Leadership Bulletin
Are Doors Open or Shutting in Your Life?
There are times in everyone’s life that doors are shut, and there are other times when the doors are open. Sometimes it can be daunting facing closed doors and wonder what you are doing wrong. I have found it to be increasingly important not to lean on my understanding but to trust things will begin to work out in my favor. Other times doors are opening right and left, and you do not know what to do. How do you start to choose the correct path?
Recently, I discovered this to be right in my own life. There were so many doors that were closed, and I could not seem to break through, they must have been made out of bricks or even steel. In what seemed like moments several doors popped open at once and I found it difficult to choose which door to walk through. I prayed and sought counsel. It is important to note that those who provide counsel should never tell you what to do but help you to explore the possible outcomes of each situation and to weigh the opportunities accordingly.
Once you hear the advice and you still do not know what to do it can become overwhelming. This post is unlike any other article because I am not going to provide research but tell you what I did in this situation. I prayed. I asked God for the chance to see things more clearly and to shut doors before me if they were not the doors for me to walk through. Some of you may be thinking to yourself, “well you’re just talking to no one,” but I will assure you that is not the case.
I went from one open door that I did not want to walk through to another that was my second choice, and then to my first desired choice all within about ten minutes. Why did this happen all at once? Was it chance? No, it was God granting the desires of my heart. This does not mean the opportunities worked out—I still have to put the effort in to do my part and walk through. Will there be something on the other side? The answer is simple—I do not know, but God does.
The important thing is all of the anxiety and stress of door kicking and door opening came down to whether I trust God or not to handle my situation. When I took a moment and walked away and said, “Lord I surrender all my doors to you,” He was faithful to show me there are more doors than what I could see directly in front of me. One of the people I received counsel from told me, “we do not always see the next steps because God is waiting to reveal them to us.” What wisdom came in these words!
I have been a pastor for more than 14 years now, and I have faith God will do what He says He will do, but sometimes our faith becomes shaky, and it’s in these times we must press through even more and expect for god-portunities to occur. We cannot allow the circumstances to control our thought-life but must trust in God’s ability to provide for every need. Maybe I am too honest and too direct but I want to let you know my life is fully surrendered to God’s will and when shut doors become open doors, and there is confusion on which door to take—it is the entire goal of my life to be in the will of God and I submit to His will above all else. Whatever situation you may be facing right now and whatever doors are shut or open, try trusting God and see what a difference it will make in your life.
How Did It happen?!
Tonight I have been joyfully writing a paper and its now at the halfway mark. It is time to rest and sleep for the night. Tomorrow is an exciting day filled with graduations and graduation parties for my students. I may even get to go swimming at one of the parties–we will see! Afterward, its back to writing.
I do not know if I will be able to finish by tomorrow evening but I will strive to. If not, I will have to rush home between services Sunday to complete the assignment. These things in the past would stress me out and have me worked up, but no longer. The process of schooling is rapidly coming close to an end with approximately one year and a dissertation remaining. I do not want to say the process has become easier but I will say I have grown throught the process.
There were many nights in years past that I would sta up working on assignments of studing until 4, 5, or even 6 a.m. Now, I am able to be more productive with my days than I used to be. It is unbelievable what I can accomplish in any given day. I do not know when the growth occurred but I must say EPIC Bible College and Regent University have done an exceptional job in preparing me for the next level of leadership. I do not claim to have it all together, nor to be ready for what is next but I do know I am more prepred than I would have been without these two fine schooling establishments.
Philippians 4:13 is an encouraging proclaimation that I have found to be true in my life.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Maybe you are reading this latest article and you are trying to accomplish new things in your life, complete a project or even aim for that promotion. Whatever you are facing right now understand this based on my experience: you can accomplish much more than you give yourself credit for. Whatever it is be faithful in the little things and watch how they grow and become fruitful in your life. One day you will look back and think to yourself, “How did I get here?”. While you are moving forward aim to have, as one person said it, “an attitude of grattitude.”
Remain joyful in all things and see what you can accomplish as you diligently move forward.
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Silent Leadership
Last Thursday the doctor informed me that I have a polyp on my vocal chords and the size of it is quite large. I have been having vocal issues for around six months since I became extremely weak in November for a couple of months. I was bed-ridden for approximately 3-weeks. This polyp is very serious and may require surgery on my vocal chords. I am not sure what is going to happen right now, but I have decided to be joyful in all things.
It is hard to be joyful when your prized possession has been taken away. Not only do I speak in a variety of settings for a living but I also sing for a living and my enjoyment. There is nothing better than sitting down to write a new song and sing the new parts. This obstacle has been an issue—but the joy remain in this season of loss. Don’t get me wrong, there have been times that I have been down but what can you expect when you lose a part of yourself that is so important. Everyone needs time to grieve a loss. For a minimum of three-to-four weeks, I am mute, and I have to wait to see what will occur next.
Leadership has its ups and downs too. A project can become a part of ourselves, and when it is either canceled or finished, there is a time of grieving the loss of the assignment we have become so invested too. Learning how to take time to mourn is critical to moving on.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, ASV).
When a new project arises there is reborn an excitement that fills the soul once more. Facing these new challenges brings a refreshing sense of importance and an increase in the desire to accomplish. Moving forward offers many benefits but never miss the opportunity to mourn. One of my favorite biblical passages says that is is more important to visit a graveyard than a part. Why is this? It is because when we take time to reflect on the realities of life we appreciate the good times even more and we realize our own temporal nature.
Being mute has offered an important opportunity to listen and even learn how others live. While it is a struggle and I can mourn at times, I do not feel it is necessarily a bad thing for a time. I am striving to learn something new through this experience. Take to heart whatever obstacles you are facing and seek to understand what you can learn through them. Take time to realize the importance of what you are going through and tackle the obstacles head on.
My Big Problem; God’s Small Problem
I have been having vocal issues since I was sick in November. There have been days I have had a voice and others where it is non-existent. They originally thought it was my tonsils because my tonsils were having a lot of issues at the time, then they thought it was a swollen larynx. Neither of these the cause of the issue.
On Thursday I went to a specialist who utilized some rare equipment and other tactics to analyze the situation. During one of the procedures, a very large polyp was discovered on my one side of my vocal chords. This polyp covers a very large portion of the right vocal fold. They believe it is possible that the polyp was caused by excessive coughing when I was sick on November but may have to do surgery and perform a biopsy on it to ensure it is not anything more serious.
To attempt to avoid surgery I am on complete vocal rest for a MINIMUM of three to four weeks at which time they will evaluate and see if there had been any change in the size of the polyp. I have been carrying around a speaker and using a type-to-speech app on my phone to communicate when necessary. In the next couple days they still may decide to schedule a surgery but who knows at this point. Right now I am doing my best to not speak to anyone and not to sing. The latter is the most difficult.
I am asking for prayer because God is the healer. It is God who brings the hope and the joy through all circumstances. I have joy through this trial because I know God is with me and He will enable me to go through this with a supernatural strength. There is nothing I cannot do without God. I may not know the outcome but He does! God is my source and strength. I am not writing this to convince myself because I am convinced to my core because God has proven Himself to me time and time again, but I am writing this to convince all of you!
Please let me know that you are praying by commenting or responding in some way.
Blessings,
JH
Stop Repeating Your Failures!
I once read a story about a group of people who were freed from a land where they were in captivity. These people were ready to move forward, or so they thought. As they set out to embark upon a new journey, they began making mistakes, which led them to walk around the same mountain for several decades. These mistakes kept them away from living in the truth that they had known. They kept believing a lie of failure, which caused them to lose sight of moving forward and ultimately hold them back. I call this the unending, unyielding cycle of doom.
We can too often relate to this story and desire to move forward but are held back by our attitudes. Just like the people in the story, we can find ourselves allowing the fear of failure to keep our attitudes negatives. This negative attitude enables constant failure. When we focus our attention on the wrong things, we fail and fail and fail! You may desire to become a better executive, manager, supervisor, spouse, parent, brother, sister, or even child but you can never become better unless you change your mentality, which causes the same cycle of doom.
The question we must first ask ourselves is why do we want to change? If you do not have a good reason to improve chances are you will not change. It is well known that people who face personal crisis are more successful at achieving weight loss. Most people do not wake up one day and make the positive steps forward to cause the reaction of weight loss to occur. The same goes with whatever you desire to achieve within your own life. You must strive to understand the catalyst and allow it to inspire you on your journey to becoming a better you.
As I sit here writing, I can think of several things I would like to change about myself and just as I am sitting here writing, you are probably thinking about all of the things you want to change about yourself or your situation—but what is going to become the catalyst to drive you forward? What is going to help you break the unending, unyielding cycle of doom in your life? For some, it may be reading this article, and you are in despair about whatever change you need to make. Maybe tears are filling your eyes, and you know this change must occur and now. If that is you, then please allow this to be your wakeup call. But for others, you may read this article and think to yourself “I need to change…,” but then you move on and forget all about it, until the next time the desired change pops into your mind again and you forget about it—this is the cycle of doom. It can happen all too easy to each of us.
Steps to make the changes you desire to make:
- Listen to your heart and determine what it is you want to change.
- Ponder why it is necessary to make the shift
- Consider three ways you can make the transition
Get a piece of paper and write down what you desire to change, why it is necessary to make the change, the steps you will take to ensure the transition happens, and a timeline to complete each step. Place this piece of paper in a place you look at multiple times a day and keep it there until the change occurs. Take moments throughout the day to read over the piece of paper and ponder what you have written. Work toward achieving these steps. You can break the cycle of going around the mountain, but you must treat obstacles as if you were managing an important project that would make or break your career. Take time and prepare to manage the project of life well and defeat the unending, unyielding cycle of doom.
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When You Do Not Know What to Do—Do this!
Sometimes it is easy to lead, while other times it can be more challenging. In my experience, the worst times to lead are when there is multiple solutions to one singular problem. Now of course, this is not a problem when it is just me, but when there are others involved things become much more complicated.
What are you supposed to do when there are people you work with on both sides of an issue, or worse yet, on multiple sides of an issue? This type of situation brings a lot of pressure. The very pit of your stomach can ache and you may have anxiety about making a decision. Your hope is to make a good decision that will please everyone involved. This is what makes you a good leader, because you are caring and passionate about others and their involvement. But, I have learned throughout the years of my leadership experience that I cannot please everyone, no one can.
So what is a leader to do? Effective Christian leaders first pray for God’s direction. The pursue the advisement of wise counsel and aim to carefully weigh information. A good leader researches optional routes to take. But what happens when you have to go a direcion that will not make everyone happy? Listen to your internal voice. That still small voice that is within you that directs you concerning what is right or wrong. Your internal voice is the one you will have to live with. Cosidder all options, but after analysis is conducted go the direction that makes sense to you. I have learned to the best decisions are made when I listen to my inner voice.
Here’s the best route summed up:
- Pray for God’s Direction
- Seek Wise Counsel
- Pray
- Listen to the Still Small Voice
- Follow.
Local Leaders Are Global Leaders: Developing A Global Mindset
In today’s connected society it is virtually impossible to be a local leader. A global mindset is a necessary cornerstone of the foundation of leadership today. Leaders often have a digital reach much more significant than imagined via technology. During my first Doctoral Residency, I was made aware of how my local leadership had a global reach. A few of my professors on the East Coast informed me that they actively follow my posts and live worship sessions on Facebook and through other various platforms. I grew slightly embarrassed because I did not realize the reach I was having. I thought to myself, “I most certainly could refine my posts.” I now strive to release more information and host live worship sessions with quality, rather than quantity, to make a better impact. Creating positive and reflective interactions with my followers brought value to them and value is the most important investment that can be made. I aim to develop a global mindset when I share information, so I can better relate and work with others.
Individuals with a global mindset can work with and influence people, organizations, and institutions that are differnt from their own. ~Being global: how to think, act, and lead in a transformed world.
The globalization of the workforce brings people together, but that does not mean people can work well together without adaption. People understand things differently based on their context, including the culture in which they exist among various other variables. To avoid condemnation of other cultures, we must aim to understand people groups have diverse sets of attributes. Cultures can have a wide-array of variances based on physical attributes, location, religios, diversity, etc. Professional who practice cultural agility possess three attributes, which create effectiveness in the global marketplace:
- Manage their response quickly to interact with other cultures, while building trust and credibility.
- Develop effective communication to build trust, credibility, and complete tasks.
- Have decision-making skills that allows for culturally-sensitve responses.
Cross-cultural leadership in the global marketplace should begin through the development of relationships. Shared meaning should be developed as relationships are built, and trust should be established through the elimanation of bias. Furthermore, we can realize the importance of surrendering ourselves to love. John 13:34 teaches we are to love each other. When we love others, we must attempt to get into their world and understand based on their point of view. Leaders who learn to walk in love are able to move past their own understanding of the world. They have a deep desire to get to know others and understand them, rather than to judge others. Love is the driving force in the development of relatiosnbips that helps us to prmote the well being of others for their own sake, and not because we want something from them. Developing a global-mindset and cultural understanding can come, and for the Christian leader should come from a love-based perspective, which drives a desire to learn more in their context.
No matter where you are, or what you are doing — begin to think globally!
Thanksgiving Food for Thought
Largest Mass Shooting In U.S. History Hits Las Vegas – Videos Included
Many come together for the route 91 Harvest Concert in Las Vegas for the past several years. This year in Las Vegas more than 22,000 were present during the last few minutes of the final performance for the night by Country music star Jason Aldean.
For what must have seemed like an eternity for those present at the event the gun shots continued. Gun shots lasted for 10-15 minutes. The gun shots blazed through the crowd, as several eye witnesses told news reporters it sounded like fireworks and a few thought there was a malfunction in the sound system.
The shooter, Stephen Paddock from Mesquite, Nevada was the shooter. This 64-year old white male was believed killed himself prior to police entry into the hotel room, which was on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. Authorities at last count cite that more than 58 are dead and an around 515 injured people were taken to area hospitals. Stephen Paddock had more than 10 riffles.
President Trump spoke concerning the great tradgedy of the horrific events and the pure evil that this event was. The White House Press Secretary seemingly almost broke into tears while giving today’s press briefing. The White House calls for a time of mourning and not a time of political debtate.
