Start Small

Think Smart, Start Small

I love this quote: If you're going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

Cross country skiing looks fun.  But I wouldn’t start out by skiing across China!

So if you’re taking on a new challenge, start small. I often say, “Crawl before you walk, walk before you run, run before you fly.”

My nephew had a dream to hike the Appalachian Trail.  He’d never done mountain hiking before.

So he started in Maine and hiked to Georgia. But he started in October and walked through some of the worst winter conditions in history.  More projects fail from lack of planning and counting the cost.

Jesus said that if you plan to build a tower or go to war, first sit down and estimate the cost. And if you take up cross country skiing, pick a small country to start.

Keep Our Eyes on the Goal

Are you in the season of strategic planning.  I’ve got a great phrase for you from First Century planner, Paul of Tarsus.

He said this, "I've got my eye on the goal where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus.  I'm off and running and I'm not turning back.  So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us."

I love that. Keeping our eyes on the goal.

Get off and running with the plan. Don’t look back.

Keep goal focused to achieve all that God has for you.

Who says the Bible is impractical?

I’m living this advice in our strategic direction.

“So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us."

Philippians 3:14,15  (The Message)

Leadership isn't telling people what to do.

 Jana Eggers, CEO of clothing company Spreadshirt, says,  “Most people think good leadership is about making the right decisions -- but in a big organization, that's hardly ever true,” she says, “Once a company expands beyond a handful of people, the boss's real job is to look at the big picture while others make the day-to-day decisions.” 

That’s right, your job as a leader is to inspire your team to make good decisions every day. I want to hire and develop a team that doesn’t need a lot of hand-holding. So what are you doing to inspire your team to take initiative and work with an inspired attitude? What are you doing to build into the lives of others?

Jesus took a ragtag group of diverse personalities and developed them into a team that turned the world upside down.  He told them that they would do even greater works than He did in His earthly ministry. That’s good leadership! 

Blue Ocean Strategy

What’s Your Strategy?

Many in industry are working harder than ever to achieve the same results they did five years ago. They’re operating in what would be called a “RED OCEAN” philosophy.( It’s a book by Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.)

Red Ocean Strategy means you:  Compete in existing market space, beat the competition, exploit existing demand.

“If the business model isn’t working, try harder.”

Blue Ocean Strategy means: Create uncontested market space, make the competition irrelevant, create and capture new demand.

“We simply need to have fun as an industry again.”

God’s word says this: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your energy as unto the Lord. Jesus said you don’t put new wine in old wineskins. That’s real Biblical Blue Ocean thinking.

Face the Challenge

Face the Challenge

I read this quote in FastCompany magazine: "A problem may look hopelessly complex. But there's a game plan that can yield movement on even the toughest issues. And it starts with locating a bright spot -- a ray of hope."

It’s true. The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.  A problem or project may seem insurmountable or overwhelming. But the important thing is to start. Just do the first thing, whatever that is.

The book of Proverbs tells us: Don’t despise small beginnings.

So if you’re facing a huge challenge, take the first step. A small first step is better than the grandest concept not implemented.











It may be a small step for you, but a giant leap for the challenge before you.

Crisis Reveals Character

I know a man who lacks confidence in his leadership skill. He continually claims that he’s not a good leader and shouldn’t be the number one guy.

However, recently he experienced a crisis in his business. He wisely gathered his team, collaborated on a solution, and created a project management plan to deal with the situation. He then assigned team members to implement the plan in their areas.

He kept his cool. He used his team. And most of all, he trusted God’s guidance and sovereignty in wisely handling the situation.

He didn’t develop character in the crisis. The emergency revealed his true character.

Character is not built on the gridiron or the stage. Character is built in the workout room or rehearsal hall.

Unhurried Time with God

A malady in today’s corporate and even Christian leadership is we’re more concerned about outward appearance then we are about character.

A friend in business told me, “the more public and outward my ministry, the more important my private and inward character”.

The more leadership responsibilities I am given, the more I need to be led by God.

The busier my schedule, the more desperately I need unhurried time with God. The more people’s lives I touch, the more in touch I need to be with Christ.

Jesus Himself in his public ministry took time from the crowds withdrew to a quiet place and found strength in solitude and silence. He encouraged His followers to do the same.

Blink!

The book BLINK! proposes that for the experienced, discerning mind, first impressions are almost always the right impression.

Some call it “trusting your gut”. Others call it “instinct”, I call it “Holy Spirit-directed intuition”. God’s Spirit testifies with our spirit about what is truthful and right.

I like how the followers of Jesus in the First Century did it. The apostles were wrestling with a decision and praying for direction. Finally, Luke writes, “It seemed right to the Holy Spirit and us….”

