MaxiMeyer

Maximeyer Has Moved!

2010-07-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! The Maximeyer blog has now moved to maximeyer.com and shifted from Blogger to WordPress.

Special thanks to Matt Metzger for moving all my previous blog posts and setting up the initial framework. I'm sure he'd take on a few more projects if you have a need.

None of this would exist if it weren't for my Maximizing wife (Kem) to surprise me with handling this entire project. :)

I'm looking forward to more conversations with y'all as we look to "maximize" our relationships, organizations, and purposes. Thank you for all your support these past few years!

The Employee Junk Drawer

2010-06-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone on your team can be and should be strategic to your organizational objectives. Period.

After meeting with a few of our key people and members of our Client Experience Team (they're much more important than simply calling them "admin"), I'm finding schedules and activities full of good, well meaning stuff but missing the mark strategically in their roles.

5 quick things:

Much of the stuff on your to be delegated to someone else list should simply go away. Don't push your garbage to someone else on your team.

Make sure everyone on your team understands the answers to these 3 questions:

1. What is our organization trying to accomplish?

2. What are the top 3 components of my role that best moves our organization to its goals?

3. What's on my plate now that doesn't have any effect on these top 3 components?

Most people on your team will need help in knowing what to stop doing and pruning their activities. Schedule a meeting with your team members to review their top 10 tasks and bring out the hatchet.

Sometimes the boss or owner is the biggest problem. People tend to "drop everything" when the owner speaks, your managers/owners may need some coaching on how they communicate their needs. (Yep, tread carefully...)

Good employees are artists at keeping (or looking) busy. Pull the plug, chop the list, and refocus the bullseye.

The Employee Junk Drawer: Busy activities that seem to be important, often delegated by others, but simply cause drag to your organization.

One Great Employee

2010-06-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

It's been said that one great employee is more valuable than three good employees. Agree?

We've got some great employees on our team, here are some of the lessons I observe from them:

Seek accountability rather than run from accountability. Good employees have good reasons why things don't get done.
Embrace Change. With good employees, you find yourself having invest more time to sell the change.
Understand the goals of the organization and align their activities to them. Good employees get a lot of stuff done, but regularly the wrong stuff.
Great communicators and fill in cracks within their teams. Good employees know their jobs pretty well but miss opportunities to keep others in the loop.
Have integrity and build others. Good employees have integrity and build themselves.

You probably know who these people are at your organization. Your stress level goes down when the walk in the room, they're a breath of fresh air, and you find yourself thinking he/she has it covered... Got great?

Sidenote: The "metrics" on this works as well... Think profitability over a fixed cost, not revenue.

Fast Forward Change

2010-05-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

You can't fast forward change in your organization. Well, you can but not without consequences. In the season of change we've been in lately, here are 5 lessons I've learned in the past few months:

The vision of where you want to be may be too much for your team to absorb in one setting, sometimes you need to think "bite sized" chunks when navigating change with your team
If key stakeholders are left without all the information, they can quickly feel like an outsider and shift into survival mode while filling in the blanks you're leaving
Have a clear message of the "win" in the change, be prepared to handle the "why" questions
Choose to collaborate vs. dictate on the options of change, usually there are a few different paths you can take
When roles and processes are fuzzy before the change, they'll be a flat-out blur afterwards... create plenty of space for conversations and clarifications before, during, and after the change

Chances are, for every hour you save trying to fast forward through change, you'll spend 2 hours on the backside picking up the pieces. So hurry up and wait for the process to works its way through...

"What If"

2010-04-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

What If:

We could set aside our need to be "right"?

We didn't need to "win" the debate?

We focused on being peacemakers and extended a hand to those we don't understand?
We found commonality with those "different" from us and collaborated on projects to bring real change to our communities and world?

We responded to people not about where we think they are wrong but focused on where we could agree?
We truly loved people?

What Could Change?

Could Athiests and Believers agree that people need clean water and work together to bring solutions to millions in need across the globe?
Could the tradition church find commonality with non-traditionalists and work together to bring Hope to their local communities?
Could a church work with the gay community to fill food pantries?
Could Christians and Muslims work together to provide relief to earthquake victims?

This is messy and doesn't fit nice a tidy in a box. However, I do know I want to love more, talk and debate less, and be part of something Greater than myself. What might I learn about myself, others, and God from engaging more in these relationships?

This is a church I want to be part of.... this is a person I want to be.... these are the people I want to lock arms with...

"I Want to Move Dirt"

2010-03-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine Bobby McGee posed a question to me that I thought I'd respond to and wonder how would you answer this question?

"A boulder is at the top of a mountain and contains a million dollars for your business... get to the bottom of the mountain and the million dollars is yours.... Would you push the boulder or dig out in front of it? Why?"

While the analogy lends to some interpretation, here is my response:

Have truly great people on your team. If I picked the five best people from our company of 58, I think we could open a donut shop (and scores of other businesses) and be successful. Great people don't need to be pushed, they roll on their own as they are strategic, self-motivated, and they value team. (Jim Collins... get the right people on the bus) So what helps them roll?

Remove the dirt (or barriers) that are in front of your great people. One of the most important roles I have is to remove hurdles that slow our great people. This may be team communication, communication to clients, poor processes or no processes, or misinformation in key measurables. So what other dirt is in our way?
Remove the dirt in our own lives. We all have some sort of dysfunction or distraction that can keep us stuck where we are... Fear of failure, fear of change, moral failures, inability to trust others, glass half empty mentality, lack of financial discipline, etc... Working on our own individual "issues" can help dislodge the dirt in our lives. What can happen then?

We put ourselves in a position to roll toward our God-given purpose, a business can have a great chance of success, and in general, life rocks a little more (uh, pardon the pun...)

Dig out in front of the rock I say.... what say you?

"7 Ways to Bring Faith into the Workplace"

2010-02-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

When we spend forty plus hours a week doing anything, it matters. My Faith is the foundation for everything I do but it can easily get buried in marketing plans, Profit and Loss statements, project planning, and more. What does faith at work look like?

Old: When standing at the water cooler with a co-worker say, "Speaking of water, have you ever met the Man who actually walked on water?"

Be a hard and smart worker. You're being given a wage, do everything you can to maximize output for your employer. Are you looking for more to do or looking for ways to avoid additional work?

Serve others. Without being obnoxious as if you're doing them a big favor, find ways you can help others behind the scenes and add value to them on a regular basis.

Admit your mistakes. We're not perfect, we screw up, we go left when we should have gone right... Be real, admit it and make it right.

Align with the vision. If it was your company, you can make your own vision...it's not. Figure out where your leaders are trying to go and start rowing in that direction.

Don't talk smack about others. Build people up, don't tear them down. Be someone who is trustworthy and don't get pulled into the gutter of gossip.

Bring peace. When there's panic or chaos at work, bring peace. It's said we're not to worry about tomorrow because today has enough worries of its own... Focus on what your team can control and help be part of the solution.

It's about the people. Behind the paychecks, timesheets, and cubicles are a bunch of broken people (myself included). While we may wonder about a future raise, finishing a report, or being frustrated with a co-worker... we're surrounded by people who are going home to lonliness, abuse, rebellious kids, financial stress, sick family members and more. At the end of the day, it's about doing whatever we can to love the people we're with and to fill their tank in any way we can.

While I fail at these seven things, I want to keep taking steps in these areas... The days of preaching at people, cheesy bumper stickers, and cliches' need to be over... They're about as helpful as trying to light a match while you're scuba diving.

"Why You Should Sell Burritos"

2010-01-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Imagine going to Taco Bell and having them say "We've got some great cheese, we've got meat, sour cream, lettuce, and we've got tomatoes, and some chunks of chicken, and uh a totilla shell... want to buy something?"

How about just selling them a burrito?

An IT company says, we can fix your computers, load software, install updates, monitor your systems, fix printer issues, work on servers, run cables, check internet settings, handle back-ups, we're affordable, we're better than the guys down the street... do you need anything?

How about just offering to take care of all their IT needs for a monthly, budgeted price? (Sometimes referred to as Managed Services)

Much of what I do is work to translate the cool stuff we do at work and try to make burritos out of it...

Potential clients need a clear, simple path on how it can do business with you and what's in it for them
When talking to a company this past week, they had been in business for over 20 years yet their owner and sales manager couldn't give me a simple answer of what differentiates them from their largest competitor. Can you clearly identify your competitive advantage in your market and communicate it clearly?
Our old tagline used to be Vision Knowledge Results.... Couldn't just about every company put that under their name, in marketing literature, or website? Yawn. Our new one? Making Your Business Better by Making Technology Work.... better.
For service businesses, I love hearing here's the price and you don't have to worry about it anymore.... whether that's my sprinkler system, coffee service at work, or keeping my snow shoveled, just take care of it with no surprises. Give me a bunch of choices and prices... I might just get confused and walk away.
For our technology company, we need to understand the real business value and return on investment (ROI) first and then package the offering focused on that. Everyone wins that way.
People don't naturally connect the dots, we need to do it for them. What is the response you're trying to release from your target audience?

You have great ingredients at your organization, wrap em' up and make some burritos.

"Christians, Those fake SOB's"

2010-01-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Wow. That was the sentiment from my friend I met with last night. The context was this:

"Mark, I went back to church this past month (Granger Community Church, my church) and couldn't help but be frustrated by some conversations I overhear in the lobby and think, you fake SOB! I don't know what it is but it seems that the older I get I have this radar that can spot fake people, it's like a Fake Radar. I see it in the business world....church....everywhere..."

Ugh. But if I'm honest, much of what he is saying is right on... This reflects a piece of what the book "Unchristian" discusses with the real perception our culture has about Christians.

So what makes us appear fake?

The obvious one is hypocrisy. If we pretend we have it all together, life is good, our jobs, marriages, kids, friends, and thoughts are perfect... newsflash, the masses can sniff that out in a hurry... and if they know you at all... they know you're pretending and you're then a hypocrite.
How we talk. I think we mean well, but I believe our attempts to give God the glory, "in all our ways acknowledge Him", "in everything give thanks", and our practice of trying to live a life of holiness... it comes out as statements like "Praise the Lord", "God told me...", or verbally thanking God outloud 164 times a day. To the masses, this doesn't register and they either think it's all fake or that you simply live life 3 steps away from the cuckoo nest.
We judge without relationship. We can be so flippant about the statements we make to people and about people. How can we really know what's going on deep within someone without having a close relationship with them? We skip the "seeking to understand" piece which leaves the impression of us as judges without planks in our own eye.

The result? We look like characters in a fictional play rather than being relevant or real.

The rest of my conversation centered last night centered around this:

We don't have to be that way. We can be real, authentic and get to the work of changing the world. Whatever you don't like about the fake Christians you encounter.... well... don't be like that.
Let our actions speak louder than our words. There are hungry people, we should feed them. There are oppressed people, we should free them. There are people that are overwhelmed, we should help relieve their burden.
Build real relationships with those without Christ or lacking in faith. Why should they care about your opinion or seek your help if you're not doing life with them? I can talk to my friend about working on a great marriage, how to face challenges with kids, or stress in the workplace when I have a relationship with him. And let's be real, my friends help me as much (and often more) than I can help them. It's in these real, quiet, intimate conversations that we can point them to Jesus. He either is who He is or not, right?
God did not call us to be fake, He called us to change the world and find His purpose in and through us.

We can do better. This isn't about shying away from our faith and keeping it hidden... it's about being effective and letting our internal faith drive love and authenticity. I love my friend and his candid conversation. This is the world we live in, this is who we are to serve. And friend, if you happen to read this, I'm so thankful for our relationship and what you've added in my life over all these years. I hope we can connect soon and keep pressing in.... let's not let either of us settle for mediocrity...

"Lead Me out of Dysfunction"

2009-12-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

In a perfect world:

I know the goals and purpose of my organization

I know my role and how it fits within my organization
Based on the organization goals, I collaborate with my team to create my initiatives
I identify the tasks, calendar scheduling, and priorities to carry out these initiatives
While keeping these initiatives visible to myself, I execute my objectives
These newly completed projects are made public to key stakeholders within my organization
I'm updated with other initiatives completed by my team
I realign with the goals and purpose of my organization and leadership and repeat the process

In the real world

Organizations don't have clear goals or a concrete vision of who they are and why they exist
People are operating without a clear job description or clear measurable objectives of how they fit in the big picture
Their team doesn't have defined roles either, so people really focus only on what they do
People fill their days with tasks that keep them busy and they feel as if they are productive
People continue to react to the day to day demands and feel like they are doing a great job because of how busy they are
When asked what was accomplished, managers don't understand why "nothing is getting done" and why things take so long
Edicts come down from management, people are frustrated and hate their jobs, organizations spin their wheels, there is no growth
People realign with what perception they need to maintain to keep their jobs, get a paycheck, and wish they had other options

No matter what character you are in the story, as leaders, we must do better. We can lead up, lead down, lead across, and lead ourselves. How are you doing?

My 10 Big Rocks for Life

2009-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

There are fundamental tenets to life I've landed on at this point in my life. When I feel stressed or off course, I come back to these truths. As I look in our world, it's clear that others have other principles they seem to have chosen. I'm curious, what are yours? Have you identified them? Except for #1, these are not in any particular order:

1. There is a God. Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be, and the Bible is inerrant in its truths. Once I believe this, it changes everything.

2. It's not about here. Here meaning the 70-80 years on average we get to live. Once I believe #1, I believe I'm going to live forever. 70-80 years here vs. eternal is nothing, zip, 0.

3. Four Friends... Do the people I surround myself with help me in these 10 Big Rocks for Life or guide me off course? Do they encourage me? Do they challenge me? Who I surround myself with matters. My wife is my best friend and makes me a better man.

4. Lifetime Learner... I want to grow and learn. The more I can learn the more I can embrace change, lead well, and fulfill my God-given purpose. What's the alternative? Rely on my high school Algebra class to get me by? Part of who we become is what we read, who we're learning from, and what we listen to. I need to choose wisely.

5. My best days are ahead of me. Looking in the rear view mirror of life doesn't seem to help anyone. There's always the next mountain to climb with the new knowledge of experience. My 21 year old body is not needed.

6. Excellence- If you're going to do it, do it well. It's easy for me to get spread thin which leads to "winging it" or giving something my leftovers. That's normal. Excellence? Not so normal.

7. Self awareness. The more I know myself, the more I can do something about it. To stick my head in the sand about my own weaknesses, fears, or bad habits just hurts me. Therapists rock. Good, trustworthy friends that will give me candid feedback are helpful. I need to be a student of me.

8. It's not about money. The love of money simply makes me less effective, more selfish to hold onto it, more fearful to lose it, and is a false foundation. Retirement is not in my vocabulary. I want to be a contributing, used up sponge when I die.

9. Control what I can control. Obsessing about things outside my control just frustrate me, get me spinning, and I don't get anything done. I need to learn to be content with the place I'm at today and be responsible for what I've been given to this point in my life.

10. Maximize others because it's about others. Helping other people find Hope, purpose, and Big Rocks in their lives energizes me. We were all meant for more and to be part of God's story. How can I serve others whether in the workplace, in my home, or in my community?

Could there be one or two rocks missing? Sure. Do I have days where I fail to focus on the big rocks and make mistakes? Absolutely. Can I get up tomorrow and try again? In Sarah Palin's words..."You betcha..."

What principles will you live your life by in the next 5 years? 10, 20 years?

10 Things I've Learned About Church Online

2009-11-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

On the brink of launching idochurchonline.com to our weekend crowd in a few days (November 15th, 6:30 & 8:30 EST), here are 10 things I've learned in these five and a half months:

1. There's a ton I still don't know. I think this would be true for all online church leaders. This is still the bleeding edge trend and there isn't a 25 year old Denomination of Online Churches (thank goodness).

2. Criticism will come. The foundation of how we do church is being shaken. It doesn't set well with a few of those who think you have to attend a physical church to be a fully devoted follower of Christ. (For the record, I'm a huge fan of different churches for different people... the physical church building will continue as a great option for millions) There are valid questions to ponder.

3. The burden of a pastor. My Dad's been a pastor for 40+ years. While my title is Online Church Director, I still feel the weight of the scores of people that will come with needs, questions, and real pain in their lives. I'm reminded you can only lead people where you've been. I have a whole new appreciation for my leaders and my Dad.

4. The unity amongst other Online Churches is inspiring. I am so appreciative of the support from the pioneers ahead of us... The open hand of support and conversations with Life Church and Liquid Church were particularly helpful and motivating. I look forward to the opportunity to meet more of these leaders and find ways of how we can work and learn together. I pray for them often.

5. It's important to identify your audience. Are you primarily serving your current congregation so they can watch services while they're away? Is it for English speaking people only? National? Global? (to name a few) Our programming will continue to need to be evaluated to align with our target audience.

6. New rules for volunteer teams. We already have volunteers outside our of state and country which is incredibile! How do you empower, train, lead, and screen them appropriately? This is certainly a work in progress.... :)

7. Partnering with the right development team was critical. Working for a technology company, I have a whole new appreciation for AspireOne. They were able to shift strategy mid-stream to meet the new challenges and opportunities technology brought. They owned this project as if it were their own site.

8. Most people don't get it. I'm met regularly with a tilted head and crumpled forehead as I try to explain the strategy of Online Church. I think we'll see the light come on more each month that passes. It's a whole new mission field.

9. There are people who "play" church regardless of the location. Checking the box of going to church isn't the church. Going through the motions of taking communion while thinking about what you're going to do when you get home misses its purpose. One's heart determines whether or not they did church or not, online or not. The greatest examples of "being the church" have no walls and typically happen outside of an hour weekend service.

10. God is not afraid of the cloud. (Cloud meaning the internet) God can move through the internet, a fish net, or a New Jersey Net if He wants. It's quite a feeling "knowing" the stories of life change are coming. I can't wait to see what He is going to do....

I'm sure we'll make some mistakes along the way but we'll keep falling forward. Let the ride begin!

Lasting Impressions: Mark Waltz Session Innovate 2009

2009-09-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

More great stuff from Mark Waltz here.....

Will we be responsible for people or to people?

I'm not the star of the story... God owns life change, not me.

