Why doesn't anybody use the word "Advent" anymore?

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How many times have you heard the word "Advent" used in a conversation lately? More importantly, how many times have you heard it used in regards to our Christian faith?

Sadly, it seems we've lost track of one of the most meaningful words in Christian tradition! So what does "Advent" really mean? Here's what Merriam-Webster says: "1) the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting, 2) a: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation, b: second coming." WOW! Though the church has forgotten the meaning of the Advent season, it seems the folks at Merriam-Webster have not!

I noticed a couple of keys in the Merriam-Webster definition. First, they note that Advent is a SEASON (not a one-day thing) and the season is observed by "some" Christians as a time of prayer and fasting! How many churches in the Western World today set aside four weeks prior to Christmas to fast and pray? The other important thing to note in Merriam-Webster's definition is Advent should point us BACK at the birth of Christ and FORWARD to His second coming.

Why don't we celebrate Advent like we used to? I believe in many cases, we've allowed other parts of life to get in the way. If we think we're competing with Hollywood to attract as many people as possible into our auditoriums, it's hard to imagine calling people to prayer & fasting attracting much of a crowd!

What's gotten in your way this year? Are there things you've allowed to creep in that keep you from focusing on JESUS as the reason for the season? If so, maybe an Advent season between now and Christmas can help you refocus.

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• Top 10 Things You Should Know About Advent (cantuar.blogspot.com)
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Your Word is Your Bond

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I was in construction management/consulting for 10 years after college. Times were a hair different then - we actually had a category in our financial statements called, "Backlog!"

As we finished a project, we'd walk through the entire facility with the designers and owner to identify items that needed completed/corrected before final payment. We had just completed an addition to the Parker Brothers ("Monopoly," etc.) plant and they were having trouble controlling the air conditioning in one portion. We all suggested some ideas that might improve the situation. Some of the ideas were thrown out and we decided to implement others. In a few cases, the changes had to be made because the designer had specified other methods. So, as the general contractor, I asked the designer who was going to pay us for removing what he'd specified and adding items that were above and beyond the original design. He stated in front of all us, "Well, these are my mistakes so our design firm will have to take care of it."

We completed the work and I invoiced him for the extras. After waiting well beyond our "payment due" date and sending duplicate invoices, we still hadn't received payment. So, I picked up the phone and called him. I asked him if he'd received our invoices - "Yes, I did. As a matter of fact, I have them right here on my desk."

How about that? So I said, "That's great - what were you planning on DOING with them?"

He responded, "Well, I was hoping you'd forget about them."

I explained it would be nice to be able to work for free, but we expected payment for the work he'd instructed us to perform and reminded him he'd told us his firm would pay for it.

Here's his response: "I think the mistake you made was taking me at my word."

I'll never forget my reply - "You're exactly right - and I'll never make the mistake of taking you at your word again." UNREAL!

This instance amounted to a few thousand dollars. On a large manufacturing project, it's small change. But, I can remember a multi-million dollar, 500,000 square foot office building I completed and was paid for BEFORE I signed official contracts. We completed the entire project on a handshake!

In our current culture, HOW do we live out the title of this post? "Your Word is Your Bond" sounds great, until giving your word COSTS you. When situations change, or unforeseen circumstances arise, is it ever okay to "adjust" what we've committed to?

"Follow Your Dream and CONTRIBUTE!"

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Someone asked Alan Mullaly, President/CEO of Ford Motor Co. for his best career advice. Here's his answer:

"Don’t manage your career. Follow your dream and contribute. Think about just exceeding expectations of every job you’re being asked to do. Continually ask for feedback on how it’s going. Ask everybody involved what you can do to do an even better job, and the world will beat down your door trying to ask you to do more and more."

What a great endorsement of the first priority of LeadersHeart! We just returned from a powerful time in Guatemala with an awesome group of leaders. I'll be posting some video clips on our LeadersHeart network as soon as I can finish editing them. These Central American & Caribbean leaders told me how much our call to Lead From the Heart and live CONGRUENT lives resonated in them!

If we're trying to "manage" our way through life, we're hollow, our message is hollow, and we won't impact the people around us. Leaders who are going HARD after the dream God's downloaded into their heart CONNECT! People are hungry for significance and managers don't call significance out of peoples' hearts.

I want to help change the world. Most of all I have come to know that NOTHING will fulfill me like giving myself completely to God's purpose for my life. I WANT HIS WILL - NOT MY PLAN!

