Jan 2008
The Hardest Part (The L Curve: Part 4)
29.01.08 09:18 Filed in: Leadership
The hardest
part about being a leader is feeling like you not
only need to
be all things to
all people, you have to
know all things for
all people and
do all things for
all people. As a leader you are placed by God in a
place of responsibility and authority. This does not
mean you've arrived. Rather it means that you will be
held accountable--not for perfection, but for growth.
I want to ask you 2 questions:
Have you forgotten that you are in a learning curve?
Because of that (question #1), have you stopped growing?
I want to ask you 2 questions:
Have you forgotten that you are in a learning curve?
Because of that (question #1), have you stopped growing?
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The Following (The L Curve: Part 3)
17.01.08 13:26 Filed in: Leadership
Another
learning curve of new leadership insights is the
people we influence. There are 2 major mistakes
leaders make in their own personal Leadership Growth
Curve.
1. The leader allows the assumed pressure of "their following" looking to them as the example to taint the natural growth process in the leader's own life.
What I mean by this is we assume that because other people are counting on us that our growth curve needs to be faster, better, or more advanced than the process really should take. It's kind of like expecting a newborn to be able to read when they can't even speak. There is a natural process that needs to happen before that child can read. In the same way we as leaders cannot skip through the natural growth process in our own lives.
2. The leader prematurely teaches "their following" about what they as the leader are learning.
Now, it is important for us as leaders to be giving out what we learn. However, nobody wants to watch half of a movie. Allow the growth process to finish entirely before you start teaching others how they can grow in this area. You cannot account for everything that may happen in a growth process.
I will have one final installment of The Leadership Curve hope you've enjoyed it.
1. The leader allows the assumed pressure of "their following" looking to them as the example to taint the natural growth process in the leader's own life.
What I mean by this is we assume that because other people are counting on us that our growth curve needs to be faster, better, or more advanced than the process really should take. It's kind of like expecting a newborn to be able to read when they can't even speak. There is a natural process that needs to happen before that child can read. In the same way we as leaders cannot skip through the natural growth process in our own lives.
2. The leader prematurely teaches "their following" about what they as the leader are learning.
Now, it is important for us as leaders to be giving out what we learn. However, nobody wants to watch half of a movie. Allow the growth process to finish entirely before you start teaching others how they can grow in this area. You cannot account for everything that may happen in a growth process.
I will have one final installment of The Leadership Curve hope you've enjoyed it.
Lamblasted (The L Curve: Part 2)
14.01.08 16:53 Filed in: Leadership
If
you're reading this you are most likely interested in
growing as a leader. I am convinced that our most
difficult leadership challenges are not the outward
circumstances we are currently facing--it is the
inward battle of becoming who God has called each of
us to be.
2 Co. 3:18 [MSG]
All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces
shining with the brightness of his face. And so we
are transfigured much like the Messiah,
our lives gradually becoming brighter and more
beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like
him.
Notice the word gradually. Often, we as leaders
expect that we (THE leader) should automatically
change and transform into perfection. Not because God
has those expectations on us but rather we have
placed that on ourselves.
We are lamblasted with leadership "propaganda"--which is not necessarily a bad thing-- and suddenly expect that from the moment the new knowledge enters our ears it has been formed into our lives as well. The danger in this is the fact that realistically it hasn't been formed into our lives and will only do so gradually as we become like Jesus. Just want to lovingly remind us that as we are lamblasted we are going through a gradual process.
We are lamblasted with leadership "propaganda"--which is not necessarily a bad thing-- and suddenly expect that from the moment the new knowledge enters our ears it has been formed into our lives as well. The danger in this is the fact that realistically it hasn't been formed into our lives and will only do so gradually as we become like Jesus. Just want to lovingly remind us that as we are lamblasted we are going through a gradual process.
The Leadership Curve: Part 1
13.01.08 01:20 Filed in: Leadership
Over the next
few days I am going to have a series of posts talking
about the learning curve that comes with new
leadership insights. Many times as we develop our
leadership skills and broaden our horizons we are met
with such great challenges that we cannot possibly
overcome them all in one shot.
May I remind you that all of your imperfections (as you see them) will not be erased after one inspirational experience. It will simply take time for you to become who God has called you to be as a leader. Get up, dust yourself off, and focus on one step at a time.
May I remind you that all of your imperfections (as you see them) will not be erased after one inspirational experience. It will simply take time for you to become who God has called you to be as a leader. Get up, dust yourself off, and focus on one step at a time.
Personal Growth Plan
12.01.08 15:14 Filed in: Leadership
What a day!
For those of you at the Leadership Retreat here is
the completion to my session "Highlights".
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE ONLY THING PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE ARE BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS? The entire Bible is filled with highlights--good and bad--for us to be encouraged as we create our own highlights.
