threats

59.     One Event – Multiple Outcomes

60.     Beware for Falsehoods Touted in Your Name

61.     Say No When All Around You are Saying Yes

62.     True Leaders Do Not Boast

63.     Respect and Obey Leaders Above You

64.     Know Your Leader’s Communication Style

65.     Believe It Will Work Out

66.     You Either Have Character, or You Don’t

67.     Obey the Lord’s Leading

68.     Trust in The Lord

69.     There Is Steadiness in The Stillness

70.     True Leadership is Content

71.     What Comes Out of The Mouth Is in The Heart

72.     Where You Start May Not Be Where You Finish

73.     The Power of Unity

74.     The ROI of Wisdom

75.     Do Not Withhold Good

76.     Guard Your Heart

77.     Never Stop Doing What Is Right

78.     Be Diligent

79.     Integrity First

80.     Be Open to Feedback

81.     The Truism of Gossip

82.     Seek Advice from Multiple SOURCES

83.     We Find What We Look For

84.     Be Teachable

85.     Show Me Don’t Tell Me

86.     Entrenched in Virtue

87.     Hire the Hungry

88.     Be Slow to Anger

89.     The Value of True Friends

90.     Leaders Need to Be Sociable

91.     Listen to Understand Not to Reply

92.     All Thrust and No Vector

93.     Be a Lifetime Learner

94.     Do Not Be Idle

95.     Be a Sound Planner

96.     Words Can Make or Break

97.     Make Your Reputation Great

98.     The Value of a Skilled Worker

99.     Some Don’t Get That They Don’t Get It

100.   Troubled Times Require Leadership

101.   Iron Sharpens Iron

102.   You Are What’s in Your Heart

103.   The Test of Praise and Success

104.   Invest in Your People

105.   Bad Leadership Is Disheartening

106.   Strong Leadership Creates Stability

107.   Be Tactful

108.   It All Starts and Ends at the Top

109.   Leaders Must Be Fair

110.   Hear One, See One, Do One, Teach One

111.   Stand Up for Others

112.   Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

113.   Work with All Your Might

114.   Set A High Standard

115.   Beware of For Show Only Guy

116.   Selfless Service

117.   Leaders are Unwavering

118.   Do Not Fear

119.   Refined Through Affliction

120.   Recognize Your Limitations

121.   Are Leaders Born or Made

122.   Can a Leopard Change its Spots?

123.   In the Hands of an Expert

124.   Bad Leaders Never Succeed

125.   Leaders Can Alleviate Fear

126.   Lead Despite the Negative Consequences

127.   Call the Baby Ugly

128.   Submit to Other Leaders and Authorities

129.   Because you Disagree, Doesn’t Mean I’m Wrong

130.   Have an Intimate Relationship with God

131.   You Are Responsible for Your Actions

132.   You Can Only Do So Much

133.   Respectfully Offer Alternatives

134.   Success Follows Preparation

135.   With Wisdom and Tact

136.   Not Just What, But What It Means

137.   Great Leaders Get Promoted

138.   Raise Up Good People as You Rise Up

139.   Belief to the Death

140.   Your Character Impacts Believers and Unbelievers

141.   Let Others See Thee in Us

142.   Don’t Tempt Fate

143.   When the Prideful Become Humbled

144.   Your Reputation Precedes You

145.   For the Right Thing, Not For Rewards

146.   The Lunacy of Knowingly Doing Wrong

147.   Anyone Can Distinguish Themselves

148.   Success May Create Jealousy in Others

149.   Give Yourself Room to Maneuver

150.   Writing Things Down May Add Clarity

151.   Endurance to the End Despite Losing Some Battles

152.   The Value of Institutional Knowledge

153.   Address Nonsense Head On

154.   Extraordinary Courage by Ordinary People

155.   Leaders Need a Foundation

156.   Don’t Underestimate Unorthodox Realities

157.   Start Where They Are

158.   Leaders are Encouragers

159.   Leaders are Trainers

160.   The Right Answer May Be the Obvious One

161.   Stand Up Against the Bad Guy

162.   Leaders Are Required to Correct Foundational Missteps

163.   Be an Example for All to See

164.   Leaders Have Confidence in The Future

165.   A Leader’s Security Is in The Lord

166.   Leaders are Important, not Better

167.   Perform Your Role

168.   Ingredients to Teach

169.   Leaders Keep Moving Forward

170.   Milk Versus Solid Food

171.   For the Good of The Many

172.   Find and Fulfill Your Gifts

173.   Lead with Love

174.   Beware of The Bad Apple

175.   Compare to Where You Should Be

176.   You Reap What You Sow

177.   Leaders Must Have Stamina

178.   Understand God’s Purpose for Your Life

179.   Be Ambitious for Others

180.   Be Content Wherever You Are

181.   Be Patient

182.   He Is Always Faithful

183.   Avoid Busybodies

184.   Pray for Your Leaders

185.   Physical Fitness Has Value

186.   Honor Those Leaders That Came Before You

187.   Live Fearlessly

188.   Do Not Be Ashamed

189.   Failure is Not Always Forever

190.   Leaders Should Be Good People

191.   Be Thankful

192.   Discipline Is More About the Result Than the Process

193.   Leaders Should Be the Example

194.   Respect Is Earned

195.   Seek God’s Wisdom

196.   A Leader’s Perseverance Will Be Rewarded

197.   The Crucible of Leadership

198.   Humble Leaders Will Be Lifted Up

199.   Leaders Are Eager to Serve

200.   When to Deploy Your #1 Pipe Hitter

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I have a passion for reading, studying, and writing about God’s Word. I attempt to live up to its ideals in all that I do. Not counting the Holy Spirit working in my heart, the most influential person to get me started consistently and passionately reading and studying God’s word, was a former pastor, Dwight Jackson. Because of those handful of years in a former church that he pastored, not counting my daily readings, I read during church, during weekly Bible studies, and especially when I taught Sunday School for three years. He was the single biggest influence on me back then, and that influence continues to this day.

I want to thank Connie Freriks, Rex’s Mom, for her help editing this book. She has been a Christian for many, many decades, and a huge influence on her family, her church, her community and me. She is one of the humblest people I know and a phenomenal example for all to emulate. Our paths crossed almost two decades ago and I have forever been blessed because of it. We all need the Connie Freriks’ in our lives. Their love, humility, and standard are wonderful examples to model. Thank you so much Connie.

My wife Tammie was the one person that got me to attend her church all those years ago, which was pastored by Dwight Jackson. I admit I did not attend church regularly following graduation from high school and those first few years of our marriage. I’ve been obedient ever since. She was the single biggest influence getting me back to church and is still an influence on me, our daughters, and our church. I love you Tammie.

SOME NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS

A ll my Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV). In this book I use them exactly as depicted in my Zondervan NIV Study Bible (2002). If you research online versions of the NIV you’ll see a fair amount of alterations specifically in gender neutral pronouns. You’ll also see changes to various words and phrase. All Christians know that the Bible applies to them regardless what pronoun is used and regardless of what version is used. I happen to love the NIV and use it for may daily readings, in Church, and for source material for some of my books.

There are perhaps thousands of possible leadership lessons in the Bible. I articulate only 200 of them. You’ll also see that there are some books of the Bible that I do not use at all. Some of this is intentional, some of it is not. I have other projects that I am working on and I am using some of those other references and books in those projects.

Additionally, I do not use any scripture from my book True Leadership: Leadership Lessons Inspired by the Apostle Paul. I did use one lesson (because it’s so powerful) but I did not use any scripture from that book in this book.

Jesus is inarguably the greatest Leader of all time and you’ll notice no reference to Jesus’ leadership or any reference to the Gospels in this book. This is intentional as I have other projects that will focus on Jesus and the Gospels.

Please do not take these out of context. I realize we all perceive things differently and I know some may not agree with my lesson based on a particular verse. Please read the surrounding verses of the one I use from each lesson, to get the full context and appreciate what the author is saying.

There may appear to be some license taken to arrive at the lesson and I think we can honor the true meaning of the Bible while also using it to inform, motivate, or articulate a leadership lesson.

INTRODUCTION

O rga nizations rise and fall on leadership. Leadership is so necessary in our world. There are innumerable places where the epitome of leadership is practiced. There are also innumerable places where leadership is lacking.

I love the study of leadership, have been doing it for 33+ years, and expect to do it my whole life. Leadership fascinates me and the more I study it the more I validate how critical it is to teams, organizations, our nation, and our church.

Leadership lessons are everywhere – what to do and what not to do. You can see it in day-to-day experiences, in the movies, in the church, in a small group, and especially in the Bible. In this book, I articulate 200 leadership lessons from God’s Word.

My life’s purpose is to Positively Influence Lives. This is done primarily through leadership. My measure of success with this project is expose readers to God’s Word, expose readers to some leadership lessons, and enable readers to build upon their leadership knowledge.

Ultimately, I hope this newfound knowledge and perspective encourages readers to amplify their leadership regardless where they are in society or within an organization.

1. CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)

O N THE SIXTH day, God created Adam. He formed him out of dust and God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils (Gen. 2:7). Being created in His image does not mean physically. It’s more significant than that. Humans are hugely significant and valuable to God. He gave us dominion over every living creature on the planet. Created in God’s image is more to do with social, intellectual, and moral characteristics.

What’s the saying: God didn’t make no junk! People are valuable and must be valued. Everyone has something to contribute to society. Although we can’t fathom His full awesomeness, we can read His Word, we can see His evidences in our physical environment, and we can feel His Spirit working in us. No other living creatures have those abilities. It is intentional that God made us the way He did.

Remember everyone you meet is valuable in some