"Mac-Daddy" Servant Leadership from "Authentic Leadership"

I found a great post this afternoon on Twitter. The author, Erin Schreyer, is President of Sagestone Partners, LLC. "She is passionate about leadership and helping people to achieve their greatest potential." You can view Sagestone's website by clicking here. Check out her "tale of 2 waiters" at this link:

"Mac-Daddy" Servant Leadership "

If you enjoy her post, let Erin know! She's on Twitter @eschreyer

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Make mistakes at full speed!

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When my kids were young and all at home (seven of 'em!) we were up to our ears in sports. I did the laundry in those days and I can't tell you how many pairs of sweat socks I bleached & washed! One winter, our oldest son played college basketball in a neighboring state, our 2nd son played varsity boys' high school basketball, our 2nd daughter played varsity girls' basketball, and our 3rd son played basketball for his middle school. We put thousands of miles on our SUV, most of it on icy Midwestern highways!

As their father, I enjoyed every mile, every minute, and every heartache. I wouldn't trade any of those hectic days for all the tea in China. I also recognize my kids excelled in basketball in spite of the chromosomes they inherited from me! What I did try to give them was the right mental approach. The attitude I tried to pass on to them is summed up in the title of this post: "Make Mistakes At Full Speed!" If you're worried about making a mistake, you'll never play fluidly and that means you'll never excel in any sport.

I believe the same mindset needs to be fostered by leaders and passed on to their team. Give your people permission to BLOW IT while they're stretching, innovating, jumping on an opportunity! Here's what Tom Peters has to say on the subject:

Screw-ups are…THE…Mark of Excellence.

(Corollary: “Do it right the first time” is an… Obscenity.)

Richard Farson is a bum! He wrote the book I wanted to write! And got there first! With Ralph Keyes, he penned Whoever Makes the Most Mistakes Wins: The Paradox of Innovation. Also consider:

1. From premier product developer David Kelley: “Fail Faster. Succeed sooner.”
2. From a Philadelphia area high-tech executive: “Fail. Forward. Fast.”
3. From successful Aussie businessman Phil Daniels: “Reward excellent failures. Punish mediocre successes.”

Take your pick. Iʼll take ʼem all.

My resolve on this issue of the paramount importance of failure was locked into granite a dozen years ago, when I had a chance to introduce WalMart founder Sam Walton at a prestigious awards banquet. I sought out Samʼs long-time pal and successor as CEO, David Glass, and asked him what single trait of Samʼs stood out above the rest. He quickly replied, “Samʼs not afraid to fail. Itʼs not,” he continued, “that Sam tolerates less than a Herculean effort, or anything like that. To the contrary. Itʼs just that his attitude is, ʻGot that dumb one behind us. Letʼs try something else. Right now.ʼ”

Alas, such an attitude is ever so rare, in sizable enterprises in particular—which seem to spend more time on backward-looking witch hunts than forward motion…that all-important “next-quick-try.”

Wisdom from my friend "down under"

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"Perhaps this is why I am diving more and more into many varied topics (people, learning, thinking, the brain, social interactions, relationships, Sudoku/brain exercises, cycling, running, marathons, eating well, families, children….), and quickly coming to the realisation that I am (sometimes) not present in the moment. In it’s own way, not being present or ‘in the moment’ could have the same effect of not enjoying what’s here and now."

-from the blog "Fathers" by Andrew Blanda (Andrew Blanda's thoughts, ramblings and musings)

Earlier today I posted the blog "The U.S. Army Had it Right." Then I saw a post by a friend from Australia I'd met on Twitter so I jumped over and took a look at his blog. The paragraph above is EXACTLY why I said in my post that our focus needs to be on BEING, not DOING. If we're focused on what we do, if we derive our identity from what we do, we're not living authentic/congruent lives. We're not being who we're created to be - we're doing something "phony" that is designed to fulfill some task.

Thanks for finishing my day off with some great insight, Andrew!

The U.S. Army Had it Right!

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"Be All You Can Be" was the U.S. Army recruitment slogan for over 20 years. It was also the centerpiece of one of the most successful advertising campaigns of all time!

Why?

...because it strikes a chord with us - it connects with our internal wiring. We were created to BE, not DO. However, our culture tends to turn things around and accentuate the exact opposite! We meet somebody new and our first question is, "What do you DO?" Business people talk a lot about mission statements and core values. But, when the rubber meets the road, none of that matters -- how much money did you make this quarter?