When I think I'm responsible "for" people, I think I have to dictate what their next step is in their walk toward Christ vs. I know they must figure out what their next step is...
I talk to God on their behalf vs talking to a lot of people on God's behalf
People are responsible for their own actions vs. me feeling the guilt/shame for their actions
I share journeys, offer encouragement/teaching vs. never allowing people to wrestle/mess up
Our energy is going to be To people and For environments
We need to create spaces for people to tell their story... it communicates they matter and can develop a sense of belonging... I'm not alone and my story matters to someone else.
When stories take place, my story connects with God's story and to stories of others around me
What is space?: Giving people the opportunity to tell their story, a environment to be safe, ask questions, challenge, and where there's grace (my understanding of space)
Recommended book: Search to Belong by Joseph Myers
For most of us, we won't have more than 4-6 intimate friends our whole life and half of those will be within our family... "I trust this person to a level that I can share anything about my life to them, and I have. He/she has my back and can also share in return and I have their back."
Think like a designer, what's the purpose of this environment? Who will use this space? What do we want people to experience in this environment? What do we want people to leave with? Who's responsible for quality control?
Goal is to help people to move from visiting to owning... own their journey
Look for opportunities to give people "on ramps" to get involved
We can't create "personal" spaces but we can control the environment to help people organically find those connections
Sometimes "measurables" are selfish in nature. We care more that we want to know we're successful for what we did and for whom. Sometimes stats aren't needed.
We decided to be a church "with" small groups, not "of" small groups... a church "of" relationships

Big Idea: Be purposeful about the spaces we create for people to connect

Idochurchonline.com

2009-09-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well it's coming soon! Granger Community Online Church. Above is a screen shot from a test we did a few weeks ago... for more screen shots and feedback, click here.

Here are some random nuggets and FYI's:

I am humbled to be the Online Church Director and will be building volunteer teams and processes as we launch and grow our service offerings- it's a great new challenge!
We've launched an Online Church blog here where more information on Online Church and more will be posted
We'll be testing for a few more weeks but look for soft launch in Beta mode in October!
I am excited about the opportunity for people to literally be able to invite anyone across the globe to go to church, attend the same service, and have an opportunity to discuss what they/we experience together....
It's incredible to think we could have volunteer teams from all over the world.... wow.
If you're interested in opportunities to volunteer, drop me a line and/or follow the Online church blog

I can't wait to see what God will do! Stay tuned at Idochurchonline.com as we roll out soon!

2009 Spur Conference: Leaders Collide

2009-09-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

On October 1-2, 2009, I will be attending the 2009 Spur Leadership Conference...a unique opportunity to listen to a collision of thought leaders from the church, government, business, technology, and the military. Why?

I am an Operations Manager of a technology firm and just recently am the Online Church Director for Granger Community Church. Everyday my worlds collide with real challenges, how to have faith at work, providing leadership to a team of 58 people, strategizing growth plans, and there are no boxes to compartmentalize. I wouldn't have it any other way.

As leaders:

Churches struggle to tap into the strengths of leaders in their communities... what could the Church learn from the expertise' of industry that sit in their seats every Sunday morning?
There are leaders in your church waiting for a mountain to climb. Are you working to find BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) opportunities for these entreprenuer leaders to jump in with renewed purpose?
There are business men who struggle with how to effectively apply their faith into the culture of their organizations. Paralysis can set in...what's appropriate? What's too much? What's effective?
As a business leader, I need to be reminded it's not all about profits and growth. My pendulum can drift into spreadsheets and away from real people with real lives and needs.
Business leaders cringe at the inefficiency of many churches and would naturally seem wired to think, "why would I want to invest resources there?". Note to non-profits/churches: effectiveness, excellence, and great management of gifts matters.
Marketplace leaders need to be reminded that "to those who much has been given, much is expected..." While building your organizations, have you given as much focus to your "give back" initiatives? What might you be able to do in your community to make a real difference?

Straddling the blend of marketplace and ministry can be daunting. I need tools to help me manage on the front lines... There are only a few events a year that offer this unique mix, I hope to meet you there!

You and your team can register here.

"Marriage Blues"

2009-08-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

Marriage is not easy. It takes work. It can suck the life out of you and days or weeks can be very "low". The past 6 weeks for Kem and I was a challenging stretch along with observing strain in several marriages around us.

When I got married, I didn't think these thoughts would ever come to mind: "Did I marry the wrong person?" "Is this going to be my life for the next 40 years?" "Life would just be better if I was single..."

I'm sure I have plenty to learn in the upcoming years but here are some observations of myself and people around me:

Pace is an enemy of intimacy. Kem and I are both very driven and task oriented. If not kept in check, we can accelerate to consume more and more white space in our calendars. Action: Protect the balance of work, ministry, and time to keep "margin" in our schedules.
Today's snapshot is not a reflection of reality. Emotions can drive us in the valley... once my emotional tank is on "Empty" it can be hard to get our relationship moving again. Action: Identify what fills my tank to help me be a better spouse... A little time away? Coffee with a friend to get perspective?
Men don't listen so literal. When we fight...if I hear "always" or "never" I tend to break out the spreadsheet of time identifying all the times when I DID clean out the sink, plan a date night, or got home at the right time. Action: Weed out the always and nevers and try to understand the message behind the frustration. Women, never say always. Always say something different.
Your Purpose is life is bigger than your marriage. Having a common purpose bigger than Kem and I has been a lifesaver and glue for our marriage. Our marriage is a subset of our purpose, not THE purpose. I want to be a better husband BECAUSE of the purpose God has for my life... Action: God has called us to bring Hope and Love to a dying world, what does that look like for you as a couple?
Get Outside Help. Communication is too broad of a difficulty to manage alone in marriage. Close friends and professional counselors are part of our "life board of directors". Men and women are crazy different. Action: Don't believe the lie that counselors are for the weak or that you don't need help, they can take your marriage from average to good and from good to great.

Over the last few days we've been dumping our boat again and swinging the pendulum back into a healthier place and pace. The good news is that we still like each other. :)

How do you maximize your marriage? What helps you when you feel like there's no hope? Do you have a Purpose bigger than your marriage?

Watching Greatness

2009-08-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this picture. My daughter Emmi watching Tiger Woods walking up a fairway at the Buick Open in Michigan a week ago...

We had the opportunity to watch Tiger do what Tiger does.... when leading going into the 4th round, he is an amazing 35-1 only losing one time when in the lead on the final day (I believe when he was 20). He didn't disappoint, crowd was going crazy, and it will be a day I'll never forget.

What happens to you when you watch greatness?

It seems people respond one of two ways.... "I want to be like that... I want to be great at SOMETHING..." inspired to keep falling forward to find it...

Or.... people shut down... "There's no way I could ever do that... I'm just not that smart, talented, athletic...."

What triggers in my mind is about another great Person that walked down fairways... A sick woman did everything she could do to touch Him, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Greatness, and people ripped off roofs to help a friend get to Him. Jesus is Greatness.

What happens when you think of Greatness?

We were all made for more. For a purpose. God has a good, pleasing, perfect will for our lives...

Do you have drivers in your life that encourage you to your purpose or are you focused on the wedges that get in the way?

2009 Willow Creek Leadership Conference Final Thoughts

2009-08-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

What's stuck in my head from the 2009 Willow Creek Leadership Conference?

I need to work to be great at mobilizing people and making it easy for them to launch in ministry or in business... Eliminate hurdles, it's about the team, and give them the freedom to thrive... "We is smarter than me"
The generation behind me is where I need to spend my focus- empower people and help them light up to change the world
Locally, work with key business leaders to light a charge in something... Connect the dots of great leaders, the upcoming generation, Online Church, and be flexible to what the collaboration of great conversations may bring.... and then "do".
Identify the big problems and hurdles facing our business and church and find small, simple steps of solutions to get them moving
Be candid about me, to my team, and the real truths of what we're facing... Don't be stuck in what's comfortable and build trust
Lots still processing....

What about you? How are you going to respond? May His will be done...

Session 9: Tony Blair

2009-08-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Tony Blair

Just because you're in leadership, it doesn't mean you're not full of self doubt at times
"Conventional wisdom can be the comfortable thing to do... Many times the comfortable thing is not the right thing".
Leadership... you have positions inside of you that you'll take a stand for... it's not about being inflexible, it's about having an "irreducibile core"... You're then faced with the fact that your view is uncomfortable for many others... You need to stick to you guns...
"My final duty is to do what I felt was right..." Need to be willing to stand or fall on those beliefs
"It was helpful to know that I'm willing to walk away from my position"- that thought was comforting to stick to what he thought was right
Leaders generally know when they make comfortable decisions vs. leading
How do you balance doubt vs. being real/vulnerable with those following you? The process of doubt is positive and right. And some point, you need to set aside fear and be willing to take a step and the responsibility for that decision.
Would have never imagined when he took office in 1997 that he would have to make decisions about 4 military conflicts
"How can faith not impact and be part of your decision-making?"
Faith and it's role in the world is an enormous potent force for good or bad...
We can engage in action with people of other faiths to change the world
Negotiating... find common ground...You have a strategic objective should be based on principle... to get there, there are difficult, tactical compromises that come along the way...
How to lead in a crisis? Are you going to point a finger or make a statement about our unity? Make it clear upfront we are united and we're not going to allow this to divide us.
How do you process pain and disappointment? Count your blessings... His wife, "What are you complaining about? It's a privilege to do what you do..."
The privilege of leadership should outweigh the pain and frustration that comes along the way
Leadership is a blessing, a gift you've been given, no matter how challenging... it's your duty to do it... The way the world works no matter what you do... Without leaders things don't get done.... The joy of getting stuff done makes it worth the pain you will experience along the way..."

Session 8: Bono The Church...3 Years Later

2009-08-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

Interview a few years ago, God used Bono’s voice to inspire change within the church in attacking the issue of global hunger
In Kennedy’s Presidency, we put a man on the moon…. What are we capable of?
“The problems we can fix, we should.”
“It’s an offense to Christ and any sense of Truth that a 20 cent AIDS immunization can’t be handled to save lives.” The church is stepping up, a sleeping giant has been awakened... over 2 million Africans have been impacted in 3 years...
It’s a tough conflict of how to determine what resources need to be used locally vs. globally to make the biggest impact.
Bono wrote "Where the Streets Have No Name" when in streets of poverty
"U2's best work is when we don't know what we're doing..."
"Someone outside the church said you had to get off your butt"- (Thanks Bono...)
"It's been a hard year but I know someone has it worse"- Waitress giving to the AIDS effort at her church.....
We couldn't find 25 billion to save millions of people struggling with AIDS in Africa, yet when we had a financial crisis, we had no problem to come up with 700 billion to bailout banks...
Bono resists the church with a fear of denominationalism... enjoys going to a variety of churches...
"I find it hard to take a lifeless ceremony.." (that he sees in many churches)
Churches should have humility, be authentic, demonstrate honesty... with leaders being real.... Bono's advice to church leaders
Understand what you can do and give based on who you are... Are you a soccer coach? Use Soccer? Are you a musician, use your music... We all have something we can uniquely bring...
"Whenever I see Grace, I am moved..."
There's always resistence in the ongoing journey of equality... whether it's Jews...blacks...women...denominations... where does it start/stop for you?

The world is not impressed by a lifeless, pomp & circumstance church.

Session 7: Chip & Dan Heath "Switch"

2009-08-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Chip & Dan Heath
Books: Made to Stick, Switch

What needs to change in my organization? What stands out right now
We’ve all chosen change in our lives, why would we say we’re resistant to change? We chose to get married, have kids…
We face internal battles anytime we want to change….
John Hyde, “A human rider sitting on top of a 6 ton elephant… the rider and the elephant need to align for change to happen.” The rider has to convince the elephant there’s something worthy to change.
In talking to first graders, a vision, “If you work hard this year, I can make you as smart as a third grader by the end of the year…” Keep the vision tangible for the world your “elephants” live in…
If we have 9 ministries and 2 are working well, (5 are OK, 2 aren’t working)- focus on the top 2 that are working well and investigate… these are the things that produce a bright spot…. Study it and clone it.
Solutions oriented therapy: “What was different when things were going well? “ It shows we’re capable of doing really well- (In marriage, alcoholics, etc)
“All this stuff is true but useless”… In solving poverty, big problems, don't focus on the problems and issues, look at the places where success was happening...
One guy went into a village to see what was working with poverish families that were able to bring nutrition to their kids.... ultimately 2.2 million people were impacted with new solutions
Big problems.... steps of small solutions...
The "rider" can get bogged down in true but useless information. The "elephant" is unmotivated...
A high school student asked that people would spend 10% more of their budgets within their county/local economy... in Minor County, taxes increased 15 million a year later.... Small solution, big change
Shrink the change: Find one topic that can appeal to a 20-something scheduled at the right time... If you feel overwhelmed by a big problem, try to find small victories that show effectiveness and give us hope
We owe it to people to prepare them for adversity... prepare our team, clients, and people of what to expect
Company: Ideo U-shaped curve, project will start out with hope to fix a problem (on a high), a dip/valley is going to come called Insight (struggle), and end with a peak of Confidence on how we're going to move forward.
Tiger Woods made a decision to overhaul his swing even when he was already the best. Some people have a growth mindset. With work I can become a.... (fill in the blank)
Built into a growth mindset is a tolerence for failure... a necessary step to success... Failure is a necessity of success. "Failure could be a warning sign to success."
Thomas Watson, founder of IBM.... employee lost the company 10 million dollars... Employee was worried about losing his job... Thomas Watson said, "Are you kidding? I just made a 10 million investment in you!"
Find out what is the situation that is happening in people's lives rather than label them as "uncommitted", etc...
63% of seminary students stopped to help someone in need when they thought they had time... only 10% when they thought they were running late for something...
Good leaders find ways to make it as easy as possible for people to connect... make it easy for the "elephant" by giving them a path that is downhill rather than uphill...
If you're married and have kids, you've already gone through bigger changes than anything we will encounter in the workplace or any big social issue you're looking to change.

Session 6: David Gergen Eyewitness to Power

2009-08-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

David Gergen
Book: Eyewitness to Power

Leadership is a journey, each one of us needs to take our own path… but people can help you along in your journey

A teacher of leadership cannot produce a leader, but you can make people aware of the principles of leadership and introduce them to role models

Can you create a culture within your organization to serve and lead each other?
BH: How does a leader get better?

What are you doing to improve your leadership? We have to do it…

Reflective practice: Where you learn leadership is in the doing it and continually reading

Harry Truman only President that didn’t go to college but he worked to be self-educated…. Was one of the most educated Presidents in the 20th century

Not every reader is a leader, but every leader is a leader- Harry Truman

Leaders need to take time to reflect on what’s working , not working, digest, discuss

Leaders confuse motion with progress… doesn’t mean you’re leading well

Great leaders choose their big goals and go after them tenaciously…. And get feedback along the way…

What do you hope to accomplish in 6 weeks? After 6 weeks, reflect and evaluate how you did….

1940 election, Roosevelt, rather than have meetings, he went fishing… It gave him time to think… Out of it he came up with Lend/Lease plan for World War 2…

Our best leaders have enough self confidence to take time away to think, reflect, and clear their heads…
Most Admirable qualities of:

Richard Nixon- Best strategist, could look into the future 20-30 years… someone who can look farther back can look farther ahead… Understanding the past opens up the future
Weakness: There were people that appealed to his bright and dark side…. Nixon had demons he could not control that eventually brought him down….

Gerald Ford- Most decent President, can you be too decent and not effective leader? Nice guys don’t finish last… We seem to prize people who are decent because they are so rare…. Ford looks better and better as we look back on history
Weakness: A little naïve, sometimes people took advantage of him.

Ronald Reagan- Best leader in the White House since Roosevelt… very principled, contagious optimism on life…. If you’re around leaders like that…. “We can make it…” …. It’s exciting to be part of…
Weakness: Detachment, sometimes let others put their hands on the wheel… if he had a good team all was well…. His second team wasn’t so strong… Don’t entrust to a mediocre team…

Bill Clinton- Quick mind, tactical…. Would pick up a NY Times crossword puzzle in the middle of conversations… Was resilient… Always willing to get back up… He’s back…
Weakness: Cracks in his character… he should have come clean and asked for forgiveness … he should have been straight with the American people

“Sometimes the right hand does not know what the far right hand is doing”- Ronald Reagan

“Moses came down from the mountain with the 10 commandments, CNN now here with the top 3”

Great leaders with flaws…. Maturity is coming to grips with your flaws and being self-aware… We need to be realistic that your flaws can’t “derail” you…. Kept in check…. Expectations on leaders can unrealistic

Martin Luther King was a great moral leader but had a chaotic private life… How do we reconcile? However, he never claimed to be a saint… he was trying to be better….

We should be more forgiving about people…. Press should be tougher on people in their public lives but less invasive in people’s private lives…

Leadership does not need to be lonely. The days of the Lone Ranger are over… Great leaders should be engaged with a great team of other leaders… Leaders should be collaborating with other leaders outside their group… “We build things together”

If you want to go fast…go alone, if you want to go far…. Go together

Leadership is working with others to achieve shared goals…. It’s increasingly about trust and communication.

Symbols matter to people. “V” for victory – Churchill

Speakers... Who the speaker is speaks as loudly as anything they say... listeners are trying to figure out who matters and who they should be listening to... are they being straight with me?

Aristotle understood public speaking, 3 elements: ethos (personality, believability) logos (logic of what is being said) pathos (ability to appeal to emotion)

Great speeches should be 15-20 minutes... only about 25% of the audience is still paying attention after 30 minutes...

Should be a rhythm to a speech, appealing to emotion with a call to action

Personal habits of leaders: self discipline, regular habits, physically fit helps...leadership can be grueling, reflection time in your day, time in your day with people you cherish

People in loving relationships at age 50 tend to live longer

What DG hopes for from a church: Find inner peace/quiet, not about you but something Larger, wants to learn something from pastor or reading, and an anchor in life

Whether your a Christian, Jew, Muslim... spiritual make-up helps you find your moral compass in your leadership

Take time to reflect. It's about a building a team.

Session 6: Wess Stafford Compassion International

2009-08-07T08:03:00.000-07:00

Compassion International

How do we leverage the pain and hurt in our lives for ministry?
People aren't going to care what you know until they know why you care about what you know
Age 10, first act of leadership... spent 9 months at a boarding school in Africa... candle with two wicks, Boarding House leader lit candle on both ends while Wess had to hold the candle... abusive leadership overseeing missionarie's kids... Beatings were a regular event...
"BC" Before candle, "AD" After the Damage...
He held onto the candle and got his mission in that moment of pain... "I will protect children, I will stand against this injustice.."
Wess was being beaten 17 times a week, 50 plus kids abused physically and sexually
As a kid I thought, "I must be evil the way I'm being beaten and abused... an angry God.."
"If you tell your parents, it will destroy their ministries...." Kids learned to be silent, all 50 of them...
A village helped restore him, the poor taught him love, joy, and peace...
Poverty and abuse speaks the same language to kids...."Just give up... no one cares about you..."
What's your cause? Does it lead you to tears? What moves you?
"Nothing? Please... don't live like that... don't lead like that..."
Look at yourself in the mirror.... spend 30 minutes... Who are you? What do you care about? Why do I lead what I lead? Is your passion driven by pain or success?
Forgiveness is giving up your right for revenge.... Unforgiveness is an open invitation to bondage in your lives by our enemy

How is the greatest pain in your life affecting you? Driving your passion or harboring resentment and anger? What do you need to forgive?

