Though you’ll get one at the end of the meal in any Chinese restaurant in America, it may surprise you to learn that fortune cookies are not Chinese. In fact you won’t find them in China at all. There are several legends as to how they came to be, but most agree they are an American invention from the early 1900s.

Can you believe what you read in a fortune cookie? Really just a novelty, there are some proverbs that have appeared in the cookies that you might want to consider as a leader. Some of these actual “fortunes” may have a practical place in your mind:

Change comes with embracing the future, not fighting your past.

To be found, stop hiding.

If you look back, you’ll soon be going that way.

He who throws dirt is losing ground.

No snowflake feels responsible in an avalanche.

You think it’s a secret, but they know.

Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Don’t let statistics do a number on you.

There is no mistake so great as that of being always right.

The world may be your oyster, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get its pearl.

Do not mistake temptation for opportunity.

A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Of all our human resources, the most precious is the desire to improve.

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

People learn little from success, but much from failure.

One that would have the fruit must climb the tree.

All things are difficult before they are easy.

You don’t need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.

Actions speak louder than fortune cookies.

More on Leadership

Leadership Lessons from Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an English-born Founding Father of the United States. An inventor and philosopher, he authored Common Sense, a pamphlet that was influential at the start of the American Revolution.

Modeling Servant Leadership

As Jesus began teaching on earth, His words about leadership and leading were shocking. In fact, they were so at odds with religious leaders of the time, they believed Jesus could not possibly be the Savior they were hoping and waiting for.

Going Deeper at the Table

There are a number of avenues to go deeper and explore a bible topic for leadership that might be specific to your table group. Is it okay for a table leader to deviate from what is provided? Yes, of course!

Leadership Lessons from Aristotle

Aristotle (384-322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts.

Can Leadership Be Hacked?

A hack is a clever trick or shortcut for accomplishing something. There are hacks for smartphones and cooking and driving. What about in your leadership? Is being a good leader something that has hacks?

Three Leadership Habits to Start

The key facet of leadership development—that is, investing in others for the purpose of seeing them exhibit excellence through their own lives and leadership—is “baked in” to New Testament teaching.

Friday Table Q&A

Here are some common questions we receive from table leaders, and some suggestions for how to maintain best practices and grow in life and leadership.

How to Win at Politics

American politics is getting more intense and divisive by the day. The democratic tradition of debate and discourse, leading to compromise and unity, is all but gone in the US. Instead, we gather into tribes based on deeply held political beliefs, we deride the opposition.

Jesus and Influential Leadership

Jesus and His disciples traveled and ministered together, day and night, for three years. We don’t know of all the meals they had together, the conversations as the walked from town to town, or what Jesus said when they fished, and started campfires, and woke up in the mornings.

Leadership Lessons from William Borden

William Whiting Borden (1887-1913) was an American philanthropist, millionaire and Christian missionary. Borden surrendered his life to Christ as a child as a result of the witness of his mother. Borden wrote three phrases in his Bible that defined his life: “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.”

Leadership Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrick Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident. He was opposed to Hitler’s genocide of the Jews, and ran “underground seminaries” during the war. In 1943 he was imprisoned by the Gestapo. Bonhoeffer was executed in the spring of 1945.

Learn, Live, Lead

The table is an amazing leadership development platform. Our time at a Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship table is designed around three key words and actions that will help you grow in relational leadership.

Understanding Relational Leadership

As a leader, you’re not over a what, but a who. To lead is to influence others in a way that helps them grow personally, professionally and spiritually. Leadership is fundamentally about influencing people.

A Total Eclipse of the Leader

When performance trumps people, an eclipse of leadership occurs. The leader himself overshadows the team. His priorities, ideas, thoughts, decisions, become the elements of first importance.

Leadership Lessons from Charlemagne

Charlemagne (747-814) united the majority of Western and Central Europe during the Middle Ages. People call him the “Father of Europe,” and the Pope made him the first Holy Roman Emperor.

Why Do Many Executive Searches Fail?

When a C-suite staff member moves on or retires, it takes an average of four months, and can cost thousands of dollars, to find a replacement. Yet, 50-70% of all executive searches fail. They end with the new hire being unsuccessful and leaving the position.

Full of Grace

Salvation through Christ is a gift of grace. Christ Himself is described as “full of grace” (John 1:14). A common definition of grace as used throughout the Bible is undeserved favor.

Leadership Lessons from Charles Spurgeon

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) was an English pastor of the New Park Street Chapel (later renamed Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He became known as the “Prince of Preachers” for his spellbinding sermons, which sometimes ran two hours or more.

What Is God Thinking?

What if you could know what God Himself was thinking? What if you were able to discern the very thoughts of God? How would that skill and divine knowledge benefit your life and leadership?

Leadership Lessons from Jimmy Carter

James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. (1924 - ) is an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th President of the United States. Though many believe his presidency a failure, his post-Oval Office years have been nothing short of phenomenal.

Leadership Lessons from Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-373) was an early Christian bishop from the city of Myra in Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire. That he loved children and was tremendously generous is widely accepted, and gave rise to the modern day tales of Santa Claus.

How to Communicate with Clarity

For clarity, consider each message in light of the question, “Is what I am about to say of benefit to the listener?” Even difficult statements are beneficial if they truly help the receiver, and are delivered with proper tone and context.

Be of Good Cheer

The Bible tells faith-centered leaders to live as optimists. This confidence is a spiritual character trait based on our trust in God. Joshua 1:9 promises, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed...”

Marks on the Wall

We must measure to lead. Self-examination is integral to leadership. A leader who is not looking inward to see progress and pitfalls will not grow outwardly in decisions, relationships and vision.

Lead to What End?

Some leaders see themselves as a steward of their position. Others want to claim a top position in business. Still others want to accomplish something specific. None of these purposes, however, outlast the leader himself.

Returning to Godly Leadership

In leadership we might go out on a limb, try something new, give an idea a season. But when the result isn’t what we wanted or hoped for, our minds turn to the idea that we “need to get back”. Back the basics. Back to reality. Back to normal.

The High Ways of God

There are aspects of the Father that go above our heads. Though we can’t possibly know all the ways of God, we can know, in a broad sense, how God’s ways are higher our ways.

What Is Christian Leadership?

Once a person surrenders their life to Christ, faith and leadership cannot be separated. It is “baked in”. The difference in Christian leadership is that faith takes point for the leader.

Leadership Lessons from Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley (1935 – 1977) was known as the “King of Rock and Roll”. He began his music career in 1954, and over the next 30 years would sell 300 million albums, make 33 movies, and become one of the most well-known and celebrated artists in history.

How to Be a Positive Leader

Positive leadership is a product of a leader’s relationships, for it is in knowing, helping and serving people that he can elicit a compelling and uplifting emotional response.