This is a sad day for America and all involved. Let us set aside all differences and pray for victims, their families and all others on scene, Las Vegas, and America.
Account of What Happened
President Trump’s Remarks
Personal Accounts
Live Breaking News
Should Sports Franchises Allow their Team Member’s to Take a Knee?
Over the past could of weeks, the country has been thrown into turmoil over statements made by the President of the United States and of the actions of NFL players and other sports franchises. There is no doubt that both sides are making hard-stances.
Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is in an uproar! People are drawing lines and friendships are being lost over this issue. The battle for racism or the lack-thereof seems to be the prevailing question.
One side is taking a knee to stand for what they feel is police brutality and other racially charged injustices. Those who are on the opposing side are considering the protests as anti-American.
Some may ask, “How has our country found iteslf in this situation?”
Where do people go for leadership, when they are divided by such powerful and personal feelings? Who will rise to take charge in a time where there is seemingly no room for compromise? How can we address this issue as a nation? Should sports franchises allow their team members to take a knee?
Ignoring the issues will not bring growth.
These compelling questions are being brought to the workplace, and you may have to address these issues within your organization. As leaders, we must be the first to address these long-standing feelings and develop solutions within our organizations. The challenge of bringing peace will be difficult, but peace cannot exist where conversation does not. Addressing the issues of racial tensions, police brutality, and respect for the American flag might seem like it is not a workplace issue, but this conversation is already there.
Sitting down to write this post, I desire not to create additional division, and my viewpoint on the subject is not important. What is important is that conversations must occur among those who can make a difference.
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Overcome Fear and Improve Public Speaking
You have been provided the opportunity to speak publically, which is something that you have not done before. Eager to please the boss you work toward making the presentation the best that has ever existed. As the presentation approaches you realize you are beginning to become apprehensive and think to yourself, “this is silly, why am I so nervous!” During the final preparations, you feel ready to go, and the nerves have subsided.
As the time approaches for the speech that uneasy feeling begins to return and it is getting worse by the moment. Standing before the group your heart starts beating violently, and you feel like you might just die. The audience seemingly begins to stare at you, and your stomach starts to sink. You think to yourself, “I am surely going to faint!” As you stand there with eyes focused and eager listeners, await to hear your opening remarks the room feels as if it is closing in. You have studied and prepared to give a great speech, but now a feeling of distress develops as a thought creeps up that you might forget everything that was prepared. You do not know if the words will come out right. The overwhelming sense of fear is certain to overcome you, and everything within you wants to cry out for your mother to save you.
Public speaking is gaining ground within the workplace, and more frequently individuals are asked to give presentations. While most people are afraid of public speaking, it is important to note that presenters can increase their visibility within the organization. Presentations allow others to see the skills and knowledge that may not have been noticed previously. But preparing and giving speeches is much easier than one might think.
What is public speaking?
The art of public speaking has been used for thousands of years to present ideas to audiences. Public speaking has three primary goals, which are to persuade, inform, and entertain others. Presenting to an audience requires an enormous amount of detail. Presentations must be structured well, utilizes a more formal language than casual conversation, and requires the delivery method to be refined. Public speaking is a process that includes a speaker who intends to deliver a message and an audience who wants to receive that message. The speaker knows that a message has adequately been received by the feedback that is provided by the audience. Feedback can be verbal or non-verbal. When a message is disrupted by something that is called interference. Interference can be anything that causes a misunderstanding of the intended message to be received. When interference is determined, it is important that the public speaker engages in another attempt to send the message in the way, the audience can understand.
The Fear of Public Speaking
Rarely does it occur when an individual is a natural at public speaking and who gains excitement in presenting speeches. Fear of public speaking is widespread and completely normal. Over 75% of people are afraid of public speaking, and it is the most common social phobia. This fear is called, “glossophobia,” which translates from the Greek as “fear of tongue.” The concerns that are attached with communicating to groups are genuine to those who are standing in the middle of the stage.
Most leaders are called on to perform public speaking at some point in the life of their careers. According to Kim Dower, “Public speaking, second to dying, is the greatest fear that anyone has.” Other research has found that the fear of public speaking is even higher than the fear of dying. Some of the most common fears are: (1) fainting, (2) boring the audience, (3) going blank, (4) fear of judgment, but these fears can be overcome.
1. Fainting. The mind can have a strong effect on the body, but public speaking rarely ends with someone fainting. This is extremely uncommon. Some common tips to decrease the possibility of passing out is to remember not to lock your knees and continue to breathe normally.
2. Boring the Audience. People listen to speeches for a purpose. Each person who is listening is attempting to gain new knowledge. The chances are the reason you are presenting on a subject is that you have knowledge others need. During the research and development stage, it is important to seek material that will engage the audience. It is much easier to keep the audience’s attention when relevant information is being presented. Make it appeal to the group to which you will be speaking and use relevant facts, numerical data, and funny stories to engage the audience. When I first began presenting, I stood in one place, did not use my hands, and I used a monotone voice pattern. As I developed, I found that audience respond much better to those who use their bodies to convey their message. Smile at the audience, use your hands and body movements to refine the message, and use voice-patterns that are moving and more typical in casual conversations. This can be easier said than done, but with practice, it does get easier.
3. Going Blank. Speaking in public has its advantages and one of those advantages is that you can use notes. In fact, most people who speak use notes. It is impossible to remember everything that you will say when giving a speech, so presenters live by notes. The most important thing to do when using notes is not to read directly from the notes, but to use them as a starting point. The preparation happens in the background while you are putting the information together. Doing your “due-diligence” will help you to identify what you will say in advance. Some people use simple bullet points, and I used to be one of those individuals. Over the years, I have found it to be better to type out most of what I will say, that way I am practicing each word, while I am preparing for the speech. By the time, I get up to speak for the most part I know what I will say. Having the notes does much more than provide an outline, but an escape for those who may go blank during a presentation.
4. Fear of Judgement. Public speaking can make a person feel extremely vulnerable, and the judgment of others may feel like it is looming. When audiences can see that their presenter is not only knowledgeable about the subject but is also enthusiastic, they are more willing to look past mistakes that may occur during the presentation. There will always be individuals who know more than you but do not worry about them. Most people listen intently and will provide support to the speaker.
Develop A Communication Strategy
Given the fears that traditionally come along with public speaking, it is important to have a strategy. Fear can lead to missed opportunities. While strategy does not guarantee complete success, it will increase the odds for success. Preparation is the key to performing well during a speech. Preparation can remove fear and develop an inner confidence. Effective communicators develop strategies for speaking engagements. Below are ten strategies for enhancing public speaking:
- Know the direction. When presenting it is essential to determine what the information will be and how to best present that information. Understanding the direction is crucial to develop the plan. Having a clear purpose will direct the research and development process of the speech to enhance clarity within the information to be presented. All good speeches have a definite beginning, middle, and end.
- Know your audience. A speech that is made to groups of different backgrounds may be received differently. It is imperative to craft the message in a way to appeal to specific audiences to enhance understanding. Much more, knowing the audience and even its location can reduce anxiety. For the most part, understand the audience is on your side and desire to see the presentation succeed.
- Know your style. Those who give speeches organize them on paper differently, but the important thing to note is they do write them down. You will need to determine whether it is better to write down the information in an outline format or by writing your speech word-for-word. Begin by writing an outline to organize critical information to be presented.
- Know the data and interpret it. Do not just read information, but instead provide information in creative ways to captivate the audience. Data can be demonstrated in charts and graphs more clearly than in complicated speech. Use statistical analysis to enhance the presentation, but be careful make sure others can quickly follow.
- Know what information to include. After the outline is prepared for the speech and the gathering process has begun, the goal of the speech writer should be to include only the information which is pertinent to the topic at hand.
- Know how to practice. Public speaking is developed through practice, and in most cases, those who can present and “wow” and audience are those who have spent countless hours preparing and practicing their craft. Practicing a speech by yourself is good, but having others who can listen and provide feedback is better. Practicing a speech aloud will enable the content to be spoken during a presentation with less effort. Practicing is more-or-less about becoming more comfortable with the material and yourself.
- Know your rate of speech. Fear can cause presenters to speak faster than they should, so it is important to remember to slow down and take your time when giving a speech. When preparing for a speech paying attention to the rate of speech can produce dividends during the presentation and enable a message that is more clearly identified. There is a balance when determining the rate of speech. Do not speak so rapidly as to be named an auctioneer and do not be so slow in speaking to be considered a hypnotist.
- Know how to relax. Ultimately when preparing for and giving a speech choosing to relax is key. The goal of a speech is not to impress others, but to convey a message that is needed. Do not spend time trying to make things complicated, but instead focus on simplicity. Having too much to think about causes stress. When presentations are complex, there is an increased chance of technical failure and various other types of failure. It is easy to work yourself up, but simplicity brings about inner peace and will bring about mental clarity.
- Know how to dress. Confidence and comfort are key when addressing an audience. Public speakers should seek to understand what type of clothing is appropriate for the venue in which they will be speaking. Many who are asked to prepare a presentation for their first time go shopping to look for something that will impress the audience, but if the clothes are not comfortable, this can cause distractions for the presenter and the audience. Comfort helps to bring confidence. Presenters must strive to wear clothes that are both appropriate and comfortable.
- Know where to look. Common advice tells those who are new to public speaking to picture the audience in underwear, but that does not work. It is best to find a few friendly faces in the audience to look at and pretend you are having a single conversation with them. It is also important to realize not to look at a person to long, as it will make both parties uncomfortable.
No one likes to feel vulnerable and taking time to follow the steps provided above can help to relieve the tension that comes along with the art of public speaking. Fear can be described as “false evidence appearing real,” but fear of public speaking is simply fear of the unknown. Overcoming this fear takes time and practice. Having a set strategy will increase your ability to be effective, will open the door to better preparation techniques, and ultimately will help you to feel more comfortable when standing in front of a room full of staring eyes.
The Secret of Motivation
Leadership is about motivation and leaders who enable their followers to help them to feel more involved. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to substitute at one of our local high schools. I always love being able to step onto campus and see what is going on in the life of students, teachers, and administrators. Throughout the day I traveled from classroom to classroom and spoke to various people. The more time I spent at the high school, the more I noticed the variation of leadership styles among the staff members.
The leadership style of the teachers and administrators had either a positive or negative effect on students. Students chose how to react to teachers based on how they interacted; how they lead. As the day moved forward, I found it was becoming easy to predict how students would respond during the class period based on the way the teacher interacted during the first one-minute of class.
The reaction of the students changed in direct relation to the use of leadership style and methods of motivation to attempt to get students involved. One study promoted the importance of using motivation tactics as an instrument to bring about competitive advantages among followers. The teachers who engaged their students acknowledged concerns and sought student involvement had a more positive reaction than their counterparts. The teachers who had these positive results were using good motivation tactics.
Jesus Christ also used effective motivation tactics as he spoke to the woman at the well to meet her need. Jesus used what impacted her to open up an opportunity to speak; he used her past. Jesus knew this woman was thirsty for a change in her life and offered her “living water” (John 4:10). He motivated her based on her current position and her desire for change.
Motivation is crucial to effective leadership, and the following bullet points will help you to become a better motivator:
- Know who you are and who you are not.
- Be genuine when dealing with your followers.
- Become aware of the needs of your followers and do your best to meet those needs.
- Followers will see how much work you put in and adjust accordingly, so work diligently.
- Do not expect others to do something you are not willing to do yourself.
Adaptive Leadership
Adaptive leadership is essential to your leadership! Take for inststance Jesus Christ, who chose to honor God and remain humble in every situation (Luke 4:1-13). He demonstrated his strength when he stayed grounded to his principles throughout each test. Jesus fully expressed his authority in his proclamation of Scripture (Luke 4:4; 4:8; 4:12). Jesus did not back down.
Likewise, in the Old Testament Sampson showed significant weakness. His weakness was accompanied by foolishness and arrogance, as he proved his ability to tolerate Delilah’s consistent probing to find his source of strength (Judges 16:6-15). Sampson’s foolishness was further displayed when he told Delilah the truth, and he ultimately was captured, lost his eyes, and strength (Judges 16:5-22). The account of Sampson ends with an acknowledgment of weakness through a demonstration of humility. Sampson prays to the Lord and asks God to “remember me again,” “please strengthen me one more time” and asks for the ability to pay back the Philistines (Judges 16:28, New Living Translation, 1996). Sampson’s authority came when he recognized his failure and committed to destroying the enemy through realizing who he was.
Engstrom (1979) suggests that leaders have the ability to influence will. “The leader has to show the person how to apply himself to take the necessary actions to reach the objectives” (Engstrom, 1979, p. 134). It is essential for leadership to provide training for their followers. “Organizations seeking to develop followers into transformational leaders may still be effective by relying on supervisors who are transformational leaders to develop their followers” (Lippstreu, 2010, p. 144).
References
Engstrom, T. W. (1976). The making of a Christian leader. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House.
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
Lippstreu, M. (2010). Revisiting fundamental concepts of transformational leadership theory: A closer look at follower developmental processes (Order No. 3414482).
Recognizing Failures
When Jesus was tempted he chose to honor God and remain humble in each decision (Luke 4:1-13). Jesus demonstrated his strength when he stayed grounded to his principles throughout each test. Jesus fully expressed his authority in his proclamation of scripture (Luke 4:4; 4:8; 4:12). Jesus did not back down!
Likewise, Sampson of the Old Testamnet showed significant weakness. His weakness was accompanied by foolishness and arrogance, as he proved his ability to tolerate Delilah’s consistent probing to find his source of strength (Judges 16:6-15). Sampson’s foolishness was further displayed when he told Delilah the truth, and he ultimately was captured, lost his eyes, and strength (Judges 16:5-22). The account of Sampson ends with an acknowledgment of weakness through a demonstration of humility. Sampson prays to the Lord and asks God to “remember me again,” “please strengthen me one more time” and asks for the ability to pay back the Philistines (Judges 16:28). Sampson’s authority came when he recognized his failure and committed to destroying the enemy through realizing who he was.
Engstrom suggests that leaders have the ability to influence will. Engstrom writes, “the leader has to show the person how to apply himself to take the necessary actions to reach the objectives.” It is essential for leadership to provide training for their followers. Lippstreu adds, “organizations seeking to develop followers into transformational leaders may still be effective by relying on supervisors who are transformational leaders to develop their followers.”