Even the church has been infiltrated. I've been to many pastor/church leader conferences over the years. Here's what you hear between sessions: "Hi, good to see you - what's your church running these days?" or "Hey, it's been awhile -- how's that capital campaign coming along?"

Anybody in leadership knows we have to be focused on measurable objectives. Leaders understand we'll be held accountable for whether or not we meet those objectives. But, without also focusing on WHO we're called to be and HOW we're called to live, we can turn into hollow people who stand for nothing.

Businesses who publish bound notebooks that talk about "core values" while treating people as expendable currency are headed for trouble over the long haul. Ministries who say they exist to serve but use & manipulate the people who come to them for help are hypocritical.

Most importantly, no matter what I'm currently doing I need to live authentically and BE who I'm created to be. The people around me today need ME! If I'm aimed solely at DOING, my focus tends to be in the future when my current TASK is completed. People who need me today become a distraction. More on that later...

Enterpise Technology Servant-Leadership: 5 Tips for Work Life Alignment, Not Balance

Enterpise Technology Servant-Leadership: 5 Tips for Work Life Alignment, Not Balance

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Don’t buy snake oil that “teaches” you to lead!

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You spend big bucks traveling all over to attend the latest "how-to" leadership seminars. You fill workbooks with reams of notes, buy hundreds of dollars' worth of DVD's, and throw yourself into the latest "can't miss" system. A few months later, frustration grows as you see yourself settling back into the same ruts you've lived in for years.

Remember Einstein's definition of insanity?

"Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Two days ago I was asked to speak to a group of professionals over lunch. My main point was simple: "I can't teach you to lead, and NOBODY else can, either!" The folks who say they can might sincerely believe in their systems. But, PLEASE hear me -- leadership "systems" don't work! I don't care what short-term numbers you post (more $$ on the bottom line, more butts in the seats, more Twitter followers, etc.). Following somebody else's SYSTEM won't help you live your dream. Learning how to be a better MANIPULATOR of the people you're called to lead/serve doesn't contribute to their growth or your fulfillment. Coming up with a vision statement that spring boards off the latest best seller "buzz" will take you NOWHERE! If you're leading to GET instead of leading to GIVE, you're headed towards burnout - personally and organizationally.

What I can help you do is learn about YOU! What are your strengths & weaknesses? What is it that resonates in your heart? Where is your passion trying to AIM you? How are you uniquely equipped to lead yourself? How can you use the same "equipment" to effectively lead others?

If you're tired of trying to lead like the Tin Man ("If I Only Had a Heart") and want to live an authentic life, here's one way to begin:

1. Identify the frustrating "ruts" you continue to fall back into.
2. Ask God to show you WHY those patterns drag you down, WHERE do they originate, WHY have you continued to follow "rules" that derail you?
3. Lay your findings in front of a couple people you trust & whose guidance you respect and LISTEN to what they give you.
4. Ask God for the courage to step ("leap of faith") into HIS purpose for your life!

The bottom line is this: you're the ONLY person wired to lead yourself & others according to your unique purpose. We NEED you!

Developing Leaders Within Community

"We'll get a resume from somebody in Nebraska wanting to be an intern here and we'll say, 'Come, move to Portland, get a job and just live here for a year. After a year, let's evaluate how an internship is or is not a fit.' We do this because we believe leadership is best lived and demonstrated in community."

This quote is from a recent article published in Leadership Journal. The article, "Locally Grown Leadership," is authored by Chad Hall, an author, church planter, leadership coach, and the Director of Coaching for Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

The typical church hires using performance-based criteria similar to secular organizations.

"But the Bible talks about leadership in terms of character more than performance. To know a person's character, you must walk in community with that person, not just see the results they got somewhere else," says a Portland, Oregon pastor quoted by Hall.

He says the church's emphasis on calling those who already fit the community (both the church and the city of Portland) results in fewer surprises and more success.

Another reason hiring from within should be the norm is linked to the process of discipleship. Jesus commanded us to make disciples, not train professionals. The natural outgrowth of the discipleship process would be producing solid Christ followers. Some of these are gifted to lead in the church family.

"A biblically-functioning church should produce leaders. If we're not able to pull leaders from within, something's wrong in our community because it means we are not reproducing."

One of the reasons many churches don't hire from within is their congregation is aimed at the wrong target. They have to look outside for leadership because leaders aren't being developed in their church.