Session 5b: Aid vs Trade Andrew Rugasira

2009-08-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

What thoughts come to mind when you think of Africa? Poverty, disease, AIDS..?
"I view Africa as 900 million entrepreneurs who are able to live on $1 a day"
Africa, 53 countries.... how we view Africa dictates how we will invest our time and efforts towards Africa
The international community split the continent into borders often breaking up families, relationships... creating dysfunctional development
Founded African Coffee in 2003
Africans are best placed to solve their problems
Integrity is about being truthful about what we need to do to get out of a difficult situation
There have been a lot of well meaning people thinking Aid would help the continent... No country in the world has developed through handouts... (China, India? All by trade)
Trade is the only way to bring sustainable change in communities, train them out of poverty
Took 14 trips to the UK (from Uganda) to get distribution going with the coffee...
Africa produces only 2% of world GDP
People tend to lump all African countries as the same.... one problem in one country and we can think it bleeds into all of Africa.... risky...
"I'm looking for people to give me shelf space, not handouts"
We need to change the conversation about Africa
In 1995 Aid was at it's highest, yet that same year was the lowest GDP- Aid isn't the answer... it undermines accountability
Buying African products best helps Africa, it employs people and allows them to continue to develop

Trade. Not Aid. Rethink and change the conversation about Africa.

Session 5: David Gibbons Third Culture Leaders

2009-08-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Session 4b: Against All Odds Harvey Carey

2009-08-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Harvey Carey

I grew up "Po".... I wish I was "Poor"

Called to Detroit, the poorest city in one of the hardest hit states in our current economy

9 churches positioned themselves against him because he was trying to be multi-cultural

"For all of you who aren't used to having nothing, welcome to the rest of the world... now you get the opportunity to see how God can do much with little"

Is your staff "Equipers", energizing and equiping volunteers?

How many "binders" do you need to do ministry? No more binders! Do the work of the ministry.

We need to invest more time for equiping.... members need to take ownership for the work.. genuinely engage them in the work

Do we ever break out of our "huddles" simply showing up to church or are we "in the game"... Get out of your huddle and change the world!

The things we learn we actually do! How many Leadership Summits have you been to but have done nothing?

"Urban Huddles"- They have 100 men campout at the biggest crack houses in their community, don't camp in the woods, campout on the front lines

They've touched everyone in their zip code

Think..... how can we best launch people? Wherever they are, whomever they are, and whatever resources they may or may not have?

We have a lid of, "When we have this, then we can do that..." "When we have this much $$$, then we can do this..."

When you have nothing, only God can get the glory.... When you're heavily resourced, sometimes "we" can get in the way or leak credit to other places...

If darkness is present in your community, then light is absent... Detroit has more churches per capita in America but remains a "dark" city...

When we leave this summit or some other conference you're at right now... are you adding another binder on the shelf or are you going to act?

Session 4a: Jessica Jackley and the KIVA Story

2009-08-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

“My parents convinced me I could do anything and I believed them.”
“I can do something of ultimate significance.”
Learned about Microfinance in school, the power of a small amount of capital, and the difference it would make for poverished entrepreneurs
kiva.org Individuals can go to site and view profiles of people they can loan to... as little as $25 can be loaned... Average loan size is $500-$600.... average contribution is just over $100
Repayment rate is 98.5%
The fact people are out there that care is bigger to the entrepreneurs than the money in many cases
Meritocracy- "The Best Ideas Win"
We create tools to make it easier for people to expand the vision, Open Source, co-creation
What- Connect People, How- Through Lending, Why- Poverty Alleviation (Mission)
Decisions are made against the vision... they've turned down millions of dollars when it was "off-vision"
Common purpose is the best way to predict outcomes in an unpredictable environment
The church should be the greatest place for the life of new ideas, innovation, and revitalization
The loan is an opportunity for connection with people
Give people the opportunity to "experience" the joy of giving, don't "tell" them why they should give
"I hope fear never causes us to not take chances, pioneer, and new risks..."
Don't be afraid to start small... have the patience to work with one person at a time and eventually work to scale
Start. You'll learn more actually doing rather than getting bogged down in a business plan for too long
When we truly believe in the possibility of one another, you don't have to convince people to act. People will respond.
Theoretically, a Kenyan food stand worker could some day loan to a San Francisco entrepreneur and continue to build the world community

Session 3: Leading People to the Prodigal God Tim Keller

2009-08-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Tim Keller - Teaching based on the Prodigal Son story

Dirty little secret- pastors are amazed at how spiritually dead so much of their congregation is….
So few people do most of the work
Prodigal son story was more about the good son… Both sons were about the Father's "things", not the "Father"
There's two ways to get the Father's things.... by being really bad and by being really good... both ways can reject God
Are we "good" to get our Father's "things"?
At the end of the parable, the "bad" son is saved, the "good" son is lost... He was alienated to God because he thought he was so good and had expectations on God
Religion says "I obey therefore I'm accepted"... Gospel believers: "Because of what Christ did, I obey"
Everything is your's, already done, and you're the light of the one Person who's opinion matters
The source of spiritual deadness: Elder brothers that believe through their works they are standing with God based on their performance.... self-centeredness, pride, you don't see the fruits of the Spirit
Elder brothers get incredibly angry when things don't go well.... furious at God because they are owed... Instead of believing they're saved by Grace, they ultimately believe they are owed and therefore spiritually dead
Elder brothers when criticized either get furious or are crushed... They have such a high personal image of themselves
Elder brothers pray for things when going bad... there's no intimacy...
If your self image is based on having the right doctrine, you'll look down on those who disagree with you
Elder brothers can't forgive... You can't stay angry and bitter at someone unless you feel superior to others...
Our churches are filled with elder brothers.... to varying degrees
We need to get to new levels of repentence and new levels of rejoicing
Until you know how to repent for the reasons for your "right" doing- there's no renewal.
The dysfunction of why you do "right" things can be the lid to your spiritual renewal.
There was no way to bring the younger brother back without paying the costs out of the elder brother's inheritance.
The elder brother was not a brother, he was a Pharisee
Christ was the ultimate, right elder brother that paid a high cost to bring us home
Church renewal starts with squeezing the bad elder brother squeezed out of us
"Ask Jesus into your heart" can be miscontrued to working to be like Jesus sometimes creating a dysfunction elder brother
The leader needs to first work this out of his/her own heart.... Ultimately, am I really trying to be good for me? Ugh.
Are you overworking in your ministry because of your dysfunctional basis of success based on numbers in your congregation, etc.?
Let's believe our Gospel a little more today so we can give our money away more freely...
Teaching should be gospel centered, not morally centered
Share personal transformation to your leaders
Let the leader's spread it through groups or congregation
When you have gracious disagreements, people coming to you saying they've been going to church a long time but don't think they've been saved.... you may be seeing some spiritual transformation within your church
Book: The Prodigal God

Session 2: Manage Differently Now- Gary Hamel

2009-08-06T09:55:00.001-07:00

Gary Hamel

Are you changing as fast as the culture and world around you?

The variables between Christians and non-Christians are hardly noticable

9 of 10 Americans have a faith in a spiritual being

82% of young non-believers have been to church at least once.... most disconnect within 8-12 weeks

Is the problem God's message or our methods?

All to often, churches haven't been "attractive" to the outside world

Churches are losing market share... attendance is going down...

We're challenged by fast paced culture, skepticism, angst over all large organizations, and more

Maybe we should be thankful that less people are "going through the motions" and playing church

Maybe we should be thankful that young people are forcing us to be clearer in our message and knowing what we believe and why

When internal change lags, external changes- your organization could be in trouble

Our problem is inertia.

The pace of change has gone hyper-critical.... population, energy consumption, internet usage, and more....

"The world is becoming more turbulent faster than most organizations are becoming resilient"

Around 40 years of age a church tends to plateau

Visions become strategies, strategies to processes.... business entrophy

Success is a self-correcting phenomina

The same change by eliminating the head of an organization is similar to dictators in 3rd world countries....

"Every organization is successful until it's not."- Are we in denial?

Cycle: Dismiss, Rationalize, Mitigate, Confront - Can be seen in boardrooms and bedrooms

How to deal with denial- get the facts. Numbers don't lie. Just present reality candidly.

Question your beliefs. Question "how" you do things. have humility, listen to the renegades, do we welcome dissent or do we styful?

Learn from the fringes in ministry, business, and world

The future has already happened but is not equally distributed

Organizations can be stuck with what they have and hold on to it rather than looking at

Leaders need to make change look more exciting than standing still

Are we listening to people on our teams to foster new, innovative ideas?

Most of what we do today is going to be irrelevant in the future.

Collaborate ideas online: Example: "Dell Ideastorm"

Hard to create new ideas if you can't deconstruct what you're currently doing, our orthodoxes....

What hasn't changed in 3-5 years? Why?

Compare to competition, what's identical and not unique?

Examples of myths: Church happens in church, more programs means more impact, we need to multi-site with the same cookie cutter styled church we currently have

Are you more committed to redemption, renewal, and reconciliation vs. programs, policies, and practices of your church? Would you be willing to give up some practices for someone's redemption?

When the mental models of the leadership team diminish faster than their authority, your organization could be in trouble.... Old leadership can hold an organization hostage to change.

It's easier for renegades to launch start-ups rather than change old, rigid organizations.

Are we building an organization that can thrive without dynamic leadership at the top?

Leader's Job: Mobilize, connect, support "Leaderless organizations"

People want to be a part of a community, not a hierarchy

Online, natural hierarchy/leadership.... as soon as the value you're creating diminishes, the less your leadership becomes.... Be relevant and add value.

The Facebook generation isn't interested in working for a Forturne 500 company or attend a church that looks/acts like one....

Maybe we need to try a little "disorganized" ministry... empower people

Panel: "Hiring, Firing, and Board Meltdowns"

2009-08-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

Panel:
Henry Cloud
David Ireland
Patrick Lencioni
Carly Fiorina
Bill Hybels

Hiring:

Do people have "cultural" connection- will they fit in your organization and/or lead within-DI
"If you haven't had a date in 10 years, everyone looks good"- HC
People see what they want to see, and many times first impressions are simply wrong- CF
What are the 2 or 3 behavior things that are critical, if they don't have them, we don't want them- PL
Interviews can be set-up and practiced.... spend time with them in situations outside of work if possible
What would other people say about you? PL
Ask the same question 3 times throughout the interview... open ended, be patient... PL
Ask conversational questions, not yes/no- DI
The less you talk, better. Ask them more questions about their answers... - HC
Clear, strong cultures needed- the people that fit there tend to be drawn to them, people that don't they are repulsed.... look around here, if you're not like this, you're going to hate it... People can self-select themselves in... PL
Clear job description, competencies, personality, needs... -DI
Why are we hiring, what we're expecting, what is the result we're looking to achieve communicated upfront. - CF
Create a process for HR, put the right people with those skills in those roles, and let the process work- HC Do you have a process for hiring with the right people involved?

Boards:

Board needs to have it's own set of values, tone, behavior on how they'll work together- HC
Make sure the board agreed to have outsiders to the meeting- DI
Trust needs to be built within the core team, get to know them, so people can be vulnerable with each other- PL
Take 10 minutes at the end of each meeting and ask, "how did we do?"- HC
What does it take for a team to be functional? How do we handle tough conversations? Who is the final decision-maker? - CF
You got to have the right people on the board- can they help move the ship forward? If not, why are they on the board? - DI
Term limits recommended- 2-6 years possibly... DI
Board member "exhaustion", 4 year terms at Willow, step out for a year- BH
Size of board, 6-14, need to be able to have an immune system with a strong team- DI/HC

Firing:

When someone is let go, they should not be surprised- CF
It is not compassionate to be honest with people, be candid with care so they have real feeedback of what's working and not working -CF
When you approach people with candor, they're either improve or begin to realize it's not a fit- PL
3 steps/questions... Have I trained them properly? Could they be repositioned? Then, "retire" them...- DI
Create a 30-90 day plan of probation, plan, feedback for HR process- DI
"This isn't working, what can we do to make it work?"- PL
Willow ranks A, B, C- 2 times a year, feedback on how to get to the next level... - BH
"The kindness form of management is the truth"- Jack Welch
"Are you prepared to de-motivate your strong performers by leaving non-performers around?" - PL
When firing, if I had to be the one let go, how would I want to be treated? Try to put yourself in their shoes- HC
The more clarity you can give people as they're let go in the process helps people when they're being thrusted into "unclear" waters...- CF
Work to "honor" people in the process- BH

Session 1: "Leading in a New Reality" Bill Hybels

2009-08-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

Rogue waves can be as high as 80 feet tall, captains look ahead to sea forecasts and will not travel if these conditions exist...

We've been hit by an "economic" rogue wave... we're all leading in a new reality as it's nearly impossible to predict what the future holds
The "old normal" may not come back for a long time if ever
Rough patches force new levels of courage and creativity, it's not optional anymore
Prioritization and resource allocations get very focused
Leaders were created for times like this, teams can form their strongest bonds in the hardest times
What is coming out of you in these tough times that calm seas never bring?
October, 2008, stock market dropped 1800 points, people starting losing their jobs in droves- When the wave hit, strategies had to change on a dime.
In the hardest of times, what a great opportunity for the church to step up and step in to the crisis. Do we still believe the local church is the hope of the world?
"Some of you have never been on the receiving side of giving... you may need to humble yourselves and be willing to be served."
Is your church "being the church"? Are you stepping into this opportunity?
As individuals and leaders of business, are we rolling our sleeves up to help more now than even?
Willow has created margin before and after their services to help people relieve the added tension and stress they are feeling through worship, the arts, prayer... an added 5-20 minutes before and after the service
Financial planning when revenue is going down while needs are rising is tough, the numbers don't add up...
Jack Welch, "In a crisis, cash is king." All organizations need cash reserves to help buy "time" to make adjustments. 25% of annual needs in long term cash reserves, individuals 6 months of earnings
Make 3 buckets, A/B/C... C- If your revenue dropped 50%, these would be the initiatives to go, Bucket B- 75% of revenue lost, what would go? Bucket A- The thing we would never stop doing...
When cuts are made, try to give people to give months notice, not days... be generous in severance packages
Willow budget standards: 50% of revenue to staff, 10% given away, 10% "wins of the spirit" flexible planning for budget changes mid-course , 15% ministry budgets, 15% facilities/utilities/debt service.... adjust accordingly
People will still give money to a white hot vision... How's your vision? How are you communicating it?
People will still be incredibly generous if you teach them, lead them, and cast the vision
2 Chronicles 16:9 God is looking for people that are "fully" for Him... He wants to use us and pour out His plan through us
Are we creating working environments to fully allow our people to soar?
"How the Mighty Have Fallen"- Jim Collins book..... How many absolute key leadership seat positions in your organization? What % of those key people are filled by those key people? What is our plan for filling the rest of those seats with those key people? Are we developing back-up positions for those key seats for those key people?
How are you managing this new reality? Are you taking care of you? Can you sustain yourself at the current pace and pressure? How are you replenishing yourself?
"The pace at which I'm doing the work of God is destroying God's work in me"- BH 20 years ago in his journal
Romans 8:6 When you're in sync with the Spirit, you're full of life and peace.... Are you filled up?
The more your tank empties, the more fallout that's happening to the people around you
Who fills you up? Who depletes you? Fill your tank, hang out with "fillers"....
"When I listen to God more slowly, he speaks to me more clearly"- BH devotional time
The best thing you can bring to your team, company, organization, and family is a "filled up bucket"... What are your followers seeing from you these days?
God is not done. Hold on to Him... he wants to do great things in our day and through your leadership.

We Can Learn From Old People

2009-07-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I had a great opportunity to go on a Boyz Weekend Road Trip to a Tigers/Sox game and the Baseball Hall of Fame for the Induction Ceremony of the greatest player of all time, Jim Rice. OK, I'm biased.

The best part of the trip however was the chance to spend a weekend with three generations of Meyer's, most importantly, my Dad (pictured here named after Mel Ott).

On the way home, we had a chance to talk about what his legacy is, what matters, what he's learned... We all have a lot we can learn from the "experienced"...

Have a Foundation. My Dad has always been a strong, Bible-believing Christ follower. It's made decisions in his life easier as he's had a consistent guide of Truth. He's quite possibly the most faithful person I know.
Be Different. My Dad is an odd bird and he owns it (whether he knows it or not)... and it's good. God didn't use a cookie cutter when he created us, quit trying to be like someone else's crumbs.
Be Rich in the Things Money Can't Buy. I've only heard this 1,232,413 times in my life from my Dad but it's true. He doesn't have much money but he's got a warehouse full of relationships and purpose that is priceless. Choose people over possessions.
Retire and Expire. "Father" is still preaching and serving a church part time at age 72...his purpose isn't done, he is tracking to be "all used up" until the day he's called home...
Finish what you Start. Married almost 50 years, he's modeled commitment to his bride. (He did have it pretty easy though marrying the greatest woman in his generation). Whether marriage or sports teams, he's always modeled and taught to stick it out.
You can live a lifetime and never know who Madonna is. Yes, it's true, I don't think he knows. Along with Lost, Hannah Montana, and 93% of the other top cultural people or shows that exist today. You don't have to know what's up to make a difference...maybe we can spend less time trying to keep up.

My Dad has left his Mark... I hope to extend his lessons to future generations... And quite possibly, his greatest days are still ahead. He's a great man that I love.

"It's Easier to be a Far Right Whacko"

2009-07-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

It's easier to be a far right whacko. Whacko in the nicest sense of the word...

For that matter... any belief systems, sets of rules, political bent (whether far right or far left) that gives me my marching orders to live by regardless of the reactions and input around us is an easier road.

If I alienate people around me, it's OK because my "cause" is bigger than them- it's OK if they think I'm a whacko because they're just wrong
Slowly the people that disagree with me will gradually fall away and I'll be surrounded with people that think just like me
If I do enter conversations, it's primarily to "help" people understand why what they believe is wrong with a smile on my face
It eliminates confusion because EVERYTHING is black and white

What's harder?

To live in the conversation. Am I creating more conversations or shutting people down when talking about my faith or issues?
Building a friendship. Am I seeking to understand and learning about a new friend or am I offering premature, drive-by opinions?
To be silent. Am I willing to process and filter statements made or do I feel the need to always speak my mind?
Having my actions speak louder than my words. Am I living a life and carrying myself at work in a way that's attracting people or am I repelling people because of my engrained, rigid beliefs?
Crossing the line and mistakes. Living in the conversation has me on a line at times that I screw up in what I do or say (and regret). Sometimes I can be too loose and managing the edge can be very difficult.

