Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

That was from George S. Patton, arguably the most successful fighting General this country has produced since Stonewall Jackson, or Lee, or Grant.  When asked how his men could pull out of contact with the enemy after weeks of fighting, traverse a hostile front at  ninety degrees, march many miles in the snow and attack the flank of the enemy in another spot, he said, “they’ll do it because I told them to and they are more afraid of me than they are of the Germans”.

When most of his army was taken from him in Africa and sent to England to get ready for the D-Day invasion his diary for Thanksgiving Day said; “I have nothing to be thankful for.  Therefore did not render thanks”.

Leaders who inspire people by fear are probably needed somewhere.  Leaders who inspire people to give thanks are needed everywhere.  Paul says that we should give thanks always.  He says, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18  To be thankful is God’s will for us.  Check your Bible and see how we are to live our thanks.  You guessed it by loving and being merciful to others. 

How’s this for some leadership principles –   Phillipians 4: 5-9

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Scary Guy