We all are tempted to do wrong at times, but it is crucial to recognize failures and make them right. Leaders are looked to by countless others, so create a firm foundation leadership and lead well.
References
Engstrom, T. W. (1976). The making of a Christian leader. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House.
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
Lippstreu, M. (2010). Revisiting fundamental concepts of transformational leadership theory: A closer look at follower developmental processes (Order No. 3414482).
The Voice Audition
Please take time to follow my friend Missy Robertson on The Voice. You can check out her debut performance below:
#TeamMissy
Shared Leadership
The perception of leadership has developed globally and “shared leadership is increasingly important in today’s organization” (Hoch, 2014, p. 541). This type of leadership theory is not based on hierarchal leadership structure, as leadership is traditionally known. Shared leadership is a process of collaboration, rather than a downward dissemination process. According to a study by Rosengren, Bondas & Nordholm (2010) nurses experienced greater satisfaction and more confidence where shared leadership was applied. Research conducted by Hoch (2014) found sharing information and diversity increases the performance ability of members within an organization. Furthermore, in this dynamic of leadership, the followership is shared among those who participate. This theory corresponds with the leader-member exchange theory or what is known as LMX. Northouse describes LMX theory “as a process that is centered on the interactions between leaders and followers” (Northouse, 2014, p. 137).
Shared leadership existed within the Old Testament, as exampled by the account of Joseph and Pharaoh (Genesis 41, New Living Translation, 1996). The Pharaoh of Egypt gave Joseph the ability to lead the innards of his kingdom and went to Joseph for counsel. In this scenario, there was shared leadership. Furthermore, the New Testament hosted several examples of shared leadership. One primary example is found in the formation of the early church. Before the ascension of Jesus Christ, he promised authority that would be granted through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, New Living Translation, 1996). The Holy Spirit provided the Apostles and the church the ability to have shared leadership in the proclamation of the message of Christ (Acts 2:1-4, New Living Translation, 1996). Christ enabled his followers to co-actively work with the Spirit of God to accomplish the task of propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.
Shared leadership is conveying an idea of leading together. Leaders who understand their followers ability to lead within their giftings are more effective than leaders who do not. To become more successful it takes an understanding of others ability to lead. Taking on a submissive role can be difficult to learn, but to increase effectiveness take a step back and allow others to lead.
To have shared leadership you must:
1. Discover what you are good at and what you are not good at
2. Learn to trust others
3. Allow those you work with to take charge in areas they are compentent in
4. Do not allow yourself to feel threatened when others lead
5. Tell others when they are doing a good job
References
Hoch, J.,E. (2014). Shared leadership, diversity, and information sharing in teams. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 29(5), 541-564.
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
Northouse, Peter G. (2015-02-11). Leadership: Theory and Practice (Page 137). SAGE Publications. Kindle Edition.
Rosengren, K., Bondas, T., Nordholm, L., & Nordström, G. (2010). Nurses’ views of shared leadership in ICU: A case study. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 26(4), 226-33.
Options to Deal with Problems
Leadership requires action, most days I find it is difficult to take lunch. I normally work through lunch without giving it a second thought. Recently, I have been making my best attempt to remember to eat lunch. Today was no different.
I do not particularly like to eat fast food. I try to avoid fast food restaurants when possible. Not only is fast food unhealthy, but it really doesn’t take much more to go out to eat at a restaurant that provides a higher quality of food. When possible, I make meals for the week and take them with me, so I have a healthy option close to me for lunch.
Today, I decided to go a Mexican restaurant. My order was perfect; healthy, inexpensive and high quality. I asked the waitress to make sure a certain ingredient was not in my food. She assured me there would not be any of this ingredient in my meal. While I was enjoying my meal, I found this ingredient toward the bottom of my plate. I am allergic to the ingredient that was toward the bottom of the plate.
Options to Deal with Problems
I have two options, remain clam or get upset at the waitress for not doing her job properly. I chose to remain calm! I always remain calm in these situations, because it is easy for others to make mistakes. I make mistakes.
Keeping Character
Getting upset does not change a situation. Leaders deal with good situations and bad situations. Anyone can lead when things are going smoothly, but true character is shown when things go badly. Remaining calm and collected is what successful leaders do. Focusing on the big picture helps to mitigate the smaller issues. Leaders who focus on the big picture realize they are not able to control everything along the way. Instead, they can direct and redirect followers toward a desired outcome.
Taking Responsibility
Ultimately, I may not feel good for the moment after eating something I am allergic to. But in the larger scheme of things, I feel good about my reaction. The restaurant remade my meal, did not charge me for my meal, nor the soda. I assured the restaurant there was no need for this, but they insisted and offered dessert, I did not allow them to provide dessert. I greatly appreciate the leadership of the restaurant. They took ownership of the issue and dealt with it. This restaurant has earned 5-stars in my mind.
Here’s a quick summary:
(1) Great leaders keep their character in place when situations go wrong and (2) take responsibility for their mistakes.
What’s Love Got to Do With It
Today is Valentine’s Day! Many people haved searched for the best items for their loved one and some are even still searching. It is important to show those we care about just how much we love and appreciate them. And we at Leadership Bulletin want to take a moment and remind leaders of the importance to “love” / “care” for those you work with.
Your staff works night and day to make your dreams possible. It is easy to overlook their efforts. We must remember to pay our staff the credit they are due. When we forget to tell others how valueable they are to us, we miss important opporunties to speak value into their lives. Not only does this speak value, but also creates inspiration.
Inspiration drives us all. We all need encouragement from time to time. Think about how many times you worked harder, because someone showed appreciation for your work. While inspiration is important, be genuine in thanking your staff for the sake of just saying thank you.
Today of all days, remember to say thank you and let them know just how much you charish them. Gifts are important, but never forget how much saying thank you can mean. Organizations who see their followers as important, do better. People who are loved work better. And leaders who love, live better.
Preparing for PhD
I just want to take a moment to apologize to all of our followers for not writing during the past few months. I was really ill during the month of November and during December I am making preparations to attend a program to gain my PhD in Strategic Leadership. I have an upcoming residency to begin my PhD and after that I will regroup and begin writing articles once more.
Again, I apologize.
Justin Hardcastle
Lorem Ipsum Dellas Hyjaun
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proclivi currit oratio. Polemoni et iam ante Aristoteli ea prima visa sunt, quae paulo ante dixi. Nihil enim iam habes, quod ad corpus referas; Te enim iudicem aequum puto, modo quae dicat ille bene noris. Varietates autem iniurasque fortunae facile veteres philosophorum praeceptis instituta vita superabat. Earum etiam rerum, quas terra gignit, educatio quaedam et perfectio est non dissimilis animantium. Duo Reges: constructio interrete. Quae diligentissime contra Aristonem dicuntur a Chryippo. Te enim iudicem aequum puto, modo quae dicat ille bene noris.
Latine voluptatem vocant
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet ut et voluptates repudiandae sint et molestiae non recusandae. Itaque earum rerum hic tenetur a sapiente delectus, ut aut reiciendis voluptatibus maiores alias consequatur aut perferendis doloribus asperiores repellat.”
“On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue; and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will, which is the same as saying through shrinking from toil and pain. These cases are perfectly simple and easy to distinguish. In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains.”
Latine voluptatem vocant
Si longus, levis; Indicant pueri, in quibus ut in speculis natura cernitur. Nemo igitur esse beatus potest. Haec para/doca illi, nos admirabilia dicamus. Utinam quidem dicerent alium alio beatiorem! Iam ruinas videres.
Ne amores quidem sanctos a sapiente alienos esse arbitrantur. Sin autem eos non probabat, quid attinuit cum iis, quibuscum re concinebat, verbis discrepare? Hoc enim identidem dicitis, non intellegere nos quam dicatis voluptatem. Itaque hic ipse iam pridem est reiectus; Tu vero, inquam, ducas licet, si sequetur; At certe gravius. Illum mallem levares, quo optimum atque humanissimum virum, Cn. Etenim semper illud extra est, quod arte comprehenditur.
Negat esse eam, inquit, propter se expetendam. Sed virtutem ipsam inchoavit, nihil amplius. Similiter sensus, cum accessit ad naturam, tuetur illam quidem, sed etiam se tuetur; Non enim iam stirpis bonum quaeret, sed animalis. Efficiens dici potest. Ergo, si semel tristior effectus est, hilara vita amissa est?
Poterat autem inpune; Etsi qui potest intellegi aut cogitari esse aliquod animal, quod se oderit? Quamquam id quidem licebit iis existimare, qui legerint. Tu enim ista lenius, hic Stoicorum more nos vexat. Quod eo liquidius faciet, si perspexerit rerum inter eas verborumne sit controversia. Apud ceteros autem philosophos, qui quaesivit aliquid, tacet; Omnes enim iucundum motum, quo sensus hilaretur. Quamquam id quidem licebit iis existimare, qui legerint. Sed quia studebat laudi et dignitati, multum in virtute processerat. Primum quid tu dicis breve?
Poterat autem inpune Etsi qui potest
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?
Polemoni et iam ante Aristoteli ea prima visa sunt, quae paulo ante dixi. Nihil enim iam habes, quod ad corpus referas; Te enim iudicem aequum puto, modo quae dicat ille bene noris. Varietates autem iniurasque fortunae facile veteres philosophorum praeceptis instituta vita superabat. Earum etiam rerum, quas terra gignit, educatio quaedam et perfectio est non dissimilis animantium. Duo Reges: constructio interrete.
Quae diligentissime contra Aristonem dicuntur a Chryippo. Te enim iudicem aequum puto, modo quae dicat ille bene noris. Graece donan, Latine voluptatem vocant. Hoc enim constituto in philosophia constituta sunt omnia. Si enim ad populum me vocas, eum. Si longus, levis; Indicant pueri, in quibus ut in speculis natura cernitur. Nemo igitur esse beatus potest. Haec para/doca illi, nos admirabilia dicamus. Utinam quidem dicerent alium alio beatiorem! Iam ruinas videres.
Merry Christmas Leaders
As we embark on yet another year, we first stop by the notable seasonal holiday of Christmas. Christmas is nothing less than the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Christians celebrate this blessed event as a Holy Day. Christmas has always been more than gift giving, but this holiday does not escape gift giving either. When Jesus Christ was born he was presented with gifts. Likewise, we also give gifts. Sometimes we really need to remember we are special and that someone does care for us. Gifts remind us that we are special and worthy to receive. On the other hand, let us not forget the best gift we could possibly receive is the birth of our Savior who came as a babe. The importance of Christmas is to remind each of us, that we too are special enough to have God bless us with His Only Son, Jesus Christ to carry the sins of the world and bring repentance to mankind.
While I would like to say Merry Christmas to you, I have noticed it has become less popular to do so. Instead, we are convinced to say Happy Holidays. The strange thing is that Holiday used to mean Holy Day (Old Oxford Dictionary), but now it is defined as a day people get off of work, according to m-w.com. In any event, I would like to encourage leaders to say, “Merry Christmas” and purposefully include Christ as the central point of this holiday once more.
Merry Christmas & thank you for reading my blog!
There is much more to come in the following year.
I’ve Got A Feeling
You might begin by reading the title, “I’ve Got A Feeling” and think to yourself — what a fantastic song title, but my feeling has nothing to do with a song. My feeling has more to do with my future. Again, you may start reading this and think to yourself, “I do not care about your feelings concerning your own future,” but the truth is my future may have a direct impact on you!
In 2014, I graduated with my Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and immediately was hired as a Professor at a private college. This was a great accomplishment for me and made my late grandfather very proud days before his passing. When I began my journey back to school, I did not realize how far I would go. I did not have an overarching desire to attend a Masters program. To be clear, I did not know if I was going to make it through my Bachelors program. I had great doubt. As my educational journey began, I found myself working harder than I ever had before. I also started to realize the possibilities, which stood before me.
Sometimes we do not realize those things within reach, because we do not believe we can accomplish great things. Having doubt is a determiner of the success of any leader. When we doubt our capabilities, we are limiting our potential to lead successfully. I have found the importance of removing doubt and leading with strength. This does not mean I have become the perfect leadership model. I am far from a perfect leader.
Other-times we may not see the options, which are right in front of us. I did not realize I could add value to my skill set by attending college. One of the most crucial values I learned is, fear cannot lead me. I have learned to take time and review the options, which are before me. I look for options that may not be seen easily. Again, I am not the perfect leader, but as I grow I am able to hone in skills. These skills help me to grow into a stronger leader.
Toward the end of my Master’s degree I started feeling a desire to enter a Doctoral program of Strategic Leadership with Concentration on Global Consulting. I decided to set a goal of 3-1/2 years of break before I started into the program. I was tired and burned out of writing papers. Recently, I decided to move forward and cut that time down. I will, upon acceptance begin my Doctoral program.
Saying you will walk down a path and setting a timeline to go down that path is a very different thing. For me, it is important to meet my goals. There have been people along the way who have told me I have gone far enough in my education. But achieving this goal is very important to me in order to gain the expertise and to provide me with further credibility.
During my program, I will be traveling the world, performing consulting tasks for various businesses. I will work toward achieving the degree path I have chosen to walk down. I will achieve what I set out to do. Many who start a Doctoral program do not succeed, but I must set my mind to complete the program and make my goals possible, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time.
The take away:
Have confidence in your leadership ability and strive toward see all the options which are in front of you, including the options that are difficult to see. Take time and commit to your path. Commit to growing and achieving your full potential. Do not allow others to distract you from those things, which are important to you and non-negotiable. Take it from me, you are more important than others opinion and your leadership will grow when you take the paths you feel are best, while considering the wise counsel of those around you.
What Will Be Your Legacy?
Have you ever thought about the end? I have always thought about the end of my life, since I was young. I have always wondered, “what will be my mark on this world?” This type of thinking drives me to be more intentional with everything I do. I am not perfect and there are times I forget this important question, just as I am sure many of you who are reading this also have. Sometimes we miss the mark and do things incorrectly, but the goal is to keep going.
