"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." (Proverbs 27:23-24 NIV).

In his book, "Leadership is an Art", Max Depree confesses that one of the most challenging jobs of a leader is "the interception of entropy". Things that have worked well in the past, may not be working well today. Things that are working well today, may not be working at all tomorrow. As illustrated by the second law of thermodynamics, things wind down. Everything has a tendency to deteriorate.

Personal relationships bear the signs of entropy. We greet a colleague with a cordial 'how are you?' and no longer really care to know the answer. We become increasingly familiar with the people around us and less appreciative of their intrinsic value and vital contributions. We easily become satisfied with the status quo and lose our ability to question, explore and innovate. As habits are ingrained we can lose our creative spark. Some things need to be fixed before they break.

Here are some of 'the signals of entropy' that Max Depree has recognized in his organization:

• when there is a tendency towards superficiality.
• when dark tension exists among key people.
• when we no longer have time for celebration, reflection and ritual.
• when there is a growing feeling that rewards and goals are the same thing.
• when problem makers outnumber problem solvers.
• when leaders seek to control rather than liberate.
• when the pressures of day-to-day operations push aside our concern for vision and risk.
• when people speak of customers as impositions on their time rather than as opportunities for service.

A leader must be alert to head off entropy by: communicating vision in fresh ways; modeling innovation and care; staying in touch with the people he or she is seeking to serve, and showing greater appreciation for the efforts of the team.

We need to honestly assess whether there is any slippage in our effectiveness. Are we accomplishing what we set out to do? Accountability to common vision, values and goals is essential. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).

Neglect the garden and you will get weeds. "He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 27:18a). Maintain the vision that it is Christ you are serving (see Colossians 3:23-24). "He who looks after his master will be honored." (Proverbs 27:18b NIV).

We all need an occasional reality-check to intercept entropy. There is a potential harvest if we remain diligent. "He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty." (Proverbs 28:19 NIV).