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Category Archive: Leadership Development

Excellence Is A Choice

Posted by on November 7, 2014

There is a major difference between seeking excellence compared to wanting perfection. Perfection has no tolerance for risk that might lead to failure while excellence demands risk for the sake of improvement. Excellence has no tolerance either for average but it does not create a culture of fear and intimidation. Character driven leaders cannot settle for anything less than their best and Scott Williams has some great insights:

“Often times Excellence is viewed as this moving, high-level target that only a select group of fortuitous individuals can achieve. Excellence is simply a choice, it’s choice to: study more, practice longer, take that extra step in customer service,

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The Leaders Bucket List

Posted by on October 20, 2014

I have watched this movie probably 5 times and I want to say its because of the incredible acting. But beyond that we all cannot help but think about what things would make our list. When it really gets serious for me is when the things are not for fun anymore but for the influence to really make a difference in this life. John Maxwell has some great thoughts for leaders:

“Everyone we meet has the potential to teach us something. Of all the sources of knowledge available to us in the Digital Age, the richest repository of wisdom still resides in the hearts of the people we interact with each day. The Internet can help us track down information, but life’s deepest truths are best learned in the context of relationships, from people who have lived and breathed them.”

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5 Ways Emotions Help And Hurt Your Leadership

Posted by on October 10, 2014

I constantly fight the battle between how I feel about something compared to what I think about it. Sadly, in many cases my emotions win the argument and my conclusions are based on the problem of the moment rather than the real priorities for my life. Emotions also can be a good thing and that is why Carey Nieuwhof post is great balance in explaining their role:

“I had a blah day earlier this week. Nothing terrible happened. There was no direct trigger. I just didn’t feel great emotionally. Chances are you have more than a few of those days yourself. I believe misunderstood and unaddressed emotions sink more leadership potential than most of us realize.”

Categories: Leadership Development Pastoral Leadership | Comments Off on 5 Ways Emotions Help And Hurt Your Leadership

Say No To The Good And Yes To The Best

Posted by on September 24, 2014

This represents the highest development level of leadership. In this day of high collaboration there is a build in bias toward doing more because there are more voices at the table. The only way I know as a leader to say No to good things is to already have a bigger Yes. Leaders have to have the courage to say no to the few for the benefit of the many. Brad Lomenick owns this problem and offer practical advice:

“I love this quote, but I struggle constantly with implementing it. It makes total sense, but as a persuader, my leadership style is to include and to invite more and more into the conversation and the huddle.”

Categories: Leadership Development Personal Leadership | Comments Off on Say No To The Good And Yes To The Best

6 Ways To Make A Real Difference

Posted by on September 22, 2014

I learned very early in my corporate career that there had to be more to life than showing up for work, getting paid and going home. I had my family life and that was meaningful. I had my faith life and that was very rewarding. The big problem was all these parts were all segmented and not integrated. What was the overarching purpose of it all and how did it all work together? Cary Nieuwhof has another excellent post:

“So you want to make a difference—a bigger impact with your life. I echo that. Most leaders want that. I do.”

Categories: Core Values Leadership Development Personal Leadership Work Life Integration | Comments Off on 6 Ways To Make A Real Difference

Leaders Trust Their People

Posted by on September 17, 2014

Back in the day of top down leadership it was assumed that the leaders had all the answers and the rest of the organization’s role was to simply execute the plan. It still amazes me in this day of high collaboration that so many organizations still dramatically undervalue their front line workforce. Ken Blanchard literally wrote the book on this subject and his example of this one company is spot on:

“In spite of competitive wages and benefits and an overall positive assessment from employees, the plant was experiencing large spikes in people leaving every summer and management couldn’t figure out why.”

Categories: Delegation Leadership Development Staff Development | Comments Off on Leaders Trust Their People

The Most Effective Leadership Habit

Posted by on September 11, 2014

I love the truth that the single most effective habit you can develop to help lead other people is the ability to lead yourself. This is so often overlooked and significantly undervalued. You cannot successfully pass on to others with credibility things you are not first living out yourself. John Maxwell hits another home run:

“Self-leadership is where credibility is established. It’s what makes your leadership appealing to others. Without self-leadership, a leader can’t make any progress or take anyone with him or her. Here I want to share just one of the ten questions on self-leadership that I answer in Good Leaders Ask Great Questions.“

Categories: Leadership Development Personal Leadership | Comments Off on The Most Effective Leadership Habit

Leaders Make The Hard Calls

Posted by on August 25, 2014

In this age of high collaboration and the use of teams we almost forget many times one person still has to make the call so everyone can move forward. It takes a character driven leader to value the opinions in the room and then still make a decision thats not popular with the group. John Maxwell uses a soccer gave to give us some advice:

“How do make good decisions in circumstances where the right choice is not perfectly clear and where so much is at stake? Let’s return to the analogy of the soccer referee for guidance. A good referee…

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Speak Up Its Why You Are In The Room

Posted by on August 22, 2014

I can well remember the days of leadership when all the decisions were made at the top and the team was there merely to execute. Now it’s the other extreme where everyone on the team is expected to contribute to the outcome. If you have been invited to the meeting make a contribution to the conversation. Michael Hyatt gives us permission to lead:

“Are you waiting for someone to give you permission to lead, grow, or move in your organization? What if you already have all the permission you need?”

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6 Ways To Lead Staff You Don't Like

Posted by on August 20, 2014

Sometimes leading a team can get real messy. Trying to mesh so may different personalities and perspectives in and of itself is extremely difficult. Beyond that there are those few people that are good at what they do but they are hard to like. Todd Akins has some helpful suggestions:

“Some of you will be deeply offended and leave this post right after the next sentence. While you should love everyone on your staff, it’s ok if you like some people more.”

Categories: Servant Leader Staff Development | Comments Off on 6 Ways To Lead Staff You Don't Like