I liken a legacy to working out to achieve weight loss. Every year during New Years celebrations, people from all walks of life commit to achieve a better physique. On January 1st, they quickly to the gym to sign up for a year-long membership and guarantee themselves they will “stick with it” for at least a year. These new-found gym goers understand it is going to take hard work and dedication. For about two weeks to three months most people “stick with it” and are consistent and gyms are full. But shortly after the initial excitement wears off, they begin missing a day or two and then eventually three or four and finally they have stopped going all together. When the next year comes around they often find themselves in an even more unhealthy state, because they did not stick with it.
So here is my point: Those who give up do not achieve their desired goals, but those who “stick with it” achieve what they set out to achieve. Gym goers who are consistent reach their full-potential, eventually. A legacy is similar and those who are consistent will eventually reach their full-potential. If you want to make a mark on this world, it takes consistency. Staying on track is the most difficult part of leadership. Keeping a direction going toward your mission is why we set up crucial markers along the way. It is much easier to reach our mission when we break it down in to simple goals and tasks.
If you get off track pick yourself up and restart immediately. Do not hesitate and make excuses! You must keep moving toward the goal. Remember, your mission is to…, so if that is truly your mission, you must keep working toward it. After all, you believe in your mission. No one else can complete complete your mission the way you can. No one else can have an impact on an organization like you can. No one else can make their mark on this world like you can. Your mission is unique and important, so strive to stay on track, but if you do make a mistake or get off track, you must get back up and continue on to see your legacy fulfilled.
The Dangers of Isolation
The most prominent and damaging issue a leader can face in modern time is isolation. Isolation can be created for various reasons. Two of the major reasons are: (1) the development of personal preference during child-development and (2) dismissing follower feedback.
The Formation of Isolation
According to Briggs & Meyers (1995) extraversion or introversion is developed at an early age and is “probably the most deeply rooted preference” (L. 2973-2974). While the development of a preferred personality is presented early within the stages of development it can affect the life of a leader. The second potential formation of isolation can present itself when a leader loses touch with their followers through avoidance. Isolation is often caused by a leaders inability to receive constructive criticism and make changes. Psalm 81:12 concerns the Israelites failing to listen to and their inability to submit to God’s direction (NLT, 1996). It is important to listen to those who are providing counsel and provide positive feedback for the counsel received. When humankind is left to their own devices failure is almost certain. Leadership must not be merely approached communication as a top-down dissemination of information, but must chose to allow communication to work both ways.
The Effect of Isolation
This separation, called isolation, creates the loss of a leaders source of feedback and awareness. This cavity can distort what a leader sees verses what is actually taking place within an organization. In other words, a leader can see their organization in a different way, which causes a leader to run the organization from a tower looking down upon the distorted reality. It is crucial for leadership to receive support and feedback. Kouzes (2010) asserts “leaders need feedback to help keep them on track” (p. 95). Separation in leadership creates the loss of follower influence over a leader, which is crucial to sustain accountability and the development of new ideas. Ultimately a definite feedback void is created. Conchie & Rath (2008) address the importance of a leader’s opinion verses the truth, which can be found in their followers when they wrote, “if you wanted to know why the president of the United States was making a difference in the lives of the American public, would you look to him for the best answers – or would you ask his constituents” (L 479-481)?
Being Free’d from Isolation
Isolation is a subject that is pressing within leadership today. It is important to realize that feedback is a key to advancing organizational objectives and increasing productivity. Kouzes adds, “people’s motivation to increase their productivity on a task increases only when they have a challenging goal and receive feedback on their progress” (2010, p. 288). A leaders potential productivity is increased where feedback is provided. Leaders who are experiencing isolation should strive to achieve feedback from their followers and chose to utilize tasks, which seem daunting to breakout of their isolation. In some instances it takes challenging goals to bring clarity concerning a leaders isolation.
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2010). The leadership challenge. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Myers, I. B., & Myers, P. B. (1995). Gifts differing: Understanding personality type. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing.
Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. New York: Gallup Press.
The Power of Reset
By now we all know it is important to reset our computers, our phone and other electronic devices from time to time. Taking the time to reset these devices gives them an opportunity to clear memory and close down unimportant information. Technology can be difficult to navigate, but I find it is better when I take the time to reset these devices. If your device is ever running slow, take a moment to power it off and lose the frustration that goes along with it. Doing this will receive much of your technology stress.
We are like those devices we work with and must also take time out to reset. We call this rest. You think to yourself, “yes, we all know that!” Recently I went on a vacation with a couple of friends who I had been trying to get on vacation for awhile. We had a great time. I noticed as we began the trip how relaxed they began to be. This was their first vacation in several years. I often told them during the vacation that it is important to relax. This is a true statement!
My famous phrase is “Don’t live life to work, but work to live life!” We can become so inundated with living the day-to-day rat-race that we forget the power of a reset. We forget the memory and stress clearing power that goes along with it. We take life for-granted, when we should live every day like it were our last. Planning vacation and time to just get away is essential to providing joy and productivity in life. Productivity goes up for those who take time to rest and relax.
When we allow life to bog us down we become dull and slow in areas. We become drained by the things that make us excited. I have learned this during the past 13+ years of leadership and I have learned the power of reset and relaxation during the past 5+ years. This may just be a simple reminder for you, but you must take advantage of today, because tomorrow may never come. It is crucial to take time for family and friends. It is important to take a week or two of vacation every year and not allow life to control you. It does not matter if you have money or not either, you can take staycations and spend time at home or go to the movies. Life does not wait on you, so please do not learn to wait on life.
Allow yourself to move forward and refresh your passions. Here are a few suggestions:
- Take a cruise
- Stay at home and relax
- Take your children to the park and spend parent-time with them
- Take time off for a book or movie series you’ve been waiting read or watch
- Drive to the beach or to a lake
- Go to a museum in your home town
- Visit your local junior high and high school sporting events
Presidential Debate #1
Watching the presidential debate, so far the fireworks are not what might have been expected by many people. People were expecting a more calmer debate, but they fired back at one another often. Howver, the candidates are presenting themselves in a more respectful manner than what has been previously displayed in this authors opinion. While the debate is still moving forward we can hope the American leaders will stand up and lead for the American people.
People are scared about the future of our country. According to the RealClear Poitics summary of poles 65.3% of Americans believe America is on the wrong track, while just 28.3% believe the United States is on the right track. It is obvious by the response of Americans and news reports that the American people are tired of those who stand up for their own interest and the interest of those they make promises to.
It is most encouraging to see so many Americans taking part in following the election process. For far too long there has been a lack of interest in politics. While some are quick to disregard Donald Trump for his quick remarks, it is in part, because of his theatrics that the run for president’s office has seen such a growth of American interest.
No matter your position concerning the Hillary vs. Trump run for the White House we all can agree it is important for the American people to stand up and take an engaged interest in the electoral processes.
Forgetting Mistakes
Mistakes happen everyday, because we are human. Sometimes those mistakes can make us feel “not worthy.” We cannot let our leadership be determined by our failures, but by our successes.
Successes are crucial. They are built on our failures. When we fail we learn something new. We often adjust our approaches and come up with new methods of problem solving.
When we we allow our mistakes to take over, we are missing our opportunity to grow. It is better to take a moment and realize failure happened and why it occurred. Once it has sunk in we can get up and dust ourselves off as make room for success.
Success does not happen by accident, it happens because determined people have made up their mind to move on from failures.
Allow mistakes to drive you toward success!
Moral Relativism and Your Organization
Moral relativism is a constant struggle within society today and within our organizations. No matter where you may stand on the issue of moral relativism we can look at it’s impact.
Moral relativism is the understanding that one’s person truth may not be anothers truth. This comes from an understanding that each person has their own convictions or lack of convictions that drive that individual. For example: a person may not be have the same understanding of the things you believe may be right or wrong. In their mind those things are not be wrong. Likewise, someone else may believe something is wrong and you may not. Moral relativsm helps us to understand each person is entitled to their own ruling compass. This is opposed to the cultural norms of the past.
Understanding moral relativism is helpful in understanding organizational climate today. If we are not aware moral relativism is an important topic today, we can be left out on understanding the behavioral impact it exudes within the workforce today.
Some people feel they are entitled to their own rules, which can impact your place of business. Not having specific guidelines in place to determine the path of employees behavior will create a climate to allow their own compass rule their behavior. It is crucial to create Core Values, which drive the organization so everyone knows what to compass to live by. This helps everyone to be guided by the organizations principles. Behaviors which lie outside of the Core Values can then be properly addressed. By not having Core Values the Organizations morals can be determned by the individuals and certain havoc can exist.
The Salt & Light Leadership Principle
Sundays are excellent days to reflect on one’s own leadership utilizing the Salt & Light Principle. Being salt teaches us not only to be a seasoning to the world, but also to be a preservative. It is through faithful dedication to improving others that our leadership begins to expand and become truly successful. Leadership is not involved in self-interest, but in the interest of others. Without taking time to notice those who follow your leadership is lacking. You do not have to sacrifice moral principle, but must raise others around you to possitively influence and encourage them.
Being the light teaches us to be an example, which does not give up or back down on our moral teachings. Instead it teaches us to stand for what is right. Light is the only thing that pierces through the darkness. Without light only darkness would exist. You do not have to become perfect to be light, but you must aim for a higher standard.
These principles can be simplistic in nature, but can also be philosophically deep. These principles are found in the Holy Bible. They are generally used to teach Christians how to live and how to influence others. The salt and light principles are also excellent leadership principles that are can help us to all become better leaders.
If you want to find out more about these principles, you can read them directly by searching the web or the Bible for the Salt & Light Principle found in Matthew 5:13-16.
How to Build A Multi-Generational Church
Today, as I was researching “how to become a multi-generational church” I found this article, which greatly intrigued me. If you go to church anywhere or you are a leader, read this article. I know it will be valuable to you, as it is to me. This article is called, “The Gap.”
Comment, and let me know what you think! I look forward to reading your responses. A question I do have for you is, “do you agree that worship should offend all equally?” Let me know what you think, and I will respond with my own personal answer to this question.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2009/summer/thegap.html
Catching Up with An Old Friend
Recently, a friend of mine and I were trying to catch up and spend a few brief moments to talk about life and even this blog. It took time on each end to make this meeting happen, but eventually it all came together. After talking to him for a few brief moments, I began to realize how important keeping relationships alive are for all of us. In fact, it inspired this post!
Effort is important to keep connections alive. Normally, we do not lose a connection on purpose. I’m sure you are probably beginning to think about someone you would like to forget, but this is not about them. This content is about those connections you do not want to lose. To keep these people in your life, you must work to keep them there! You cannot allow yourself to sit back and say, “my schedule is too busy.” It is important to make time in your schedule for these people.
These friends are not placed into your life, because you need something from the or they need something from you. They are people you can talk to and be yourself with. You do not have to impress them. You simply relate. Value is received from these connections, however, through providing honesty and clarity. They can help us to relieve stress by talking things out with them. They can help obtain a better handle on your goals through exploring new concepts by-way-of casual conversation.
Work-life balance is key in leadership to maintain a well-balanced leader. Without work-life balance we can become so isolated that we live to work, rather than work to live. Life is complicated, but keeping those important connections in your life is essential to keeping a grasp on reality.
You plan for everything in your life as a busy professional, why not plan to keep good friends in your life?
Pushing Past Your Limits
Three days ago I headed to the gym for my monthly measurements and check-in with my personal trainer. The only time I get to see him is once a month. I have not been able to check-in for awhile, since things have been so busy lately.
I have not felt I have made much progress while attending the gym, since January. My mind was set that I have not even lost any weight. And…I would like to take a moment to thank my scale for confirming my mindset. But…this was not true! I had lost over an inch from my waist, thighs, chest, and gained over an inch on my shoulders and a half inch on each arm. Progress, it happened!!!
Progress takes a lot of work. Pushing past our limits is difficult. In our leadership we tend to have the same mindset. We often see our failing and cannot see the results. It can take someone coming in from the outside to encourage us by showing us what we cannot see.
Coaching provides a great way to enable us to work toward our goals, just as a personal trainer does. The personal trainer helps me to set those markers I must achieve. Coaches do the same thing. We help to set goals for our clients and help our clients to achieve those goals. You may not see it happeneing, but believe me…so long as you put in the work toward you goals, you are making progress.
Where ever you are on your goals, keep pushing and if you need support try coaching. Coaching will do wonders for your leadership!
Become Wealthy
Everyone in life desires to be wealthy. We seek better jobs, larger homes and anything else to help us achieve status. We can strive to increase our leadership ability to see success and wealth obtained. There is nothing wrong with desiring to be wealthy. The pursuit of money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is. So long as our motives are good and we remain firmly planted in reality wealth is not a bad thing. It is when we allow ourselves to become disconnected with reality and others that it becomes a terrible thing.
Leaders who remain well grounded are those who are surrounded by others who love them. One man’s opinion is this: the more you are loved, the more wealth you have achieved. When you are loved by others and you love them, you will remain grounded in reality. Success cannot go to your head when you have people who will pop the buble of success. I have asked people who are close to me: “If I ever start to develop a swollen head, please deflate me.” This is because I do not want to think I am better than I am. Those who love us will always tell us the truth, because the are truly concerned about our wellbeing. It is only when we surround ourselves by admirers that we can forget who we are and find pride.
True wealth in is having those who love you and loving others..
Chasing the Dream
Chances are if you are a living breathing soul, then you have a dream that is much bigger than yourself. Most likely during the opening sentence you flashed back to your childhood when you thought you would be a firefighter, policeman, top executive, singer, dancer or even a superhero.
Some people are able to achieve their dream, while others hide these dreams down deep. If you are one of those that achieved your dream job, then I wish you the best and say terrific job! But if you are like most of us, you have yet to achieve this goal.
Mid-life crises are born out of thinking back to failed dreams and ambitions. You can be happy as can be, but then all the sudden it hits you like a ton of bricks. I will be the first to tell you I did not dream of being a pastor, but I was called into this type of leadership. I love it and am fulfilled in it and cannot see my life as being meaningful without it.
There is not one week I do not love what I am doing completely, but in the back of my mind everyday I know I still must work toward my dream to share my music with the world. Some may think this is futile, while others have said its a childhood dream that I should give up. I have never bought into this and have pressed on.
We can have new dreams. Being a pastor is the best dream I have ever had. I always say this, “I cannot give up preaching and I cannot give up music. No matter what, I know I am supposed to do both.” Even though, like me, you may have found a new dream, I am here to encourage you to chase after your childhood dream and make progress toward seeing it a reality. You do not have to sacrifice your dreams.