Another reason many churches fail to produce leaders that fit their community is the lack of authentic relationship. The performance emphasis the western church has adopted from secular society has focused our measurements of success in areas like event attendance, financial statements, and the like. Healthy communities will be good financial stewards and people will be attracted to their gatherings. But, many Christian leaders fear transparent relationship within a community because it reveals true character (or the lack thereof!). A performance emphasis doesn't produce leaders -- it produces performers.

The four leadership priorities of LeadersHeart aren't aimed at "performance" in a secular sense. We want to help you build a culture/community that produces disciples who effectively lead themselves AND others.

Lessons from Ballroom Dancing

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I was required to view Strictly Ballroom for a class I took awhile back. You've got to watch this movie! I would NEVER have picked up this film at my local video store! First, I don’t like ballroom dancing. Second, I normally wouldn't gravitate toward low budget, Australian films that are tagged “romantic comedies.” However, I really enjoyed this flick. Baz Luhrmann did a fantastic job of portraying real issues we have (or will) deal with, utilizing characters I’ve known personally for years! Here's a taste of Luhrmann’s message using three statements from the film:

• “IT WAS THE DANCING THAT MATTERED!” (Scott’s father, Doug Hastings)

Scott has spent his life preparing to win the Pan-Pacific Ballroom Championship. My question for Scott during the first part of the film would be, “Who are you dancing for?” In leadership, we need to ask ourselves, “Why do we do what we do?” Are we dancing/leading to GET something? If that’s our motivation, we’ll be sorely disappointed once we GET what we think we want. GETTING anything will never fill our heart. Doug was telling Scott, “Follow your heart.”

• “I CAN’T GIVE ALL THAT UP FOR A DREAM!” (Mrs. Hastings)

Scott’s mother had herself painted into a corner. She couldn’t live her dream with Doug and dance with him as they followed their hearts. They had to consider their future and dance the right steps. In the mid-1980’s, I sold a company I owned to a large corporation and managed it for them as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent firm. The attorney for one of my clients became a good friend. I’ll never forget the day he described the planning retreat he and all the other partners of his large law firm participated in. They all discussed where they saw the firm in 10 years. Then, they shared where they saw themselves personally in 10 years. Not one of the partners saw themselves remaining at the firm! As they took their turns sharing, they all said in one form or another, “I don’t want to be practicing law. I WANT TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!” Some wanted to teach, others wanted to volunteer their time and skills at a community agency. Sadly, though they all had a dream they wanted to follow, none of them felt they could step out. They explained they had mortgages, car payments, children headed for college, and their families had grown accustomed to the standard of living their salaries guaranteed. They were trapped and couldn’t live their dreams!

• “WE LIVED OUR LIVES IN FEAR!” (Several characters in the film)

Don’t we all want to live lives of SIGNIFICANCE? I think we all want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I believe we’re wired to accomplish great things. So why do we struggle? Why do so many of us allow ourselves to get trapped on a hamster wheel, pedaling furiously, but going nowhere? We feel trapped because we are AFRAID to do something different! We are afraid of taking a risk because we might lose. I’d like us to ask ourselves, “What do I lose if I never RISK?” What great accomplishment in our future do we lose if we never step toward it? If the organizations we lead are afraid to risk, we’ll never learn the lessons that only come with trials and challenges. As somebody has pointed out, look at the technological advances our society made as a result of placing a man on the moon. In 1960 when President Kennedy said we’d do it within the decade, it was a huge RISK!


AFTER YOU WATCH THE FILM: So how did Baz Lurhmann’s film strike you? What did you learn as you watched the Hasting's struggle with following their heart versus “dancing the right steps?” As we seek to make application in our lives, is it ever right to lead in a specific direction simply because some expect it from us? How do we strike a balance between exercising sound judgment and taking a risk? How can we determine our motivation for leading? Are we leading to GET, or are we motivated to serve others as we lead? How can we tell the difference? Sorry to be so lengthy, but like I said, I LIKED THE MOVIE!

Leadership & Life Lessons (and GOLF!)

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Our first ever LeadersHeart golf event was a great time! It was different than any charity golf event we'd ever done. First, it wasn't a fundraiser (although thanks to generous friends we were able to cover our costs while subsidizing the entry fee for younger participants!). Our intent was to put on an event that was centered on quality golf while bringing together seasoned leaders with younger, emerging leaders.