I believe we can be strong, bold and effective. I believe I'm forgiven for my mistakes. I want to genuinely love and care for people. But this is the much harder road.

If you're stuck on the word "whacko" still- point made.

Can You REALLY go to Church Online?

2009-06-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

After attending several churches online over the past few weeks, a number of questions could be raised:

Can you really count it as "going to church" by watching online?
Isn't it a challenge to build community online vs. being part of a local church?
Can God move through people through a computer? Can life change actually happen?
Can one grow in their spiritual life and disciplines online?
Can one give and contribute to a church online and have their entrusted resources put to good work?
Can I connect with people online and build relationships?
Could it be harder for some to stay "engaged" and drift away from having God as a priority in their lives?
Could this cause weekend attendance to go down (or continue to go down) at brick and mortar churches all across the globe?
Should church leaders invest time in understanding the online culture and the new opportunities and challenges it brings?
Will it be a normal reaction for many to immediately discount it as a fad and immediate try to find the negative?
Will it stir up fear?
Could it be revolutionary?
Can God handle both and move as He pleases?

I would answer "yes" to all these questions. More on this to come soon.... Your thoughts?

10 Qualities of a Great Job Candidate

2009-06-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

I've had the opportunity to interview several strong candidates (and some weak one's) over the past few months for various positions at our company- here are 10 qualities and actions that have stood out to me:

Quality follow-up response: When someone takes notes during our discussions and follows the interview with a quality recap of what we talked about with a few value added nuggets for our company- it's rare and refreshing. A follow-up "thank you note" is one thing, taking the extra time to address something we talked about... better.
They've done their homework: A few people have stood out simply by answering the question, "So, what do you know about Pinnacle?" They studied our website, talked to a few clients, employees, or asked around about our reputation...
Positively Persistent: The best ones have followed up on a regular, positive basis- many times continuing our discussion with value added articles, events of interest, attended our events, and seem to continue to learn about our company.
A Moving Car: Mark Beeson has always said, "It's easier to do something with a moving car than a parked car" meaning... if someone has energy, is self motivated, and action oriented- attractive. Philosophers and sages of wisdom that don't do anything- not so much...
Genuine Character: When I know someone has integrity, it matters. A few indicators that scare me off: "It's all about me" attitude, bashing previous employer, a sense they're working too hard to tell me what I want to hear, or overly complimentary.
Demonstrated Leadership: If I feel like we can't find the "perfect fit" of skills and/or experience, I'll hire a leader. People that can make a decision, accept responsibility, will do the heavy lifting, and can drive initiatives. They may not have all the "technical" answers, but they're confident and competent enough to navigate their way to effectiveness.
Self-Assured: Those who are comfortable in their own shoes, can talk freely of who they are, who they're not, without apology= you're in the top half of all candidates. Don't be desperate, directionless, or tentative.
Lifetime Learners: The best are pressing in, reading, and have appetites for learning. While they're seeking, it's clear they're filling their time with positive, building activities. It makes me think they'll "dive in" when we hire them and will be able to learn what they don't know...
They Welcome Feedback: One person mentioned they have 2 or 3 strategic people in their lives to give them input on what their next steps should be, another thanked me for a few concerns addressed... we don't have time for games, we need a team that's real and can sharpen each other.... Defensiveness and excuses are normal. Superstars seek out editors in their life.
They Admit What They Don't Know: New team members are going to encounter too much "new" as it is... the last thing we need are people trying to "fake" their way through waters they've never navigated without asking questions. It's OK to admit what you don't know in an interview in my book.

We've got some great people and great days ahead as we build our team... What qualities would you add?

"Communicate to Connect"

2009-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend, Mark Beeson read "A Letter to the President" on the eve of President Obama arriving on campus at Notre Dame amidst all the hub-bub... If you get a chance... view it here on/before May 24th.

A simple takaway... when talking to your team, employee, spouse, kids... stop and T.H.I.N.K.

Is it True?
Is it Helpful?
Is it Important?
Is it Necessary?
Is it Kind?

The right thing said the right way at the right time has a chance of connecting... otherwise, we can expect to swing and miss. At the end of the day, we all have people in our lives we would like to influence. How can we connect/influence?

Encouragers are influencers. Who do you like being around? People who beat you over the head or those who call out the best in you?

Integrity Matters. Having principles that guide your discussions and actions allow you to be consistent and trustworthy to those values. Wild cards, hot heads, and unpredictability don't make it to many circles of trust.

Work for Other's Success. Sure...this goes against the crowd, however... when people know you're "for" them and celebrate their success... they may listen to constructive feedback.

Apologize when you're wrong or screw-up.

Keep Casting. You're not in control of other people. They may not respond the way you want, expect, or not at all. Keep casting your net... sometimes you end up connecting with an unexpected audience. Perhaps, that's where you should have been all along.

"We all will have an opportunity to speak Truth to those in power..."- Mark Beeson 5/17/09

The question is.... will we connect?

"The Next People that Will find Jobs"

2009-05-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate on a panel discussion at GCC(thanks to Kathy Guy and Mark Waltz for their leadership) on finding a job, networking and more in partnership with Michiana Career Network. Seriously, the web is full of resources to get help with resumes, templates, how to interview, and more.

Do you want to be part of the first 20% of the people that will get hired?

Do the basics well. Clean, attractive resume, practice interviewing, etc. Essentially, spend 6-8 hours on the web looking at the resources, take notes, and build a plan for your resume, interviewing, networking, and action plan. Normal? Wing it, hope something happens... there's tons of resources for me to spend too much time on it... one I found on Twitter: thejobsguy
Everyone needs an editor... who are you practicing an interview with, reviewing your appearance (your bushel of hair coming out of your ear is not helping you), tweaking your resume, etc? We all have blind spots, get help. Normal is going at it alone...
Focus on building relationships, not finding a job. Networking is about proactively talking with people, understanding needs, and getting the opportunity to tell your 15-30 second story.
Understand if A + B= Getting a Job You're only in control of "A", the things you can control. "B" is all the things you can't control... timing, divine intervention, etc.. You being unemployed doesn't define who you are... keep focused on what you can control and do that.
Surround Yourself with Positive Influencers... the people around you should be encouraging, expanding your network, expanding your ideas on what industries you could be part of, and giving you helpful input. Turn off CNN and the unemployment reports if needed. You become who your surround yourself with. Normal is finding and reciting the list of excuses of why they won't and can't find a job.
You've got 15-30 seconds to tell me a story about you that I could potentially repeat to prospective employers for you. If you confuse me, I won't talk about you. If you inspire me and give me easy "handles" to talk about you, I may be the one to find you a job. Develop your 15-30 second story, make it crisp, and tell it to everyone you have an opportunity to meet.
Have coffee twice a week with a new connectors/person to review your plan and ask their advice/input on your job search. Practice your 15 second story, have them interview you, review your resume, and build a new relationship. People love giving advice. Be willing to take it, connect, and sharpen your plan and story.
Be real and authentic. Employers like to see a genuine person with integrity willing to show their hand and be real. It's something/someone they can trust and will get straight information from...

Most people have a resume, look in the newspaper, Monster.com, and send out a smattering of inquiries hoping to get a phone call. That's normal.

Those who take it to the next level will be noticed and will be at the top of the stack as the economy turns around and a new position needs to be filled. Will it be you? Are you doing the work now to be positioned for the turnaround?

"Why Knot?"

2009-04-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Knots restrict, discourage, block, confuse, entangle, stall, frustrate, slow, and disable.

Knots exist in our organizations, marriages, theology, and more.... only to prevent us from fulfilling our purpose, design, and experiencing opportunities in life....

What does it look like?

Withholding key information from a team member (lack of communication). KNOT.
Fear. KNOT
Analysis Paralysis, studying all the variables but never get to the "doing". KNOT.
Being full of all the reasons "why not". KNOT.
Nitpicking theology only to discourage people trying to do something good. KNOT.
If you find yourself blowing holes in people's opinions or methods you might be a... KNOT.
Waiting for all the stars to be aligned... KNOT.
Ignoring inefficiencies. KNOT.
Really smart people full of theories but no action. KNOT
Employees that are better than nothing. KNOT.
Disregard for policies and procedures. KNOT.
Overkill policies and procedures. KNOT.
Not telling your spouse what really frustrates you. KNOT.
Complaining about all the knots. KNOT.

You want to be a "differentiator" as an employee, volunteer, spouse, or friend? Be great at identifying and un-doing the KNOTS that exist everywhere.... and DO.

"Missed your Exit?"

2009-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Normally you don't know when this sign will come up in our life.

Years may seem to go by and we wonder when it's going to come along.

We live with regret for the times we've ignored it.

Wisdom tells us we can't take every one.

For many, they fear it and make up excuses to easily dismiss it.

Sometimes it seems absurb on the surface but really would stretch us.

The more we say "no" to it, the easier it is to miss it.

Normal is rationalizing a reason why we shouldn't act on a new opportunity at hand and to live with regrets later in life. If you've got nothing better going on in life and you're simply growing old... Don't miss your next exit.

"There is no God"

2009-04-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

There is no God.

I can do whatever I want, take what I want, whenever I want.. it's all about here.

Crud, there are other people that can do what they want also.

Now I have to be creative, manipulate, and lure to get what I want.

The winners of this game are those who can entertain, attract, out-earn and outsmart.

It's survival of the fittest. And once you're on top, you'll do whatever is needed to stay there.

Those who lose try to pacify their life by paying the winners to entertain them.

The losers go through this short life with temporary bursts of experiences and vices to get by.

The losers are "duped" into thinking they could get on top, that hope keeps them in the game.

All the players hold on desperately to this life, and death is tragic.

That is, if life is all about here and this world.

Then enters God.

Suddenly the prospect that life is not about here but for some life with God changes everything.

Athiests rise up to challenge the existence of God.

The winners mock the idea of God.

All resist any suggestion that they may be wrong. They have "the right" to do as they please!

Kill, destroy, mock, belittle any talk of God... whatever it takes to keep our game intact.

It's all OK if your God idea is in your own personal box, but keep it out of our game.

The Choice. God Says:

The last will be first and the first will be last.

That life on earth is short and you won't take your treasures with you.

That death is not something to be feared... we are eternal beings.

The game you play on Earth will leave you empty.

In fact, I've dumped that game on it's head. It's rigged, can't you tell?

I'll take care of the bad guys, don't worry about it.

I have a plan to give you purpose and meaning for every day you're there on Earth.

I know you better than you know you. I'd like to help.

It's a question worth pursing. We're living in our choice right now. A life as if there's no God or there is a God. It changes everything.

To My Alcoholic Friend

2009-04-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend:

I am tired of seeing people trying to help you only to hear you say "No one cares".

I feel like I'm attached to the back of a runaway train, I need to let go.

I can't continue to work harder than you.

You lie to me, your family, your friends, and then wonder why no one respects you.

The drama you bring makes it "all about you".... it's a selfish choice.

We find a bottle in your vehicle and you act like someone else put it there.

I see the destruction you're leaving around you, the hearts you're breaking, yet you're oblivious.

You say that life would be better for everyone if you weren't around... are you kidding me?

On my own strength, I have no other ideas, energy, or words that can make you change.

I can't help you.

But I do know this.

Your best years can be ahead of you.

You can turn your feet the other direction and take steps to life, purpose, and respect.

You are loved. By me, your family, and your friends.

When your turn and take steps, people will be by your side. I will be by your side.

You can leave a legacy that will count, your life can influence scores of people around you.

Your past can be forgiven.

You matter to God.

He can help you.

I leave you in His hands... I'm praying for you...

Mark

"What"

2009-04-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Who you'll be in five years depends on:

what friends you surround yourself with

what you read

what you eat

what you watch

what you hear

what you change
what you let go

what you plan for

what new thing you try

what new places you go

what you believe about God

what you believe about yourself

what you believe about others

what you invest your time in

what you volunteer for

what skill you're learning

what courage you have to make mistakes

what mistakes you'll make

what you'll learn from your mistakes

So WHAT are you doing today?

"8,460,000 Of You Need This"

2009-04-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

I recently read "Less Clutter Less Noise" (to many people's amazement). While it is written as a Communications/Marketing strategy, tips, and best practices using the "church" as a case study... I read it as an Operations Manager for a technology company.

Here are my top 10 favorites for the business world as I observe at our company and the hundreds of clients we consult with:

Our people (employees) are going to have several touch points with our clients, if they don't "get" what we're about, trying to do, or what we're trying to communicate.... our marketing/communications strategy is already in trouble
Our communications strategy and a firm understanding of who we are (and aren't) should come well before we create our first marketing piece or develop our website... (We thought we knew our's until we encountered the principles and questions in this book...)
We try to tell our entire story, everywhere, all the time. We need to focus on telling one or two key messages at a time and leave them wanting more.

So in light of that message, I'll stop there.... not 10.... just 3 bullets.

This book is not for everyone. Just 8,460,000 of you.

The target? If you're a decision-maker/influencer in ANY of the organizations you belong to and actually want your message heard... say the top 10% of the workforce.... this applies to 18 million of you.

Even hotter target? (18 million of you) x (47% regular church attendees) = 8,460,000 of you. Go get it here.

Now I'm off to learn how our clients REALLY experience us..... :)

"My Christian T-Shirt at Work"

2009-04-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

For those who happen to read this blog and are not "Christians", people of faith, religious, or whatever else you want to tag it with... thanks for stopping by and keep seeking Truth and asking the big questions in life...

For those who consider themselves "Christ Followers", what does it mean to live out our faith at work? Views on this range all over the map but I'll share my filters (and to be upfront, I fail at these often but keep working to fail forward):

What it is:

Strive to be the hardest working person in my organization to give my employer an honest day's work
Be "for" my co-workers- helping them in their roles when asked, serving, building-up, encouraging them, and celebrate their promotions
Promote team, collaboration, unity, and bring positivity to the group
Show up on time, be a good communicator, and not be the one to leave at 4:59
Admit my mistakes and be honest with what I know and don't know
Focus on building real "relationships" with some of the people I work with to really get to know them, their families, their dreams
My actions should cause people to be drawn to me, be favorable, and trustworthy
I should be unique and model the gifts of the Spirit. If I'm not different, who cares?
Help those who are hurting
I can be candid and strong about roles, responsibilities, and vision
Bring peace in times of turmoil and uncertainty (Is this not true now more than ever?)
Ask, "What is the next right thing" inside (employees) and outside (clients) of my organization when facing decisions and areas where right and wrong may seem gray- be an example of integrity within my company
I fear no one or no thing. I can have a backbone and not worry what others think about me when it comes down to doing the right thing for people. I do need to be effective in how to communicate this however.
Choose love over lecture

What it isn't:

Being pulled into the negativity and gossip that exists in all organizations
Telling everyone around me what their problem is, what they need to fix about themselves, and that they're going to Hell
Pushing them to go to church when I don't know anything about them and have no relationship with them
Looking for manufacturing opportunities to share my faith... (speaking of Microsoft Word, have you met the real Word?)
Cheating clients and justifying it
Competing unfairly with co-workers, "shading the truth" when asked about their performance for my own personal gain
Weak, spineless, "I'm just going to take my ball and go home" mentality
Going around people and not following proper protocol. If you have a problem, tell the right person.
Being a virus in an organization, out-of-line with the company vision, and be a gossip (all in the name of doing the right thing)
Trying to convert people
Seeking martyrdom. Sidenote: I don't understand why people seek out persecution for their Faith (wearing Jesus pins, t-shirts, I love Jesus screensavers, etc) in clearly hostile work environments. Yes it's bold. But effective? I think not. There's a time a place isn't there?

People at my work generally know that I go to church and most know where, I don't hide it but I don't broadcast it either. If asked or if it comes up in conversation, I'm fine with sharing it. When in doubt, I default to "do" and "be". Do the right thing consistently and be a person that people want to know what's different about me.

If people find me approachable and want to ask me more, then maybe I'm being who I've been called to be. For me, this is the challenge and measure of success of living my Faith in the workplace. And if it never happens? Am I a failure for living with integrity, working hard, and trying to do the next right thing for all the people around me? I think not.

People are ALWAYS watching us, what are they seeing?

Oh...and if you love the T-shirt pictured, you can find it here...

Focus: A Great Differentiator

2009-04-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

To see Mt. Rushmore in a magazine is one thing, to go there and see it in person is amazing, but to focus in with binoculars (as my son Easton is doing here) gives one a whole new appreciation of the detail that went into sculpting this monument. It took Gutzon & his son Lincoln Borglum 14 years and 400 workers to complete this work of art.

In our workplaces, ministries, and even small day to day encounters, the ability and power of focus can be a maximizing, life-changing differentiator.

Most of us fall into rock-skipping. We're busy, trying to consume only what we absolutely have to, and are sprinting an inch deep and a mile wide at work and in life. We've all heard "focus", but what can that really look like?

At work.... The nature of my job is to be an inch deep and a mile wide as Operations Manager...however, our initiatives won't get done without focus. Bill Hybels talked about having a "6 initiatives in 6 weeks" approach to your critical items. I find this very helpful to be able to say "no" to important things but will simply have to wait. Here are my current "6" that are my focus to April 15th at Pinnacle as an example:
Web strategy with blog- initial steps to build a contributing writer team for future blog
Video research for online snippets for training and solutions for clients
Bootcamp- 2 week training curriculum developed for new sales executives/employees
Chief Technology Officer strategy as more companies are looking to outsource IT
Marketing plan rolling with client experience focus
Existing Customer process defined
Freakanomics is a good read about focus. It shows how much common knowledge we all believe to be true is actually false when someone takes the time to dig into the data/details. (Like, is it more dangerous to have a gun in your home or have a swimming pool?) Real information is power, it takes focus to find real information.... Focus= Power
Every day interactions. When we take time to stop and focus on a person (maybe at the grocery store or with a neighbor), we can make a real impact rather than having a relationship of news/sports/weather. Rob Wegner delivered a great message on this available here for $4 http://www.wiredchurches.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2717/.f His statement: Small intervention + Focus= BIG IMPACT Small intervention + No Focus= Little or no impact.
I get overwhelmed with the amount of information available to me. I can't read all the blogs, books, or attend enough conferences to keep up. I find myself "wishing" I knew more about scores of subjects. I'm learning..."it's OK not to know it all, take a deep breath, pick my target, and focus on something to be an expert in..." Having great people around you with their expertise' will fill in your gaps of information.
Ever been to a Cirque du Soleil show? You'll see what crazy, amazing ability can come from focusing on one talent. To see how fast and how many bowling pins two people can fire off at each other without dropping a single pin was staggering. I admire their focus to a single craft.

