Twitter Response: Leadership Tip

Read the twitter comments of my friends on Twitter who share with you one leadership tip/principal they would want you to know? Here were their responses

1. @Rick_Smith We are to led by example. Christ did this. We don't just tell people things, we model people things..(so to speak):
2. @LeadershipNow Think of leadership IN, not leadership OF. It's not position.
3. @maczter Never underestimate the value of these two little words: "Thank you."
4. @BJHewitt Where ever God calls you to serve, serve one another with a joyful heart even If it looks and feels uncomfortable.
5. @CPKIII To lead is to serve. To show you will do whatever to get the job done. Lead from the bowl of water kneeling at dirty feet
6. @Yochanan Lead by example and fiercely fight for your people.
7. @tonymccollum Move with the movers.
8. @CyndiAKADisneyq you can't lead where you are not willing to go yourself. Not to mention the fact t/you have to allow others to use their gifts
9. @VoteMikeJones "Innovation is being positive and solution oriented" got that from @randycoleman
10. @jimalexander leadership is serving those you lead while managing expectations-yours, your team's, your peers, and those who lead you.
11. @robbiespeaks Learn to recognize Momentum & how to ride it & make it stretch. If you don't know how to make ole' "MO" your friend you lose!
12. @comeandsee Knowing your peoples strengths and weaknesses, and how to use them correctly
13. @joshchapman you are most valuable to the team when you are working yourself out of a job
14. @Dougrea "If I have to do it for you - I don't need you"
15. @foecuspastor Balance is integral in leadership! Keep all things balanced (time, money, theology, family, personal time!) Learned from my Sr.
16. @jonferguson One word: Apprenticeships.
17. @garethgilpin "Leaders get what they inspect, not what they expect."
18. @BertDecker The effectiveness of a leader's communications determines the effectiveness of his organization.
19. @johncatkinson Never hire a smart elic campus pastor (Jason Curlee) that has three times your twitter followers and reminds you daily.
20. @johncatkinson You can teach a good leader almost anything, except character, that they better already have.
21. @nanpalmero practice what you preach and think before reacting.
22. @jasonarredondo u better be smoking what ur sellin
23. @louicanchola Know your VISION, speak your VISION, teach your VISION, live your VISION. Vision, vision, vision!
24. @garylamb You can never teach or cast vision to much
25. @ministrymonkey Always give people a second chance! Don't let their past determine their future! Love them as you serve them!
26. @NickHempsey don't be afraid to pass the torch or else you'll get burned out
27. @billshazzar a few more words than @jonferguson, but he's employing the principle: always leave them wanting more.

Church Leadership Podcasts

Are you the leader of a church or a leader in a church? Today I want to point you in the direction of some great resources. It is called Podcasting. If you don't know what a podcast is check out the wikipedia podcast entry.

To listen to these you need to download itunes which is a free program. Once downloaded and you are subscribed to them, itunes will gather them whenever a new one is posted.

Andy Stanley's Leadership Podcast - A relatively new podcast from Andy Stanley where he shares some of the best leadership topics designed to grow you.

Potential Podcast - Hosted by the guys and gals at Flamingo Road Church...this weekly podcast is a mixture of fun and content. Leading you through what Flamingo is learning this podcast is power packed with content.

Catalyst Podcast - Delivering some of the best interviews of church leaders, the catalyst podcast is sure to stretch your leadership as well as inspire you.

Church Leader Insights - Nelson Searcy brings some great content to pastors/church planters on many of the lessons learned in leading a church.

Increasing Commitment

Out of a great conversation I wanted to give you a couple of points on how to develop commitment to your church from those that attend.

This is probably an area that many churches struggle with. It is how to get more people to step up and commit to serving, giving, etc...

Here are three ways you can get more commitment:

Cast Vision
Vision is one of the biggest keys. It is vital to continually cast the vision for what you want. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Celebrate
When you do make a difference, celebrate it. Celebrate often when you get the wins. People do want to be on the winning team...and when others see where you are getting it done they will gravitate to participate.

Ask and Expect
I asked my wife this one, she led our children's area and still oversees our family ministries. I asked her how she is able to staff our areas each Sunday...her answer, "Ask, ask, ask, ask, ask, & ask." Basically you keep asking until you get a yes. She felt you almost need to get five no's before you get one yes. I might also add that you in your asking...add in expectation. Expect to hear a yes...mix some faith with your asking.

Breaking The Status Quo

Is there any real reason to stay in the status quo. Many of us are creating resolutions or goals in an effort to move forward. To try to reach the true potential that is in all of us.

How many of us will find ourselves shrinking back in six, three or even a month? Has that been you each year?

You envision a new future, a new you, only to find yourself back in the same place you were. You must smash through that wall. When the push is to go back to the status quo you must push through.

Resolve this year to not shrink back...to go through...that you are coming out the other side not only better but as a new you. The new you is so much worth getting.

