Founder’s Blog

Becoming A Better Boss

***This was first published on my personal blog: BoazMichael***

On Saturday night a group of us gathered together for the Meal of Messiah, which is a unique Seder that takes place at the close of the week of Pesach. It was a wonderful time--a time of singing, eating fish, and contemplating on the future work of the Messiah.

At the conclusion of our Seder we went directly into Havdalah--a time, which ends Shabbat and begins the stresses of life. After being on a two-day Sabbath I quickly grabbed my phone to check e-mails and to get caught up with what had happened in the world since my 50-hour break from life. Stress and work began.

Fourteen families co-labor with me in the ministry that I serve as President; those families represent over twenty-five children. These families have equally dedicated their lives and skills to the missions of First Fruits of Zion and Vine of David. They work hard, they are very talented, they pursue excellence, and they all live what they teach. My wife and I founded this work in our early twenties and really never dreamed it would develop in the way that it has. Our work is truly ministry related and mission driven--however, I have learned that I must be business minded.

For me, being business minded is not about profits, growth, or new markets. Being business minded means that I need to run an organization that supports and protects those families that have dedicated their lives, at great sacrifice, to fulfill our shared dreams. Being business minded for me means to put in place sound and accountable practices that insure that our vision stays strong and will continue to affect the Body of Messiah in a positive way with our message of restoration.

This coming week, I have been gifted something that will stretch me, challenge me, and will most likely change me for the better. I leave on Monday for a week of training on how to be a better boss, how to run a better organization, how to implement systems and structures that will strengthen our mission. A good friend is sending me to this program, and I trust that it will strengthen my leadership and make FFOZ stronger.

In my pre-course preparations I have had to be honest with myself and ask my colleagues to be candid with me in ways that I can be a better boss. That exercise alone was altering. Several things I learned were:

1. That at times I get so caught up in the details of certain projects that I loose site of the larger needs of the organization. (Essentially, it is too easy for me to get lost in a project during its development stages and I am not a good leader during that time because I let other things to go.)
2. That I need to communicate better.
3. That I need to take the time to put in place better long-term planning and organization.
4. That I need to do a better job of remembering all of the good resources we've developed over the years, rather than just focusing solely on our most recent projects.

Overall, as I solicited notes from the staff of ways that I could improve they were all very complimentary of my leadership style and the culture we have here at FFOZ. In many ways we are a family, great friends, and share in the amazing work that the Father has given the privilege to serve in. We've done some great things together and created some wonderful resources.

But we can do better--and it starts with me. For some reason the Father has positioned me in the leadership of this work and I need to lead spiritually and in my management of this organization. So as much time as I spend in my Spiritual growth and sensitivities, it is also good and healthy for me to, from time-to-time, focus on growing my business acumen and hone-in on ways to become a better leader and a better boss.

I ask for your prayers this week as I am going into an unfamiliar territory. Please pray that while others will surround me in pursuit of business excellence, I will have the opportunity to model and share about the need for both business and spiritual excellence. Pray for me to be attentive to ways that I can improve thus becoming a more effectual leader.

This May FFOZ turns 20 years old. God willing we have many years of service ahead of us. I pray that this event will strengthen our work.

I am hesitant and very reluctant to ask, but I need to in order to be a better person and leader. What can I do to improve? How can I serve you better through this work?

Be nice and send me a note through Facebook or a private e-mail.

I pray that this week will strengthen and sharpen me for the sake and purposes of his kingdom.

About the Author: Boaz Michael is the President and Founder of First Fruits of Zion.

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