I have been reading Peter Drucker for years. I recently finished Bob Buford’s new book, Drucker and Me, where he records his learnings from being mentored by Drucker over a thirty-year period.
The following are the insights that challenged me to pause, to pray, and to ask God what adjustments He might be inviting me to make in my own leadership.
1. “Build on islands of health and strength.”
2. “The predominant need in our culture is for individuals to make their lives useful to themselves and other, and nonprofits are best suited to do that.”
3. “The best nonprofits devote a great deal of time to defining their organization’s mission.”
4. “The fruit of your work grows on other people’s trees.”
5. “When the horse is dead, dismount.”
6. Have people you mentor meet with themselves before meeting with you. Drucker forced Buford to write a letter outlining the challenges he faced before they met for a mentoring appointment. This hard work their mentoring meetings to a new level.
Which of the insights listed most speaks to your own leadership today?