Posted on September 29, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
It has been said that without a clearly defined goal, or focus, a person will naturally drift toward a life of trivial mediocrity. I agree.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “this one thing I do…” (Philippians 3:10-14) – Paul had a clearly defined focus for his life, and this focus enabled him to most effectively live out his calling and purpose. This focus gave him extreme clarity regarding where he was to spend his energy, time and resources.
I personally believe the first step to living such a focused life is to decide that your “YES” is. To clarify, for each key area of your life, what you are going to say YES to. A person is not prepared to say “no” to anything until they have first clearly discerned what they are going to say “yes” to.
Defining your “Yes” provides clarity - it allows you to pinpoint which one path you will follow, and which opportunities (even good ones) will consequently require a “No” response… for you are not prepared to say NO until you’ve said YES to something else.
Your “YES” defines your focus, it sets your compass. It determines what your life/work will focus on - while weeding out those activities will only distract you from that higher calling.
** What is your “YES” for each key dimension of your life? (Spiritual, Spouse, Family, Career,...),
Posted on September 25, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
The following are 7 keys a leader needs to keep in mind when leading a team:
(** From Perry Noble. Perry is the Senior Pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina. At just nine years old, the church averages over 10,000 in their weekend services.)
#1 –
A leader can never effectively motivate using guilt
Don’t believe that if you can get someone to feel bad enough - they will do a better job. No one has ever brought about sustained change because guilt propelled them to do so. If a leader does try to motivate using guilt … they will find themselves alone - for no one likes going on a guilt trip.
#2 –
People do not respond to need – they respond to vision
When a leader talks about a need, some people may respond. BUT, when a leader casts a compelling vision about what SHOULD BE – and COULD BE – real change happens. Many times a team will drift off course – not because they are lazy or incompetent, but because they have taken their focus off the vision.
#3 –
A person cannot be held accountable for unspoken expectations
At times, leaders have a tendency to assume people can read their minds. And when this “mind reading” does not occur, they get frustrated. But a leader can not expect - what has not been clearly explained. Our job as leaders is to give clear, realistic expectations - and then resource our people so they can go out and make it happen.
#4 –
Keep short accounts
The Bible teaches we are not let the sun go down while we are angry. In other words, we should act with URGENCY when it comes to resolving conflict within a team. Unresolved conflict is like a cancer that slowly eats away at the body. It must be dealt with, or its destruction will bring about death. Many leaders run from conflict because it is uncomfortable - but either a leader will embrace a little discomfort now, or face A LOT of discomfort in the future.
#5 –
Don’t be afraid to set high standards
“One of the problems I’ve discovered when it comes to leadership in the Church is that some people are perfectly fine with setting the bar of excellence really low.” If a leader does not set high standards their followers will not feel challenged … allowing apathy and discontent to set in.
#6 –
Each team member is a human being
A leader MUST care about the people they lead (and not just the tasks they perform.) If a team member starts to feel used, and not appreciated, they will soon look to join another team.
#7 –
Ask questions
One mistake a leader can make is assuming they need to know the answer to every question that comes their way. In most cases, the wisest thing a leader can do it ask the question, “So, what do you think we should do?” Often times the person already has a good solution thought out … which will save the leader (and everyone else on the team) all kinds of time and energy. The reason for assembling a team is so that leader can harness the collective wisdom (and skills) of those on that team.
In addition, reasons a leader may not seek input from others is because they are insecure (doing so will show weakness), prideful (think they are wiser than others) or fearful (believe they will not like the answer they hear.)
Posted on September 22, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
I had the privilege to attend an outdoor U2 concert in Chicago last week.
It was a pleasant, clear night where the audience was full of excitement and energy as the band played many of its musical hits from the past 25 years or so. Halfway through the concert, U2 performed one of their most popular songs, which contains the lyrics “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
When U2 began to sing this well-known chorus, the whole audience of over 80,000 people joined in unison, singing with the band over and over, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for… I still haven’t found what I am looking for…” As energetic as any other time in the concert, the stadium of loyal fans were emotionally feeling and singing the lyrics of a song Bono had written some 25 years earlier.
The journey of Belief is one of pursuing with conviction, patience and fortitude what you “still have not found.” It is one of stepping out toward what you have yet to know or experience. It’s about allowing a compelling belief, yearning or conviction to lure you on toward a destination that is still unclear, or foggy in many ways.
I personally believe one of the core and central journeys of every person’s life is of this nature – of believing in, and stepping out in faith toward what has yet to be realized or attained. Of embracing a belief that there is something better, and allowing it to lure you on toward becoming a better person, parent, friend, spouse, leader – of reaching a meaningful vision or dream.