The Holy Spirit’s guidance and our best experienced wisdom. James instructs, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God and He will give it.”

God's Design for you

A pastor friend gave me this acrostic for our God-given design:
D is our DESIRES: God created us in such a way that He can motivate our desires in our service to Him.
E is for EXPERIENCE: God uses our cumulative life experiences to prepare us for His next assignment.
S is for SKILLS: God wired our DNA is such a way that our natural skills create unique opportunities for service.
I is for INDIVIDUAL: We are unique. Our God made personality can move us into individual service opportunities.
G is for GIFTS: Besides our God-given skills, He endows us with certain spiritual gifts such as compassion, hospitality, leadership and encouragement.
N is for NICHE: There are needs and opportunities that God has specifically given for your own individual design.
God has a desire for you and for your life. Isn`t that exciting! Let`s see how God uses His unique design in you to serve Him.

Drink coffee. Do stupid things faster with more energy.

I’m an avid coffee drinker…and I love this quote:
Drink coffee. Do stupid things faster with more energy.

If you’ve ever had the coffee jitters, you can relate. Sometimes I run across people that are so hyper, I want to say: “Next time, pick the decaf.”

All humor aside, haste does often make waste. I’ve often done things way too fast, only to have to do it over, which takes four times as long as doing it right the first time. I need to learn to slow down, think it through and do it right.

One philosopher said: Don’t be afraid to go slowly. Only be afraid of standing still.

Paul of Tarsus said this to the people of Rome:“God’s purpose is not hit or miss, dependent on what we do or don’t do. But a sure thing determined by His decision flowing steadily from His initiative.”

Keeping The Big Picture

One of the deadly sins of leadership is getting lost in day-to-day details and losing the big picture. You can’t both manage operations and effectively plan strategy for the future.

Line level employees should be spending 80% of their time managing day-to-day and maybe 20% looking forward. However, as a leader advances in his leadership role, he or she should be maybe 20% day-to-day and 80% planning, strategizing, dealing with the overall mission and vision.
So step back and look at the big picture.

Allow your team to take ownership of the details. They’ll enjoy the new trust you show them. And you’ll be freed to do what you’re supposed to do as CEO. And your team will feel better about day-to-day stuff knowing their leader is thinking about where we’re going.

Paul of Tarsus said: “Forgetting about what lies behind, and pressing towards the mark of God’s high calling.”

And remember, don’t spend your time staring at the dashboard instruments checking the fuel, the speed, the oil pressure and the water temperature. Look up and enjoy the ride.

The only thing we have to fear is fear.

 
Fear: the Big De-motivator
Fear is not a good motivator.  Maybe it can work in the short run, but it’s not effective long-term.

Trust is a much more effective motivator, but building trust can be a long process.  It takes truth-telling and transparency.  It requires love, compassion, and communication.
Love is a much stronger motivator.  In fact, the Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. 
Well, in my history, I’ve worked in both environments.  One CEO struck terror in his team.  You just knew that when he requested a meeting, you were in for a verbal beating.  We lived in mortal terror of the board.

I’ve also worked in an environment of love and trust with a boss who cared for his people and trusted them to do the job. A staff person will do almost anything for that kind of a leader and board when they set the overall direction and trust the staff to carry it out effectively.
~Wayne
 

The Greatest Management Skill: People Skills

It’s no secret that the greatest leadership skill is people skills.

Leadership is about influencing people. And you can’t influence people if you don’t know how to connect and relate.

I’ve learned that leadership is not about title and position. Leaders know that people go along with people they get along with.

The early church grew because the outside world observed the love that followers of Jesus had for one another.

Jesus brought His leadership to the highest level when He said: Love others as you love yourself.

Paul of Tarsus said it this way: As Gods chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

John, the Apostle of love said: Don’t just say you love people, really love them. And, prove it by your actions.

If that’s true in your life, it will show to those you seek to influence.

Baby Boomers and Generation Y

Did you know, effective 2010, Generation Y now outnumber Baby Boomers. Ninety six percent are part of an online social network.

It took traditional radio 38 years and TV 13 years to reach 50 million users, but iPhone applications hit 1 billion in only 9 months.

Gen Y operates much differently from Gen X.

Gen Y wants to be more supervised through feedback and review. They thrive on goals.

In a changing workplace, do you as a leader understand the more youthful worker?

You may have to change your leadership style in order to relate to a Gen Y worker?
A wise leader adapts his leadership style to fit the situation and the worker.

First Century leader Paul said he became all things to all men that he might win them.

If we’re to successfully engage the next generation, we may have to adapt to their work and learning style.

The New Normal

The New Normal

A major ad executive put it this way, "People are going to emerge from the recession completely changed."

A recent survey showed 32% of respondents said they're spending less across the board. These consumers expect this cutback to be their "new normal”.

