Blog-Generated | Coaching Churches

Stress And Why Its Important

Posted by on April 21, 2014

I hear it said all the time there is good stress and bad stress. I have to admit I have not reached the point where I appreciate the good type because of being overwhelmed by the bad. This post by John Maxwell was a helpful reminder of the value of stress in helping us as leaders grow and become more effective:

“To live stress-free would be to deny our responsibility as leaders. Stress accompanies growth. We have to accept that all worthwhile change, every amazing transformation and renewal, brings about temporary stress.

For example, think about an expectant mother.”

Categories: Margin Personal Leadership | Comments Off on Stress And Why Its Important

How To Really Get Things Done

Posted by on April 16, 2014

It seems like I am always looking for some new tool to help me get things done. I almost need an app to manage all my productivity apps. My real problem though is not that I don’t know what needs to be done but I often lack the energy to get the project over the goal line. Cary Nieuwhof hits the nail on the head:

“We could end the post there (just get a new app!), but chances are no matter how great your task management system is, you’re probably still feeling a bit overwhelmed right now as you look at your massive to do list. No app can fix that. But maybe this can.”

Categories: Leadership Development Productivity | Comments Off on How To Really Get Things Done

Wisdom In Leadership

Posted by on April 11, 2014

I love the next and coolest new leadership idea. I find myself looking at how I can improve myself for the future. Many times the answer to that challenge lies in the lessons learned in the past. This perspective that allows us to learn from our mistakes and yet still have the passion for the future is called wisdom. Ron Edmondson had a great experience with someone who has a lot to say:

“And, as a result, he has tremendous influence and a very comfortable lifestyle. He’s a straight, candid talker. In spite of his success, he was exceptionally approachable and genuinely seemed to be a kind-hearted man.”

Categories: Core Values Leadership Development Servant Leader | Comments Off on Wisdom In Leadership

How To Create Moral Margin In Your Life

Posted by on April 4, 2014

One of the greatest books I have ever read is Margin by Richard Swenson. I knew my life was over scheduled and needed dramatic help but I could not understand the underlying causes. I now know that if you lack margin in any important area of your life you will eventually crash, its just a matter of time. Mark Merrill has a very helpful post:

“Normally, when leaders talk about margin, they are referring to the gap between a loaded and overloaded schedule, between being busy and overly busy. To create that margin, it’s often suggested that we have “white space” on our calendar, times when we don’t schedule things so that we can accommodate contingencies and unanticipated situations.”

Categories: Core Values Margin | Comments Off on How To Create Moral Margin In Your Life

You've Offended Someone, Now What?

Posted by on March 28, 2014

There is at least one absolute reality in life and that is I am going to say something that clearly offends someone. It’s clearly most painful when it happens at home but its difficult in every other relationship as well. The hard part is sometimes I don’t even know I crossed the line and other times I just don’t care. Mark Merrill has some wise insight in this post:

“Let’s face it, most of us don’t want to hear that we’ve done something wrong. We don’t want to admit that we’ve hurt someone with our words or actions. But when we speak 16,000 or more words a day, we’re bound to offend people more easily than we’d like to admit.”

Categories: Marriage Personal Leadership | Comments Off on You've Offended Someone, Now What?

Individual Contributors Vs. Teamwork

Posted by on March 26, 2014

I can clearly remember when teams where the newest fad in leadership development. Initially, they were purely token with positional leadership still firmly in control. All of that is changing now and many good people don’t fit the team culture. Mark Miller takes on this critical subject in this new post:

“Each week, I respond to a question submitted by a reader. Today’s issue is one I’ve faced more than once over the years. The question is: In an increasingly team-based world, what is the role of the individual contributor?”

Categories: Leadership Development Teamwork | Comments Off on Individual Contributors Vs. Teamwork

7 Principles For Setting Goals That Work

Posted by on March 24, 2014

There is not a week in my life that goes by when the subject or the reality of goal setting does not come up. It seems so simply yet so many people are incredibly ineffective when it comes to getting the right things done. Michael Hyatt comes through again with an excellent post:

“How do you make change happen? More than that, how do you make the right change happen? When there is a gap between what is and what you want to be, how do you cross that gap?

Very practical, Read More …

Categories: Goal Setting Leadership Development | Comments Off on 7 Principles For Setting Goals That Work

3 Forces That Shape Character

Posted by on March 21, 2014

According to Jim Collins character is the number one priority in anyone becoming a successful leader. Its trumps competency hands down and it is something you must work on for continued growth and effectiveness. Michael Hyatt as usual has some timely tips:

“Charisma may be useful in attracting a following, but it is largely useless when it comes to achieving a long-term, positive impact on the people and organizations we lead. For this, we need character.”

Categories: Core Values | Comments Off on 3 Forces That Shape Character

How Do You Know When You Are Successful

Posted by on March 19, 2014

How tragic it would be for anyone at the end of their life to realize they had done many things well but they were the wrong things that did not matter. If you don’t have the courage to take the time to define what success really means for you then someone else will gladly do it for you. John Maxwell has some great thoughts on helping you answer this critical question:

“When will you be successful? If you’re like most people, what comes to mind is someday—somewhere off in the future, when you’ll suddenly wake up and think, “I made it! I’m a success!” That’s how most unsuccessful people see success: as something to strive for and hope to reach “someday.”

Categories: Core Values Personal Leadership Work Life Integration | Comments Off on How Do You Know When You Are Successful

3 Ways To Know How Well You Are Leading

Posted by on March 17, 2014

It always amazes me when I take the time to get some good feedback from other people on how well I am leading. They see things and hear things that never cross my radar and its important to have some internal and external sources to evaluate your performance. Casey Nieuwhof has some great thoughts:

“One of the most difficult aspects of leadership is to know how you’re doing as a leader. Add a little insecurity into the mix, and it makes things even more complex. But beyond that, how can you tell how you’re doing as a leader?”

Categories: Leadership Development | Comments Off on 3 Ways To Know How Well You Are Leading