Tribes: Secret Of Success

In the book, Tribes, by Seth Godin, Seth makes a great statement about being wrong. It is as follows:

"The secret of being wrong isn't to avoid being wrong!
The secret is being willing to be wrong.
The secret is realizing that wrong isn't fatal.
The only thing that makes people and organizations great is their willingness to be not great along the way. The desire to fail on the way to reaching a bigger goal is the untold secret of success."

And so I ask: Where are you pushing the envelop today? Risking it all? Charting a course and not looking back? Being innovative...on the edge. Are you failing....are you possibly getting it wrong to be right?

Working A Secular Job

Here are some things I learned in having to work a secular job (by that I mean a non-ministry job) for the first time this last year in 14 years:

• People who work jobs have busy lives...they work all day and then have families to go home to in the evening....THEREFORE...be careful how much you demand from people. I spoke with one pastor who had demanded his youth volunteers to...do church on Sunday morning and Wednesday night, attend his leadership training on Sunday night, do their youth ministry on Friday night and then meet with their team once a week...I thought...YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!
• The best way to lead people who get paid is still with vision. You can lord their paycheck over them but you still will get more when you cast an infectious vision.
• People cuss a lot....my first job out of the gate was as a teacher in an inner city alternative high school. I heard more cuss words the first week than I had in my prior 14 years. It felt good to get back to what we all should be doing....hanging with those who are far from God.
• You don't have to be like them to reach them. By that I mean it is important that people see something different in us. You don't have to tell dirty jokes, flirt, act like them...you life is like a seed that should be planted.
• That I'm geared for ministry...God placed it in me and it never goes away...He has made me for a purpose and I need to flow in that purpose.
  

Clear Vision

Ministries that have it always have a clear vision. The people know the vision, understand the vision, believe in the vision, and live the vision. The vision guides them, motivates them, and energizes them. Large numbers of people move in the same direction. Ministries with vision tend to have it. All the rest are hit and miss.

Craig Groeschel from the book IT: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It

{Photo By Flickr.com}

The Most Important Leadership Quality

Pastor John Atkinson, Multi-Site/Hometeams Pastor of Bay Area Fellowship and my partner has a great post on his blog called "The Most Important Leadership Quality" Here is an excerpt:

The lack of integrity however, will define our leadership and our lives!
1. We must have integrity in our faith, or we'll change the Word of God to fit us, instead of changing us to fit the Word of God.
2.Without integrity, we'll be able to see pride in others, while missing it in ourselves.
3. Without integrity, we'll challenge others to live lives of purity, while in the privacy of our own homes we'll fail at it.

There are some more points on his post so make sure you go read them all. You can also follow Pastor John on Twitter at www.twitter.com/johncatkinson

How to Change Your Life in 7 Days

Pastor Bil Cornelius Senior Pastor for Bay Area Fellowship has a great series on his blog called "How to Change Your Life in 7 Days". Here are the links:

Step One: Acknowledge What Needs to Change
Step Two: Create Your Future on Paper
Step Three: Commit
Step Four: Deposit the Price
Step Five: Make Course Corrections
Step Six: Celebrate Your Mile Markers
Step Seven: Honor God with the Rewards

A Leader vs The Leader

Scott Williams, campus pastor for Lifechurch.tv, recently posted a great "leader" thought up on his blog. Here is an excerpt:

Pronunciation: “A Leader” Uh-Leader and “The Leader” Thuh Leader

Just because you are “A Leader” doesn’t necessarily mean that you are “The Leader”

Just because you are “A Leader” who leads a church of 500 people; doesn’t mean that you are “The Leader” to take that church to over a thousand people

Just because you are “A Leader” that has a position, a title and an office; doesn’t mean that you are “The Leader” that....

There is a whole lot more go read the whole post called "A Leader vs. The Leader"

Fail To Succeed

You don't succeed without failure.



“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” - Colin Powell

What Are You Challenging

One of the main roles of a leader is too challenge the status quo of their organization.

That is why you must:

• Challenge your systems. You must challenge your processes. What is working now may not work successfully in two years or at double/triple your current size.
• Challenge mindsets. Mindsets develop and can keep organizations, staff or people from changing. What mindsets
• Challenge success. The greatest enemy of an organization can be success. We often feel that what got us where we are will get us where we want to go. Problem is...things change...people change...organizations change.

A healthy leader challenges where they are as they continue to chart a course forward.

Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Something I found on leadership via Catalyst was a new leadership podcast from Andy Stanley. You can read the article here.

North Point Resources recorded its first installment of Andy Stanley’s Leadership Podcast in which the podcast is a conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster.

In the first session, Andy talks about how assumptions play a role in an organization. All organization should take a fresh look and initiate change when needed.

To listen to the audio in its entirety, or to subscribe to Andy Stanley’s Leadership Podcast, click here.

Leadership Qualities

To lead with authority and buy-in a good leader should exhibit several qualities. There are many that I'm not covering in this list but thought I would key in on a few.