It was so satisfying to watch it all take place! We enjoyed a great continental breakfast and gathered to introduce our four leadership priorities. Thanks to some tremendous local pros (hats off to Dan Meinert, Dave Hoce, and Mike Broderick!) we started the day with three great sessions covering putting, short game, and full swing. They did an amazing job of providing quality golf instruction AND tying it all in to our leadership priorities! After lunch together, we played 18 holes using a unique format that made for some excellent golf while walking through some great leadership exercises. Everybody had an excellent time. Here's a note I just received from one of the participants:

"The Leadersheart golf event was fantastic! Set on a beautiful course in St. Augustine, FL we learned key leadership principles in between golf clinics that beginners to seasoned golfers learned from. Learning how to lead from the heart with relationships and vision for others was stressed as vital components to successful leadership. Being able to connect with other leaders with a transparency and willingness to learn and teach is a rare opportunity. I can’t wait for the next event!"

We'll be conducting more quality Leadership events in the future -- stay tuned for more info!

Management Leaders Turn Attention to Followers

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The Wall Street Journal's online version has a great section called, Lessons in Leadership. There are some good articles and videos on a variety of leadership related topics. I'd encourage you to check it out.

I was recently scanning the section and ran across an archived article from December, 2007. The article, "Management Leaders Turn Attention to Followers," is especially interesting in light of current events. For example, Iran's government rigs an election and then tightens the censorship screws to prevent the truth from flowing in or out of the country. Innovative citizens AND foreigners smash the controls with a tidal wave of information via several social media outlets!

Here's a great quote from the Journal article:

"...companies should look for passionate employees, keep them informed and give them room to carry out useful projects."

Isn't that great? REAMS of information have been developed on the topic of leadership. From my perspective, we're at the point where very little can be said that hasn't already been said. However, most of the leadership teaching has been aimed exclusively at the people in the top layer of organizational charts. Very little attention has been focused on the rest of our team members. Even the Journal article I reference above calls the rest of the team, "followers." I believe that term has an extremely negative connotation. This approach assumes the top tier of the organizational chart is made up of "leaders" and the rest of the chart is comprised of "followers." The tidal wave in Iran should clearly show by now that EVERYONE has the capacity to lead.

How are you being called to exert greater leadership today?

Forgiveness is Healthy

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Here's a couple quotes from an article entitled, "Forgiveness is Healthy:"

Hard science can back up the religious tenet of forgiveness, even in the most extreme settings. "Forgiveness is not just a state of mind," Jina Moore writes for Search magazine, “it’s a physiological reality. And, scientifically speaking, it’s good for us.” Researchers have found that grief, anger, and anxiety can all be mitigated through forgiveness, and can the act lead to better health for both the forgiver and the forgiven.

“Forgiveness and reconciliation are work,” writes Moore. The person forgiving needs to both empathize and decide—consciously or unconsciously—that the person asking for pardon is deserving of forgiveness. In fact, in terms of the health benefits , Moore writes the science shows “it is as important why you forgive as that you forgive at all.”

I'm so glad that God didn't wait for me to be "deserving" before DECIDING to forgive me! This truth is one of the foundational principles of Christianity. He forgave because He loves me -- not because I was deserving.

Also, don't you love it when science arrives at a conclusion that Scripture pointed us to thousands of years ago? Secular science has determined it's healthy to forgive! Remember the words of the prayer our Lord taught us: "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

So what's that got to do with leadership? Leaders set the tone for organizations. Leaders who forgive with no reservation help create healthy individuals AND healthy organizations. Let's also clarify: to forgive completely doesn't mean I put someone in a position of responsibility that has betrayed trust and/or abused their authority. However, I can forgive and set people free from the chains that bind them to their past failures. Many times people who have tried and failed turn out to be strong team members when I help them move forward with the valuable insight they gain from hard knocks.

The Apostle Peter denied he even knew Christ! After Jesus restored Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Peter became the foundation Christ built his church on. Jesus turned Peter from a failure into an apostle with 1) a question, 2) Peter's answer, and 3) Christ's command:

1. "Peter, do you love me?"
2. "Lord, you know I love you."
3. "Then, feed my sheep!"

The Psychology of Stress

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The Psychology of Stress - Entrepreneur.com

"Workers are losing their jobs, employers are losing their businesses, and as credit becomes more and more scarce, everyone is losing confidence. What's more, entrepreneurs are grappling with a sense that they've lost control of critical factors that could determine their futures. Those psychological hurdles are perhaps the biggest challenges facing today's business owners..."