The people around me that are changing the world are focused on specialties. They are not spread thin, Jeopardy wanna-be-winner, know-it-alls. They are satisfied with being great at tackling a single problem/challenge, in a single area, for a single company/organization at time. They know what they can and cannot do. The employees I see that make a real impact have the ability to focus and be a real expert in their field...they do not skim the surface. Great Mom's and Dad's are taking time to focus with their kids in small interventions.

Are you focused or are you just trying to keep up?

Choose Alignment

2009-03-17T19:11:00.000-07:00

I don't always agree with my leadership. That goes for work, church, government, or any other organizations I've been a part of... I have an urge to make sure my peers around me know that I don't "agree" with some decision being made or roll my eyes at the latest "edict" from above... but that may be dead wrong.

Most of the time, business plans, ministry methodology, or Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) plans are not revolutionary. They're not flashy. They're just OK. I'm guessing most of yours are too.

However, if you apply an aligned team to mediocre plans- great things can happen. The same is true of many products. Average restaurant food with a great staff can= a great experience.

Our leaders need our support despite their mediocrity at times. Whatever we choose to be a part of, we should choose to align with its leaders so greatness may happen.

It's been said, "leadership teams can yell and scream at each other within the boardroom but when they come out...they should choose to align to the vision/plan regardless of their personal views"
Sometimes, brown-nosers and "yes" men are absolutely right
My church doesn't need another critic, it needs me to jump in and be part of the solution
My owners don't need me to buck their initiatives, they need me to be a driver
Choosing to be "aligned" is a conscious choice that is made daily to every organization you've chosen to be a part of
Alignment is knowing when and how/whether to voice your ideas, concerns or disagreements
I need to know who my "first" team is and be completely aligned with them
My frustrations need to have a neutral, healthy outlet (or as Wayne Cordeiro would say, a lightning rod) so I don't bring negativity to the team
Normal is being a water cooler critic, a maximizer aligns with a vision

The day we can no longer align with our team may be the day we need to move on to a different vision, job, or church. And if you leave, leave well without leaving landmines or toxicity to those who remain. I'm assuming you had a reason to be where you're at today... are you a supportive, aligned driver or are you the hurdle, elephant-in-the-room dissenter?

Part of maximizing our lives is maximizing the things we've chosen to be a part of... sometimes it's simply choosing to align.

"My 8 Year Old Needs a Bailout"

2009-03-09T15:18:00.001-07:00

The data is simply staggering... the need for bailouts just continues...

Recently my wife and I have noticed a few school lunches either left un-eaten or in the trash in the past few days... we had to investigate... Here's what we found from the testimony of "Peggy" the lunch lady.

The culprit is the 8-year old to the right, Easton (without hat). Yes, I know, he looks all cute here but there's more to the story and the numbers don't lie:

All but four days since the beginning of the year the kids have packed their lunches
Easton has elected to purchase a lunch 9 of the last 10 school days at a $1.70 a whack
Since the beginning of the year, he's purchased an amazing 24 lunches compared to the 4 approved
His current debt on his meal card is now $16.70 and collection calls are coming in
As parents we don't know if we should simply allow him to file for bankruptcy and suffer the consequences or will that have too large of an impact on the rest of the union of students?
Do we offer a bailout package to cover the loss, or will these losses keep occuring to the American taxpaying parents?
I'm not sure if I have confidence Congress knows what will happen next either
Bankers won't lend to him as he currently does not meet lending standards
It seems he's more than school "milk"-ing the system
The math does not add up and if history tells us from social studies, this PE ratio is not good

My 8-year old needs a bailout... anyone got any advice?

"Lessons from Nuke"

2009-03-08T18:11:00.000-07:00

"The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness." - Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) Bull Durham

Have you ever observed anyone that seems to be clueless to the perceptions of the people around them? They push their idea or entertain in front of a crowd and seem to completely miss the rolling of eyes all around them... Yet, five years later, they seem to have "made it" or have progressed to be an amazing talent despite their critics.

What can we learn from Nuke (Tim Robbins, left from Bull Durham) or others we know like him?

Critics are wrong... often...
We talk ourselves out of great ideas
If that doesn't work, people close to us will talk us out of those ideas
Persistence and hard work can take mediocrity to greatness
What other people think is really not as important as we make it
Be willing to look foolish and make mistakes while we're learning
Practice driving ideas... take them 3 steps farther or push 3 months longer than normal
Don't over analyze our choices, offer our opinion when asked
Offer our ideas freely even if they get shot down... they may lead to the next, better idea
If you love doing something... do it and work hard at it
Leaders regularly will be criticized for wrong choices, great leaders adjust and keep falling forward

I don't want fear to limit my future, my purpose, or my leadership.

"Hey Leader, Just Give Up."

2009-03-01T06:34:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 29:19 "Where there is no vision the people perish..."

Hey leader, just give up. Throw in the towel, raise the white flag, just quit trying so hard... After all, is this really worth it? Aren't you simply tired of taking arrows in the back from your own team? Hasn't it been long enough to try to change their minds or ways? For all the hard work you've been doing to try to help your organization with no one recognizing your efforts, really... just relax, go with the flow... you'll have less headaches and your days can be so much easier.

This emotion or a flavor of it enters my head weekly (or in tough weeks multiple times a day).

As I look at the leaders around me, addressing this thought in our minds head-on is one of the most critical components in our development as leaders. I believe this starts with wrong thinking.

Change from:

I can control when people will change or "get it"
Eventually if I say and do the right things, everyone will come around and align with the vision
I'm right, they're wrong
People will rally around me because of my title or position
I should only implement ideas that people agree with around me
I'm going to have a lot of encouragement along the journey
It's my job to correct people every time they say or do the wrong thing
It's just common sense
I should just fire people that don't get in line

To:

I'm going to simply keep doing the right thing and make the best decisions I can
I may not get encouragement (even by those closest to me) and that's OK, the mission is worth it
I'm not always right, there's probably more to the story- seek first to understand
Normal is for people to care only about themselves, my role as a leader is to keep making it about others and to have my actions back up my words
Negativity, sloth, and status quo will always be a drag if I allow it, accepting it simply comes with the territory can allow me to keep my expectations in check
I can't control how or when people will change, I'm going to simply keep encouraging, lifting people up, and reminding them we are all meant for more
I can learn from everyone.... even the biggest challenges on my team
Common sense is not so common
Everyone needs grace, give it
Strong vision with right actions and words= More people (not all) getting it over time

And sometimes, we simply need a good meal and some sleep. Right thinking and perseverance... is it in your arsenal or is it a leadership lid? God has given us a vision and has put us where we're at with our current team. What thinking will we choose?

10 Ways I Want to Lead

2009-02-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

1. I want to be a servant leader, remove hurdles and obstacles so my team can soar

2. I want to push the envelope, be willing to step out on the plank, make mistakes but go after educated, BHAG’s (big, hairy, audacious, goals)

3. Filter out the noise, the naysayers, the critics and be a leader of laggards

4. Be real about my weaknesses, mistakes, with humility

5. Solution oriented, if individuals make mistakes, just correct it and move on- take care of the client, offer an apology to a team member, encourage, fall forward

6. My team will know I am for them

7. I want to be candid, matter-of-fact, but with the goal to help people take steps and speak to the elephants in the room

8. Be in the trench with the team, roll my sleeves up, be willing to do what I’m asking my team to do and more

9. Understand and create the vision, then cast it- over and over and over to individuals, teams, and organizations... Make what we do significant, life-changing, industry changing, world changing

10. Model focus and hardwork- energy to simply keep getting things done

There's more.... what would you add?

Technology Sales Positions Available

2009-02-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

My company is accepting resumes for technology sales and business development. If interested or if you want to pass along this opportunity to a friend, a complete job description is available here:

http://pinnacleofindiana.com/careers.aspx

3,999,999 new jobs to go....! Hang in there everyone....

4,000,000 Jobs in 90 Days

2009-02-15T08:22:00.000-08:00

The drumbeat from the $787 billion dollar stimulus package has been jobs, jobs, jobs. Last week President Obama visited Elkhart, IN to help sell the 4,000,000 jobs the bill would save and/or add. At that price tag, we are paying a staggering $196,750 per job. If the goal is to create jobs, let's do it in 90 days (4-6 times faster) and for 1/2 the price. Here's how:

Offer $49,000 grants each year for the next 2 years for each new job created by pre-qualified/awarded businesses
The $49,000 would cover the cost of salary, insurance, and other benefits for each employee (actual salaries could vary, this would be an average)
Businesses would hire these people within the first 90 days of the program launch

How would you launch it?

By district, grants would be allocated and prioritized by those hardest hit. Our elected Representative (in our case, Joe Donnelly) would be charged to form a quick team of local business minds and economists to review business applicants in their district
Businesses would be selected on merits such as: ability to retain the jobs after two years, job training offered to new employees, benefits to local community, current strength, etc
This goal of the selection process should be to keep it simple and swift
Let's launch this April 1, 2009

Benefits:

Immediate impact on monthly job loss numbers, rather than seeing the 500,000 jobs lost in February, the American public would see these numbers subside or even reverse for a period of a few months
Consumer confidence could improve on the news of a stimulus working... immediately
Actual price tag would be less by eliminating unemployments costs of those sitting on their couch rather than employed through the grant program
Millions of workers would have an opportunity to be retrained in a new industry, employers would be able to allocate training resources they would not normally expend
Federal deficit for 2009 could be drastically reduced
Businesses that are waiting to hire could hire immediately. Not all companies are struggling, but most have hit a cautious, hiring freeze button
Rather than hire workers by contracts that could end in 6 months or two years (in the current plan), thousands of businesses would want to retain these newly trained workers after the two year grant

Immediate Questions:

How would that be fair? Fairness is already at issue. Someone is going to get the contract to build a bridge in Minnesota, some other company is not. People are already in line for bailouts to save their industry. This would be aimed at "creating" vs. "saving"
Couldn't we get burned again by corporate America? These grants could be monitored and paid in "arrears" once businesses have demonstrated they've maintained their payroll levels, businesses would not simply receive lump sum deposits when approved to spend in other means (as we've experienced in the banking industry)
How would be administer it? By having it handled by district, it immediately spreads our risk, creates accountability, and shares workload for each Congressional Representative and their staffs. Local chambers of commerce, municipal governments, and community leaders could all assist
What about all the other needs in the current bill? Anything beyond jobs is simply "spending", we should call it for what it is. I'm not saying some of these items aren't valid or are certainly needed, but the concrete in a bridge is a "material cost"- not a job.

President Obama, Congressman Donnelly, the company where I work has 50 new jobs ready to go in the South Bend/Elkhart/Michiana area if this were approved.... we're in. I've already talked with one of our owners, we have scores of resumes in hand, and we're dead serious. We would train, deal with the human resources strain, find room, bring in computers, and whatever else it would take to make this happen. I'm confident that thousands of businesses would step-up to do the same. Small business all across America can lead this effort for recovery for half the cost and 400% faster. (If you are a business owner or influencer, feel free to send this or a version of this to your Representatives to let them know you've got jobs ready as well)

I'm not special, but I would be willing to help lead this effort. Just give me a call.

Thanks, Mark

Purpose Cube: Finding Your Purpose

2009-01-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

We have a choice. We can drift through life, work in jobs we really don't enjoy, meander through relationships, fill time wondering when the next cookout is, play taxi driver for our kids, and simply grow old. These are potential traits of the mixed-up, purpose-lacking Cube of Life.

The danger is, our busyness can feel like we're really doing something... but in actuality, we may simply be spinning our wheels.

The alternative? Be an expert in You. Study You. Watch what you do. (I can attest, I genuinely love thinking about me, studying me, and trying out different things with me... I...Love... Me.) To find our purpose, we need to be intentional about eliminating things that aren't our passion and narrowing the focus on the Design of who we are. As you work on your Purpose Cube, your colors will eventually take S.H.A.P.E. One side will be completed as you continue your twists and turns in jobs, volunteer roles, and relationships...

Here are a few tips & tools to explore:

Personality Tests: This link has a wide variety of options

Talk to people close to you that you trust, ask them for input on what your talents, passions, and tendencies
S.H.A.P.E. Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences all weave a story of who you are and wiring
Strength Finder Test : Highly recommended. Everyone should take this... it's about $15 for a book, a quick 30-min online test that gives you your Top 5 strengths as a guide... (My top 5 were Responsibility, Belief, Learner, Input, and Maximizer.... thus MaxiMeyer :)

Volunteer on various teams and different missions, you'll find you love some more than others which will give you more insights.... Experiment, try new things...

I'm learning that much of my purpose is a daily function of who I am, how I'm wired, and how that can play out in my day to day with the people I interact with. We were made for a purpose... Romans 12:2-

Work like everything depends on you to find your purpose in this short life, pray like it depends on God. My hope for all of us is that we will find our good, pleasing, perfect plan He uniquely has for each of us and the cube comes together...

By the way, I have a strong sense I'm not a dancer.

The Yellow Box: Focused Relationships

2008-12-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

About 3 weeks ago I connected with a good friend from high school that I had not spoken to for over 19 years through Facebook. As a matter of fact, I had not communicated with anyone from my high school for over seven years. Because I didn't care? No. I think for a lot of reasons… I moved, pace of life, new friends enter the scene, and suddenly it's 19 years later. But as I look at the relationships around me and through the years, here are some observations:

There are a few hundred people I would like to stay in contact with, grab lunch, play golf you name it- I genuinely love these people.... however, I have to settle to celebrate what they do from a distance.
For example, some of my neighbors within 800 yards of my house I would like to get to know better. Yet it only comes in small drips.
People we "do life with" tend to change and drift from year to year.
I can only seem to get depth in 6-10 relationships at any given point in my life.

The Yellow Box (above) represents my purpose in life, my passion, and what I was created to do.

Relationships and people matter. I can spend some quality time with scores of people and it's all good. But something special in relationships happen when they enter the yellow box. It's not about news, sports, and weather- it's living life on purpose. It's not living a life entertained and growing old, it's climbing a mountain of mission and locking arms with people. What does this look like in your life? Do you know who's in your yellow box right now? Are you spending too much time outside the box? Or, are you still determining what your yellow box is?

Merry Christmas family and friends. I love doing life with you!

Maximeyer Fantasy Football Champs!

2008-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to Tony Romo and Matt Forte for leading the charge this year... "We...are the champions.... my friends...."

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Grumpy, Annoying, High-Maintenance Customers

2008-12-18T19:52:00.001-08:00

Customers can be manipulative, grumpy, demanding, unreasonable, ridiculous, frustrating, rude, high maintenance, make you want to roll your eyes, and apparently even eat your laptop. Today I met with one of our challenging clients… and I loved it.

Tough customers are candid- you get the opportunity to get real feedback on how their experience is with your organization. Worse: You lose a client and don't know for several months, they simply fade away without a sound.

They will make the small cracks in your organization will look like gaping canyons- it can bring clarity to what you need to work on internally. Worse: You drudge along thinking you're doing "good enough" and don't fix what's actually broke.

If you can keep these clients and turn them into "fans"- you're taking steps to raise the bar of service with your team. Worse: Make excuses of why they're just crazy and let them go to a competitor.

These clients force you to be on your "A" game, ready to respond and find solutions. Worse: Walk on egg-shells with the client with a defensive disposition- this will simply make your already sub-par service worse.

Yes, there are times when you simply need to let a client go- it's just not financially viable to try to keep them. However, if you listen- there are valuable nuggets to take from these encounters. How are you responding to your customer-aches?

If by rare chance Mr. Customer you read this post. Thank you for your time and feedback today- you've helped us become a little bit better company today. I hope to get the chance to continue the dialogue in these upcoming weeks.

Don't Be That Couch- Andy Stanley

2008-11-20T12:45:00.000-08:00

A couch was purchased to have a place to sit- It becomes an emotional attachment over time that lingers around even when it becomes outdated and irrelevant. We keep it around too long.... how does this apply to your church, business, team.... ?

Leadership styles are going to vary, there is no cookie- cutter- don't spend all your time trying to mirror other people's style- press into your own God-given flavor-
If we were to start completely over, would we still choose to be doing the things we're currently doing?
Church programming is created to meet a specific need-
As programming begins as an answer to a question, over time it becomes part of a church's organizational culture- (makes them difficult to change but may not be needed or is no longer effective any more)
As culture changes, the methods will need to change but the questions tend to stay the same
As leaders we're called to lead people to see things the way we see them- otherwise we'll never be able to get them to do what needs to be done to make a difference-
If we institutionalize an answer, the day will come that it will no longer be an an answer
"I want to help you think differently"- we need to see the "couch" in our ministry/business differently
We need to be more committed to our mission than our programming or model. Programming and models can become old, outdated couches we get emotionally attached to...
Over time, sustaining the model becomes the mission... When you fall in love with anything other than the mission- you can quickly lose focus on God's original mission for you
The model can begin to work against the mission- as leaders we need to monitor this- when we see this beginning, we need to lead our team/organization back to the mission-
What have we fallen in love with that's not as effective as it used to be?
Where are we manufacturing energy? Having to pretend or manufacture enthusiasm for something that just isn't that good...
If a new person came into our church or organization, what is it that they would scrap and get rid of because they're able to see it for what it really is? No emotional attachment... Do you have the ability to stay objective and pull the plug on things that need to be over?
What are our organizational assumptions? Leaders must bring these assumptions in alignment with changes in the external environment. The world changes... our assumptions become wrong over time...
Don't try to tweak things that are broken...they'll still be broken.
The assumptions a team have held the longest or deeply are likely to be the things that become its undoing- Why churches don't change- What are the things that are "off limits" for debate? Beware....
What assumptions are false?
:Example: We assume people want to sit in rows and listen to a speaker.
Example: We assume Christians love to worship by singing songs they don't know that well.
Which assumptions are true but are not being fully leveraged?
To reach people no one else is reaching we need to do things no one else is doing...
How do you get rid of couches when people aren't on board yet? You need to lead them through the process, may take time.
Fresh eyes are needed at times to come in and point out the couches in our life, ministry, or organization...

Creating Spiritual Momentum- Craig Groeschel

2008-11-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

How to Develop Personal Spiritual Momentum- Craig Groeschel
"I will do today what I can do today to enable me to do tomorrow what I can’t do today."