The Awakening of Leadership
Okay, it happened again! The truth of leadership principles smacked me right in the skull…WHACK! I was challenged, once again, to begin understanding my role as a leader. While I have been in leadership for over 12-years now, I have new opportunities to learn more about leadership every day.
ALL BY YOURSELF
Sometimes it can seem so easy to sit back and do things yourself, because you do not want to burden those who are volunteering, but as my team reminded me tonight, it is better to take charge and utilize their abilities, rather than waste their time. They did not say those exact words, but what they did communicate was their desire for more structure. From this I gain: teams like to be challenged and have a structure in place, which drives them.
LEADERSHIP’S FEAR
Fear can creep into leadership: (1) The fear of over-pressuring those who serve, and (2) the fear of damaging friendships. I find it easy not wanting to over-burden those who follow. Imagine you have a team of people who are diligent workers. They commit in everything they do, so you decide you do not want to overdo it, and ask too much. In all, you do not want to appear demanding, because you do not want to lose those team members. Does this type of mentality even make sense? No, of course not! Leaders must utilize the full potential of their team to fulfill the mission of the organization. Once again, my leadership fear was a desire to not over-burden those who take their time to serve, nor to appear demanding. The term authority was brought up by team members. It became overtly present in the conversation that, (1) while I know the direction I am desiring to take our organization, I have forgotten to communicate it directly in the way I lead, and (2) I must regain authority, which has been diminished by my desire to care for those with whom I serve.
LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAY
Having concern for your team is important. There must be a balance of having sympathy and knowing team members are welcoming the demands of their position. Leadership must be able to communicate their needs to team members in order to build the organization. Do not allow concern to diminish your leadership input. Your team may be more concerned about authority vs. your appearing too demanding.
Sitting Patiently
Have you ever had to sit and wait for others to complete their business. I have and I can tell you that sitting patiently gives me time to think. I am currently in a medical office watching people go by. I am able to accidentally overhear some very sad stories.
People seemingly come and go throughout the medical office like cattle through a field. Each has their own purpose for being here and each are taking their time handling their own business, wether it is a personal medical issue or dealing with the bills for a person who has passed. Either way, I notice no one has had a smile on their face in this medical office.
While I sit here, watching and waiting I am thankful that I have not had such problems. This is what I am thinking about. I am also praying for those who have seemingly had such a hard time. Sitting and being present helps us to evaluate our own position in life and for me it causes thankfulness.
Good leaders know how to be present in the moment and to take time to reflect on their own life. Sometimes this reflection cause us to evaluate the why we do things or even the how we do things, but there are those humbling moments when we realize we should be more thankful for who we are.
When Famine Comes
“A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in
Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived” (Genesis 26:1, NLT, 1996).
FAMINE DOES COME
Genesis 26:1 describes a time when famine came, but interestingly enough this verse provides insight into the past. The key is found in “as had happened before” (NLT, 1996). Life has many cycles both ups and downs. Organizations follow the same cyclic patterns. An organization can live in plenty for many years, and faster than anyone could possibly imagine, a time of famine can strike. Seasons of famine and plenty can come quicker than you think, so no matter which you are currently facing know your situation could change.
BE PREPARED FOR FAMINE
As organizational leaders we must prepare for times of famine and do the best to keep our organizations flourishing. One way to be prepared for uncertain times is to set excess cash aside. Have you ever heard of a “rainy day fund?” Everyone knows rainy days do come, so it is important to prepare for them. Often we can see so many sunny days set before us, that we tend to lose sight that the rain will eventually come. Let me be the reminder right now, rainy days will come, but if you are still wearing your sunscreen and flip-flops, your skin will become slick and you will have wet feet! You will not be any good to anyone or anything. At that moment you will be focused on your circumstance, because you have not prepared.
PLANNING DOES NOT EQUAL SUCCESS
As much as you would like to say you are the perfect leader who stores up for the future, you cannot really plan for the unknown. You may be able to plan for some of the uncertainties that come your way, but there is no way to plan 100% for the unseen future. In life there are no large billboards that say, “HEY, watch out the stock market is going to crash this week.” Let me be perfectly clear, it is important to continue planning for the future, but you cannot know everything that is coming and when it is coming. It is necessary to be prepared for uncontrollable circumstances, but when your back hits the wall and you have done your best to plan, sometimes you must muddle through the grime and pull your feet from the dirt.
FAMINE CAUSES MOVEMENT
Just like Isaac did, famine will cause you to move! In an organization famine can cause us to become so uncomfortable that we begin to re-think what we are doing and why we are doing it. It causes us to delve into our processes and procedures to uncover often un-noticed areas of potential growth. Finding these areas can create new sources of success. These are typically the times organizations look under the rugs and find the mounds of dirt, which have been piled up year-after-year as they have continually been ignored. These could even be sources of the underlying problem, which has caused the organizational famine. In any event, do not wait for famine to come, be prepared and use internal and external evaluations to find potential famine causes.
Best Day Ever!
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Playing Darts with Friends
I stepped up toward the line, extended my hand and threw the dart forward. Wow, what an evening I had as I played darts with the guys. This was the first time I have ever played darts with my friends before, and while I lost, there’s something to say about spending time with your friends. Those evenings after a long tiresome day or a those weekends to get away and do some things that are completely relaxing.
We were able to get away and do three fun things, but it really was not the things we did, so much as the time spent. We call evenings like these “guy time.” Guy time is where we get away just to be with the guys and do nothing more than be ourselves. Sure we can be ourselves around others, but it just feels good to be around the guys and speak freely about whatever is on our minds. There is no judgement and nothing is off limits.
The older I get the more I notice these times are essential to developing a healthy work-life balance. Having times to relax with family, friends, or even yourself is key to becoming the best person you can be. We need time to let go and be ourselves. Organizational theory takes into mind these concepts of work-life balance. Study after study has been conducted stating the value of work-life balance to attribute to being fully satisfied in the workplace. Continually working or being engaged in tasks weighs on everyone. Stress must be released, so developing time to get away is crucial. I challenge each of you during this next week to set aside some uninterrupted blocks of time to relax with some close friends and achieve a better work-life balance.
I Made A Big Mistake
I have been watching the news lately, as I set up my two new blogs (Leadership Bulletin & Youth Pastor’s Unite). I have noticed the two U.S. presidential candidates have many mis-steps. Overall their popularity is so low and staggering it confounds me.
While I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of this race and I do have my own opinion toward each of the candidates, I wanted to take a moment and write this article about mis-steps.
We all make mistakes and have great mis-steps. Our presidential candidates have mis-steps almost daily and we do not seem to see anything more than denial and the complete ignoring of these mis-steps; they pretend like they never happened.
When leaders have a mishap / mis-step it is important to realize what has taken place and take responsibility for these mistakes. The words, “I’m sorry” may be uncommon anymore, but taking responsibility for our own mistakes shows maturity.
If you have any type of failing in your leadership, simply follow my format that I stated above:
(1) Realize you made a mistake
(2) Take responsibility for the mistake
Your followers will appreciate it and see the value of maturity in your leadership.
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I Need Rest
Have you ever wondered why driving makes a person so mad? Road rage is an issue among many drivers today. Safemotorist.com highlights the following statistics:
66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving. Over a seven year period, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were attributed to road rage.
I would like to assert that road rage is caused by an individual not being able to control or assert dominance over the road. Let’s face it we all like to be in charge, but there are times we should hold back and realize nothing bad is going to happen when we are not in charge.
There are times I do not want to be the person in charge. In those instances I want someone else to make the decision(s). Others may be so used to your leadership they tend to lean on you even when you are spending time together in a fun-setting. This can happen when you and a friend are going to dinner, but they always want you to decide where to go. We can easily begin a vicious circle of debate over who decides, but normally I lose and must decide.
So why do I do this? Leadership is great and can be the most exciting purpose in the world, but sometimes I feel it is best to step back and rest from leading. The only problem is others are thrown off their guard when this happens they do not know how to respond. I have realized this throughout the years and just go a long with making the decisions, but when I truly get tired of leading I find a nice quiet spot and go a way all by myself, or I take a few close people who I know I won’t have to lead. If you get weary of leading, remember to take time out and rest. Get away from everyone and everything and just be at peace.
Dealing with Pressures from Your Boss
Are you feeling the overwhelming pressure from your boss? There are many reasons why one may feel pressure from other leaders. Here is a break down of three (3) I have found below:
1. Your boss makes you feel like you are not doing enough.
If your boss makes you feel like you are not doing a good enough job, then you need to sit down with them and have an open and honest conversation to figure out why this is happening. You may find there are areas you can grow in. Your boss may be trying to lead you to grow. If so, set goals and markers to achieve growth. Another option here is that you really do not fully understand your job requirements, which makes for a good reason to go over your job description with your boss. The last option here is that your boss is just putting you down, in which you need to evaluate how you can best approach this with your boss in a conversation.
2. You are attempting to read the leaders mind and are placing expectations on yourself.
You may be a worry wort and place ideas in others heads. As a leader you must learn to get over this. Have an open an honest conversation to find out if there is a genuine concern from those over you and get the truth. If you are “trying to read someone’s mind,” STOP IT! This will only create stress in your life. Do not imagine what others do not communicate to you. Have confidence in your own abilities and ask your boss to let you know if there is ever anything you should work on. Until your boss approaches you, consider all is well.
3. You are feeling guilty, because you are not doing what you should be doing.
If you are not doing what you should be doing, you should be feeling guilty. Vince Lombardi said,
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
In order to be successful you must put in the hard work it takes to achieve your goals. One cannot simply sit through life expecting things to be handed to them. You can work hard and accomplish your goals. Do not allow the guilt to disway you, but pick yourself up, dust off and put your hands to work and you will sense the great pleasure of accomplishment that comes with it, rather than the guilt.
The Best Is Yet To Come
Isn’t it interesting how life keeps happening despite our own desire to slow the pace? Life is constant and fluid, continually pushing forward to the next moment. Often we desire to grab a hold of moments, which have already past; those precious moments that fade all too quickly. But the future leads on.
Forward thinking leaders look to what is next and rarely look to past victories. It is because the future is exciting and transcends what we currently know. I can honestly say, I look forward to the unknown. There are so many limitless possibilities out there, which could be discovered. Today’s problems brings tomorrow’s solutions. It can be difficult and scary to look into the void of the unknown future and many attempt to avoid it, but there is so much good to be had in looking forward.
We can place our eyes on our surroundings and so quickly see a black hole, which almost seems to suck us in, but we must be reminded to look forward with a joy and hope of what the future can bring. There is a well-known phrase coined by Robert Browning and when you wake up each morning tell yourself that “the best is yet to come!”
Surround Yourself with Successful People!
A couple months ago I was sick for nearly two weeks. I just did not feel good! I have set myself to become an example of healthy living, so I workout in the gym. I had not been able to go for a full week and five days. This had greatly dissapointed me. Even though I was so sick I still thought about going to the gym, but my body told me I needed the rest. So I did just that, I rested! Through all the rest, I became extremely tired of sitting and laying down.
After-the-fact I started to feel really good, so on the Friday following these two terrible weeks I began working out again. I started light and throughout the next week I increased my sets. This helped me to regain my strength while gaining my normal number of sets and reps. The Saturday following that week of working out, I began feeling so good that I decided to stay at home and complete my resting. Even though I took a day to slack off I set a time to rush back to the gym on Sunday afternoon. “It is Sunday and I’m ready to get back into my routine!” I had missed the gym. Yes, I said it, I had missed working out. I do these workouts for myself, but I also workout to be an example as a steward of healthy living.
Good leaders strive to be healthy in every area of their life whether physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and/or financially. It is important for leaders to lead! Ineffective leadership will provide excuses for not leading in certain areas of their life, but effective leaders will chose to lead in all areas of their life. This does not mean the you have to be an absolutely success in all areas to lead, but you must have the desire and continue to work toward being a faithful steward of all that you have been given.
Keep going in the tasks you have set out to achieve. You will reach your goals, if you only begin facing your challenges. Listen to the voices of those who have succeeded. I find it absolutely crucial for my own personal goal of physical fitness to watch television shows and Youtube videos on successful weight loss. These help to encourage me! If you are tired of not completing your goals, try using my method to reach success. Surround yourself with successful people!
Nice, France Terror
Nice, France was the scene of terror on July 14th, as a shotgun fired from a large cargo truck began an evening of dismay. The perpetrator proceeded to drive for over a mile through crowds, where people were situated to view fireworks as they celebrated Bastille Day. Bastille Day is similiar to the United States of America’s Fourth of July, which celebrates its independence.
At the point of this article, a total of 84 individuals lost their lives during this attack. Dozens of individuals were injured during this brutal escapade. Unfortunately, France has had its share of terror attacks on their soil during the past year. France was due to remove its State of Emergency following the November 13th, 2015 attack where 137 were killed and 368 were injured by Ak-47 assault riffles, hand grenades and other explosives, including suicide vests. This 2015 attack and another on June 13th, 2016 was brought about by the Islamic State of Iraque and the Levant. France will now be extending its State of Emergency by three months.
Societies must strive to move toward action and away from political correctness. There must be a continued strength to state truth and name our enemy. These militants do not fight in uniforms, but does utilize methods, which are centrally located within our hemisphere: the internet, etc. Global leaders must find a way to stop recruitment through the internet and disable their ability to connect with one another. Answers may not be had during this disturbing day, but leaders must hold a conversation, which drives nations to action.
This day of terror, is unfortunately becoming all too common. As individuals and as a globally aware society, we must focus our thoughts and prayers for all who are directly connected by this horrific event. Let us turn to pray for peace and for leadership to have the wisdom to work tirelessly to see an end to these perpetual acts of terror.
Maintaining a Healthy Social Life
Dieting and exercise are bad words in some people’s vocabulary. Leaders who see diet and exercise as foolish are only limiting their leadership potential. Being healthy brings us to the fountain of youth, which is the energy to accomplish more. When you first begin dieting and exercising you are more tired, hungry and let’s face it…grumpy! It takes time to adjust. Most people do not make it very long without giving up, but perseverance is a sign of dedicated leadership. Our diet and exercise regimen will reveal to us how we truly lead. If we are quick to give up, we probably give up in areas that become more difficult and surrender to let these types of problems go.
