Wildfoote: A Leadership Journey

The Essence of Things

Over the past few months, my awareness has been heightened as to how fast our world, our lives, our church is moving and the complexity that follows.  It's not all bad.  Innovation, exciting experiences, breakthrough ideas.  Lots of energy.  Transformation.  But I am an information junkie, easily pulled to things that are okay but not always mission critical.

In the midst of all this, I have been challenged to consider simplicity; to get to the essence of things.  I don't believe that means slowing the innovation or the pursuit of doing great things.  It does mean striving to reduce the complexity and focusing on "the essence of things".

In his book, The Four Hour Workweek, Tim Ferris writes, "Simplicity requires ruthlessness".  The idea is to ask hard questions about time, actions, focus and be willing to take ruthless action to eliminate that which is not truly helpful and important.

Doesn't happen overnight.  But I am on a quest to get to the essence of things.

Moving into 2010

I am taking some time this week to review 2009 and look ahead to 2010.  While there are many that downplay the practice of making resolutions, there is a lot of evidence that committing goals to paper (or computer screen) increases the likelihood that those goals will be realized.  As I review, I feel encouraged by those goals that I have realized.  Tomorrow, I will complete my goal to read through the Bible in 2009.

Two quotes also challenge me.  John Kotter, professor at Harvard, made the observation that "Most people don't lead their own lives - they accept their lives."  Proverbs 21:5 says, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

I have decided that I don't want to "accept" my life.  So, with God's help, and through planning, diligence, personal leadership, and accountability, I want to move into 2010 with anticipation, excitement and joy.  In the coming weeks, I will plan to post some of those goals that I am pursuing in the new year.

Give Me A Real Person

I mentioned that we are going through a time of evaluation.  Our staff has been asked to contact at least three churches that have reached a growth level ahead of us.  They are to seek input and advice from their counterparts at those churches…what should we be doing, concerned about, preparing for the growth ahead.

Churches are in the people business.  But in trying to be efficient and/or manage costs, many churches have put in place an automated answering system.  Our experience has been interesting.  A number of our staff were cut off while trying to work through the system.  Finding the right person to connect with was difficult.  Getting a live person was challenging.

Does it need to be said again? Most people would like to talk to a real person.  This is true whether calling a church, a local business, or a help line.  I love technology, efficiency, saving money but person-to-person makes a difference.  Let’s find somewhere else to save money and be efficient.

Changing The World

Recently on his blog, Tim Sanders mentioned Nick Morgan’s book, Give Your Speech, Change The World.  It caught my attention, so I decided to pick up the book.  I am glad I did.

Much of leadership is communication…anywhere from small group presentations to speaking to large gatherings.  And each opens up the opportunity to influence and bring impact….to change the world.

Nick has much wisdom and experience in this arena.  His challenge to listen to the audience when one is giving a speech, was both intriguing and made a lot of sense.  So often speakers are focused one way and concentrating hard to on what they are saying.  Bringing the audience into the experience creates a greater chance that the speech will actually cause them to take action.

There are many more challenging tidbits and practical ideas throughout the book.  If you are in a place of leadership, developing and honing your communication skills is a must.

Playing Legos in a Facebook World

Recently a friend of mine was touting the reaching of 1000 friends on Facebook.  Now I love Facebook.  Though somewhat addictive, Facebook has made it possible for me to reconnect with friends from college, the places I have lived, and the places I have worked….with people locally, nationally and globally.  In fact, I have three reunions this year, all being organized through Facebook.

But is it really possible to be friends with 1000 or more people?  Can you really be “known” by that many people?

 My son loves Legos.  There is no limit to the creativity that can happen with a boy (or a girl for that matter) and his Legos.  But one thing that I have observed is that each piece has a limited amount of “connection” points.  Though part of a bigger project or creation, each piece can only have a certain number of other pieces directly attached to it.

So here’s my point.  As leaders, I believe we need a few people who will directly connect their “pieces” to our “piece”.   They get close enough to us to make sure we do not believe our own “press”…keeping us honest, focused, and motivated.  They know who we really are and are ready to accept us but not allow us to stay there.

Our world is one of connection…lots of people, lots of places.  But I still need the few, the faithful, the “Lego” friends.  They make me a better leader.
 

Don't Panic - Part 2

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to facilitate an afternoon session with board members from several Illinois Youth For Christ chapters.  After some excellent discussion and sharing of ideas, I closed the session by giving them some a few thoughts on how I believe nonprofits should be responding to the economic crisis that we are facing.

I shared a couple of these (Don't Panic and Be Realistic) on this blog in December.  Here are the rest of them.

The Daily 7 (er...6)

When it comes to leading, one of the biggest challenges that I have faced is leading myself.  And the question remains, how can we lead others if we cannot lead ourselves?

With that in mind, I have used the beginning of 2009 as a catalyst for committing to lead myself in a few key areas (please…not resolutions).  The idea came to me to call them my Daily 7 but only came up with 6 key commitments…so maybe I will need to change the name. 

Actually the commitments are tied to larger goals that I have set out for 2009, such as reading through the Bible, reading 25 books, losing 25 pounds, etc.  So here they are:

1.    Read a section of Scripture
2.    Additional reading – minimum of 30 minutes
3.    Exercise minimum of 30 minutes
4.    Encourage or thank someone
5.    Pray for Liz and the kids
6.    Blog something I am learning, thinking about or experiencing
7.    ?

2009 is 5 days old and I have done well in some and struggling in others.  I am committed to not allow them to be a chain but rather a springboard that allows me to continue to grow as a leader.  Feel free to ask me how I am doing.

Small vs. Big

Many of us are schizophrenic.  We like the services, products, and opportunities afforded by Big stores (lots of products), banks (lots of ATMs), churches (lots of programs), etc.  But we like the feel of the Small, niche, “mom and pop” organizations and businesses.  It seems they take time to know us and are responsive to our needs.

Security

Much has been made in recent days about the "pay to play" politics that has allegedly been part of the administration of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, including putting up the Senate seat of President-elect Obama to the highest bidder.  Conversations of the governor, taken from federal wiretaps, seem to present convincing evidence.  Time will tell the complete story.

In the midst of the media hype surrounding this situation, I came across the following proverb:

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.  Proverbs 10:9 (TNIV)

I am reminded that if we as leaders make the right decisions or choices up front, we will not have to always be looking over our shoulder.  We can walk with confidence, with purpose, without fear.  Hence, the security.

Don't Panic

With much of my leadership experience having taken place in the not-for- profit world, I have been giving lots of thought as to how not- for- profit organizations should be responding to the current economic challenges that our country and the world is facing.  How one leads during this time will have many ramifications…both in the not-for-profit and for profit world. 

So here are my first two thoughts.