As a leader, do you really understand the weight that comes with title and position? The article I've linked to above talks about the psychology of stress. Here are some interesting statements from the article:

Problems

• So many of the factors contributing to excessive stress "have nothing to do with you."
• "Cognitive Distortion" causes people under "...undue stress to discount positive events, seeing only the negative."
• "When people define themselves by their business, they might conclude, 'If my business isn't doing well, then I'm not doing well.'"
• "Stress was getting to the point where I sometimes felt physically ill."
  

Article's Solutions

• Take control of what you can.
• THINK straight. Write your way through fear to help you identify thoughts that aren't serving you. Stay focused on the big picture.
• EXERCISE regularly.
• Look for OPPORTUNITIES and keep moving forward. There's a clearing up ahead.

Warren's random responses to the article:

In regards to "personal control," it's important to do all we can. However, the author states, "a sense of personal control -- the belief that you set your destiny -- is one of several characteristics shared by happy people." So what if YOU screw up? What if YOUR efforts aren't good enough? Rick Warren begins his bestseller, "The Purpose Driven Life," with the statement, "It's not about YOU." Instead of focusing on gaining "personal control," I'd recommend YIELDING control of your life, your future, your career, and everything else to HIM. Giving up my desire to control things is the foundational step to true happiness and contentment.

Thinking straight is mandatory and difficult to maintain. The article recommended writing as a means of sorting out "stinking thinking" from solid, productive thinking. I agree. In addition to a small group of committed friends, advisors, and family that can help me keep things straight, a great plumb line to help me keep things straight is God's Word. It's hard to get too far off in left field if I'm continually comparing my thoughts to eternal truth. However, whenever I run across a disparity between God's Word and my thoughts, I need to change my thoughts and not attempt to twist Scripture to affirm my patterns.

If my identity is wrapped up in anything related to my performance, I'm headed toward burnout. Even a world class athlete like Tiger Woods has some off days. What's great about life as a follower of Christ is that my identity is based on Who HE is and what HE'S done on my behalf. The good things I do that flow out of my relationship with Him are evidence He is in control. My failures are evidence I'm not perfect, but they don't change who I am.

A closing thought: 45 minutes of aerobic exercise at the prescribed heart rate for my age doesn't affect my salvation or personal worth. BUT, it sure does feel good and my doctor's tests prove it contributes to my health & energy.

Mentoring Relationships

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In a recent article in Entrepreneur magazine, Ivan Misner wrote a an article entitled, "Become a Networking Mentor." Misner encourages the practice of mentoring and specifically suggests sharing networking strategies "...you've found successful" with others. He reiterates that teaching others is one of the most effective strategies for mastering a skill.

Then, he lists the "7 Characteristics of a Good Mentor," courtesy of Michael J. Freeman. Here they are:

1. A desire to help. Individuals who are interested in and willing to help others.
   
2. Have had positive experiences. Those who have had positive formal or informal experiences with a mentor tend to be good mentors themselves.
   
3. Good reputation for developing others. Experienced people who have a good reputation for helping others develop their skills.
   
4. Time and energy. People who have the time and mental energy to devote to the relationship.
   
5. Up-to-date knowledge. Those who have maintained current, up-to-date technological knowledge and/or skills.
   
6. Learning attitude. Individuals who are still willing and able to learn and who see the potential benefits of a mentoring relationship.
   
7. Demonstrated effective managerial (mentoring) skills. People who have demonstrated effective coaching, counseling, facilitating and networking skills.

One of the characteristics that I see missing in talented people who could otherwise be a great mentor, is #4 -- "Time and Energy." It's not that they don't have the time or energy. Unfortunately, they choose to spend their time/energy on other pursuits. Developing mentoring relationships seems to be a low priority. As a young leader, I can remember pursuing a mentoring relationship with multiple, older, more seasoned leaders. One politely declined and passed me on to another member of his staff ("It's not really my gifting...") and the rest enthusiastically responded with an emphatic "YES -- let's do this!" Sadly, the relationships fizzled soon after beginning because of missed appointments, appointments cut short, cell phones ringing during meetings, and a general lack of commitment.

Based on the 7 qualities listed above, do you see yourself as a mentor? Have you benefited from a relationship with somebody who meets these qualifications? Which characteristics do you see as most critical? How can we make mentoring a priority?

Lead Well and PROSPER!