This is what marks each person’s “Heroic Journey.”
Posted on September 18, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
The most important decision you will ever make is the choice to Believe. The choice to believe in yourself, your dreams, talents, in your marriage, your kids, in what is still possible, in God...
Though this choice to Belief is the most important of choices, many individuals falter and fade in that choice. Too many, too often, will choose to give into their fears and doubt. When the path of “Belief” starts to become foggy, or down right difficult - too many, too often will choose to be driven by anger, doubt, fear and despair instead of having the fortitude to continue down the path of courageous belief.
Why do people falter in their belief?
:
- The choice to give into fear and doubt is easier and takes far less energy - while the pathway of Belief can many times, and for long periods of time, be wearisome.
- The choice to give into anger and despair allows a person the comfort of thinking they are a “victim” - where they can blame God, others, or “the system” for whatever befalls them.
- Faltering in one’s belief allows that person to neglect the personal discipline needed to acquire new knowledge, skills, mentors, and help to sustain them in a journey of Belief.
- The journey of Belief can be painful and lonely - while the choice to give into their fears, and play it safe, allows a person to remain comfortably tucked away in the crowd.
So if you are going to make the choice to Believe… remember
:
- The choice to Believe is many times the most difficult of choices - while the temptation to give into doubt and despair easier than a downhill walk.
- The choice to Believe is always a narrow path that leads into the unknown, chosen by the few.
- ***
BUT
... The choice to Believe always releases the power to create (or re-create) your reality. It is the only path that will allow you to reach the summit of your dreams and potential - to experience all this life has to offer. While Belief is not magic, it is indeed magical!
Posted on September 13, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
The degree to which we develop our self-awareness will significantly influence our success in life.
Warren Bennis writes, “Only when we know what we are made of can we begin our lives.”
Self-awareness is where leadership development begins - for ever greater levels of self-understanding will enable us to lead ourselves, and others, in more authentic and meaningful ways.
The following are ways to develop self-awareness
:
1) Stop blaming others for your behavior. You always have a choice how you respond and behave. How do you tend to blame others for your unhealthy behaviors?
2) Take a personality assessment to help gain more perspective regarding how you are wired.
3) Get feedback from significant people who know you well. This can be uncomfortable for both of you, but it is the fastest method for gaining a better understanding of your strengths and limitations.
4) Seek out a coach or mentor. Someone who sees you in action - and can help you become a better version of yourself.
5) Understand that your biggest irritations look a lot like you. If something irritates you, it may be because you have the same tendency/habit yourself.
6) Look beneath your behavior to discern your assumptions about life. What assumptions are driving your healthy and unhealthy behaviors?
7) Asses what seems to be limiting your growth and success. How may you be giving those roadblocks too much control or power in your life?.
8) A regular occurrence of negative interactions with others tend to signal a selfish attitude in your life.
9) Each night, reflect back on your behavior.
Ask questions like
: How did I handle difficulties? What did I think or do when I don’t get my way? How adaptive was I? Did I control my emotions? Did I judge other people and create conflict? How did others relate to me? What hindered my showing love today?
10) Record your thoughts and experiences in a personal journal. It is one of the best ways to capture what is going on around you - and inside you.
11) Make note of the causal remarks people make about you.
12) Read books and go to seminars that help you rethink your assumptions, and address problem areas - and blind spots - in your life.
13) Consider the words you have used lately. Your words mean a lot. The words you use reflect your thinking and attitudes. Your thoughts and choices have brought you to where you are now, and your thoughts and choices will determine where you end up in the future.
** Being self–awarene is difficult. But admit your need to continually grow by asking yourself, “What are my next steps to grow both personally and professionally?”
Posted on September 09, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
In studying the topic of “success,” I have found 5 characteristics which mark individuals who separate themselves from the pact – of those who reach the highest levels of personal success.
1) First, they are driven by a strong sense of Passion and Belief. They have a defining conviction that compels them forward in a specific direction – toward a unique Grand Goal. Whether it be meeting the needs of the poor and needy, or adding value to the business world in a unique way, or helping individuals connect with God – successful individuals have extreme clarity regarding what they want to do and accomplish.
2) They have chosen to Think Big and set Big Goals. They are not only passionate about a specific issue or venture, they have set compelling goals to bring those passions into reality. Their goals are not only specific, but are goals that Stretch – goals that Create.
3) They embrace that steps of Faith into the unknown will be needed if they will ever reach their desired destination. They have chosen to be driven by Faith, not Fear. They understand that active steps into the unknown will need to be taken if they are going to make their goals a reality. And they are ready to take those steps.