Igdathia the man of God...
Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV]
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your "good works" are you highlights. What highlights are people going to see in your life? The thing is: Highlights happen on purpose EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM ARE SPONTANEOUS! What I mean is your highlights are planned even though you don’t know when or where they may happen.
I talked about creating a personal growth plan for 2008. Basically set one day aside to spend with God. Define or redefine your vision and your core values for your life (not your ministry or your job). Then create a plan for growth. The most growth you will have will come in areas of your strengths not your weaknesses. Your strengths are not necessarily areas that you are great at. They are the areas in your life that after you do them you feel strong or refreshed. A strength gives you energy and passion. We say all the time whatever unlocks your passion is the key to your calling.
HERE IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: (This is just a plan. The beauty of this is you can tweak it to fit you!)
1. Read One to Two Books a Month besides the Bible. These are books that help you grow personally or professionally.
2. Purchase worship CDs and download podcasts or messages from your favorite communicators that I want to experience and learn from that year.
3. Choose 5 areas I want to grow in during the year. These are areas I believe are key to my effectiveness. (Sometimes #1 & #2 with correlate with this one.)
4. Select mentors for the areas I chose to learn. Meet with them or talk to them at specific, consistent times throughout the year (Maybe once a month, maybe once every other month, maybe once every 3 months, just consistently).
5. Subscribe to and read magazines or rss feeds for personal growth and stretching.
6. Meet with accountability partners to stay on track. These are individuals who will continue to challenge you and make you better.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE ONLY THING PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE ARE BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS? The entire Bible is filled with highlights--good and bad--for us to be encouraged as we create our own highlights.
Igdathia the man of God...
Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV]
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your "good works" are you highlights. What highlights are people going to see in your life? The thing is: Highlights happen on purpose EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM ARE SPONTANEOUS! What I mean is your highlights are planned even though you don’t know when or where they may happen.
I talked about creating a personal growth plan for 2008. Basically set one day aside to spend with God. Define or redefine your vision and your core values for your life (not your ministry or your job). Then create a plan for growth. The most growth you will have will come in areas of your strengths not your weaknesses. Your strengths are not necessarily areas that you are great at. They are the areas in your life that after you do them you feel strong or refreshed. A strength gives you energy and passion. We say all the time whatever unlocks your passion is the key to your calling.
HERE IS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR: (This is just a plan. The beauty of this is you can tweak it to fit you!)
1. Read One to Two Books a Month besides the Bible. These are books that help you grow personally or professionally.
2. Purchase worship CDs and download podcasts or messages from your favorite communicators that I want to experience and learn from that year.
3. Choose 5 areas I want to grow in during the year. These are areas I believe are key to my effectiveness. (Sometimes #1 & #2 with correlate with this one.)
4. Select mentors for the areas I chose to learn. Meet with them or talk to them at specific, consistent times throughout the year (Maybe once a month, maybe once every other month, maybe once every 3 months, just consistently).
5. Subscribe to and read magazines or rss feeds for personal growth and stretching.
6. Meet with accountability partners to stay on track. These are individuals who will continue to challenge you and make you better.
The Summit
10.01.08 10:03 Filed in: Leadership
The Reveal Story
09.01.08 15:08 Filed in: Leadership
Willow Creek again is leading the way but this time
in humility. In April of 2007 Bill Hybles (through
Greg Hawkins, Cally Parkinson, and Eric Arnson)
talked about the findings of a series of
conversations and surveys now known as Reveal. What
they have found out is staggering! I ordered the book
and received it yesterday, last night I read the
entire thing and some of it utterly shocked me to my
core. It is good. As a pastor I highly recommend it
to anyone on a pastoral staff.
Here is a brief synopsis...
When looking at church health, pastors have long been limited to one question: “How many?” With scientific research shining light on biblical truth, there’s a new question to ask: “Where are you?”
The health of the church is not just about the numbers. When it comes to spiritual growth, we need to be able to measure the unseen. We need a glimpse of people’s attitudes, thoughts, and feelings. We need words that reveal the heart of each person. We want to know what moves them at the deepest levels. We need to ask, “Where are you?”
FIND OUT MORE AT REVEALNOW.COM
Here is a brief synopsis...
When looking at church health, pastors have long been limited to one question: “How many?” With scientific research shining light on biblical truth, there’s a new question to ask: “Where are you?”
The health of the church is not just about the numbers. When it comes to spiritual growth, we need to be able to measure the unseen. We need a glimpse of people’s attitudes, thoughts, and feelings. We need words that reveal the heart of each person. We want to know what moves them at the deepest levels. We need to ask, “Where are you?”
FIND OUT MORE AT REVEALNOW.COM