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I just ran across this article on 12 Leadership Lessons From the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise. The title caught my eye and I was interested enough to skim the "12 Lessons":

1. Be a Leader
   
2. Taunt Your Rival
3. Allow Subordinates to Speak Freely
4. Delegate
5. Plan Ahead
6. Set Realistic Goals
7. Meetings
8. Intuition
9. Creativity.

Did you catch it? The title says "12 Lessons..." and there are only NINE! Oh well, we'll chalk that one up to human error. Bottom line, the nine we're given in the article are worth the read!

Here's a priceless quote from my hero, Mr. Spock. It's under lesson #3 (Allow Subordinates to Speak Freely):

"If I may be so bold, it was a mistake for you to accept promotion. Commanding a starship is your first, best, destiny. Anything else is a waste of material." -Spock, to Kirk

I see TWO lessons in this quote. First, Spock is free to offer this counsel to his superior, Capt. James Kirk. Leaders need to create an environment around them that allows folks to offer the insight they possess. Second, Spock has zeroed in on one of the priorities of LeadersHeart -- Lead From Your Heart.What is the deposit that God's downloaded into your heart? What do you have a passion for? What is the one thing you've always wanted to do? Spock was telling his captain that it made absolutely NO sense to accept a promotion that would move him up the chain of command to a desk. Kirk was CREATED to command a starship and doing anything else would be off target.

Read the article and chime in with your thoughts. I love tying leadership to one of my all-time favorite TV shows! I'm thinking we need some "Leadership Lessons From Everybody Loves Raymond!"

Be sure and view the video at the end of the article AND click on the link just prior to the video that says "Read more about Star Trek at FastCompany.com here."

Lessons on Leadership from a GREAT lady!

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Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of Great Britain 30 years ago this week.

I just read a commentary on Lady Thatcher that included a GREAT statement:

She called on the British people to remember their history and to embrace it. She was not indulging in nostalgia so much as she was taking from a living past in order to build a better future.This is the key to leadership. Leadership doesn’t lie in poll numbers, though all politicians take polls to measure the public temperature. Leadership is about convictions with ample references to past successes and the principles behind them. If one doesn’t bake a cake without first reading the directions, how can a damaged nation be repaired without discerning what works and what doesn’t? If a people forget their history—as too many in Britain and America have done—they are then susceptible to being snookered by politicians who propose something “new.”

Margaret Thatcher believed in wisely applying the lessons learned from our past. More importantly, she believed in doing the right thing, regardless of popularity poll results. Here at LeadersHeart, I call this the "gospel according to Nike" -- you know what's right, JUST DO IT!

Most intellectually honest people aren't looking for leaders who tell them what they want to hear. People are hungry for (and willing to follow) leaders who lead from principle, who lead from THEIR HEART.

Margaret Thatcher was just such a leader -- we honor her legacy by encouraging our readers to hop on Google or stop by the library. There's a wealth of information available (especially due to her 30th anniversary) on Mrs. Thatcher that any student of leadership would do well to study.

Leadership Generational Gap?

Here's an excerpt from the back cover of the book, The Leadership Jump:

"Authority is no longer derived from positional status but is earned from relational credibility. And leadership is less about directing followers to a particular destination but rather empowering others on a shared journey. Existing leaders cannot write off emerging leaders because they work differently. Nor can younger leaders dismiss the contributions of those who have gone before."

I've been discussing this topic with a lot of people lately. Some feel there's no difference between older & younger generations when it comes to the type of desired leadership. Others feel strongly there is a drastic "generation gap" when it comes to leadership style.

What do you think? Are people looking for a different type of leader today?

Silos, Politics, & Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni Audio Book on CD, Audio Download

As a leader, have you ever had to deal with folks in your organization who are more concerned with defending their "territory" than doing what's best for the whole team? This is one of the best books I've ever run across on this topic:

Silos, Politics, & Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni Audio Book on CD, Audio Download

This is a great book by Patrick Lencioni (The Table Group) that I recommend to any leader. The top link above is for an excerpt from the audio book version. I actually bought the hardcover edition. If you happen to pick it up, I'd like to hear from you and get your feedback. Check out the link to Patrick's organization, The Table Group, for some great tools and information on his other books.

The "Rest of the Story"

Image by Professor Pigg via Flickr

Here's an excerpt from a great article by Gordon MacDonald: "Most Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire-builders have been people unable to give and receive love."

