Work today was a real tree shaker. Things have been, and were again today, fairly smooth running. I asked for some prayer last night from a friend and I know others have been praying for me and mine in regards to my workplace. It is nice to see things normalizing.

I have friend who has given me some materials I've been looking over though, vis-a-vis the proper way to couch a job description and frame wording about what expectations accompanying said description that will be placed upon employees. It has been helpful.

I have taken a different tack in my style of leadership as well. I don't think anyone has been able to work with me lately and not take notice of it. They would have to be working on another planet, not to notice it.

I was, what may have been called, an encourager of cooperative spirit and a guide who tried to help people build patterns of success to help better the business. Now, at this point, I still like to encourage productivity and success, but I'm more akin to a polite drill sergeant, who will not be crossed, smarted off to or argued with in any way.

I've essentially moved almost all of the personality conflict garbage out of their way, out of their reach so to speak. They don't have much time for silly distractions. They're too busy. I've seen to that.

It's unfortunate, as this style of leadership isn't complimentary to my personality, but it seems to be what these gentlemen respond to. They have suddenly realized that something is different. Me. I'm really not, I have just decided to 'do' something different, because what has worked in the past isn't working now. I should have done it sooner.

In any case, productivity is up, and job completion, the measurable goals which are given to each employee are at much more satisfactory rates of completion.

I wonder at what taking a similar tack in my spiritual life would bring. Have I gotten lacks with myself? Am I 'producing' for Christ? Are the 'measurable goals' which have been given to me to achieve by the Holy Spirit being completed? Am I resisting my Boss, or am I allowing myself to be used for His greater glory?

Self-discipline is only as effective as the self makes it. I remember in one of the 'Star Wars' movies, when Darth Vader was told there was an incoming message from the Emperor. He turned to one of his subordinates and said something like, "Move the ship out of the asteroid field, so that we can get a clear transmission!"

Vader then went into another room by himself and bowed his knee and asked of the Emperor, "What is thy bidding, my master?" Darth Vader had the right idea, just the wrong emperor.