While working out and eating healthy is an important part of every person’s life. We must also direct our focus to become healthy in other areas. Our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial health is critical to success. If we were to add one area that would contribute to the most areas it would be our our social life.
Social life helps us to:
- Become more physical by getting out and moving more
- Utilize our brains through positive interactions and providing problem solving situations
- Connect with others to discuss matters of the heart, which provides an environment to release tension and stress that otherwise may build, ultimately bring about better better emotional health
- Discuss matters of spirituality, which can bring one closer to God.
- Spend our financial success toward areas that actually contribute to happiness!
The quality of your social life matters to your overall ability to produce. Without a positive social life you will be more agitated and experience more mood swings. This is because you are a wholistic being. Maybe you are reading this and think your social life is fine, but let me take a moment to challenge you to ask yourself:
Does your social life:
- Incorporate mostly social media?
- Focus on television or movies?
- Tend to be focused around your phone?
Recently I went to a restaurant in Yuba City expecting to have a great time with the people I was with. Interestingly enough my time was interrupted constantly by loud noises. You may know what I am talking about, it a family who was playing games on their cell phones. I am not against people using cell phones in restaurants or even playing games, but I do think a restaurant is a place where the volume should be turn down, so not to disturb others or even (and I pray) the volume is muted. This interrupts face-time for me. Please respond to this post with your opinion on this subject. My point is I would like peace at times and this experience did not lend itself to providing the rest and conversation I desired by going to the restaurant with my friends.
I bet you can begin to see my point. Keeping in contact with others is important and we can use those methods to keep up-to-date on the happenings in our friends and families members lives, but there is something to be said about face-time. When I say face-time, hopefully you do not think immediately of Apple’s video chat. I am talking about spending time with your friends or family members in person. This is the time to talk to them and enjoy their company. Yesterday I spent some time with an old friend and we sat outside and chatted for a couple hours. There was really no point to it, except that we enjoyed spending time with one another in person. It is amazing how face-time can relieve stress and just makes you feel good. I left my friend feeling relaxed and rested by just taking the time to sit outdoors and talk.
Maintaining a healthy social life can incorporate electronics, but face-time is essential. Face-time is just spending time with others chatting about the weather or non-sense. Face-time is playing games together. Face-time is relaxation. It is important to get away from the demands of your career and let go and face-time provides this.
Take a moment this week and enhance your social life and have face-time with someone close to you!
Creating An Innovating Environment
My favorite study in leadership is and most assuredly will always be servant-leadership. Leaders who serve are are the most effective leaders. If you want good followers let others know you truly care for them. You cannot fake being a servant-leader; you must simply become one. Some have a difficult time understand this principle, because all they want others to do is to serve to meet their own leadership goals. These are the leaders that always like to take charge of others without input.
I’ve heard it said,
The best way to learn something new is to listen to your critics.
When we are challenged, our first reaction is to shutdown, but servant-leaders listen to those around them. Listening is one of the most difficult tasks we can do. If we listen to others, we may find things about ourselves we never knew before. This helps us to learn more about our strengths and more importantly about our weaknesses.
I have worked for people who only want to work with “cogs in a machine.” I probably do not have to tell you, but those who serve in this position do feel like cogs in a machine. These people clock in, do their job and go home. They do not have anything real invested. In most cases it is not that they do not want to do a good job, but they really do not feel important enough to invest anything more. When followers feel they are supported and cared for they know their input and skills are valid. These are not cogs in a machine, but are fully committed to the success of the organization.
Having followers who are committed launches an organization into new hemispheres of greatness. Apple is one of these organizations where thought is valued. Allowing innovation brought Apple to great heights, which have made a huge impact in the world. Who has not heard of Apple! Even while you read this, you are not thinking of fruit, but of technology. Caring, supporting and allowing innovation creates this type of environment.
Create by building an environment of innovation.
Success
Success is something that seems so far away, but is often closer than you think. Think of the times you began working on a new project only to feel like you completed it without success. You probably felt like a failure. The difference between failure and success is drive. We tend to settle for mediocrity when we could easily push just a little harder to achieve the success we desire.
Being able to see success more consistently in your life, is in your ability to continue the task at hand. It is critical to push past the idea of being “normal.” Stop using phrases like, “it’s not perfect, we did our best” or “we’ll come back to it.” Chances are you have used these phrases, and you probably have settled and never came back to the project. Once we make up our mind to move on, even for a moment, we settle and pull out. Newton’s Second Law of Motion tells us, “a body in motion stays in motion.” Ceasing to move is the most critical determiner of failure.
Consider the fable about the tortoise and the hare. The hare started off making fun of the tortoise, because he was slow and was seemingly unable to beat the hare during a race. I’m brought back to the imagdry that was exibited during Disney’s 1934, “Tortoise and the Hare” cartoon. At first you see the Hare who is presented as the obvious winner. The tortoise is laughed at, as the begins to leave his house. The tortoise wishes the hare good luck and “let the best man win,” but the Hare so arrangantly thanks tortoise and says, “I will!” Everyone begins to laugh. It is the toroises great attitude that brings him through the race, while the arrogence of the hare brings about his loss. The hare begins the race quickly, as the tortoise begins slowly. The hare decides to take a break and rest, while the tortoise slowly moves forward. The hare wakes only to zip past the tortoise and stops for some female rabbits who sit upon a fence. He gloats about how good he is, while the tortoise goes past him. The hare takes time to play with the female rabbits. During his time of showing off for the girls, the hare hears a celebration taking place, as the tortoise approaches the line and the hare speeds off to complete the race, but it is too late, the tortoise has won.
Think of your ability to achieve the ultimate win. If you run as fast as you can, you will soon run out of drive. If you continue along the journey at a steady pace, you will reach your goal. It may take you longer than expected, but as long as you pursue it, you will accomplish the task-at-hand.
I challenge you to keep moving toward your goal(s). Do not slow, but consistently run toward your goal(s) and see the fruit of drive.
Support Our Troops an Independence Day Word
The foundation of a great country was formed through the separating of individuals from tyranny on July 4th, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This formation was declared by the Continental Congress. Through this action, congress removed the 13 colonies from the British rule and a new nation was born.
Since 1776, the United States of America has formed into a great empire of it’s own as a world leader. This great nation sends has set a standard in its dealings around the world and has in many nations made a great name for itself. The United States of America is a beacon of hope to individuals all around the world. It can be said that many of the great inventions of our time have been developed in the United States. This nation has always had a radical people who are willing to work. This willingness to work has helped to make this nation what it is today.
In order to keep this nation as a great beacon, we often have to get involved in areas we do not want to be involved, these are conflicts. While it would be great not to have to get involved in conflicts, we must at times become involved to help keep stability within the world. Our celebration goes beyond understanding ourselves as a nation, it involves understanding ourselves as individuals who make up this great nation.
We have the freedom to protest and get involved in causes without fear of consequence, because we are free. Sometimes our troops must face opposition in order to keep our way-of-life free. Even if we do not understand the purpose behind war, we should honor our troops. I am the first to say, “I wish there was never war, nor conflict,” but the reality is we do not live in a perfect world. There are people who wish to change our way of life.
We are a free people, because others stand and fight for our freedom. We are free because their families live without them from day-to-day. We are free, because men and women have lost their lives for us. We are free and can do morally as we wish, because of our troops.
Today, as we celebrate this momentous day in which we adopted freedom as a people, let us honor the men and women who paid the price for our liberty.
God bless our troops and God bless the United States of America!
A Patriotic 4th of July
In America, it is easy to begin our 4th of July celebrations, but what are we celebrating and who are we celebrating? We are celebrating the day we gained our freedom as our own unique nation. This nation was born through fighting oppression and gaining liberty. Freedom is the basis for America. We celebrate this freedom as the Independence Day approaches.
Celebrating this day cannot go on without celebrating those who spent their time and in some cases their lives to defend our liberty. These are our troops and our fallen troops. During this event of celebration it is important to remember those who have served with all they have to allow these United States of America to remain free.
Our troops deserve our honor and respect. No matter what your political affiliation or your mindset toward wars, we must come together as a people and thank those who serve(d). Our freedom is not gained through politics, but through the dedication of these individuals.
To our troops, we solute you; to the families of our troops, we celebrate you; and to those who have fallen we mourn with you and your families. Thank you for the freedom you have provided to us. Thank you for the years that we have spent free of fear. Thank you for your dedication to keep us safe. We pray for you:
Lord, we come humbly before you to ask you to protect those who are serving our country, provide for their families and bring them strength. Bring our troops home safely and bless their work in the nations in which they serve around the world. Bless those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice, bringing them strength and support during these difficult times. In Jesus name, Amen.
Self-Promotion
Self-promotion can be when leaders only like pages they create and do not show an interest in pages others create. Another way leaders can be self-promoting is when they desire to connect others with their agenda, without interacting with the agendas of others.
Stay away from this beast. Self-promotion will cause your leadership to sink. People do not want to follow others who do not care for them.
We we can show others we care by taking the time to review works they have created and to “like,” or subscribe” to their works when we want to know more or to encourage the author.
Taking interest in the things your followers do demonstrates you genuinely and actively care for them. Caring goes beyond words; caring is actions. People know when they are being “put on.” People do not want those who are fake, but those who are sincere in their leadership.
Consider taking the time and show interests in others around you and you will become a much better leaders.
Politics Got You Down?!
This political year is crazy! I cannot believe all of the different things candidates will do to get the cameras attention. While I do have my own political viewpoints, I base these on reviewing facts and not by party affiliation.
I am not a sports fan, but the more I see of our current voting system, the more I see a trend of team favorites being played. Politics have become “us verses them.” Politics should not be based on party affiliation. Party affiliations is meant to help us to better understand what candidates are “supposed” to stand for.
In this political season I am looking for a leader who can help to make progress during these tumultuous times. Our world has financial instability and threats of terrorism daily. During this season, we need a leader who can stand strong and take control of these situations.
Don’t let politics get you down, work toward understanding the candidates and do not just take any media’s commentary as a basis to make your decision. I once heard it said, “if you will watch the first five minutes of a new show, you will know all the political facts, but if you continue to watch you will hear what others want you to know.”
3 Tactics to Become More Successful (As Busy As A Bee)
You know the story when a work day has one task after another. Those days are good when they are productive, but unfortunately they usually are not. I want to take a moment and provide my personal method to gain productivity during the extraordinarily busy days, so that you too can remain productive.
1. Take a moment.
Continuing productivity is a mindset. When projects keep coming take a moment and a breath. Becoming stressed is the first way to become less productive. If you get “frazzled” you will be no good to anyone and your team will suffer the consequences.
2. Prioritize.
Take time to prioritize the most important things first. You cannot be your local Superman or Wonderwoman if you do not figure out what are the most important items to take care of first. Take each item one-by-one.
3. Delegate.
Delegate what you can delegate. There are always things you can give to others to do. Trust your followers or co-workers are able to handle the tasks given. The golden rule is, “if someone can do a job 50% as good as you can; delegate!” Do not be fearful and let projects go. Next time you ask others to help, they will be much more prepared to assist and you will feel more confident delegating.
These are some quick pointers to help you do well when you are as busy as a bee.
Feeling Unproductive
You wake up only to find you are not feeling your best and it hits you, “I’m sick!” Recently, I experenced this feeling with great dissapointment. I had a speaking engagement, but I was too sick to meet this obligation. I spent the next few days in bed and in the recliner doing what seemed to be my best work for the week; closing my eyes. In addition to the overwhelming feeling of sickness I had a bigger problem. On the first day I was ill my iPhone crashed with the “blue screen of death.” I was feeling horrible being sick, but now the world could not connect with me and I could not connect with it. I quickly hopped onto my computer and chatted with Apple Care, who was very responsive to the issue. As I laid there not feeling my best, I found it easy to stress about the things I was missing out on doing. Everytime I thought about working, I reached for my iPhone only to realize its sad state of disrepair. I was helpless and there was nothing I could do about it.
To shed some light on the situation, I must take you back a month or so. I had begun to step up my game and work harder and longer. I was innovating new ideas and created new resources. In addition, I found myself working out at the gym six to seven days a week for a couple of hours per session. Looking back, I would say I probably overdid it. I was burning the candle at both ends. In fact, when I got back from the gym I would take a stroll through my neighborhood via walking, jogging or running. This is good for the body, but eventually the body screams out for some rest, and in my case it is still screaming. Even while I’m working again, I do not feel my best, but maybe this will teach me a good lesson not to overdue it again and be more sensable about my goals.
Feeling unproductive is not a good feeling, but if you do not take care of yourself, your body will make you rest. Try to find some ways to rest your body instead being in the “constant go” we have become so accustomed to. Take an evening a week and sit in front of the television, go to the movies or read a good book to just relax and unwind. Do this so that you wil become more productive in the long-run. Certaintly, if you do not, you will end up having to take a week or so off of your tasks and then have another week or so of slowly working on your tasks.
…So take it easy!
Feeling Unproductive
You wake up only to find you are not feeling your best and it hits you, “I’m sick!” Recently, I experenced this feeling with great dissapointment. I had a speaking engagement, but alas, I was too sick to meet this obligation. I spent the next few days in bed and in the recliner doing what seemed to be my best work for the week; closing my eyes. In addition to the overwhelming feeling of sickness, I had a bigger problem. On the first day I was ill, my iPhone crashed with the “blue screen of death.” I was feeling horrible being sick, but now the world could not connect with me and I could not connect with it. I quickly hopped onto my computer and chatted with Apple Care, who was very responsive to the issue. As I laid there not feeling my best, I found it easy to stress about the things I was missing out on doing. Everytime I thought about working, I reached for my iPhone only to realize its sad state of disrepair. I was helpless and there was nothing I could do about it.
To shed some light on the situation, I must take you back a month or so. I had begun to step up my game and work harder and longer. I was innovating new ideas and created new resources. In addition, I found myself working out at the gym six to seven days a week for a couple of hours per session. Looking back, I would say I probably overdid it. I was burning the candle at both ends. In fact, when I got back from the gym I would take a stroll through my neighborhood via walking, jogging or running. This is good for the body, but eventually the body screams out for some rest, and in my case it is still screaming. Even while I’m working again, I do not feel my best, but maybe this will teach me a good lesson not to overdue it again and be more sensable about my goals.
