Category

Leadership

Thoughts and insights on how to be a better leader.

Simple Steps to Change – Take Responsibility

By Leadership
If you want to know the temperature outside your house, you look at the thermometer. If you want to set the temperature inside your house, you use the thermostat. A thermometer reflects its environment. A thermostat controls its environment. If you want to see positive changes happen in your life, you have to first accept the responsibility of being a thermostat. You have to accept that you are responsible for controlling your internal environment. QUESTION: In the area you chose yesterday, have you been a thermostat or a thermometer? What can you do to more responsibility for controlling your internal environment? Professor at Warner University masters in business administration (mba) presenter at the WFX National Conference former president, Church Planters of the Rockies helped start 2 for-profit tech companies Sermon Videos To get a better feel for my style and personality, you can watch past sermons on our YouTube channel. Coaching Opportunities…
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Simple Steps to Change – Be a Laser

By Leadership
Quantum physics teaches us that everything is in motion - including you! Thoughts, ideas, beliefs ... they have energy, too. The most successful people have learned how to bring this energy to their work, relationships, and the causes they believe in. Here's the good news: you don't have to understand quantum physics (or be a rocket scientist) to learn how to harness the power of energy. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing simple habits that will release new energy and momentum into your life. Are you ready? Let's get started! BE A LASER The difference between a flood light and a spot light is a matter of concentration. The reason a laser (which is concentrated light) can cut through steel and concrete is because all of its energy is focused on one specific area. As we start this journey of transformation, it's important to be clear about your…
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Life of the Beloved – Taken

By Church, Leadership
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was blessed to have a month-long study break back in June. I loaded up my Kindle with more books than I could read in one month and ended up tackling seven. While all seven were good reads, there were two that were the most impactful -- Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen and The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzaro. I would recommend both of these books to any Christ-follower -- and especially to Christian leaders. Beginning with this post, I want to share a few reflections from Nouwen's book (it's the shortest and most accessible of the two). When it comes to spiritual formation, identity is important. How do you see yourself? How does God see you? How are those two perceptions similar? Different? Nouwen uses four simple words to help us understand our identity as beloved children of God.…
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Ryne Sandberg on Respect

By Leadership
OK, I'll admit to being a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. Not always rabid or a statistic nerd, but a fan nonetheless. When you are born and raised in Peoria, IL (the home of Joe Girardi and Pete Vonachen), it's hard to not be a Cubs fan -- unless you prefer winning and become a Cardinals fan. I've met Harry Carey, been to Wrigley Field, and have an autographed picture of Ernie Banks. There's a reason Cubs fans are often referred to as "die hards." There has always been a soft spot for the Cubs, no matter where we've lived. So ... since one of my heroes during high school was Ryne Sandberg, I thought I would pass along part of his Hall of Fame induction speech. It's about much more than just baseball. (You can watch the entire speech below). "I played it right because that’s what you’re supposed to do, play…
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The Ripple Effect

By Church, Leadership
Do you remember tossing a rock into the lake and watching the circles spread out? Those are called ripples. Depending on the splash, the ripples might go on for what seemed to be forever. Maybe you even tried to count the ripples (and probably gave up at some point). Rocks aren't the only things that create ripples. We create ripples by what we say -- a kind word, a mean word, or no word at all. We create ripples by our actions or inactions. Our example to others, especially our children, create ripples, too. Maybe you've been on the receiving end of a negative conversation and had a hard time shaking off the aftermath for a long time afterwards. Those were the ripples of a bad encounter. Just as likely, you've been given a compliment and worn the smile longer than the action that created the compliment. When we talk…
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