Will your team members dip their fingers in purple ink?
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In Iraq in 2014, you could tell if someone voted by the purple color of their finger which had been dipped in ink. About 28 countries have used "election ink" to indicate a voter had cast their preference for a candidate.
When you or your team members say, "I choose him or her to lead," in their city, county, state or country, they are exercising a right that guides their future. They are saying, "this is how I believe it should be."
In Bolivia, if you don't vote, your wages are frozen! In Afghanistan, the national army reported 690 attacks during the 2014 election, yet people braved the danger and voted anyway. If 600 more people had voted for Al Gore in Florida in 2000, he could have become President of the United States. Yes, your vote actually matters.
In the United States, citizens wear stickers or buttons saying, "I voted," but only about 55% of the voting-age population votes. Historically, the younger the voter, the lower the turnout, however this is on the upswing.
We should look at voting as a gift, an opportunity to shape the present and the future. Millions of people in the world wish they could shape their future.
So, what's your job as a leader during this election? Simple. First, vote yourself. Second, encourage your team members to vote.
If you're a leader, keep in mind that no matter who is elected, you're still the leader of your firm. The day after the votes are counted, your team members will still come to work hoping to find meaning, purpose, encouragement and hope. You're their Monday-to-Friday pastor.
The meaning your team is seeking begins with you and your leadership. You can choose to give them an interest-free loan to fix their broken car, pay them more, give them extra maternity or paternity leave, serve your community together, pay more of their healthcare costs, pray for them each day, start an in-house daycare for their kids, or give them more than a turkey and $50 this Christmas.
How will you steward your influence and lead well? Start with making your own finger purple on election day, then encourage those that work with you to dip their finger in the inkwell too. Then get to work as the leader of your firm. You're the only pastor some will ever see.
 | Greg's life mission statement focuses on his life passion, which is “to strengthen the great leaders, ideas and organizations of our time so the kingdom causes of Christ can be exponentially accelerated.” He is the CEO of Convene, which helps hundreds of Christian CEO’s meet regularly in small groups to live out their faith intentionally as they combine their love for business with the love for biblical truth. This article was first published on convenenow.com. Used with permission. Learn More » |
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