Feeling unproductive is not a good feeling, but if you do not take care of yourself, your body will make you rest. Try to find some ways to rest your body instead being in the “constant go” we have become so accustomed to. Take an evening a week and sit in front of the television, go to the movies or read a good book to just relax and unwind. Do this so that you wil become more productive in the long-run. Certaintly, if you do not, you will end up having to take a week or so off of your tasks and then have another week or so of slowly working on your tasks.
…So take it easy!
Oh to Be Young Again
Today I went in early to my gym for an appointment with a specialized exercise class. I have to admit, when I first walked into the room I was surrounded mostly by women and just a couple of older men. For a moment I thought I was in the wrong class. The instructor began talking about the exercises of the day and provided the necessary demonstrations. I thought to myself, “this has to be a joke, it seems too easy!”
The class began and we started our workout and changed gym area positions as the instructor told us to. Boy, this was more difficult than I had previously thought it would be. The workout was an hour-long and seemed never to end. The first thirty minutes was very difficult and I was dripping with sweat. We had finished our workout, when one of the students told the instructor we had missed one set. To be honest I needed a good lawyer at that moment, because I felt like I wanted to kill her. Even though I was tired, I did want to get the most out of the class, so I continued on without too much thought.
After the class I had a session with the teacher who transitioned to my personal trainer. It was time to take my measurements and set some goals. This trainer and I had talked every day I entered the gym and we become quite friendly to each other over the past several months. We had arrived at the point in the measurements when he asked me my age. I told him my age and he laughed and said, “no really, come on your pulling my leg, what is your real age?” I told him again, he paused and looked extremely surprised that I was still holding to the age of thirty-four. He honestly could not believe it. He said, “at most I thought you were twenty-five!” I quickly thanked him for his complement, but he still looked bewildered.
I had to be the one who shocked the most. I thought to myself, “most certainly if he knew how I was feeling after his class, he would know my age!” This started me thinking, because I have been starting to feel a little older. I was starting to feel like I was losing was becoming less relevant to my young followers.
This transaction with the personal trainer started me thinking, I am still relevant and still can relate. After all this personal trainer is in his early twenties and we have great conversations together. Teenagers I am around also seem to think I am fun and want to spend time with me. I guess it is our perception that changed when we begin to get older. I am certainly glad that today, I had a reality check. Leaders, it is not how old you are that determines your relatability, it is your attitude and willingness to take time and spend with those who are younger than you.
Make Me Drink
Sometimes you consider the value of your achievements and you are not sure if you are actually making an impact. You put a lot of your time diligently trying to move things forward. You feel like no one really understands the actual time you put in researching or learning to implement ideas into your leadership craft. You feel like a failure. Does this sound familiar?
The principle of leaders and followers is a large study, which some have committed their whole lives to, but often we think we can figure it out all by ourselves. The more I lead, the more I understand I must commit to learn more! Leadership is one of the trades in life, in which you must never stop learning. If you want people to follow your leadership, you must be at least one step ahead.
You are taking people to places you have been before, or into new areas you have planned and prepared to lead them to. The statement,
you cannot lead from behind
is true! If you do not believe me, try going into a dark tunnel that you have been in before, but instead of you leading the way, let someone else who has never been in the tunnel go a head. Let them make the decisions and see what happens. Chances are you will be lost in a matter of minutes. That’s the thing about your leadership; you know where you are going. People are excited to follow you into areas they have never been to before and things they never dreamed possible. You have done the work and have mapped out a plan. The right people are willing to follow.
There is a common idiom, which has been used and passed down throughout the ages, which says,
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
I learned the fallacy of this statement from a long-time friend who passed away in 2015. He taught me, take the horse to the water and if the horse will not drink, put salt on its lips. Salt creates a desire for water, just as we must create a desire for our followers to follow our leadership. So, please pass the salt!
Leadership’s Forbidden Fruit
PERMISSIVE VS FORBIDDEN
Leadership always has its challenges. There are things in leadership we are allowed to do. Those are the things that are permissive. There are also areas that are considered forbidden. Throughout the life of a leader there are opportunities to do what is right, and those things that are not. When those opportunities to do things that are not consistent with general moral leadership practices present themselves, it is essential to do the right thing.
CHOOSING THE WRONG PATH
Why do some leaders choose the wrong path and end up in personal or even legal troubles? It is because a leader does not generally choose the wrong path in a single moment. The moment in question of failed leadership often is better realized as moments of failures that lead to the failure. It is important to analyze decision-making in your leadership. Moral or ethical flaws generally present themselves before an opportunity to have a huge moral failure occurs. There are signs to look out for. Leaders must analyze their (1) motives and (2) morals/ethics.
THE IMPORTANT DECISION
Each decision is crucial to how you lead. Never allow your decisions to go off track. It can be easy to take the path of least resistance, but this path is rarely the correct path. Often the correct and moral path is the most difficult, yet reaps the most rewarding future. Simply dismissing your decisions as something that will not effect your future is not correct. Each individual decision affects not only today’s leadership, but also tomorrow’s leadership.
DEATH OF LEADERSHIP
Leadership is no longer able to influence when credibility is lost. Credibility is not necessarily lost in the process of making mistakes, even those which are considered moral/ethical failings. Credibility is really lost when a leader does not acknowledge their own mistakes and learn from them. Each and every day leaders make mistakes; people are not perfect. In the Book of Genesis Chapter 3, Adam and Eve denied their failings, they tried to hide their failure by lying. The best way to kill your leadership is to lie about your mistakes. Most mistakes are fixable, but it takes (1) admitting your failings, (2) asking for forgiveness, and (3) learning from failures.
Do not take the forbidden fruit of leadership!
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
I Hate Everything About You
Think about it, there has to be someone you just can’t stand. This person is probably someone you just don’t understand why they do the things they do. Maybe they get on your nerves and you think about running for the hills every time they come near. You know the type of people I am talking about, those you duck to avoid in the supermarket. No admission necessary, but I am sure there are those you work with or even your employees that you avoid by ducking beside the next cubicle in sight. Yes, you may be laughing to yourself right now and thinking, “your right!” These are the people who proably can make you angry simply by opening their mouths and talking to you. You can say right now, “I hate to deal with that person!”
Leaders must be careful not to allow those who they cannot stand to become those they hate. Hate is something that creeps in slowly and does not happen overnight. There is nothing wrong with not getting along with someone, sometimes there are people who we just have conflicts with because of clashing peronsilities, but this does not have to become a trait of hate. We should never be able to say, “I hate that person!” Historically hate has been the cause of the destruction of many. Hate was that which existed within Nazi Germany, hate drove Stalin, and hate has continued to be destructive in many forms causing national calamities and wars worldwide. There is no reason to allow hate to creep in and begin an organizational war. Organizational wars will destruction.
It is extremely important to constantly note your attitude when dealing with others. Your attidue is crucial in organizational conflict resolution, in dealing with employees, and in growing your organization. Negative attitudes spread like wildfires throughout causing destruction, thus it is necessary to carefully examine your personal state of being. Here are some steps to help evealuate your attitude:
1. Learn more about the person you cannot stand.
2. Be willing to listen, especially when you disagree.
3. Allow conflict to exist in a constructive manner.
4. Settle conflicts as soon as possible.
5. Be willing to admit your wrong.
“But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!…” (Matthew 5:22, NLT, 1996).
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
Sometimes You Just Don’t Feel Like Yourself
A few months ago, I wrote: I started my day off right! As I prepared myself to assemble together with other believers, I went through the drive-thru at McDonalds to get my Sausage McMuffin meal with a medium Iced Vanilla Coffee. This has become my Sunday morning ritual. If I do not have my McDonalds on Sunday’s I feel a bit off. Maybe it’s the caffeine! In any event, I guess it is a form of luxury I aim to receive, since I do not eat out very much anymore. I tend to take the time and cook meals and make sandwiches in order to gain a much healthier physique.
Last night, I slept very well, but when it came to this morning I had my standard wake up call. About 3 seconds before the alarm clock went off, I woke up. This happens almost everyday. I am not sure how or why. It is actually quite scary! Have I become so scheduled that I can wake up about 3 seconds before my alarm clock goes off, even if the time is set different each morning? If I am to be honest the answer is yes. Okay, I will claim it, I am a nice guy, but I have become a “Type A Personality.”
This morning I was full of energy and ready to go, but the only thing is my coordination was not. Not only was my coordination off, but I also am in a very joking mood. I have been cutting up all morning. Yes, I have fun normally, but I mean more than normal. I also feel a bit tired, although I slept well and long enough.
Sometimes it is just like that in leadership. You can do everything right, but you just do not feel like yourself. You just do not seem like everything is perfect. You can make mistakes and feel like you’ve done the worst job you ever have. When those type of days happen, it is important to realize you are not alone. There are days where we all are more critical concerning our performance than other days. Those days are those when you just want to roll over and go back to sleep. But since you are already awake, let me remind you that these days are just reminders that you are not perfect and hopefully, they will remind you that others are not perfect either. These days help to give us balance and help to remind us of where we came from. Personal reflection is important when these types of days come, so that you can manage other days even better.
Do not roll over and go back to sleep, instead realize there is something that can be learned from these types of days. Others may not even notice you are having a rough day, but even if they do, they will realize something very important, you are human — and that’s okay!
*egg from PD
Capitalizing the Value of Experience
Have you ever wanted to do something that you couldn’t? For an entire week I had planned to go on a trip with my cousin to NorthStar Ski Resort in North Tahoe. With great excitement I left my house at 7:00 a.m. to meet my cousin. We quickly packed up and headed up Interstate 80 toward Reno. The drive was beautiful, and though it is summer, we were able to see small snow packs still on the mountains. As we arrived at NorthStar, we paused with great hesitation, because of the beauty and the excitement of the day’s activities. You might wonder why we are at NorthStar Ski Resort in the summer, but there is much more to do at this resort than Ski. Mountain biking is a popular activity this time of year.
My cousin is so excited to go on this biking adventure and I am excited to stay in the resort to do some typing and some hiking. In the evening we will be traveling along Lake Tahoe to find an open space to stargaze with my powerful telescope. While I am doing a lot of activities myself, I must admit my desire to go the distance and go with my cousin on the bike trails, and therein lies my dilemma. I am not a bike rider, but the more active I get at the gym, the more I desire to do physical activities I have never done before. I am at this point, completely unable to take the bike trails. It would be very dangerous to do so, so I will continue with my plans.
Albert Einstein wrote,
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Einstein is absolutely correct! I do not normally take big risks, such as going down a mountain trail at top speed, which scares me. But to not miss out on the next opportunity to go mountain biking, I must prepare myself and learn to become a great bike rider.
Preparation is often half the battle. In leadership we tend to face similar obstacles. There can be areas in our leadership we are afraid to try because were unsure of the path ahead and the obstacles, whichlie before us. Preparation helps us to gain the strength, endurance and the mindset to deal with these new feared areas. Those things that are uncomfortable are only uncomfortable, because we do not have experience in those areas.
For your leadership obstacles develop a simple plan of attack to gain experience. If you are charting new waters start off around the coast line before you go out any deeper. To gain experience on the mountain bike trails I must first start riding my bike more. As I am able to go further I must start to go up and down small hills and move toward larger hills. If I never attempt do do so, I will never progress. The same goes for your leadership, if you do not make a plan and set goals you will never increase your ability to lead in difficult areas. Developing a plan to reach past obstacles helps to develop more powerful leadership.
Somedays Are Like That…
Yesterday was a great day! I decided to go with a friend of mine to Tahoe to look at the beautiful lake and spend hours under the stars using a telescope to view the heaven’s above. Sounds great doesn’t it; a day at a lake with a friend and the beauty of all creation surrounding you. The wonder, amazement, and the simple awstruck, at how the world could be created in such majesty filled my soul, but it did not start out that way. On the way to Tahoe everything was going as good as can imagine. We avoided certain traffic by taking side-roads throughout Sacramento. As we arrived back on the freeway there was a lot of traffic behind us and somewhat-mobile traffic ahead of us. To my left on the other side of the freeway, I was saddened to see a car accident scene; the car had been engulfed in flames. My concern and prayers immediately was with those who had been involved with this accident.
Soon we were off on the road on our daring afternoon journey to reach the lake. We decided to stop for an early dinner at the KFC in Placerville and had a terrific dinner. In as little as 20-minutes our excitement led us back onto the road toward Tahoe. We approached the intersection and the light turned green. “This is it, we are really going to do this and with impecable timing,” I thought to myself! “Put, put, put…” said Big Blue. You see, Big Blue is the name for my truck, because I drive a Ford Ranger XLT that is blue and my friend drives a Ford F-150 that is the identical big brother twin of my Ranger. So to be nice and to make Big Blue feel like he was just as great, I began calling him Big Blue. So Big Blue broke down, right in front of the light! Embarrased and not knowing what to do I sat there trying over and over to start my truck, but nothing happened. Soon a man from the bail bond shop, which was located in back of us came and pushed the car back into his parking lot. Thank you, Bail Bondsman!!! It may seem like the story ends there, but it doesn’t. I was given very grave news about Big Blue, but I did not give up on him, so I asked for a second opinion. The second AAA truck came and helped me by agreeing with me that the battery had just died, so he gave me a jump and I headed down to the local Walmart to get a new battery.
We began our journey again, after a short pit stop. We are heading up the mountain when all of the sudden I see something dart out in front of me. My heart sank and my foot breaked immediately, as I realized what it was right away. I hit a deer — Bambi! My heart was racing a mile-a-minute and so was the deers, luckily! Quickly the deer got up and ran away, and my friend and I gathered ourselves and made it up to a gas station about 20-miles up the road, where we checked for car damage. We were blessed for a few reasons, (1) I was driving below the speed limit, (2) I always scan for dangers when I am driving, and (3) I was able to stop hard enough and quick enough to just stun the deer and keep us all safe. I must admit I must be careful when driving through to Tahoe again, because I know this deer had to be pretty young and his mother will not be too happy with me, but in all it was an accident, so I am sure she will understand.