MacDonald does a good job of talking about the importance of the seemingly "little" things in the middle of our quest to leave a mark as a Christian leader. One of the reasons the Hunsbergers were drawn to SCC was what I saw in Pastor Russ the first Sunday we visited (t was also the last Sunday we visited -- we made it our church home immediately). Another reason we were drawn here was what we saw in the "rest of the story" (Paul Harvey). The "rest of" the Austins tell you what Pastor Russ is like when he's off the stage, out of the limelight, when he hasn't had a chance to prepare notes.

I had a guest speaker sit down next to me once at a conference I was hosting up in the Midwest. We had just met a few months before and he leans over and says "You're awesome." I'm preparing to write his comment off as just another nice thing to say to the host, until he followed up with this comment: "I can tell who you are by what I see in your children." Several of my grown sons/daughters were in attendance at the conference. THAT comment sunk in -- the Lord was showing me AGAIN that what will really matter when I'm on my deathbed ready to slip into eternity is what those closest to me saw in me. How does my Heavenly Father view my "accomplishments?" What do Gay and the kids think about me -- what will they SAY about me when I'm gone?

MacDonald does a great job of bringing these kinds of values out onto the table in his article.

Here's a link:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/thepastor/pastorsrole/leafrakingdoctrine.html?start=1

Let us know what you think!

Whose yoke is this, anyway?

Image by Digging For Fire via Flickr

Most leaders know the feeling -- trying to get out of town, a stack of phone calls that need returned, emails hanging out of the inbox and the crazy thing keeps ringing at me, bills need paid, dry cleaning needs picked up...

But, He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

If Jesus promised His followers REST, WHY are so many Christian leaders burnt to a crisp? What does rest have to do with calendars that are stuffed to the max?

I can hear something rattling around in my readers right now: "But, this is the LORD'S work! Are you trying to tell me I need a recliner to be spiritual?"

Here's what I'm trying to tell ALL of us (and I'm really trying to listen!): leaders end up burnt out and caved in because we yoke ourselves to the WRONG things. We are busier than "one-armed paper hangers" because we fill our calendars with all kinds of things the Lord hasn't called us to. It's not a matter of too much work -- the issue we need to address is focusing on work that really matters in the face of eternity! I read a good article this morning over coffee and wanted to pass on the link:

http://www.navpress.com/magazines/archives/article.aspx?id=1.97.2

Every week I'll have much more work staring me in the face than I can possibly get done! It helps me when I back up a couple of steps before the week begins and ask, "Lord, help me FOCUS on the stuff (and those weird PEOPLE I'm supposed to be serving!) that really matters." As I move through the week and the phone keeps ringing and emails stack up, I need to make sure my filter is in place. I have a finite amount of time each day -- what is really important? What would Jesus do?

Believer or Disciple?

Image via Wikipedia

Before Jesus leaves this earth to return to the Father, He gives his 12 catalysts the bulls-eye to focus on. Jesus commands them to "...go and make disciples..." and as they obeyed that command, they turned the Roman Empire upside down in less than 100 years!

I'll bet most of us could quickly come up with a list of differences between recruiting believers and making disciples. I'll bet our lists would look remarkably similar. But, I'm wondering if we've given much thought to the IMPORTANCE of focusing on the discipleship process in lieu of putting all of our efforts into only ONE step. To make disciples, we've got to share truth and ask unbelievers to respond and BELIEVE Christ's teaching. But, just believing doesn't make a disciple. In James 2:19 we're told that "even the demons believe." The process of building true disciples involves much more than changing belief systems. Merriam-Webster defines a disciple as "one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another." I can passively BELIEVE, but a disciple actively LIVES the message and serves as a catalyst to spread it to others.

I'm asking God to use me to raise up an army of young people who will yield to God and allow Him to use us to set the world on FIRE. That's gonna require more than passive believers. I ran across an excellent article on the process of discipleship. Here's an excerpt: "Disciple-making churches are action-oriented. They call, equip, and send people. They regularly call people to put faith in Christ, equip people to grow more like Christ, and send people to live for Christ through love and good deeds." Here's a link to the rest of the article by Patrick Morley -- http://www.maninthemirror.org/weeklybriefing/wb319.htm

A call to "believe" differently doesn't light a fire in most folks. But, people who've obviously crossed over to a different belief system and then LIVE as radically authentic followers of Christ are MAGNETS that attract others.

Let's help build Christ followers that BELIEVE His teaching and help spread the message by LIVING the process of discipleship.