The Lift Project: Leading for Results: Embracing Negative Results

Leaders know to dream great dreams. But what happens when the dream turns into a nightmare? Do you go to denial or do you learn life lessons to move forward?

Week 5 of the Leading for Results class with the  LIFT project looks at Embracing Negative Results. In other words would do leaders who are optimistic by nature do with negative results. According to Dr. Henry Cloud, the best leaders embrace those results, they hug them. They fight the natural tendency of fight or flight and learn to flow.

Part of working through the class each week features on line videos and assessments as well as reading from Henry’s book, Integrity. As one who loves quotes some of the best lessons I picked up this week were quotes highlighted from Chapter 10: eating problems for breakfast.

“No problems, no profit.”

“Profit comes as a result of facing problems, so doing it is seen as a good thing, not a negative thing.”

“The only way out is through.”

“Blame is the parking brake for improvement.”

“You and I versus the problem.”

“Let the bad stuff go.”

“hard, easy versus easy, hard’

This week provided a good reminder that leaders deal with problems. It’s one reason why we are called to lead. Wise leaders embrace reality and leverage problem solving to learn from negative results, willing to take the hard road (perhaps the least traveled road of all) to the path where God leads.

The Lift Project: Leading for Results: Know the Reality

Max de Pree noted, “The first job of a leader is to define reality.” Knowing the reality and overcoming resistance to see reality made week 3  of Leading for Results from the Lift Project such a vital class.

Extra special this week was the virtual classroom aspect where we as a class engage online with the video we are watching. Having an extra pair of eyes helps pick up nuances of the lessons learned in the 2 videos we watched.

Video 1: Know the Reality

Henry Cloud pointed out that great leaders have clear eyes to see reality, and even more hunger, thirst, seek until they find reality. He then laid out the principle of Assimilation-Accommodation.

Assimilation — Take in new information to see the new reality.

Accommodation — New information shifts your view to see the new reality.

Such an approach calls for leaders to be learning and not rigid in their leadership.

Video 2: Problems in Being Resistant to See Reality or Do You Have the 6 Sources of Truth Speaking in Your Life

Just because one sees a new reality doesn’t mean one is open to a new reality. We tend to like the status quo. Even more our perspective of reality is often skewed by own perspective. That’s why I appreciated Henry Cloud’s emphasis on 6 Sources of Truth

1. God’s Word — Great source of truth directly from God.

2. Direct Relationship with God — When we ask God to show us reality and truth, He loves to answer that prayer and teach us along life’s path.

3. Study External Truth — Read books, look at surveys for input and other outside sources.

4. Look for Internal Truth inside Me — Reflection and keeping a journal have proved beneficial in my life in this area.

5. Other People — Great mentor sand those who have faced the same issues and challenges in the new reality can be great guides along the path of truth.

6. Play the Video — That’s Henry Cloud speak for look at what happened as you dealt/deal with the new reality. Did you meet goals? What “fruit” happened in your response?

The emphasis to use not only one but all six areas was a good reminder to seek God’s direction and to expand hearing His voice beyond my own ears and what I may want to hear Him say, but to realize how God can speak to me in the lives and thoughts of others to provide greater clarity.

Another great week for our Leading for Results online class. What are your go to sources for discovering and defining reality in our world today?

The Lift Project: Leading for Results: Building and Maintaining Trust

“As trust goes up, speed goes up, and costs go down.”

“Leaders are great at building trust (to come on board). But once the time line gets going, can trust be maintained?”

Those 2 quotes from Henry Cloud from my notes for week 2 of the LIFT online class, Leading for Results have left me wrestling this week with the issue of building and maintaining trust.

Here’s one more: “People trust us to the degree we understand them.”

The challenge is leader’s fall into the trap thinking once they have spoken, people automatically understand. Even worse is the danger of when people speak and lay out their lives, we invalidate their concerns. We either deny or minimize or quickly dismiss what they say. Trust at that point doesn’t merely leak out of the relationship it quickly runs to empty. The best lesson I have learned in my leadership is to listen more, speak less. Ask more questions, less leading off with my answers.

