Leadership isn't about pleasantries and friendships. It isn't about saying the right thing to convince someone to agreeing with you. It isn't about being the coolest person around or the most important person in the room.
Leadership is being able to communicate the vision, objective or mission so well that that you team can see the picture exactly the way you do, from 50,000 feet. Leadership is being able to take that picture and use it to raise the teams passion, effectiveness and abilities so high that even the thought of not succeeding is erased.
Leadership doesn't define something you do, its defines the person you are. Don't just do leadership, be leadership.
As 2008 starts, set the your goals for the year, make sure they are measurable, attainable and find someone to share them with that can hold you accountable.
God bless.
Monday, January 7, 2008
2008 Committed to Family and Faith.
HELLO, 2008 is here can you believe it? It seems like yesterday I was graduating from high school, college, getting married and having kids. Wow, life sure did happen fast. Most days it seems like there isn't enough time to do everything. It seems like the list of things that need to be completed gets longer and longer and the days get shorter and shorter.
Earlier in my blog I wrote about setting priorities and eliminating the clutter, if you would like to read that click here.
Today, my thoughts are on 2008 and the goals I have for this year. Top of my list is to spend better time with my family. I seem to be able to get home, but the time isn't spent well once I am there. Spend more time praying and reading the bible with my wife. Spend more time on my role in the church.
All of these things are "getting done" but I know I can be a better steward of my time and be way more effective a father, husband and follower of Christ.
I challenge each of you to make a commitment to your family and your faith this year. Commit the time and resources GOD gave you to the vision of The Connection Church; We want to raise up a generation leaders capable of reaching the world for Jesus Christ.
GOD BLESS and have a WONDERFUL Walk with Christ this year.
Earlier in my blog I wrote about setting priorities and eliminating the clutter, if you would like to read that click here.
Today, my thoughts are on 2008 and the goals I have for this year. Top of my list is to spend better time with my family. I seem to be able to get home, but the time isn't spent well once I am there. Spend more time praying and reading the bible with my wife. Spend more time on my role in the church.
All of these things are "getting done" but I know I can be a better steward of my time and be way more effective a father, husband and follower of Christ.
I challenge each of you to make a commitment to your family and your faith this year. Commit the time and resources GOD gave you to the vision of The Connection Church; We want to raise up a generation leaders capable of reaching the world for Jesus Christ.
GOD BLESS and have a WONDERFUL Walk with Christ this year.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
First Lead Yourself
Are you the leader of yourself? Do you practice what you preach? Can you honestly say that you are doing those things that you are asking your team to do? If you truly want to be a successful leader then you need to walk the talk. Here is some things that you should be doing to first lead yourself.
1. Personal commitment to success, you need to be willing to "own" the vision you are delivering. If you don't believe it your team will eventual stop following.
2. Discover the personal cost in your success and be willing to pay it now matter what it is. Your team needs to see that you are willing to sacrifice for the vision just as much as they are.
3. Remove the barriers of the past, there is always going to be something that your doing today that is "procedure" but it seems to get in the way of success. Be willing to tear down those things that are barriers and build new bridges to success.
4. Continue to be open to the idea of learning, Remember that your don't know everything and your team has knowledge that can be used for the overall success.
5. Key to success, there is going to be something that is key to the success of the mission. You need to find it and share it with the team.
Stand up and be a leader first to yourself, then to your family and then to your team.
Live leadership all day everyday not just at "work".
GOD Bless
1. Personal commitment to success, you need to be willing to "own" the vision you are delivering. If you don't believe it your team will eventual stop following.
2. Discover the personal cost in your success and be willing to pay it now matter what it is. Your team needs to see that you are willing to sacrifice for the vision just as much as they are.
3. Remove the barriers of the past, there is always going to be something that your doing today that is "procedure" but it seems to get in the way of success. Be willing to tear down those things that are barriers and build new bridges to success.
4. Continue to be open to the idea of learning, Remember that your don't know everything and your team has knowledge that can be used for the overall success.
5. Key to success, there is going to be something that is key to the success of the mission. You need to find it and share it with the team.
Stand up and be a leader first to yourself, then to your family and then to your team.
Live leadership all day everyday not just at "work".
GOD Bless
Monday, December 3, 2007
First Know your People, Then Lead
Coming into a new Company or position can be very stressful for you and your "new" team.
Over the years I have had many opportunities to meet new leaders and one of the earliest lessons I learned is that a new leader coming into the organization is just as stressed as their team is. So much apprehension and uncertainty surrounding the team and what changes may be coming and how they are going to "get along" with the new "guy".
The worst thing a new leader can do is step in and start making changes. This is a process that is best shared with your new team.
Another very common mistake people make is trying to lead before the people see you as their leader.
You need to be prepared to lead your team and that takes time. You need to build relationships with your team members. Don't get me wrong your position on the team comes with some basic responsibility and authority, but those do not make you a leader it makes you a manager and there is a big difference.
Try spending time getting to know your employees and their families. Building an authentic relationship with them is key to building trust. Try to spend time with your team outside of the work environment, this will allow them to see you as a person not the "boss". Make sure to have fun.
