Wildfoote: A Leadership Journey

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.

Little Things Matter

Several of our staff were in the Chicago area back in August. When we pulled up behind this truck, I just had to snap this picture.  Not sure I would have them fix my broken window.

Good reminder....we are always communicating and little things matter.

Heart and Head

Leadership is all about change.  It is about influencing individuals, groups, organizations, companies, or countries to move forward...to accomplish, to solve a problem, to change their world or the world.

Change is hard for followers, employees, or constituents.  For some they need to see the facts and figures.  “It makes sense”.  For others it has to touch the heart. “Oh, that feels right.” 

For most, it takes both head and heart.  As leaders, we often default to one or the other. 

The leadership challenge is to communicate and connect with both the head and the heart.

Nothing new.  But a good reminder.

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.

Evaluation

Evaluation.  Taking a hard look…honest self-evaluation with input from others who can act as “mirrors” for us.

That’s a process that we are going to go through with our leadership team and staff over the next few weeks.  We are growing which leads to discussions on scaling for the growth. And we want to make sure we have the right people in the right places.

One aspect of being the “right” person, is demonstrating continual growth in eight crucial areas.  These are areas that as leaders, we need to be modeling.  Here are the first two.

Flexibility – being open and able to change as needed…and with a positive spirit.  Who can argue with the fact that the world is constantly changing and that flexibility is required to be effective?  We need to hold methods and means loosely.

Intentional – doing ministry, business, and/or life with planning and purpose.  Not looking for obsessive scheduling or huge strategic plans…but for a sense of direction, thought, and movement.  Do you know why you are doing what you are doing?

More to come.

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.
 

Pendant Fusion

She is dynamic, fun, passionate and exciting to hang out with.  Everyone knows when she is around.

She is a gifted artist that puts her heart and soul into her work. 

And I am MARRIED to her!

Liz blogs and displays her creativity at www.pendantfusion.blogspot.com.

I encourage you to check it out!!

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.