The goal in leadership relationship is to get in the loop that Henry describes as “We understand people when they understand we understand them.”

The emphasis on understanding led me back to Stephen Covey’s communication principle, “Think first to understand then to be understood.”

When I try to short circuit that process, thinking that I am streamlining my time, I am headed down the road of invalidation. The quicker path is to build trust up. Relationship investment is not only about work and ministry, but also about personal growth, family and every day life helps me to understand.

What I love about team leadership with high levels of trust is we can speak the truth into each other’s lives. We don’t always agree, but we have learned to leverage our conversations by listening and understanding. My option A, their option B, many times has led to a greater option C than any of us had thought of in the first place. That flows out of a level of trust we have built over the years and a common love for the God who saved us, the church we serve and the path we have traveled together.

What are some trust builders in your relationships? What are some trust breakers?

The Lift Project: Leading for Results: Entering the Middle Space

Though character is often defined as the moral or ethics practiced by an individual, Dr. Henry Cloud suggests character is “the ability to meet the demands of reality.” So began my first week of Leading for Results, the LIFT online course I am taking this Spring.

Dr. Henry Cloud is our teacher and his book Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality is our coursebook. This week featured the 1st 3 chapters of the book and a 16 minute video of Henry inviting to enter what he calls “the middle space”.

The image he used that stuck out for me this week was that of a boast taht leaves a wake as it zooms  over the water. There are 2 sides to every wake, and for leaders those 2 sides are: the task side and the relationship side. A good wake produces good results and a positive response for the people involved. The challenge is leaving a good wake that builds on task and relationship.

Most people focus on one or the other. Lean too heavily into the task side, and you get the job done but leave relational carnage along the way. Or, get everybody to love you but nothing accomplished, you can all wait together in the unemployment line.

Most resources focus on task or relationship. Henry introduced the concept of entering the middle space. The space between both sides of the wake, that part of leadership between task and relationship. In the middle space, there is an opportunity for great leverage and growth.

In the next 6 weeks we will be taking a closer look at the traits of people who leave a good wake in their leadership waters. That’s what I desire to do, and am eager for what the weeks ahead hold. You can sign up here.

I look forward to sharing what I learn along the way. What are you learning about balancing the task side and relationship side of your leadership? How is life going in the middle space?

Soul Food for Friday: Quotes to LIFT Your Leadership

The Leader’s Soul. Shaping Culture. Leading for Transformation. 3 titles of LIFT online courses I have taken in the last year. 3 courses that have focused my leadership, lifted my spirits, and equipped me to be a better leader.

Since I am starting a new LIFT online course  on April 8th, Leading for Results, it seemed like the perfect time to review some great quotes, questions and ideas from the previous 3 LIFT courses to feed our souls on this week’s Soul Food for Friday.

A journal is “being honest with God about what is current in your life in writing.” – Mindy Caliguire

“Speed of the team, speed of the leader.” – Bill Hybels

4 questions to check to see if I’m living out of simplicity or duplicity:

1. Do I feel overwhelmed by options?

2. Do I feel burdened by impossible demands?

3. Do I buy more then I can afford?

4. Do I frequently desire to be more than I am? – Mindy Caliguire

“Are you a quarterback who makes plays or a coach who makes players?” – Shaping Culture, LIFT

“Leaders often focus on vision, not realizing that the shared values of an organization are what motivates people and drives their behavior. Values that are not shared by the team or demonstrated by the leader will not bring the driving factors behind the culture.” — Mac Lake

“The work of love is a sacred work like prayer and reading the Bible.” – Peter Scazzero

“Leadership is the most difficult place in loving relationships.” – Peter Scazzero

“Our first priority is to build people, not a program.” – Lance Witt

1) Are the people on your team better Christ followers because of your leadership?

