The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3

Succession is often messy. The transfer of power from one leader to the next is fraught with emotions of uncertainty and fear, particularly when the outgoing leader has been in charge for a longtime and is beloved. Succession is also difficult when there is only a vague plan for succession. I am writing this postContinue reading “The messiness of vague succession – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 3”

Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2

I hate confrontation. When I have to say something the least bit confrontational to a person, I get shaky and nervous and often say far less than I ought to. Do you know the feeling? I suspect that the majority of people do not enjoy confrontation, even those who are confident enough to confront. IContinue reading “Asking questions: a helpful model for confronting others – 1 Kings 1—2, Part 2”

What happens when there is no Designated Survivor? – 1 Samuel 31 – 2 Samuel 2:7, Preview

What would happen if a bomb destroyed the US Capitol during the State of the Union speech when nearly every government official is at the Capitol, and they all die? The President, VP, Speaker of the House, the senators and representatives. The Supreme Court justices.  The Joint Chiefs of Staff.  The president’s Cabinet, all those secretariesContinue reading “What happens when there is no Designated Survivor? – 1 Samuel 31 – 2 Samuel 2:7, Preview”

Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3

My daughter ran the 4×800 relay on her track team, so over the years I’ve witnessed many baton hand-offs like the one depicted above. The hand-off can be tricky. Every so often the hand-off doesn’t go well, as the baton is fumbled or dropped. Transitions in leadership are likewise complex. Will the outgoing leader prepareContinue reading “Leadership transitions are often difficult – 1st Samuel 11 & 12, Part 3”