4 Things You Can Do Today:

Identify my leadership dark side and do something to combat it today

Too competitive, prideful, hesitant?
Fear of lack- not having enough- Then give more.
Nervous about a neighboring church: Drop off an offering
Nervous/insecure? Ask 3 people to speak bluntly into your life
God’s key blessing in your ministry/life may come through your dark side

Create Artificial Deadlines- put limits on time

Ex: Video team- can spend 100’s of hours on a project- tell them they have 15 hours
Shorter, purposeful days can be more productive
Can create white space, think time- spiritual growth

Delegate what someone else can do

Don’t delegate responsibilities- delegate authority
Responsibilities creates followers, authority creates leaders
If you don’t delegate authority, you won’t attract great leaders
High control- low growth Low control- high growth
A little bit of chaos is worth it

Do something only You Can Do

You’re the only one who can:
Care for yourself
Recharging activities
Take time off
Spending time with God
Eating right and exercising
Honoring God in private ways
Be a husband to your wife or a Dad/Mom to your kids
Pride leads to thinking I’m the only one who can do something
Poor leadership leads to inability to delegate and build new leaders around me
Balance is not realistic- but plan recovery time on the backside of a stressful period

“Most people want what others have but aren’t will to do what others did.”

Busting Barriers with Mindset Changes: Craig Groeschel

2008-11-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Busting Barriers with Mindset Changes: Craig Groeschel

Similar to when you have kids- your mindset changes
5 Mindset Changes:
· Think Differently About Our Church/Organization Culture
Complaint: “Our People won’t _______ “
SOLUTION: We have not led them to ________ . We have not led them to the desired results.
Pray, God make me _______- whatever the leadership quality needed to break out of the stuck culture…. Lead by example.
Think Differently About Programming
Evaluate “true” effectiveness- what is actually creating spiritual growth?
What is actually creating profit and positive customer experiences?
Do less, do what you can be the best in the world- Reach more by doing less.
· Think Differently About Your Mission
Are we about our mission or guarding people’s feelings?
We can’t allow someone to hold back the mission of the church.
On our staff- who is it that is a blockade to the mission?
· Think Differently About People Leaving the Church
We can grow when people leave
We can make it difficult for the wrong people to leave
Allows the gripers and grumblers to leave
Churches need to be confident in who they are like a dating relationship- that culture is attractive
· Think Differently About Limitations
Many times your greatest blessing is going to come from your greatest limitation
Great leaders see opportunities while others see limitations

ACTION ITEMS:
Find someone a few steps ahead of me and find out how they “think”- How do they think/process? Value understanding how one thinks over how they “do” something
Identify one painful decision that you’ve been avoiding and commit to making the right decision no matter what the short-term effect may be
Lead by example. Am I modeling what I want my team to be doing?

Gaining & Sustaining Momentum- Andy Stanley

2008-11-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

Gaining and Sustaining Momentum

Momentum:
If you have momentum, you need to identify why you have it- otherwise you’re one stupid decision away from losing it
Businesses that lose momentum immediately have meetings, planning to try to get it back, churches will allow years to go by to not identify it as long as they’re paying the bills
Churches with momentum need to consider that there are particular systems and decisions that are creating it- "I don't know, God is just blessing us" is an incomplete analysis.
· New, Improved, Improving- 3 Elements of Sustaining Momentum
“New” triggers momentum
Momentum can be positive OR negative
Negative event/negative momentum .. think 9-11
Negative event/positive momentum ....People give, heroes appear
Negative circumstances are the great soil for positive momentum- Negative economy…=
Positive event/positive momentum- New sports stadium
Funny: When a pastor leaves it can create negative or positive momentum
· Organizational Triggers to momentum: New leadership, direction, or product
· If an organization lacks momentum, ask:"do we need new leader, direction, or product?" Churches tend to go right to new leader….
Momentum is never triggered created by tweaking something old, it’s about launching something new-
NEW must be a NOTICEABLE improvement- New AND improved- You can’t just name something different to create momentum
Is this a significant improvement over what we did before? SIGNIFICANT- ask the questions… If it’s not SIGNIFICANT…. Don’t do it.
You would rather have 2 things with momentum over 10 without momentum… Gets back to what we can do really really well….
Even significant improvement has a shelf-life… Never feels new & improved forever
Momentum is sustained by continuous improvement… THINK New products… “New and Improved” I stick with a brand when I believe they’re going to be continuously improving…they’re on the cutting edge always improving their product…
Continuous improvement requires systematic, regular evaluation
· Work to continuously improve not because you got complaints… it’s so you never get complaints…
· Unfiltered evaluation- Nobody and nothing off-limits for potential improvement
· Let’s make Sunday better on Sunday! After first service filtering…
· New personel, programming, season, series, look, venues
· Look for ways to upgrade presentations
· Attend other organizations
·
MOMENTUM STOPPERS
Disengaged leader
Overactive management
Managers want to take chaos into predictability
Leaders break all the rules
Don’t put managers in leadership, don’t put leaders in management (types)
Momentum requires margin and un-predictability- managers can’t be allowed to kill momentum by working to keep things predictable-
Complacency
Complexity- (one reason why there’s success in church start-ups…) Older organizations add complexity that sometimes needs to be stripped away-
Breach of trust- moral failure
Q & A:
The "creators" of what is being evaluated need to be in the evaluation and guided through the "why" of the changes being made or programs being cut
Life-cycle of programs/seasons- the younger the audience the shorter the cycles, high school, singles, etc Ask How long can we run it before we need to shut it down?
We gave God credit for everything, anything bad was always the devil- we were left with no principles to find what God was blessing
We pray for wisdom- God works through people, Noah still had to build the ark, the disciples still had to go out and preach
Much more resources are needed to get initial momentum than sustaining (flywheel concept)
Complexity: When there’s a great idea you can’t do because of “us”- then your/our organization is looking complex-
Systems create behaviors…. What system is required to yield the desired behavior?

The Missing Piece: Finish

2008-11-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

5K races don't mean much if you only run 3 miles. A 14 foot free throw doesn't score any points. In the work place, those who can be finishers stand out from the crowd and people take notice. The halls and cubicles where you work are full of people that get projects and tasks 80-90% complete. You want to stand out and be a performer? Finish.

3 Ways to be a Finisher:

Look for an opportunity to take an initiative that has been stalling out or hanging incomplete at work. Take it, and in your mind make yourself 100% responsible. Do what it takes to get it done and done well. Want to be normal? Be cynical and roll your eyes at how the project is just another company objective that will never get done...
In meetings and conversations, be the best note taker- pay attention and get the details of what needs to be done whether it's your responsibility or not. Help remind people of the tasks to do, priorities at hand, and assist people by reminding then what needs to get done. Normal is people on your team missing details leaving projects incomplete, clients unhappy, and money uncollected. Fill in the cracks for your team so your team finishes strong.
Be willing to make a decision. Everyday there are scores of emails and conversations filled with questions, hurdles, and excuses. Bring clarity and be solution oriented... take those things that are spinning and bring them to a finish line. What's normal? Add to the confusion, be vague, ask questions that seem really smart but just keep things undone, offer more reasons why something can't be done and how you don't have enough information. Hide in the multitudes of 80%.

There are incomplete puzzles all around your work, embedded in your emails, and with your clients. What will you do?

Being a finisher comes with a price. You're going against the grain and at times it exposes "the normal" in others. People on your team will get defensive and will even go behind your back. Stay the course. Just keep doing.

At the end of the day, if you're truly "for" your team and focused on the mountain your team is trying to climb- you'll find purpose and growth in your work and in your life.

How to be "Real" Rich

2008-10-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm going to repeat this, but my Dad always said..."Be rich in the things money can't buy"... I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes at that growing up (the last time was probably a few weeks ago.. :) but... OK... uh... it's true.

I was reminded by this from a new blog I read by Larry Jones. He is a maximizer and is right on... If we're told "money is the root of all evil" then we better know how to root out that evil... Check out his site... no sense for me to ramble about it's already been said...

As Christ-followers, if we're fretting around like everyone else in these crazy economic times... We're missing a phenominal opportunity to step-up and step-in....

"Open Letter to Mr. Wealthy Banker"

2008-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

Mr. or Mrs. Banker:

You've been receiving an increasing amount of bad press for the millions you've earned in salaries and bonuses despite the meltdown of the very entity you led. Millions of us who are part of the "have much less" masses don't understand the lifestyle afforded to you while "Main Street" is suffering, losing their homes, their jobs, and their retirement accounts.

I believe this is a time of great opportunity for you. Our expectation is that you know the "system" much better than any of us, that you'll continue on in amassing piles of fortune for your years on this earth, and if you did participate in some type of wrong-doing, you're going to get away with it. What an opportunity to do the unexpected.

Give 80% (or greater) of the earnings you've made over the past 5-10 years directly to the situation at hand. Too little of a step would risk being simply "trite" or even more insulting. If you've made $100 million in the past 5 years:

Purchase 500 homes that are listed in foreclosure or are upside down in value for $80 million, rent these homes to the original owners for a substantially discounted rate so they have the opportunity to get back on their feet.

Provide $4,000 in funds paid directly towards the mortgages for 20,000 homes from your institution to help people catch-up on their payments that are behind. 20,000 families could be helped!

Or some other alternative that would best help the situation, there would be several options. You could form a great team to come up with a creative plan.

Would this make sense financially for you? No. Might your lawyers warn against this concept as a potential for an appearance of guilt? Yes. In fact many or all of your closest advisors will tell you you're crazy. Will there be millions of skeptics rolling their eyes at you thinking you're "up to something" and it's not enough? Unfortunately, yes.

But, you will be leading. Despite the naysayers, millions also will regain hope in people and will be forever inspired by your actions (myself included). Thousands of families will have a glimmer of hope rather than being faced with desperate, hopeless choices. You may inspire others to take similar actions which will only lead to more hope and changed lives. And while pundits may question, you will know your real story.

Will it be you? Will you take this courageous step? Your life forever will be changed and I would challenge to say it would be the greatest financial achievement in your life.

I am watching with anticipation.

Sincerely,

Mark Meyer.... and I suspect thousands or millions of others....

Wisdom from Warren Buffet

2008-10-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

"A simple rule dictates my buying: Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."- Warren Buffet

Lesson: Observe what the masses are doing and consider an authentic distinction to do exactly the opposite.

How many times have you been part of a meeting talking about what the competition is doing and the reaction is to adopt a "we do that also" strategy?

While the masses dread Monday at work, find a way to love it.
When no one wants to deal with a particular client, be the one to ask for that account.
While everyone is looking for fuel efficient vehicles, look for a ridiculously low priced SUV
If everyone's cutting their lawns with vertical lines, go horizontal...or better yet, put in astro-turf
When people are panicked about the economy, have peace knowing our God will provide
When all insurance agents send out calendars with mug-shots of themselves to their clients, send all your clients $5 Starbucks cards and offer to meet them for coffee
When one candidate for President is for a $700 Billion bailout, be the candidate against it with a confident, thoughtful plan B

It's time to go launch a mortgage company. Thanks for the reminder Mr. Buffet.

"Looking out for #1"

2008-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

When our economy is imploding, stock market tumbles 2400 points, jobless claims are up, and I'm not excited about the vision of either of our two candidates for president.... every part of me is looking to be safe, conservative, pull-back, and create financial contingency plans.

Is that what we're called to do? As both Kem and I are employed and haven't had our circumstances change, scores of people around us are hurting with job loss and dire choices.

If we have an extra couple hundred bucks a month right now- do we put it in savings for our own security or do we try to help some people in need?

I'm simply struck by my natural instinct to look out for #1.

Yet... I get this "sense" that we should share our last piece of pie every month with someone else... What are we called to do? What are you doing in these turbulent times?

Why bad things happen to good people.

2008-10-05T09:20:00.001-07:00

Test post from today's service.

Moblogging is da bomb.

"Do What You Fear"

2008-09-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

This picture was from Thursday of this week at the Innovate Conference at Granger Community Church. When I'm in a drama, here are my typical emotions and thoughts that come in my head:

When I have an upcoming drama, it's a feeling of pressure, anxiety, and "I'll feel a lot better when I get this over with..."
I obsess about practice. I practice facial expressions in the mirror, I'm doing my lines in the car on the way to work, at lunch, home from work, before I go to bed, and any other white space of opportunity to run them...
The day of the drama, I don't like talking to people much... Whatever I can do to maintain some sort of concentration, I try to do it...
The moments before the drama backstage, I'm praying to God that I don't bomb my lines and trying to tell myself to have fun and actually enjoy it... all the while my heart rate is escalating, and I'm experiencing shortness of breath as I'm creeping into character...
While actually delivering the lines, I often have other thoughts in my head that have nothing to do with the drama at all- "Huh, I wonder if the Cowboys have the early or late game today?" That's a scary reality when standing in front of 1000 people...
I'm afraid of blowing my lines, letting down my team, letting down my church, how I would look, being bad, doing it for the wrong reasons...and on and on...
Until the final drama is done... I'm usually not having much fun, each service is a small win.

So why do I put myself through the misery? One reason among many is that it forces me to do something I fear. I once read, "Do what you fear and you control fear"- I believe that was Tom Hopkins in "The Art of Selling"...

I've really reflected a lot on my fears and how they limit and/or derail me in pursing the purposes God has put me here to carry out. There is a direct correlation to our leadership capacity and our ability to deal with fear in our lives.

Here are some of mine that I deal with:

I will over-analyze a decision to avoid a fear of making the wrong decision.
I will not speak my opinion in a meeting, conference call, or conversation for fear of looking dumb or worrying about what others may think.
I fear being wrong, sounding wrong, looking wrong, and will do what I can to avoid it.
I won't introduce myself to strangers for fear of what they may think.

There are so many more... In my past, I've blown my lines and it was awful. But greatness in this life will not come without screwing up, tough struggle, and the perseverance to keep on keeping on... How do you deal with your fears? Are you able to look inward and know what they are? If we can free ourselves from our anchor's of fear, what might God do through us?

"Doing the Splits at Work?"

2008-09-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

If I did this, I would have a completely different look on my face.

There are times when our roles may shift at work... If done too early or without the right process, you or people on your team can end up in this position...

Have you ever felt this way at your organization? Here are some observations of doing the "splits" at work:

If you begin doing a role at work before you have any authority to do the role, you may feel some pain for taking it on too early.
You can fake it for only so long... this guy has a determined look on his face now... I'd like to see him in an hour...
With growth comes change. With change comes some pain.
Not everyone can do the splits at your organization, there comes a need to have people that are flexible for a short period of time.
Leaders, managers... are you doing this to anyone on your team? If so, don't leave them "exposed" too long.
Are you doing the splits currently? It's better to have a conversation with the decision maker(s) and manage one post well than to drown trying to hold on to both...
Clarity is important as roles shift- those impacted need to understand the changes and what adjustments they may need to make.
Leaders, when you have done all the analysis of the changes, commit to it, support it, and keep casting the vision to your team. When you're the one doing the "splits", it just confuses your people and well, let's just say you don't look like this guy...
Have both feet in with change, don't keep one foot in the past.

"The Intervention- Kem Meyer Goes Dark"

2008-08-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard already- my wife Kem turns 40 tomorrow so we launched a birthday "weekend" experience that kicked off Friday, Aug 29th- "the party continues" details are here on Kem's blog which was.... oh yeah... HIJACKED!

The first thing we did when she wasn't looking was grab her phone out of her purse, threw her purse in our car (which was already packed) and left town without it! There's something you should know... Kem is "nomophobic"- addicted to Twitter, her phone, keeping up with peeps, A.D.D., and "navigating" through this has been a real intervention... :)

Here are new things and favorite comments from the weekend so far:

"Hey, you took my fun..uh... I mean phone!" .... nice Freudian...
I asked, "Do you trust me?".... She responded... "Quite a bit"... (What's that supposed to mean, quite a bit? :)
She reiterated.... "You know I specifically asked that I not be surprised..."- Ruh-roe... that might be a problem.... :) (We've since been counseling while on the adventure of how surprises are fun for other people too, the kids... I'm trying to spin this the best I can... any ideas?

"I can handle being without my phone but I just need to understand WHY"... hmm...well let's see... I can't tell you your blog has been hijacked and the whole world knows what the plan is.... but... uh... how about back to... "Do you trust me?"... (I've been trying to pull on her emotional cords...)

Another line I've tried with minimal success..."By taking you out of your normal environment, you get to learn things about yourself that you may not otherwise know.."

I'm sure we'll have more to come.... special thanks to Mandy and Melisa (@melisajohnson in Twitter) for keeping the world up-to-date on the weekend activities and blog heist! Let the fun continue!

Session 9: Bill Hybels- "Relentless"

2008-08-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

re·lent·less Session 9: Bill Hybels- "Relentless"
–adjective
that does not relent; unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting:

God searches the whole world looking for hearts fully committed to Him.. there He sends His strength and power...
Mother Theresa decided to "refuse Him nothing"... What does it look like in my life to give God cart blanche' authority in my life?
Takes steps to move time and resources out of day to day worldly pursuits and more into His work...
Embrace callings from God without delay- Lives are lived with regret with "If only I had listened", "If only I had acted"... reflections in life...
Every leader can tell stories about how their dream almost died... It should come as no surprise when this happens to you (obstacles beyond your control, overwhelming circumstances)
How do I know when I hit obstacles if I missed what God called me to do or when God is working on His own time line? Be very careful when in this era....
Mother Theresa was amazingly relentless... just to be allowed to "start" her calling...
Outlast the problems, the obstacles, the people in the way- Who knows what God may do if you hang onto the calling- We must endure... Sometimes the calling may only come once in a lifetime...
Be relentless about becoming a Godly leader... be relentless to be someone worth following.
Mother Theresa: "I will seek to love Him as He has never been loved"- said in one of her "dry" times in her life...
Much of life can be lived without feeling the "presence" of God. Mother Theresa felt this... Hybels is honest about the same feelings..
Very powerful video.... "Here am I, send me..."-
"What life are you waiting for to finally step up and step into God's call for your life?"-BH

Thoughts:

Am I living in a way that will allow me to hear God's call for me and His purpose in my life?
There are some phenominal "causes" I've seen in this summit... yet I don't feel any nudging to jump into them- When do you know a trigger has been pulled in your life? When do you know when it's YOUR calling?
I think one of the hardest challenges of a vision/call/idea is having the persistance to go on while many people close to you are telling you all the reasons why it doesn't make sense...
Why does God's presence seem absent so much of the time?
God.... "Here am I.... send me...."
So... is it us? Do we sit back waiting for God to just do stuff, say stuff, and take care of stuff....or... are we really His plan?