Spend one on one time with each of your employees, find out what makes them tick, where the life has taken them, where they are heading and what matters most to them. Engage them where they are at right now to start achieving some goals for success. Show them you are willing to sacrifice the same way they do, you don't have to be able to do the same job as them, just be willing to pay the same prize for success.
If you can build an authentic relationship and gain their trust, the leading part will come naturally.
God Bless.
Over the years I have had many opportunities to meet new leaders and one of the earliest lessons I learned is that a new leader coming into the organization is just as stressed as their team is. So much apprehension and uncertainty surrounding the team and what changes may be coming and how they are going to "get along" with the new "guy".
The worst thing a new leader can do is step in and start making changes. This is a process that is best shared with your new team.
Another very common mistake people make is trying to lead before the people see you as their leader.
You need to be prepared to lead your team and that takes time. You need to build relationships with your team members. Don't get me wrong your position on the team comes with some basic responsibility and authority, but those do not make you a leader it makes you a manager and there is a big difference.
Try spending time getting to know your employees and their families. Building an authentic relationship with them is key to building trust. Try to spend time with your team outside of the work environment, this will allow them to see you as a person not the "boss". Make sure to have fun.
Spend one on one time with each of your employees, find out what makes them tick, where the life has taken them, where they are heading and what matters most to them. Engage them where they are at right now to start achieving some goals for success. Show them you are willing to sacrifice the same way they do, you don't have to be able to do the same job as them, just be willing to pay the same prize for success.
If you can build an authentic relationship and gain their trust, the leading part will come naturally.
God Bless.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Circle of Influence
Do you live you life in darkness? Do you live your life as if the world revolves around you? Do you sometimes say I can do it on my own, I don't need anyone else's help?
In this day of computers, cell phones, ipods, pizza delivery,television and telecommuting; you can very easily find yourself never leaving your house. Your "friends" become a list of names on your favorite social networking website and the only time you see them is when their picture pops up on your computer screen. We have even made it easy to get "Fast Food" from God, we don't have to leave the house to get our Sunday morning sermon.
Is this the life that god intended us to live, free of personal interaction with others?
Do you believe that you can survive spiritually living your life on your own?
God said that we are to reach every last person on the planet and deliver his message of peace and everlasting love. I don't believe that he meant for us to do that by using the internet, dropping flyer's from 30,000 feet or driving by with a load speaker bolted to the top of your SUV. I believe that in order to have the greatest impact the message needs to be shared through personal human contact on a daily basis, while sharing life together.
Hebrews 10 it says,
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we are to survive this world and grow spiritually, we need to surround ourself with friends and family that we trust to hold us accountable for our actions. We need to live our lives openly for Christ sharing everything with them, the good and the bad. We can not carry the burdens, or fight our battles on our own. The quickest way to stumble and fall is to keep our struggles to our selves and not ask for help. The bible says in Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. If we lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ through fellowship, worship and prayer; we will stop the enemy in his tracks.
If you are living your life through technology and not through people, If you are getting your spiritual "fix" from the one sermon on your TV Sunday Morning. If you don't have people you can lean on, to share your life with. You can not live the life Christ commanded you to live.
The group of people you meet with in your church and small group are your spiritual mentors and your personal team of prayer warriors. They have the greatest opportunity to speak Gods truth in to your life. They are your Circle of Influence.
God bless.
In this day of computers, cell phones, ipods, pizza delivery,television and telecommuting; you can very easily find yourself never leaving your house. Your "friends" become a list of names on your favorite social networking website and the only time you see them is when their picture pops up on your computer screen. We have even made it easy to get "Fast Food" from God, we don't have to leave the house to get our Sunday morning sermon.
Is this the life that god intended us to live, free of personal interaction with others?
Do you believe that you can survive spiritually living your life on your own?
God said that we are to reach every last person on the planet and deliver his message of peace and everlasting love. I don't believe that he meant for us to do that by using the internet, dropping flyer's from 30,000 feet or driving by with a load speaker bolted to the top of your SUV. I believe that in order to have the greatest impact the message needs to be shared through personal human contact on a daily basis, while sharing life together.
Hebrews 10 it says,
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we are to survive this world and grow spiritually, we need to surround ourself with friends and family that we trust to hold us accountable for our actions. We need to live our lives openly for Christ sharing everything with them, the good and the bad. We can not carry the burdens, or fight our battles on our own. The quickest way to stumble and fall is to keep our struggles to our selves and not ask for help. The bible says in Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. If we lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ through fellowship, worship and prayer; we will stop the enemy in his tracks.
If you are living your life through technology and not through people, If you are getting your spiritual "fix" from the one sermon on your TV Sunday Morning. If you don't have people you can lean on, to share your life with. You can not live the life Christ commanded you to live.
The group of people you meet with in your church and small group are your spiritual mentors and your personal team of prayer warriors. They have the greatest opportunity to speak Gods truth in to your life. They are your Circle of Influence.
God bless.
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