People have tightened their belts. That’s not all bad. The secret to contentment in life is not to get more but to desire less. Tightening our personal, corporate, ministry or government belts might be a good thing.
God’s word says: Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Proverbs says: “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

and

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall.”

So maybe we become richer by focusing on the inward character qualities rather than the outward accoutrements of success. Maybe your business, your ministry, your family will be better by having less.

Wayne

A New Way to Live

Jesus gave eight principles of happiness each so simple, yet so profound.

These guidelines run counter to what our culture teaches about happiness.

Culture teaches the rich and famous are happy.
Jesus teaches the poor in spirit are truly blessed.

Culture teaches the free-spirited are most happy.
Jesus says those who grieve over losses are most comfortable.

Culture holds that the powerful are the ones who win.
Jesus says the meek and gentle win everything.

The world sells conspicuous consumption.
Jesus warns of spiritual junk food.

The world says people deserve what’s coming to them.
Jesus says those who experience His mercy will show mercy to others.

The world presents a buffet of sleaze.
Jesus said those who’s inside world is pure will see God.

The world promotes competition.
Jesus says His followers promote peace in all relationships.

What a wonderful world it would be if we lived that way.

A New Beginning

God says in Isaiah, “I am about to do a new thing, don’t you see it?”

Change is not neat and predictable. Change is messy. Change is challenging and uncomfortable. 7 out of 10 change efforts fail to achieve their intended results.

The ability of leaders to be adaptable is vital to change.

The good leader is adaptable and can navigate change successfully. Leaders drive change through being personally adaptable and exhibiting the right change behavior.

The manager must personally adapt, and confidently communicate a strategy for change to team members.

Good leaders delay implementation until there's a common vision among key team makers. They create dialogue and debate to foster buy-in.

Change leaders build a network of leadership for change. They spend time in meetings, listening and addressing concerns.

Word From Wayne on Christmas

I attended a wonderful Christmas concert recently. The words of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus took on new meaning for me. The angels spoke of good news of great joy for all people. Jesus came to bring us joy. Yet, it’s a quality of often lacking among many Christians.

Lately I’ve been visiting with a lot of believers. I’ve been disappointed that so many are bitter, a little angry, fearful and despairing. This should not be!

During advent we highlight Love, Hope, Joy, Peace. As we experience God’s Love demonstrated through Jesus, we have Hope since Jesus is the giver of abundant life and eternal life. As we hope in Him, we have Peace: Peace with God and the Peace of God.

Peace is the inward quality of a person who trusts God. Joy is the outward manifestation of our relationship with God. Of all people, Christians have the least reason to be bitter, angry, fearful and despairing. And we have every reason to be filled with Love, Hope Joy, and Peace.

My life verse is Psalm 16:11: “You have shown me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of Joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever.”

Jesus invited us: “Ask and you will receive, that your Joy might be full.”
Paul said: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” And then for emphasis, he added: “I say it again: Rejoice.”

And Christians in the 1st century had it much worse than most of us today.

So, this Christmas, spread the tidings of great joy which is for all people. Spread “Joy to the world—the Lord has come!”

As a follower of Jesus, let this season be a time when you radiate Joy to a hurting, hate-filled, fearful, despairing world. And take that spirit through the year. What a contrast to the rest of the world if followers of Jesus were to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit: JOY.

May you experience the love, joy, hope and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ as you celebrate His birth.

Leading Change

I've observed two mistakes for organizations in transition.

One--the organization is so ingrained in the past , it's ineffective to the current generation. The other, leadership is so neglectful of tradition, they miss building on what's gone before.

A successful corporate leader told a small group recently: "We drink water from wells dug by those who went before us." There are benefits of standing on the shoulders of those who preceeded us. However, it`s very hard to get any work done in that position.

Seriously, we need to build on the past but not live in the past. I like the old motto from Youth For Christ years ago: "Anchored to the Rock; Geared to the times."

Wayne Gretsky was asked what made him a great hockey player. His response: "I don't skate to where the puck is. I skate to where the puck is going to be." May God help us with the foresight to move forward in that way.

Mentoring Your Team

One of our challenges as leaders is the Spiritual Formation of our people.
 
Those in leadership aren't just responsible for the work output of our people.  God places vs. over our team so we can help them grow professionally, personally, emotionally and spiritually. 
 
That doesn't mean we preach all the time or put Bible verses all over the building.  But it does mean that we model a life of integrity and kindness; that we mentor them for greater effectiveness and nurture them to be better employees, family members, friends and citizens.
 
You can shape lives not just in terms of work productivity but also personal effectiveness and even spiritual maturity.
 
Paul said to his team:  Follow my example, as I follow Christ's example.
 
~Wayne