2) Are those you lead better Christians because they’ve been hanging around you and your ministry? — Lance Witt

“If you cannot say, ‘Follow me,’ to your followers — and mean it — then you’ve got a problem. A big one.”  – Bill Hybels

Vision fire is “at the center of care for the heart is love for God … The love God, and only the love of God, secures the vision of God: keeps God constantly before our mind.” – Dallas Willard

“As leaders we can’t afford to drift with the current. We have to intentionally direct it, so that we can accomplish the bigger vision to which we are called.”  – Michael Hyatt

Dan Meyer laid out this acronym for Strategy:

Sight for the pathway.

Training for the Spirit

Equipment for life

Partners for the journey.

“You sow what you can do, but watch what God can do, He’ll blow your mind.” — Harvey Carey

“The best thing you bring to the table is a filled bucket.” – Bill Hybels

“The one unique role of leadership is to manage culture. When an organization’s culture is dysfunctional or maladaptive, it is the responsibility of the leader to break that culture and replace it with a new one.” – Edgar Schien

“If we focus on the how, the what has a much better chance of being accomplished.” – Mindy Caliguire

“Build a commuity, not just a team.” – Mindy Caliguire

“We experience God most powerfully when we need Him most desperately.” – Gary Haugen

“What does it mean to be an effective, biblical leader in a local congregation?” — Michael Bonem

“Stay the course. Kingdom of God is a mustard seed. Lives transformed is what matters most.” — Peter Scazzero

And starting April 8th, some great lessons ahead to learn from Leading for Results with Dr. Henry Cloud!

Great Resource to Use: Leadership Book Summaries

Recently I came across this post from Tony Morgan: Have You Checked Out Leadership Book Summaries 

Earlier this month, I wrote about Leaders Book Summaries.  The company summarizes books for busy leaders.  Each month, they review a couple of books and then send subscribers helpful 10-20 page summaries and a detailed 2-page super summary.

This week, I checked out their free sample summary and was really impressed.  The free sample was a summary of the book Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.  The actual summary was a PDF document with a very professional layout.

The writing was clear, concise and easy to follow.  I really enjoyed reading the “Pastor’s Perspective.”  This section shared specific ideas for applying the book in a Christian organization.

The company issues thirty (30) summaries of leadership books each year.  The books are written by secular and religious authors.  Recent examples include…

• Integrity by Henry Cloud
• Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell
• The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni
• On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis

A subscription is only about $6 a month (cheaper if you pay for an entire year in advance). For the price of three hard-back books, you can receive 30 high quality book summaries.

Leaders Book Summaries is currently offering a free one-month trial for our blog readers. Save time and money as you grow your leadership skills!

Thanks for the tip Tony. I signed up for a premium subscription which provides access to the previous leadership summaries. When I saw that the summaries included great books that I had read like Great by Choice by Jim Collins or Switch by Dan and Chip Heath or Winning on Purpose by John Edmnud Kaiser that transformed our leadership model at Christ Lutheran, I knew these were some solid books. And when I saw some books that I had not read and realized the power of getting a summary I knew this was a great deal.

Since I have joined the deal has become even greater, I not only have access to the summaries I have been able to email them to my Kindle to read while I travel, to reflect and pray through the insights. And if I need to find a good book to read, I have a great overview to begin with and book in mind when I shop.

Thanks again Tony! I have checked out Leadership Book Summaries, and I am so glad I did!

What helps you summarize books and apply their principles to your life?

Everyone Needs a LIFT

Back in the Spring of last year I stared a year long adventure of leadership and learning called the LIFT project. In the 3 classes I have taken so far, I have not only grown in my leadership capacity but even more importantly in a closer walk with God. (FYI — greatest way to grow in leadership capacity is to grow in your walk with God!)

Here’s a posting form the Willow Creek Association blog about the next round of LIFT classes. I strongly encourage you to sing up today and let the learning begin. I started with the Leader’s Soul or if you want a taste of multiple classes take Leading for Transformation. