This entry is my reflection and summary of what I've learned from the first chapter of the book "Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits & Attitudes" by Dr. Tim Elmore.
(picture taken from http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/iceberg-poster.jpg)
According to Dr. Tim Elmore, "The Iceberg represents your leadership. The 10% above the water represents your skill. The 90% below the water represents your character. It's what's below the surface that sinks the ship."
The iceberg is very good image to portray who we are especially as leaders. For example, the "Titanic", the famous ship that was said to be unsinkable, was sunk not by the tip of the iceberg but by what was below that tip. Relating that to our leadership, the tip (skills, talents, charisma) may be what other people notice first and may be the one that pushes you on the top, but it is what is below the iceberg tip (character), that makes you stay on top.
In our generation today, a lot of famous leaders end up sabotaging their own leadership and position because of their weak character. They may have admirable skills and prowess to do great in the world, but because of this weakness, they end up falling down the very same ladder they climbed.
This weakness that is so common among leaders of the world all starts with a tiny little speck of dirt like a lie or cheating on a test. However, as this dust begin to accumulate, it takes the form of even greater crimes, scandals and immorality.
This story taken from the book is a very good example:
"One hundred years ago, a boy named Schicklewuber grew up in Europe. As a teen, he never learned about character. His parents never taught him right from wrong, and he began to come up with his own ideas and values. His father put him down when he talked about becoming a priest, and insulted him when he spoke of becoming an artist. He was never valued, nor taught values. One night, he heard his mom and dad argue about moving away. He was convinced they hated him and suspected they would leave him behind. He decided to put up an emotional wall and never let anyone inside his heart. He ran away. This boy grew up to be a man. This man a leader. You him as Adolf Hitler."
Adolf Hitler became a great man in history. He was a man known for his amazing leadership skills. Unfortunately, due to his weak character, he wrongly used his influence which resulted to the slaughter of millions of innocent lives and to his own downfall.
Dr. Elmore interestingly pointed out that many people today invest 10% of their lives for preparation for the 90% that makes up their career. In contrast, Jesus spent 90% preparing his inward life, for the 10% that made up His career (to die on the cross for all our sins).
As a result, look at what a great man of influence and leader Jesus has become throughout these centuries that has passed. He made a mark in history and He was never forgotten. His Words and teachings still make ripples of impact to the lives of the people today.
Jesus said in Luke 6:43-49
"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
With the media and the society leveraging worldly values, beliefs, and ideas daily wherever we go, it is not easy to be set-apart. These influences are ingrained in the very essence of our culture and daily routine. But we have to be reminded that whatever we are allowing to be planted right now in our lives, the seeds that we are nurturing in our lives, these will be the fruits that we will bear. If we allow ourselves to be nurtured into greatness through the seeds of God's WORD and His standards, then we will become men and women leaders of strong character that tide can strike down.
