Leadership Lessons from Judah Maccabee

Judah Maccabee was a stud. He was like Arnold and Sylvester in their primes rolled up into one. He probably looked like Rambo, except maybe with a yarmulke!

About 2000 years ago, the Greeks wanted to take over all the empires, including Israel. When they took over, they took over. They wanted your culture, not just your riches. Kinda like McDonald's in the Soviet Union. And they were ruthless in their approach to mergers and acquisitions.

Then the light burst into this dark time of Jewish history. The Hasmonean family, led by Judah Maccabee, had a "Popeye moment." They saw what was happening to their people and that was "all they could stand and couldn't stand no more," so they organized a revolt against the vastly superior Greek forces. Judah was as fearless as he was brilliant. His leadership resulted in the Jews recapturing the Temple and the experience of miracle of oil (another amazing story about why there is a menorah), and now we celebrate Hanukkah.

What leadership lesson can we learn from Judah Maccabee? Simply this: One person who uses their gifts and passions can make a significant difference. There is no question that this man was gifted with the ability to do battle. He had the body and the mind for it. But he also allowed the passion in his soul to be stirred and he leveraged what he had to offer to the cause. He didn't hold back. And the outcome wasn't just for himself or even his family. It was for his people and his G-d.

So when you sing the driedl song (or the way-funnier Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song), remember that one person can and does make a difference. And, next year, may that person be you!

I'd like to teach the world to sing: What Santa Claus and Coca-Cola have in common

During the fourth century, St. Nicholas died. He was a good man who used his riches to help the poor. When his tale was told, he became different things to different cultures, such as Father Christmas, Pere Noel and, of course, Santa Claus.

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In 1924, the Coca-Cola Company had a brilliant idea to boost their winter sales. They created their own Santa Claus, and the result was an annual advertising campaign that showed Christmas and Coke in perfect harmony.

Santa and Coke are both great brands. Cola-Cola's brand equity is valued at over $67 billion. Not bad for a can of sugar water! And Santa Claus? Well...just try to celebrate the holiday season without having him play a predominant part! Santa and Coke also represent the power of a strong co-brand. This partnership has created more than increased sales in the wintertime; it moves people's hearts with a simple image.

Branding is a celebration of your personhood and strengths. It is worth investing your time and energy to discover and leverage yours to bring joy to the world!

Charlie Brown shouts desperately, asking if there is anyone who knows what Christmas is all about. Linus replies that he can tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about, and begins to

(click here to watch the classic scene)

read from the Bible. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

Then Linus turns to his friend and says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."