We can be distracted by the little pebbles that call for our attention daily: the social media ping, the robocall, checking sports scores, etc. Soon we find that the pebbles have filled our day and we have no energy left to tackle the big rocks.
So we start with the big rocks first.
There is an exception to every rule. We think we are it. Or at least I did. For years I heard the adage, “Never hire family or friends.” Sounds like a good rule. But I didn’t really believe it. Until I broke it. I was pastor of a church trying to attract new people. WeContinue reading “One of My Costliest Leadership Mistakes”
This is a guest post by leadership author and expert, Mark Miller. I hope you enjoy Mark’s insights and pick up a copy of his latest book, Leaders Made Here. This post was originally published on http://www.greatleadersserve.com. I want to directly address a question I believe many leaders have struggled with: How do I delegate withoutContinue reading “Delegation without Guilt”
A review of Mark Miller’s book, Chess Not Checkers: Elevate Your Leadership Game I have been a fan of Mark Miller’s ever since I heard him speak at a workshop many years ago in Florida. When I first heard him, I wished that his insightful content was available in book form. I heard him speakContinue reading “A Little Book with Big Ideas”
Sometimes I wish it was still the 1960’s. It was the days of the television show Lost in Space. In this cinematic gem, there was a robot who looked after a young boy named Will. In only one episode, the robot warned Will of impending danger by saying, “Danger, Will Robinson!” The saying caught onContinue reading “The Danger of Experience”
Low expectations can doom organizations. Here’s a key to keeping team members engaged.
It has been a long held dream of mine to become a published author. These days it is easier than ever, especially when it comes to self-publishing. I asked self-publishing expert, Catherine Ryan Howard what was a good starting amount of money to set aside to get started in self-publishing. Here is what she said:Continue reading “Living the Dream!”
Today is the “someday” we’ve been waiting for!
Blessed are the peacemakers – Jesus, Matthew 5:9 We don’t have to look far to see the need for peace in our world. Conflicts are ongoing in several parts of the world at this very moment. As leaders, we feel the conflicts closer to home, among our team members. I was reminded recently that sometimesContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Make Peace”
Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. ~ 12th Century saying Has another leader ever ticked you off? I’ll go first. YES! It happened recently when I called the leader of another organization to ask for a little favor. It was small in my mind, at least. His negative reaction caught me byContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Get Mad, but Don’t Get Even”
A new week brings new opportunities to put our leadership values into practice. Assuming, of course, that we are crystal clear about what we value. A quote from The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working by Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes and Catherine McCarthy that resonates with us is, “A clearly defined sense of purpose ties ourContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Stand for Something”
He who hesitates is lost. Adapted from Joseph Addison’s play Cato (1712):”The woman that deliberates is lost.” One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life was driving a race car around the Atlanta Motor Speedway in excess of 150 mph. I was fortunate to take part in a morning session of the Richard Petty DrivingContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Set the Pace”
Every man is his own greatest enemy, and as it were his own executioner. — Sir Thomas Browne It all came together this week during my daily commute along a fast and busy highway. One of those rare moments when the “university on wheels” curriculum matched what was going on outside of the car. IContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip – Count the Cost of Your Life”
A drowning man will clutch a straw. – 19th Century Proverb We’ve heard it said often that “desperate times call for desperate measures.” I’ve found in leadership that the default mode in stagnant organizations is “desperate times call for comfortable measures.” We tend to do what has worked in the past without considering that times,Continue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Think Beyond the Obvious”
Things are not always what they seem… – Phadeus, Roman poet I attended a gathering of leaders recently in which we were going around the room telling how things were going within our teams. Each of us, except one, stated some good things that were happening as well as some things with which we wereContinue reading “Monday Quick Tip ~ Don’t Be Fooled by Sunshine and Roses”
Igniting Hope 4 Leaders