In leadership and in life, sometimes things just do not go the way we have planned. Circumstances arise. It is important to know how to keep going and how not to give up. During our trip I told me friend, “if we hit one more animal we are heading back home.” Yes, many things happened to detour us from our detination, but we kept pursuing the goal, which we had laid out. Maybe in your leadership you have hit walls and you do not know if it is worth heading forward anymore. You may be ready to give up, but that can be a great place to be! I told my friend “when bad things happen, just wait something really good is coming!” The same is true in leadership, we may have to course correct at times, but stay true to the vision that has been laid out and see what good things are getting ready to happen. It is good to know when to give up, but it is also good to know when not to give up. For us not giving in meant seeing the wonder of nature, relaxation and peaceful moments.
It is no wonder why Scripture proclaims,
“Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory” (Psalm 50:15, NLT, 1996).
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
The Regrets of Leadership
JUST FOR THOUGHT
Regret is something all people face, certaintly, at many points within their lives. Leadership regrets tend to encompass a full-scope of feelings concerning both personal and organizational doubts. Regrets can include (1) things we can control, and (2) things we cannot control. The best thing to do in the category of “things we can control” is analyze those areas that went wrong and learn from the mistakes of the past. The second category, “things we cannot control” is an important reason for journaling, which is crucial to leadership development. We tend to forget those things that are not our fault and take on personal blame. The responsibility leaders have create a stress of its own. Knowing you are a leader, of so many people and so many things, can seem daunting or overwhelming at times. Creating a balance of learning organizational control is key. Not everything that happens within the organization is the prevailing fault of leadership, sometimes misunderstandings happen, or things that just cannot be controled are the issue. Instead of living with regrets, move forward and live in the future. Realize what you can control and what you cannot control.
The Most Forgotten and Ignored Leadership Principle
Thanksgiving is upon us and many of us are getting ready to spend time with those we hold dear to us, the work-week will be suspended for many of us, and we will shop until we drop on Black Friday. It is easy to think about all the good times we will have, but before many of us leaders move into our Thanksgiving plans it is especially important we spend time with our followers and let them know just what we think of them. Before you run around the office and begin telling people off, please continue reading!
Leadership can at times be seen as commanding orders, such as “do this” or “do that.” It is important to take time and acknowledge those who really contribute to organizational success. Take a moment and walk through the halls of your organization and see all the work that is getting done. This is work you need done in order to do your job or to meet your deadlines. These are the people who make it all possible. It is easy to forget to acknowledge those who are doing so much and it is often much easier to complain about what is not getting done, but in reality they are making it all happen.
This Thanksgiving the message inside this article is the most simple leadership principle you can find. It is often the most forgotten and most ignored leadership principle. The most effective way to lead your organization and followers is by demonstrating the art of gratitude. The key is, say “thank you!” When you say, “thank you” you are allowing others to see you have appreciation for their contributions. Saying “thank you” encourages followers and can even contribute to increased productivity.
Take a moment and tell those around you, “THANK YOU!”
The Difficult Role of Leaders
As leaders, a situation can come up seemingly from nowhere, which attempts to thwart one’s telling of truth. Leadership must be willing to make the difficult decision to tell the truth in all situations. Followers may desire to hear an “alternate truth,” but speaking truth is a foundation block of all good leaders. People tend to desire to have their ego’s carressed, but organizational growth cannot excel when falsities are being passed as truth. Gaining insight from other’s is important, but nothing can replace the truth.
Jesus had the same choice to appease the crowd of disciples or to speak the truth in John 6:66-71. He easily spoke the truth, even though his followers were complaining. He eventually lost many of his disciples who began to realize Jesus was a leader who presented only truth, no matter how harsh that truth might be. He questioned his group of his twelve closest disciples and asked if they would also leave him, but they stayed knowing Jesus was speaking
“the words that give eternal life” (John 6:68, NLT, 1996).
Remember, leadership always speaks truth!
A Leader’s Anxiety
Okay, let it be know…leader’s have anxiety! Whew, I am glad that’s out of the bag! The truth is, we all have anxiety in certain areas we deal with. As leaders, it can be difficult because we do not want others to know we are dealing with anxiety, but a true servant leader is not afraid to show their inadequacies; they are transparent. Transparency in leadership is crucial to developing a followership that is transparent.
There is nothing worse than having an organization, which is built on distrust, or unknowns. When leaders allow themselves to hide behind the, “I’m an all powerful leader, and I can handle everything” mentality, it flows to their followership. This type of thinking creates an unhealthy environment that ultimately causes breakdown. Transparency is the forefront of any good leadership. Leaders cannot be afraid to show they are not sure, at times. Followers will ultimately respect those leaders who demonstrate their humanity. Years ago, the Strong Man leadership was the model of leadership all organizations seemed to thrive with, but growth in the area of leadership has asserted other models. The model I suggest using is the Coaching Leadership model. Coaching leadership will help followers to rise up and become leaders within the organization. Coaching is a relationship, which is built on mutual respect, and boundaries, but which instills purpose in the followers.
A leader that has mutual respect, boundaries, and ultimately is transparent will enable free communication to emerge between a leader and their followers. Free communication is the foundations of successful organizational growth. When followers feel free to bring their concerns to leadership, the chances of organizational catastrophies are lessened, and the chances of organizational growth will increase!
Now, that we have discussed transparency with followers, let’s go even further. We are to be transparent with others, but it is most important to be transparent before our Creator. Philemon 4:6 states,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Leadership can release their anxiety through prayer to God, and in giving thanks. Have you ever been around someone who is seemingly always happy? Have you taken a moment to look at their lives? People who are seemingly always happy, are not people without problems, they are people who have learned to be thankful. Thankfulness comes when we realize we cannot control everything; when we release our anxieties to God. A spiritual leader learns to be content in the fact they cannot control everything. What a leader can control is how thankful they are. When it seems like everything is crashing down, instead of fretting, ask God for help, then begin to thank God for the little things, and see how your attitude shifts, inspite of what is going on.
Apple Hill Leadership
APPLE HILL
Apple Hill is a beautiful place situated in El Dorado County, California where so many different people come to celebrate the season of apples. You can purchase a large bag of apples, caramel apples, apple pies, dried apples, apple sauce, apple cider and more. Apples are king during apple season at Apple Hill.
LEADERSHIP HAS ITS MOMENTS
Leadership can be like Apple Hill. Leadership can have its moments when you feel like you are king of the hill, but often leadership does not feel like royalty for true leadership. True leaders are those who are in the trenches discovering new people and new ideas to promote and lift up. Often in the discovery process leaders are criticized for their choices, while some secretly think things like, “this leaders a radical,” “those ideas will never work,” or “why would this leader waste time with that individual.” But there are those moments when all the work pays off and you feel like the superstar of the evening. It is important to realize that while these moments are few and far between, it is never about the moment of being king of the hill. Leadership is about the trenches, it is about discovering those little gems others cannot see. Leadership is searching beyond those “regularly” reviewed ideas and coming up with a direction that moves others to say, “WOW, I want to follow that person — they have a huge dream worth fighting for!”
WHERE DID ALL THE LEADERS GO?
Maybe you are sitting in a coffee shop, in a mall, or even in your workplace reading this blog — do you see leaders around you who are committed to change? How different would our world be if more people would stand up and commit to getting in the trenches to do whatever it takes to make change possible? Where are the fanatic dreams that move us forward? Rarely do leaders like Martin Luther, or Martin Luther King, Jr. come around. Why write concerning these two leaders who have been talked about for so long as leaders of change? It is because these leaders dared to strive to change humanity for the better. Martin Luther was a German Friar and Seminary Professor who began and stood for the Protestant Reformation. He asserted salvation could not be paid for by paying indulgences, but as a free gift of God through the work of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Baptist Minister and was also a catalyst who inspired and sparked change. His daring presence was made known as he led the African-American Civil Rights Movement. His work and personal life incited those seeking freedom from oppression to seek non-violent civil disobedience to spark change.
BE THE ONE OTHERS FOLLOW
There are leaders out there who are fighting worthy causes and putting their lives on the line each and every day, but there are those days, when it feels like no one is really leading. This is why it is important to begin to think, “what is my part in all of this?” Look around you again, notice how people feel and react, turn on the news and see the violence and despair, see hungry people and those who have nothing and ask yourself again, “what is my part in all of this?” or “is there anything I can do about it?” You may be a corporate leader, family leader, church leader, or leadership enthusiast, but in order to really be a leader we must take time to analyze the situation around us and say, “what is my part?” When we become disatisfied with the things going on around us and get in the trenches in the best way we can, we can incite a societal change that will be that of Martin Luther, or of Martin Luther King, Jr.
BE THE ONE WITH A VISION
Mission and vision statements are common-place these days within many organizations, but it must be the most important ideal an organization holds onto. Anything that does not line up with the mission or vision statement should not be considered for use within the organization. A vision statement gives direction to change. It crease a flow-chart of sort to keep the organization spearheaded the right direction. Habakkuk 2:2 submits the importance of writing down a vision, so others can carry the message on correctly. When others know the right path, they will follow. If you are trying to lead those and you cannot figure out why followers are seemingly going in another direction (1) write the vision down clearly, (2) post it where followers can see it, (3) explain the vision, and (4) repeat the vision often.
Continue to lead, when you do not feel like you are king of the Hill, sometimes Apple Hill is out of reach, but continue leading with a clear vision and see how others will gladly follow to reach unimaginable goals!
Leaderships Need for Approval
Approval is BIG! Interestingly enough the majority of leaders have an inward desire for a pat on the back. One study, which was conducted by Kart, Shamir, and Chen (2003) found that
social identification mediated the relationship between tranformational leadership and followers’ empowerment.
Human nature is to be driven by accomplishments, and approval. When leaders find encouragement they tend to lead with more tenacity. Encouragement is the source of strength for the leader. Transformational leaders allow their source of strength to come not only from their followers, but also from a spiritual source.
Jesus himself was given approval by God The Father, when he was baptized in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9-11). This approval was not only for Jesus, but was also for those who would follow him. It is interesting to note, Jesus’ ministry began after his baptism, in which God gave signs and voice approve of His Son.
Transformational leaders must seek not only the approval of man, but also, and more importantly the approval of God. Not only is spiritual direction gained, but a moral compass is accessed when submitting to the authority of Scriptures. Insight is gained through the wisdom found in the text. When a leader knows he or she is doing right by God, they also know they are doing right by mankind. Seeking after mans approval may cause a tendancy to fulfill everyone’s own desires, causeing a necessity to please everyone, however, having godly approval is better than mankind approval, as God’s approval will meet the needs of mankind.
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
The two faces of transformational leadership: Empowerment and dependency. Kark, Ronit; Shamir, Boas; Chen, Gilad
Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol 88(2), Apr 2003, 246-255. http://0-dx.doi.org.library.regent.edu/10.1037/0021-9010.88.2.246
Following Un-Ethical Leadership
Doing what is right is really not that difficult, but for some it may be a challenge. Seeking to do the wrong thing is not something that happens immediately. We are often swayed by our own fears, rather than simply doing what is wrong. The wrong thing is often a quick solution to something that really requires work. The solution may seem simple at first, but in reality it is often unraveled into a web of deceit and corruption, which can include loss of family, friends and may at times lead to imprisonment.
Human nature tends to look for the quick solution to a problem, but we must be careful as leaders not to take short-cuts. Followers seek out those who display characteristics, which are honorable. Most everyone wants to serve with ethical leaders. People do not search for workplaces and leaders who have bad ethics. A person knows if they work for a leader with bad ethics they may eventually be mistreated, as the leader walks over the follower to gain success.
Genesis 4:7
You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.
Leadership’s Work Ethic
Recently, I started thinking about the work ethic of leadership. What kind of impact does work ethic have on one’s leadership, or on their leadership potential? For our purpose, let’s define work ethic as the ability to be self-directed to complete tasks, which maintain and enhance the organizations values and purposes. When a leader does not have work ethic, their leadership actually diminishes and so follows their leadership potential. When a “leader” does not have a good work ethic they are allowing the organizations functions to decline, potentially causing the organization to cease growth. Ultimately, lack of work ethic can lead to organizational breakdown. The willingness to continue to lead commands, leaders put their full energy into the organizations structure to complete the tasks necessary in order to maintain and enhance the organizations values and purposes to drive that organization into the future potential the organization rightfully deserves.
Proverbs 19:15 adds,
Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.
Ultimately, leadership is just as Proverbs 19:15 states, lazy leadership may be able to rest easy, but in reality it will leave the organization, the people and that leader hungry.
Strive to become the leader who leads with excellent work ethics by following these five simple steps:
1. No matter how flexible your schedule, set guidelines and meet them daily.
2. Each morning create a list of priorities for the day.
3. Create long-term and short-term goals, objectives and timelines for completion.
4. Develop an accountability partner with whom you discuss demands, burnout and organizational stresses with.
5. Create a time of spiritual evaluation, contemplation and prayer.
References
Holy Bible: New Living Translation. (1996). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
Today was a classic case of, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” I began my day early trying to accomplish many tasks and succeeded in every sense of the word — I was feeling great!! Don’t you love those days that are simply just days of bliss and productivity?! Today was that type of day for me. I worked on various projects and brought a couple to completion. I have been ahead by a minimum of three weeks on my presentations, as of the past month.
Then there are those things that simply go wrong. Tonight, I told those who attended my group to not eat before our meeting, as I would be barbecuing hamburgers. My team arrived early to help with the setup and everything was going great! There was only one problem, the brand new barbecuer, which had only been used once would not light. Over and over again I tried to light it, but nothing seemed to work. Finally the burners came on! The burners were working, but hardly any fire seemed to have been coming out of the barbecue burners. I thought, maybe just maybe this grill does not have large flames. I left the hamburgers on the grill and for over and hour and a half they cook, or do they?! As I tried to complete my presentation the hamburgers were still red and some of my followers were very hungry. My promises of hamburgers just did not pay off!
Ultimately, as a leader it becomes disheartening when the details of life do not work out, but I like what the Bible has to say about it,
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).
In reality, I see the barbecue fiasco as a disappointment. But at the same time, it is a disappointment I can live with. There are those things you can control and there are things you cannot control. In this instance, there was nothing I could do to make the barbecue work. It was a trivial part of the evening, and that is how we leaders must look at life.
Life comes with many uncertainties and even though obstacles come, many of the obstacles do not even matter in the schemes of our leadership; they are minor setbacks.