Make things as simple as possible, but no simpler. – Albert Einstein
Google+
Tags: leadership, Leadership Definitions, Leadership lessons, leadership systems, leadership traits, Really Simple, Simple Truths, transformational leaders, Transformational Leadership, Truth
Live Leadership Training for Nonprofit Leaders
SynerVision Nonprofit Leadership Excellence Summit
New Jerusalem Cathedral
1822 Sharpe Rd.Greensboro, NC 27406
April 22, 2013
6:00 – 9:00 PM
More information: http://synervisionfoundation.org/summit/
Google+
“You Have To Do It By Yourself, and You Can’t Do It Alone.” - Martin Rutte
The personal growth industry is very large and growing at a rapid pace. More people at looking for the quick fix found in a book or online program. Many are attempting to increase their skills and capacities with self study, seminars, or networking groups, without the aid of an experienced mentor or guide.
I am wringing out this post while attending the Extraordinary Leadership Seminar in Richmond, Virginia, for three days. The seminar is based on the work of psychologist Murray Bowen, known for his Bowen Family Systems Theory. There are lectures in the mornings and coaching in the afternoons. The bulk of the learning happens in the coaching time. This is a three-year journey, with three seminars each year of three days each. It’s a major commitment of time. It’s a major leap forward in understanding myself and in strengthening my own leadership skills.
Learning is a process of discovery, digestion, and application, so this pattern really allows for leaders to step into a new way of being. In order to transform an idea into reality, or to transform an organization, leaders first transform themselves.
Google+
Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 CEVUK)
Leaders train to be at the top of their game every day. We must be productive on a continual basis, however, there is a natural rhythm to life.
There is a time to sow and a time to reap. There is a time to work, to rest, to play, and a time to reflect.
In the liturgical year, the season of Lent begins today. Lent is a time of reflection. We reflect on the passion of Christ. We set aside some things and practice other disciplines in order to be able to reflect on the sacred mysteries.
The normal rhythm of how things happen is interrupted for 40 days. By the way, these 40 days do not include Sundays. The interruption is interrupted.
Google+
Tags: anxiety, Effectiveness, leader, leadership, lent, Liturgical Year, Rhythm, Rhythms, Rhythms Of Life, Season, Seasons Of The Year, The Rhythm Of Life, The Seasons, Transformational Leadership
Paying the upfront cost of planning is far, far, cheaper than the cost of the fix.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
- Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Google+
Tags: Accountability, Leadership Skills, leadership systems, Leadership Training, team skills, teamwork, Transformational Leadership
Becoming Aware of a Discipline of Personal Excellence
While eating my breakfast of organic grains, fruits, and milk, I became aware of the discipline of excellence we practice in our daily lives as leaders. My leadership principle #3 is about systems. In musical conductor terms, it’s “Rehearse for Success.” If we want to have excellence, we must establish and rehearse excellence as a daily discipline. The focus on effective systems is the theme. Achieving meaningful results is the goal. Defining how to get meaningful results is the duty of the leader. See Seth Godin’s blog post about “better.” To get better, we must rehearse better.
I love coffee. Many years ago, when my son, A. J., was in graduate school and worked for Kaladi Brothers Coffee, I became acquainted with how good coffee can taste. I realized that coffee does not have to be bitter. I also realized that there are many types of coffee, with each one offering a different flavor and experience. Finally, I became aware of how important the roasting process is to the flavor, and that brewing coffee with freshly-roasted beans provides an amazing difference in the depth and body of the flavor.
In order to be able to enjoy the flavor difference, I needed to learn the art of coffee roasting. I continue to learn from every coffee roastmaster when visiting different roasters in various cities around the country. Each person has a unique perspective to share, in addition to the common best practices they all have in common. This small difference in effort on my part provides me with a big difference in results. It’s way more than worth it. And now, I’m not willing to compromise the quality, because I know the difference.
Google+
Tags: Awareness, Becoming, Discipline, Excellence, Leadership Skills, leadership traits, Personal Excellence, Roasting Coffee, Success, Transformational Leadership

















Recent Comments