• Integrity - This is an area that is probably key above all other qualities. People may follow you for a while without it but will never have long term buy in unless you have it.
• Motivation - This is having initiative or the desire to take action and get things done. Someone that is motivated doesn't wait to be told what to do that are leaders of action.
• Confidence - This not only means be sure of yourself but knowing what you're doing. The more others are convinced that you know what to do, the more confidence they will have in you.
• Communication - A good leader is good at human relations. You can't lead others if you can't communicate with them. This also includes listening.

Is It In You??? 1

One of the traits a church planter, pastor or Christian should have is DETERMINATION.

One of the definitions for determination is the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose.

I watched Danny Way at the X-Games exhibit this essential trait. On his first attempt in the Big Air competition. He ended up walking off the ramp under his own power...refused medical treatment and went on to finish all this attempts earning the silver medal. Watch the video.



The next time you are debating giving up...stay determined....your medal is just around the corner.

You Need A Coach

One thing that many of the greatest athletes in the world have learned is that for them to be even better they need a coach. One thing that escapes many people in ministry though is just that point.

It is impossible for you to maximize yourself...by yourself. You may be better than everyone around you but you will never be as good as you can be unless you have outside input.

When you set yourself on a pedestal or an island/kingdom all your own, you are only hurting your God-given potential. Don't allow your ability to perform be hampered by the pride of letting yourself be helped. The ministry and people you lead deserve it.

Who has helped you along the way???

Ownership In Ministry 3

This week we have been talking about ownership in ministry. You can catch up with these posts in Part 1 and Part 2.

I can think back to my very first job. I was actually 15 years old...a couple of buddies and I worked one summer scraping paint off a house. It was a two story house and boy was it hard work. I don't remember just how good of a job we did but by the end I'm not too sure we really cared. Why??? Because it wasn't our house...it was just a job. We had no ownership.

Today I want to talk to those out there who are volunteers or staff.

It is important to realize the role you play is a great one. You are not just serving a leader...or working for someone. As a son or daughter of the Most High you play a huge stake in what God is doing in this world.

When you begin to realize that you are an heir and that you have an inheritance then you will begin to realize that everything you do matters.

That doesn't mean that we all play the same role...it means we all after making our Father's Kingdom greater each and every day.

That is where the shift comes in....if you are a greeter....you are an heir and share in it all.

If you are a department head....you are an heir and share in it all.

If you are the pastor...you are an heir and share in it all.

That is why I love the story of Nehemiah so much....when you read chapter three you see that everyone takes responsibility for their point on the wall. That is the shift that needs to take place.

Let's micro that down to a church. Lives hang in the balance and everyone from a parking attendant...to children's volunteer...to maintenance person...to the pastor...to the follow up person...all play an important link in the chain of someone inheriting salvation.

Our inheritance will be the lives that will stand in heaven with us...they are the crowns...they are the jewels...they are the reason we all do what we do.

It's time we all take ownership......

What are you now planning on doing????

[photo credit flickr.com]

Ownership In Ministry 2

When it comes to taking ownership...whether it's business or ministry...I believe it takes a great deal of shifting of a mind-set.

Let's focus on the perspective of an employer today.

One of the things that stands out tremendously in my first position in ministry is that my pastor let me...be me!!! He didn't run around making me do ministry the way he would do it. It gave me the ability to work on me and our youth ministry. I was able to use my personality and strengths.

How do you get your staff to take ownership?

• Cast Vision For Something Greater - Can you show them how what they do works on a larger scale?
• Train and Release - Do you hover or have a tendency to boss them around?
  
• Help Find Their Niche - I know you have a bottom line but how can their niche help your bottom line?
  

Getting your people to take ownership really is your responsibility as a leader. Whether they are volunteers or paid employees they can make the mind-shift if you can take them there.

What is something you have done to make a shift in ownership???

Stay tuned for part three where we will talk from the perspective of the employee.

[photo credit by flickr.com]

Ownership In Ministry 1

One of the hardest task in business and ministry is to get volunteers or employees to take ownership. To move from a state of being asked to do something...to taking responsibility and doing it yourself.

Leading people who don't get paid is a world of difference from leading people who get a pay check...BUT...that is only if you take it from the perspective of the person leading.

I know many people who are absolute poor leaders of their employees. They lead from a state of holding a persons paycheck over them. Poor...POOR...LEADERSHIP.

Let's talk a little this week about Leading People....and People moving from Servantship...to OWNERSHIP.

[photo credit flickr.com]

Talking Business and Leadership

If it's one thing you may notice if you read my blog long enough...it's that I love talking leadership. I want to give some link love out to my pastor....Bil Cornelius...who has three posts that hit in this area.

5 Things To Consider When Hiring
How To Keep Your Best People
3 Ways To Create A Culture Of Excellence

Three great posts for you to drip on.

Here's an excerpt from 5 Things to Consider

5. Always hire someone who is a raving fan of the organization, and dare I say it, a raving fan of you! They better think you are “all that,” or you do not want them working for you. I hope you understand this is not “let’s all worship the leader,” but if you want a staff that has a fast pace, you need a high trust from the beginning and that comes from a high esteem for one another. This goes both ways too…I really believe that greatest compliment I can give someone in “my world” is to offer them a job.