4) They have taken time to creatively develop and implement
Systems
. Systems that keep them focused on their goals – and which then drive them to those goals. They have skilled staff who fill needed roles, established ways to track progress, and determined ways to hold themselves accountable for progress. Not only do they have a well thought through plan – and have systematized that plan so it almost runs by itself.
5) They have a high level of personal discipline to use whatever systems they have created to stay on task. They have developed personal rituals and habits that keep them proactively moving in one direction – in the direction of their Dream and Goals.
Challenge
: Which of the above issues do you need to develop to help you live out your passions – and reach ever-higher levels of potential?
Posted on September 06, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
“Feedback is the breakfast of Champions.”
There are 4 powerful topics of conversation - and 1 mutual agreement - that can be used by any leader to greatly improve the performance of those they lead:
1) What do I do that helps you in your job?
2) What do I do that hinders you in your job?
3) What you do that helps me in my job.
4) What you do that hinders me in my job.
_______________________________________
5) Therefore, we will mutually agree to…
Challenge
: In the next week, sit down with those under your leadership care and openly discuss these issues. Don’t be defensive, but be quick to embrace the feedback you receive - and be bold (in love) to tell the truth yourself.
Posted on September 01, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
As a leader, what decision or action can you take Right Now that will positively impact your leadership and organization?
For example
:
1) What can you do RIGHT NOW to be a better role-model to those around you?
2) What can you do RIGHT NOW to achieve an outcome that you deeply desire?
3) What can you do RIGHT NOW to prevent something undesired from occurring?
4) What feedback can you deliver RIGHT NOW to make a positive difference in an individual, team, or process?
5) What can you do RIGHT NOW to provide clarity where it does not exist?
6) What can you do RIGHT NOW to make the meeting more effective?
7) What can you do RIGHT NOW to say what needs to be said – to say what no one else has the guts to say?
8) What can you do RIGHT NOW to seek feedback regarding where your leadership may be hindering a more successful outcome?
** DARE TO TAKE POSITIVE & DECISIVE ACTION NOW.
What can you do RIGHT NOW?
Posted on August 29, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
“‘The world we have created is a product of our way of thinking,’ said Einstein. Nothing will change in the future without fundamentally changing the way we think. This is the real work of leadership.” – Peter Senge
When was the last time you took quality time away to think and reflect? It is very easy to get lost in the noise of our day, work and life. That is why taking regular time to stop and reflect is a critical discipline of leadership. Without these regular times of reflection, it is difficult to keep our life and work in the right balance and perspective - for without the discipline of reflection we too often forget who we are, why we are here, and what we are to focus on and stand for.
Without reflection we forget what matters! Without reflection we fail to learn from our experiences and are prone to repeat mistakes. Without reflection we can easily fall victim to the overwhelming demands of life happening all around us.
Reflection is a relatively easy exercise. A leader needs to schedule regular time each week where they find some quite place, disengage, and consider whatever difficult situations or decisions they are facing - where they take ample time to process key questions, like the following….
What of significance happened this past week?
What results is your life currently producing?
What is working for you? What is not working for you?
What could be done differently?
What unhealthy assumptions are you currently making?
Are your key relationships more healthy or less healthy than last week?
How well are you focused, and making progress, toward your goals?
How are you limiting yourself?
What 3 things can you do to improve your leadership, life, and relationships this week?
**Schedule regular time each week to reflect on your leadership, life, purpose, and goals.
Posted on August 25, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” - Louis L’Amour (1908-1988)
Endings and beginnings are a natural progression. Leaders understand this… or should. Louis L’Amour writes that when his “sons got their black belts in karate, it was the culmination of many years of learning. It was through much persistence and hard work that those belts were earned. And yet, as much as the black belt represented an ending, an accomplishment, an achievement - it also represented a beginning. Black belt means “master of the basics” - it means that the real work has just begun. There is always more to learn.”
One of the postures of leadership is of being a persistent dreamer - of being a courageous creator of something better or all together new. (And ourselves being created in the image of God – it seems quite reasonable that we would have the urge to create as well…)
Max Depree writes “Leadership is an art” – not necessarily a science. And thus as an “art,” impactful leadership begins with inspiration. An inspiration that calls him or her to create – or in most cases – to recreate. To understand the inherent need to periodically recreate an organization’s vision, processes, people… or even to recreate him/herself as a leader.
So in this regard, leaders need to take regular time away to dream - to envision and understand when and where change (or a “new beginning”) is needed – whether in themselves, or in their business, department, or church. It will be these new beginnings that will keep us (and our organizations) forever sharp, growing, and young.
** As a leader, where do you need to begin anew?
