In the game of life, everyone is a participant. No one is ever truly just an observer, a member of the studio audience. We will either play an active or passive role, but in both cases we are choosing to do something. Regardless if we are creating our day-to-day experiences or simply allowing them to happen, they are still happening. There are no bystanders in this life. Both action and inaction have consequences. Action-based results are easier to identify because we see the connection between cause and effect. When something works, we refine it and do it better. When it doesn't work, we can make adjustments or drop it altogether. But I believe it's harder to see the consequences of inaction, especially the long-term impact that inaction has on our inner wellbeing. I was recently rereading a story of Jesus, one that is familiar to many people -- at least…
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When it comes other people, there is what we see and what could see. Too often, we make judgments or decisions based only on what we see ... a rowdy child, an unkempt stranger, a rude person in the checkout line, a socially awkward person. Because our brains are inherently lazy and prefer to take shortcuts, we make many snap decisions. Not all are bad. It's why we brush our teeth or shave the same way each day. We don't stop to think about which direction we should go. While this might make more efficient at brushing my teeth, it doesn't always improve my ability to relate to other people. As a husband, parent, friend, and leader, I must be able to not only see people as they appear to be ... but to also see them as they could be. This requires slower thinking. It requires exploration and reflection.…
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When we think of good leadership qualities, our mind often goes to characteristics such as wisdom, communication skills, and charisma. Technical abilities, aptitude, and competence will make the list, too. Since leaders lead, we look for results -- what have they accomplished? There are also the intangible sides of leadership, which are easier to sense and experience than to measure and quantify. Leadership presence is a good example. To be honest, a leader's presence could be good or bad. Examples of a negative leadership presence include: Fear Anxiety A reluctance to speak up A rush to comply A lack of competing ideas Little innovation High turnover On the flip side, the impact of a positive leadership presence produces: Healthy conflict Trust among team members Constructive feedback Greater effort Loyalty that is earned rather than coerced Room for personal growth If leadership presence is so important, what is it? Is it…
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A short clip encouraging you to make 2020 the year of personal momentum.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia former former president, Church Planters of the Rockies helped start 2 for-profit tech companies Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more.
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Now that we are one month into a new year, many people who started out with good intentions might find their progress stalled. It's sort of like a sugar high - there's the initial burst of excitement followed by the plummeting of energy. High achievers have learned how to manage the different cycles of life. In particular, they've learned how to create their own personal momentum. With that in mind, let me offer a few tips that have helped me create momentum when the energy levels began dipping low. It begins with a decision: Will you simply go through life or will you grow through life? I know many people who have chosen to simply go through life. They might be 15, 25, or 55 -- age isn't the issue. Attitude is. They might be 55 and still have the emotional maturity of a teenager. Or they haven't added a…
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