Session 8: Brad Anderson- "An Uncompromising Focus on People"

2008-08-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Brad Anderson, Vice-Chairman/CEO Best Buy

"An Uncompromising Focus on People"

He worked in one of the stores for 2 days last year- he's willing to get on the front lines
At one point, they told employees what to do and told stores how to operate- they hoped they were actually doing it-
Feedback, 11-12 questions, twice a year from employees- they're able to measure engagement level- typically this produces a direct correlation to store sales and profitability...
How do you increase engagement? Leaders are needed to raise the engagement levels of their team/employees for the store to increase profitability/sales-
People are looking for affirmation of themselves- True leaders get a true, higher level of achievement by seeing others grow/succeed than out of their own personal success....
Human capital- Are we building people or destroying people? It's one or the other-
Geek Squad- They took the stereotype over-the-top... they knew, "Yeah, we're nerdy..but you need us..." They brought in their own culture into Best Buy...
Much of what he does is simply working on the relationships within the company and with clients- he gets complex puzzles- (human beings) scheduled every day- So much of what he does it building into the people around him, handling their needs, pains, frustrations...
He sees problems/issues in the eyes of his leaders usually well before it starts hitting the bottom line.... He tries to spend his time with the people with the biggest need/impact.
85% of his time is leading down, 15% up (to the board).... self admitted problem...
Many times there aren't "villians" in the problems at hand...it's simply driven by the realities in the work at hand...
To motivate: How are they "coding" what they're doing- helping them find the motivation with the reminder of the "why" behind what they're doing....
Financial incentives work to an extent but they are "thin", they're not complete...
ROWE- Result Oriented Work Environment.... You get the work done, you can have the flexibility you want.... currently, they're seeing better results from those who have more freedom-
He feels he can share faith when given "permission" with employees/colleagues-

Thoughts:

How often do we work so hard to be cool when we'd progress much better being the unique geek we really are?
How difficult it seems to balance how to share faith in the position of leadership like Brad's and trying to measure and listen to the Holy Spirit-

Session 7: Risk Taking, Barrier Breaking, Bold Leadership: Catherine Rohr

2008-08-08T09:57:00.001-07:00

Session 7: Risk Taking, Barrier Breaking, Bold Leadership

Catherine Rohr
Prison Entrepreneurship Program

Was earning 200K a year at age 25... got an invite to see prisoners, saw potential in them, began teaching business to them, creating business plans, and helping them in their next steps...
Simple prayer...."Bring it on God"...
Emptied 401K to fund the ministry, moved to Texas, car got broken into, and started with nothing. She had the "opportunity" to be cleared out...
"I've benefited from 'ignorance is bliss'"- CR
"God has better plans for me than I do- I just need to chill out and give up control"- CR
1 of 15 in US go to prison...
Society contributes to it by labeling them as "Ex-con"- Christians are Grace-junkies...yet today it seems like we don't want to have anything to do with them
They recruit prisoners, break down barriers, and put them through a business boot camp..
They've achieved a single-digit return rate compared to over 50% nationally...
70% of graduates are doners to the program after they're out...
Don't put all your eggs in one relational basket, get exposure, visibility to the mission
"We're not trying to take a dope dealer, give them business skills, so that they can become a better dope dealer"-CR
Handling Criticism: Don't let my emotions get in the way of my business... yet, be honest if it's valid feedback... Invite feedback- seek it out...
Self-leadership- She lets someone actually manage her life closely- Sacrifice privacy for accountability.
PEP is working hard not to get too spread out (like to open up to new markets, the homeless, women, etc)... Staying focused... Waiting to find leaders prior to expanding...
Deep level of ownership, they hire from within... they get what it means to be willing to die for something..
They do a great job of speaking vision into these prisoners lives, they strongly respect and ask a lot of these men... they challenge them and raise their bar....
Catherine has got "IT".

Thoughts:

Several testimonies from this minsitry just remind me again.... how can one deny the incredible life change Christ brings?
Jesus.... "Bring it on."

Session 6: Defending the Faith: Chuck Colson

2008-08-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Chuck Colson : Defending the Faith

Prison Fellowship Ministries

Author: The Faith (currently reading)

"I wish we took our faith as serious as the Marines take their job"- CC
#1 test of leadership: Serve your people - #2- Give them the greater vision #3- "Follow me"
Your job is not to pander to your people, it's to lead them-
57% of evangelicals say that Christ is not the only way to heaven- it's a misunderstanding of "tolerance"
Two truth claims cannot be both true. They can both be false, but not true.
People are in prison because the lack of moral training during the moral formative years.
In the US, are we in "Babylonian" captivity?
What is Christianity? It is a world-view to see all of life through... it's not just a religion, a belief in Christ, or fellowship.... Every area of life is under the lordship of Jesus Christ
14 core truths of our Faith... here are some of them....
#1- God Is- There is a God- we're not alone or an accident
#2- We have His Word - Inerrant Word of God
#3- The Fall- we live in a fallen world with free will
#4- The Incarnation- Birth of Christ defeated a real enemy Satan- He came to die for us. A conversion is Christ in me, not me picking/choosing
#5- A Triune God- One God, Father/Son/Holy Spirit
#6- We're Reconciled to One Another- unity of the Body- community- "I don't go to church, I belong to church"
#7- We need to live holy- Our works should reflect our Faith
#8- There will be Judgement- (We live by revealed Truth)
How can you "impose" a belief- we "propose"... we're not about theocracy, we're about freedom... It's an invitation that rests of sound premises that are tested and true...

Thoughts:

Clearly our culture, even within the church, the idea that there is one "truth" is in question. There is disagreement about "One Way" to God- One must land on this issue- yes or no? At the end of the day, do we have confidence that the Bible is Truth? That Christ is the Way? Or, are there several paths?
I think many people fear the confrontation of trying to explain the tough questions- "So all Muslim's are going to hell?"..."So I can be a good person but still go to hell?" "Homosexuality is sin?"... For most people...it's easier to "punt" these questions, avoid them, not try to understand the greater questions... many then resort to what feels good... "There are many paths to heaven, there is no hell, you can believe what feels good, good people go to good places when they die..."
I believe the most critical decision we all have is to "get God"... research, read, press-in, test, ask questions to the right people, don't give flippant answers based in nothing... I believe Truth will be found... Test "Seek and you will find"....

Session 5: Craig Groeschel: How Leaders Can Get IT and Keep IT

2008-08-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

How Leaders Can Get IT and Keep IT

Craig Groeschel: Life Church TV

When you walk into certain churches, some seem to just have a different feeling... they have "IT".... life... growth... something special...anticipation...expectation... God was present... power, motion

Same elements at each location they have (13), however, the output was very different... How could there be different results with so many of the same factors/systems/processes?

What is IT? Answer: "Don't know"

God makes IT happen... it's from Him, by Him, and for His glory.... we can't make IT, or manufacture IT....
It's rare for one person to bring IT.... yet one wrong person can kill IT
IT attracts critics.... "You could say IT happens"... if you have IT, it doesn't mean you're going to keep IT, if you don't have IT now, you could get IT later
Acts 2:42-47.... People were saved "daily"... do we want IT?

4 Qualities present when IT is present:

1- Laser focused- Better ministry is better, not more ministry- What can we be the very best at? In order to reach people that no one is reaching, you'll have to do things no one is doing.... Less is more...

2- They see opportunities rather than obstacles- You have everything you need to do what God has called you to do- We waste too much time whining about what we don't have... Do what you can with what you have.

3- They are willing to fail. Those without IT tend to play it safe... Failure is a NECESSITY! Peter experienced Jesus in a new way in his failure... Need to shake off failure... shake off what people are saying about you... blogging about you...
4- Led by people who have IT. You need to have IT for your ministry to get IT. Ministry can kill IT... when we focus on building our ministry rather than His Kingdom- we can start losing IT. Leaders that have IT seem to draw people because they want to be part of IT.

"I became a full-time pastor and a part-time follwer of Christ"- CG

If you've lost IT- getting back to center/core is part of the process to get back-

Thoughts:

If I truly believe what I believe... am I giving my life to it? Am I giving my life to what I can do best

What am I doing that I need to stop doing?
What is God trying to show me through my greatest limitation?

What has God called me to do that I'm afraid to do?
If I don't have IT, what do I need to do get IT?

Session 4b New Cultural Realities: Efrem Smith

2008-08-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

Session 4B: Efrem Smith: New Cultural Realities

It seems like the more diverse we get... the more divided we get in race, religion, and culture...
1:19 childred in US born as a "mixed" race- Red and Yellow, Black and White will no longer be a relevant song..... :)
To lead in this multi-cultural world, we need to be beloved... one that is able allow God to love others through us...
Until Jesus comes with ultimate Justice...for now...it's just-us...
If you can't love across race or class- You're going to have a hard time leading in this new era..
"I think I heard God say"- (God to Efrem) what do you think about this? A multi-culural church...this is what the Church should look like...
If the church is to be where the "pain" is... we would see more churches planted in urban, poor areas where there is a high level of brokenness- Down and Out..
When High Pressure of what God wants to do in the world hits the Low Pressure of what "we" want to do- storms erupt...
Create environments where multi-cultures can collide, interact, and create community...
Efrem brought it.

Thoughts:

The church should lead the multi-cultural revolution of change and the battle of racism...

Session 4: Leading in New Cultural Realities- John Burke

2008-08-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Session 4a: Leading in New Cultural Realities- John Burke from Gateway Community Church Book: No Perfect People Allowed

He's from Austin, TX... thus the cowboy hat.

Making and maintaining good soil is everything in planting... what is healthy, rich soil for people? I Cor 3: 6-9 God causes the growth... we're responsible for the soil/environment...
Church can be messy...how many sexually active, drunk Athiests are going to your church?
Do we allow for question and struggle in our church, relationships, and conversations?
What do we need to be doing to help our leaders engage with messy people? (Some of us are pretty messy as well)
Messy leadership: Helping and leading messy, broken people...
Are we leading people to first see others through the eyes of grace and acceptance?
Too many times the Church makes it difficult for the emerging cultures to experience Grace? What barriers do we need to remove?
"I just couldn't go to a church that hated a group of people (homosexuals)"- Emerging Seeker
"What do you think about Muhammed?"- Cultural barrier to Grace for a Muslim
Our job is not to fix, grow, or change people- only to work on the soil/environments we create...

Thoughts:

Creative methodology in church can be part of the good soil needed for people to experience growth in Christ...
We need to know our faith to be able to answer the "Barriers to Grace" that many people in our emerging culture are asking...
I have a few friends that are struggling with faith, grew up in the faith... good soil... it makes we wonder what causes this? Do some people need to experience bad soil to appreciate good soil?

Session 3b: Stand Up and Lead: Wendy Kopp

2008-08-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Session 3b: Wendy Kopp

Teach for America

Where you're born really does have an impact on your educational level

13 mil kids live below the poverty line, by 4th grade- they're already 3 grades behind those in better communities- over half won't graduate high school, when they do, it's at an 8th grade level

5-10% of college seniors aspiring to be teachers are agreeing to teach in a low-income school for two years through her organization, 25,000 students.... She shamelessly gives the "big ask" at college campuses to give them the "opportunity" to help lower income kids

Passion for what we do will draw others to the cause.... am I passionate about what I do and what I lead- is it contagious? Wendy is clearly drawing people with her passion...

Had to create a "movement" on campuses, not just a thing to sign-up for....

Lack of management can be the pitfall to your vision or calling- Crazy ideas ultimately will need some structure and organization to reach its potential.

She chose leaders over teachers to teach in the low-income schools...

When times get tough- look back at the core of your mission and get back to the basics

When there is a Big Dog problem that's "solvable"- it's our moral imperative to work to make that happen- in this case, our public education.... we can do this...

Thoughts:

Wendy's sense of the front lines- her knowledge she has of her cause- exudes confidence and makes me want to go campaign for funds with what she does... Am I doing the hard work to truly understand the problems at hand, the sense of mission, and acquiring the information needed to be a trustworthy leader and someone worth following?

There are a lot of "spinsters" out there that are are talk, all look, but many people can see right through it...

Connecting the dots from some of the other items discussed at the conference...again... am I involved in a cause that's BIG, from the heart of God, and am I exercising my gifts and talents in it?

Session 3: Finding Your True North- Bill George

2008-08-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Session 3: Finding Your True North- Bill George

The Spirituality of Authentic Leaders

Only 10-20% trust our political and business leaders, 48% of pastors/clergy
Our talents and what we're capable of is our greatest fear- we tend to shrink back
We have a pattern of choosing leaders that have charisma and style, not integrity- it's no wonder we're disappointed in our leaders...
Leadership is not money, fame, power- it's responsibility (Peter Drucker)
We have knowledge workers- people smarter than the leaders of the company- give them the opportunity to lead-
Help people find meaning and significance in their work- Be creative about how to remind our team of this- (Customer testimonials, how are we adding value?, making people feel value? etc... what does that look like in your organization?)
Align people around mission/values of the organization- the hardest to do in a organization.
Empower- Leaders empower people, helping others step up to their role and mission
Serve- Leaders serve.
Collaboration: 21st century leaders will be able to bring together organizations to solve some of the world's toughest problems...
Our life stories can shape us to be empowered to carry the mission/purpose in our lives- don't let it get wasted...
The goals we have can be misguided and actually change us into a person we don't want to be and off-mission of who God intends us to be-
"Follow your Compass not your Clock"- We can try to push our time lines and can become frustrated-
Self awareness: Get feedback from people close to you, sometimes will be hard but valuable...
Get in the front lines- do something, get your hands on the task/organization at hand...
Values: Uh...got to have them- he's flying through this talk...
Follow our motivated capabilities (stengths)-
Build a good team around me- starts with one person you can be totally open/honest with- people we can do life with and be intimate
Lead an integrated life- You'll never be balanced but you can be the same person in all environments you're in- don't put on a mask- be authentic-
When you're 90- will you be able to answer the question, "What did I do to make a difference in this world?"
Most leaders that fail did not fail their people, they failed themselves, lost their "way" and priorities... trying to be different than who they really are...

Thoughts:

It's easy to get knocked off course by the world's standards of success- keep the course and be consistant with

Session 2: Just Courage:Charging the Darkness Gary Haugen

2008-08-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Leadership Summit: Session 2: Gary Haugen

International Justice Mission

At the end of the day, we want our leadership to matter
Leadership that matters to God are in the issues that matter to God- so what is God truly passionate about?
One of the hardest things for people to believe is that God is good- there's so much pain in the world, in their lives.... Is God good?
God's plan is "us"- there is no other plan...
Injustice- Ecc 4: "Behold I saw the tears of the oppressed..." This is sin to God- We have a call to stand up to oppressors....
60-85% of people in developing world are in prision/jail without a charge or trial...
2 million in forced prostitution in the world (UNICEF) today... how is God good?
Leadership doesn't matter as much in things that are cheerful, safe, and easy... it's critical in things that are scary, dangerous, and hard
When the task seems hopeless, Lead by re-centering the basis of our Hope.
The magnitude of the need can be overwhelming... Jesus asks..."what DO you have?" (Feeding the 5000)... "Will you give it to Me?" He didn't ask what was needed, he asked they "had"...
How do we lead when the task seems scary? Jesus did not come to make us safe, He can to make us brave. If I'm playing football and no one is hitting me... I may need to check to make sure I'm in the game...
Don't go on the trip of life but miss the adventure... Take the diapers off... Follow God beyond what I can control... that's where we can experience God... Take our strengths God has given us farther than we feel comfortable to climb....
Choose not to be safe. Starts with prayer... If we're doing something that doesn't require prayer every 30 minutes.... maybe I need to do something different...
Choose deep spiritual health... You don't see people doing hard, scary, uncomfortable things without a deep spiritual health... My spiritual discipline should be driven out of a serious desperation of need rather than a casual "I've done a good devotion" to check it off my list.... Lead people to places that are unsafe to go without God....eliminates the pretenders.... We need to believe we can't do the task without prayer....
Choose to pursue excellence... The church and Christians have moved too far into climate controlled neighborhoods (Christian adjusted mediocrity) and began to ignore deep study, practice, stategy, and great execuation.... We need to be effective and skillful... it matters.
Choose to seize the joy... The first thing to disappear when we begin to slide is laughter... We need to be able to laugh at our ineptness- How can God depend on all of us, broken people, to be His plan? That's funny. Joy is the antidote to despair...
God, please rescue us from all things petty.

Thoughts:

People are always asking where God is? Where are the miracles? Why doesn't He speak? Are WE truly the plan? Is that why He seems silent but is speaking every moment?
I think we lose focus that we're carrying about God's plan and can drift to think it's "us", our actions, our ideas, our plan... we can drift to think we're our own God... Misguided, God-less beliefs abound in our culture that exists in the "I'm a Good Person" theology..
If we think life is about here...it's hard to be brave because we hang too tightly to our lives... when we believe it's about eternity, we can risk, we can step out of the boat, we can go into the dark places...
I do too many things trying to "accomplish" something on my own or to be the one to "fix" the people around me... I need to hand it off to God, pray more, and find a bigger mountain to climb.

Bill Hybels: The High Drama of Decision Making

2008-08-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Session One: The High Drama of Decision Making

Summit Promise: Leadership taught from a Christian perspective- we're not trying to force is on anyone, but for you to consider.

Best Use of Leadership Practices: To advance the message of Christ and His purposes.

Am I involved in life and death decision making- impact leadership? Am I challenging the people I lead to engage in a life-changing challenge?
Leaders make the tough calls- not just offer opinions
What process do I/we have for making key decisions?
Traditionally, Christian leaders ask four questions when making decisions- Does the Bible say anything about this? What would smart advisors advise me to do? P/G/E What have I learned about the pain, gain, and experiences of past decisions? Am I being prompted by the Holy Spirit- something I need to pay attention to?
Have a network of smart advisors for key decisions to weigh-in-
Journal my leadership track, decisions
"The pain and scars I brought to our organization from bad decisions I made in the past give me pause for future decisions..."- BH
Leaders take responsibility for bad decisions, pass credit to others for good decisions.
Create/document bite-size nuggets/axioms to test in my culture, when it's effective, roll-it out as part of the "mantra" in the organization- Example: "Are we smoking what we're selling?" Abe Lincoln: "The best way to deal with someone who has wronged me is to turn them into a friend", Colin Powell "Create a clash of ideas and you'll make better informed decisions" Hybels: "Vision Leaks"
Get the right leaders around the table when critical decisions need to be made- Be prayerful.
Get the facts in making decisions. Facts are your friends.
When something feels "funky", engage- unattended problems may be there...
Leaders need to call "fouls" in a meeting or on themselves when things are not communicated properly or respectfully. Acknowledge mistakes, give people the opportunity to rephrase their question or point.
I Timothy 6... Life that is truly life... purpose, significance, a full-tank... Won't be true until I'm fully engaged in God's work and purpose in my life-

Mistakes I see in decisions made in my life or around me:

Making hasty decisions- Some people mistake leadership as being willing to make a quick call, they feel strong and decisive- They don't take a reasonable amount of time to get the "rest of the information".
Delegating decisions to the wrong people- It's a fine line to allow someone to fail vs. simply handing off a decision that should have been made by me- We should not be surprised when the results of these decisions are a train-wreck.
Decisions made in silos- Key decisions are made without any means to communicate it to the rest of the organization, or without "buy-in" to the core team... Key decisions should include a process to roll-out to the core team and the entire organization as needed.

"Real Marriage"

2008-07-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

If it weren't for our faith, Kem and I both agree we probably would have been divorced several years ago. We are both so stinkin' independent and driven... if we're not careful, we can drift into two different tracks in a matter of weeks.

We were out with some great friends (including this guy) last night and had some "real" conversation about our marriages.

Here are some of the lessons I've learned from our 13+ years:

Kem is for me. She wants me to have success in my career and ministry, be a great father, and to do life with her. In the early years in our marriage, I didn't get this... especially when we would fight. Be "for" your spouse.
Marriage is hard work. Really hard. It would be so much easier to be able to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, and accomplish whatever I want to go after. However, like most things.... easier is not better.
I didn't realize how low a low could be in a marriage. When we're in a bad place, life stinks. If we were to try to navigate out of all these times on our own, we probably would not have made it. Let friends in your life and be real with them. Get counseling. Press-in, be truthful and real. Don't go at it alone.
There are several things that are important to Kem that I don't get... I've found that "logically" explaining to her why those things shouldn't be important is bad. Sometimes really bad. Find out what she cares about and do that. :)
People are watching. Our kids are watching. The accountability that comes with leadership makes it all the more important that we work through our challenges. It makes me wonder, how many couples have pulled the plug because they simply thought it really didn't matter to anyone outside themselves?
I love how we talk about ministry, business, strategy, innovation, communications, and what we're learning together. For me, it's one of the top 5 glues in our marriage. We share and do life together overlapping and intertwining passion and purpose in what we do day to day, week to week. It's one thing to be in a bowling league together...it's entirely different when you're on mission together.
I thought Kem was marrying me for my body. She wasn't.
I get great fulfillment working to help Kem in her strengths and watching her grow and thrive. Her mission has become part of mine. Are you all about your talents or are you encouraging and supporting your spouse in what they were created to do?

Kem's feisty, smart, fun, and a babe. I can't wait to see how our relationship continues to grow in good times and bad. She makes me a better man.

This Week's Cool Jobs

2008-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok... I stole this title from my friend, but we really do have some cool jobs as we continue to grow:

Here are the next three on deck:

IT Division Manager/Coordinator

- Oversee a team of 12-15 IT guru's, coordinate schedules, project management, proposals, help desk, and preventative maintenance planning... Raise our bar for creating customer fans.

ERP Consultant

- Work with Microsoft Dynamics product lines (Great Plains, CRM) to implement, train, and lead projects. Accounting background, experience in software integrations, and client contact are all pluses....

Accountant

- What accountants do.

Know of any good candidates out there?

Current employee count: 54

Dealing with Technology Consultants

2008-07-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Here's what a few of our challenges can be with our clients:

No point person or driver.
Timelines are set for the project(s) but the client is too busy in their day to day operations.
There are users excited about the project but the owner/management is disengaged- key decisions stall out and project could be in peril.
Hardware and software can be buggy. Some clients think it's just plug it, install it, use it.
To save money, some want us to "train the trainer"- the only problem is, no one has told the trainer that or the trainer is not really a trainer.
Too many people at an organization have the ability to order our services with no internal controls. 60 days later the CFO is opening up a can...

The flip side when dealing with a tech firm:

Appoint or create a project leader/team and give them your full support (leaders)
Clear hurdles where you can so they have the time necessary to properly implement
Stay engaged with your point person- hold them to their timeline internally
Hire a reputable firm and check references if you don't have tech's in house to be on team
Be committed to training. Don't accept getting 90% there but not be fully trained. Be upfront and talk about this with your consultant.
Create internal processes for approving consultant time. Don't allow people to grab the IT tech to unclog the printer. Have a specified hit list and stick to the critical items first.
Explore fixed bids with good, clear scopes of work. While the perception is that you may get a "padded" bid, the reality is many times a good firm is eating overages. It also gives you some opportunity to budget rather than deal with an open checkbook.
Ask for quotes prior to work being done.
On development projects, have a fixed monthly amount for regular progress to be made on your project/systems. Work from critical items then down the punch list.

Leading Laggards

2008-07-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

In an organization with 100 people:

20 people are doers.
With a leader.
80 are hanging around watching, experimenting, consuming, or complaining.
When the 20 expand to 40, chances are there's 200 now in the organization (or will be).
The 20 tend to get frustrated with the 80 for not doing anything and at times will tell them. (They should avoid that.)
The 80 will ride the coattails of the 20 and feel like they did it and even take credit for it.
This sometimes frustrates the 20. They should not be frustrated. They should just do.
Great leaders pour vision into the 20 while casting the net out to the 100.
Frustrated leaders spend a lot of time trying to get the 80 be part of the 20.
Of the 80, some will become doers as the organization grows.
The doers that simply do will some day realize there are people following them.
Some of the 80 will become part of the 20 with a simple personal invite.
A leader will be turned down 4 times for every yes. This does not bother great leaders. It frustrates others.
Frustrated leaders have the opportunity to be great leaders.

I want to be a great leader.

"50 to 100"

2008-06-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Since the inception of the technology firm I'm part of, we've experienced an amazing 35% growth year over year. As the company continues to expand, maintaining that type of growth clip is going to be an increasing challenge with several dynamics at play. While the future is always an unknown, I hope to be able to capture the progress of our growth at our current number of 50 employees (actually 54 as we just brought on four more developers over the past few weeks) to 100 employees. It would be great to hear your stories and comments of similar challenges you face in your companies and organizations as we press in together....

Some key challenges as I see them today:

As the project manager (and also involved in some operations), my drive has been to raise the bar in our customer experience and processes within our projects and company. Our ability to continue to improve in this area while growing with new people will be an interesting dynamic.
Currently we have three Sr. Managers each overseeing one of our 3 groups (ERP, Developement, and IT). They are extremely gifted technology gurus who will have to learn to grow into more management function or reshape the structure of their teams. (Either shift from be a do-er to a leader or find some alternatives). This goes for me too, I need to be preparing for what 100 team members looks like...
Our internal processes for leveraging information (task coordination, emails, budgets, scope, proposals, etc...) need to make critical improvements. Implementing and syncing the functionality of SharePoint, MS CRM 4.0, and Outlook with other tools will be essential. Gaps in communication will only grow without continual tightening of our systems...
Outside leaders are going to have to be able to succeed and assimilate into our group. We'll be able to pull some up from within our team, however, most are talented "do-ers" that should stay exactly where they're at...already adding huge value...
Management is going to have to look at the number of direct reports they currently have- typically 6-8 is the max- currently we're exceeding this in all three groups...
Without acquisition, finding top calibur talent to come to South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana will continue to be a hurdle. We may need to stretch our boundaries and be creative with work locations, mobility, and communications to bring on new team members...
We will need to have a plan to help each individual grow in their expertise', feel connected to the team, know how what they do makes a difference, and that they matter and are cared for...
Our service needs to be at a level that's remarkable... something worth talking about as Seth Godin would say....

I love this team. I look forward to this run. While I'll be limited in some of what I can share, I hope to be able to report the core of the experience along the way... stay tuned....

"Leave the Penny On the Ground"

2008-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today I picked up a penny that was on the ground. It made me wonder, is it really even worth it? It takes a moment to notice the penny...then, I have to process the thought of whether I should pick up the coin... I wonder, "do I look like a dork picking up a penny? " Finally, I think, who's filming me picking this thing up later to be shown on You Tube as the dude who will actually pick up a penny?... It's a Ben Stiller moment to slyly act like you're tying your shoe when you're actually picking the penny off the ground. If it takes me 6 seconds to finally pick the penny up, I'm paying myself a whopping $6 per hour to pick up the Lincoln-laden coin...

At $6 an hour....maybe it's simply best to leave the penny on the ground...

What's your time worth? What penny-picking up activities are in your workday or your ministry?

Over a 4-day period I averaged 29 emails "sent"... at 5 minutes an email, it's 2 hours and 25 minutes out of an 8 hour workday....
If I'm not saving, creating, or preserving revenue in our business, am I picking up pennies?

If I'm not doing only what I can do, I'm probably collecting pennies.

When's the last time you measured some of your regular activities to understand the cost is it to your organization or team?

What job, hobby, or habit are you stuck in that is paying you pennies?

What you do needs to makes cents. The next time I see a penny on the ground, I hope I can delegate it to one of my kids or I have the focus to leave it on the ground.

There's More to this "One Prayer" Thing

2008-06-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

I am loving this four week push of One Prayer uniting with 1544 other churches and 864,524 total attendance. This past week we were challenged to learn "wisdom from the ages" with Wayne Cordeiro (pay no attention to the palm trees, crashing waves, and scenic volcanoes in the background- thanks Wayne for helping me love Indiana...)

The leverage of technology continues to amaze me to the possibilities....

A great leader could launch a church supplemented or fully driven by messages from the greatest, God-fearing communicators all over the world... Leverage of Teaching
As more synergy is generated within the church, portals or venues will continue to grow to have a warehouse of phenominal teaching resourcing ministry- Who's leading this charge? How will this come together? Leverage of Resources
Multi-site or internet churches will continue to boom- No longer will a pastor need to be a jack-of-all trades- More will be able to focus on their strengths of shepherding, managing, or worship- Leaders with management and a strong vision for their community will be a growing asset and need in fueling growth-
A decentralized, unified brand of church will launch, "One Church"
Helping connect the message with arts, next steps, and a strong vision for changing our local communities will be the challenge in threading these video messages to local relevance-
While many will criticize this methodology... is not God speaking through these great leaders in our generation? Are they not seeking His will and guidance in how they prepare for these messages? I think God happens to know where and how these messages will be used- He's big enough to have that covered.
Many will say that this could be the glorification of man, culture, or other things "of this world". Others will say this may add to the entertainment, consumerism of the church- that this lacks depth or authenticity. I couldn't disagree more.

Thanks Craig for saying yes to God with this incredible vision of One Prayer....

Decentralizing Church

2008-06-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

Today's technology-driven, viral world has made it easier and easier for businesses, people, and ideologies to become more decentralized in our generation.

Decentralized: No leader. Chaotic. No order. Creative. Not about profit. Quick. Easily mutates. Mobile. Think Napster, al Qaeda, AA...

Individuals are now able to work from their phones, play games on the road, have nearly constant internet access, and can stay in contact minute by minute with friends all over the globe. Life is mobile. As backwards as it seems, relationships can actually grow with technology with no face to face contact. The pendulum is swinging towards decentralization. What about the church?

As people become more decentralized, they will trend toward decentralized options over centralized options. (Church online or podcasts vs. the 10:00 service on Sunday morning)
We have options to experience some of the greatest speakers in the world every week at any time and any place. (There will need to be some strong reasons other than the pastor to keep me at your church)
This trend will distract many people to fall away from their faith, lose focus, and without the weekly structure in their life, ultimately will be distracted in life and simply be growing old. This is true.
This trend will cause ongoing growth throughout the week with multiple options for study, teaching, and connecting with mission all over the world. Faith in action will explode and more people will come to know Christ. This also is true.
Churches that are losing people will either deny this trend, blame culture, blame their local economy or census report, blame other churches or will press into understanding our changing world to find ways to re-connect with the people in their community.
God can handle centralized or decentralized. He is God. He's good. This has not surprised Him. He can handle our various methodologies, styles, trends and personalities.
No change in today's church model will lead to continued decline in church attendance in the upcoming decade. (Just because people aren't within the four walls doesn't mean that God isn't at work- He's always way ahead of any curve, on the curve, and helping those behind the curve)

What does that look like for your church and community? What questions are you asking? This is one takaway from The Starfish and the Spider.

Four Pillars of Project Management

2008-06-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

My core role in my day to day job is project management- over the years from the construction industry and now in technology, I filter and measure our performance based on four pillars/criteria:

Budget:

Is the budget on track?
Are we experiencing any changes in the scope of work that need to be added to the budget?
Is the client comfortable with our progress and billing?

Timeline:

Are we going to be on time with our original targets?
What critical items could affect the timeline, are these clearly established with the team?
Is the client comfortable with our current timeline and plan?

Quality/Scope of Work:

Are we addressing our clients "pain points" with quality direction and solutions?
Have we eliminated any "grey area" out of the project scope- are there any items that need to be addressed?
Have we identified any items that are potential problems? Is there anything that needs to be presented to the client for positive alternatives?

Create a Fan/Communication (most critical):

Is this client/will this client be a fan of ours when this project is complete?
Will they talk about us, recommend us to others?
Are we "wowing" them? Are we communicating the "wins" and the elimination of the "pain points" throughout the project?
Are we communicating well throughout the project and building into our long-term relationship?

There are several other bullets that could be added under each of these four items- these are simply a start. Taking the time to run these through my head with any given project and with our team has served me well over the years.... what about you?

"The Jesus Mobile"

2008-05-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

As I'm "in between" vehicles right now, we've been fortunate to be able to have 3 vehicles with 4 drivers in one neighborhood to get by thanks to my in-laws....

Today I'm sporting a Honda Civic from my parents appropriately called "The Jesus Mobile"- (See Pic). This had become a trademark with my parents- growing up we had a Ford escort called "T.J.M" as it was adorned with a PTL bumper sticker and others... I feel like I'm 16 again...

A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law's Tracker had a bright orange "Exotic Feline Rescue Center" bumper sticker on it.... I wondered what thoughts go through one's mind watching a dude getting out of a vehicle like that... As a bonus, that also comes with a nice, leopard print shoulder strap- I just hope people got past the word "Exotic"....

All that being said... I'm thankful for the faith I was brought up in, the family (on both sides) I get to do life with, and my trip down memory lane in "The Jesus Mobile" today...

Hopefully my new ride will be provided for in the next few weeks- until then, I'm off to the revival!

"Finish + 1"

2008-05-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend at Granger we showed a video where two of us were transplanted into the video game Halo... you should be able to watch it here on May 5th and beyond...

Ben (the cool young dude in the pics played my son) and I had had about seven hours of video shoot time most of which was done in the green room- our video guys are amazing.

My great friend Jeff Petersen runs point for the GCC video/arts team and I've been honored to be able to work with him on several projects over the years. He spent over three weeks tallying up over 150 hours of time in writing, shooting, editing and anything else that has to do with getting this project done all for a five minute video. Jeff's a Finisher + 1.

Leader's like Jeff know:

Great ideas are overrated... getting something done is much more difficult

A lot of projects, businesses, and ministries can function can be average and even good taking a vision to 80-90% of completion....

But, the reality in most endeavors, 80-90% of something is really nothing so we risk having it be a complete waste of time..
However, greatness comes when someone or some team takes the vision to the finish line... The final edits are made with minor improvements to the small details in a video, a good message is rehearsed a few more times to be sharp, or some final adjustments are made to a web-site to make the user experience a little easier...

The final thought is about the +1. Jeff and I have talked about how one extra hour in any drama, video edit, or any endeavor can add just that little extra "something" to the art.

I know when I cut corners. I know when I think to myself, "if I just had more time, that could have been so much better"... I know when I'm spread thin and kicking out a bunch of mediocrity...

What will it take to focus on finishing + 1? What project or vision are you working on that is getting diluted or is mired in the "it's good enough" stage?

Jeff's a great finisher. There aren't too many people out there like him. It was inspiring to see him work... (for the record, I didn't intentionally shoot a pic of him bending over...... dude....)

Time Management Tip

2008-04-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

OK... I'm a geek, but this is how I roll...

After being gone from vacation, it took me a few days to get my feet under me again and I felt overwhelmed by the volume of emails, tasks, and unknowns in my to-do list. After spinning for a few days, I decided to map out some time chunks of the most important items in that day.

I have a lot questions asked of me throughout the day, meetings, quick emails that need responses that currently are simply part of my job. However, my "task work" would start piling up and when I'm not getting enough sleep, I feel buried and very little gets done. I took a stab at my typical day, I guessed I had four hours a day for the most important tasks I had to get done and listed them in 15 min chunks:

Example:

Update Vision/Technology Plan for ARI 30 min

Project Meeting and Update to ABC Inc 15 min

Get initial notes together for Fri Conf call 30 min

Follow up on billing issues with DEF Inc. 15 min

Update and send Sr Manager Update 30 min

Work on 12-month Communication plan 45 min

Review Proposal for Billy Bob Hot Dogs 15 min

Update Vision/Tech plan for Badabing 30 min

Update Help Desk next steps and goals 30 min

Throughout the day I crossed these off as the emails and conversations would take place as time clipped away... Over the last four days, I averaged just over 3 hours of real task time per day actually completed, my email total went down 40%, and I feel more on top on my duties than ever over the past few months... Measuring what I actually do helps me plan for what I actually want to get done...

What works for you?

"Leading from the Middle"

2008-04-17T05:34:00.000-07:00

In my company, we have two partners/owners, three Senior Division Managers, a Sales Manager, four admin, three sales people, a customer service manager, 36 consultants, and me... an Operations/Project Manager. I'm somewhere muddled with the Senior Managers/Sales Manager in a "loose" management team (working on that) and find myself working to lead down, lead across, and lead up everyday...

Yesterday I invited everyone to a local restaurant to celebrate my one year anniversary at the new job... To have a party? No. Because I love hanging out with big groups of people and socializing? No. My goal was simply to get to know my team, let them know in any way that I could that they matter, they contribute, to get to know more about them, their families, and to have some "real" conversations.... it was a great night.

I got home. The life was sucked out of me. I was grumpy to my wife. I just wanted to go to bed. I am not energized by people.

It made me think about leading from the middle... what if we decided one day to "flip the switch" and simply turn off our leadership responsibility? After all.... it's hard. What would that look like?

I could close my office door most of the time
I wouldn't have to be around people or talk to them near as much
I wouldn't look for opportunities to take on more responsibility
I could look for someone else to blame
I wouldn't have to work to find ways to encourage people
I wouldn't have to coach people in their roles and how to communicate with their team
I could simply focus on me, making sure I keep my job, do as little as possible, and let someone else worry about the things broke in the company... after all, it's not in my job description!

Who would notice? What impact would that have on the organization?

If you flipped the switch on your leadership where you're at.... would it be missed?

Leading from the middle often goes unrecognized. It's not easy. It's the harder path.

However, when we choose to lead and engage:

We build trust, overlap, and relationships with those around us
We will have more opportunities to have "real" conversations
Something will be "different" about us that people will be drawn to.. (it's not normal)
We are honoring God by modeling Christ in the workplace
We make it about others and not ourselves

And if we look over our shoulders....there just may be some people taking notice... I want to lead well. How about you? Are you in the middle?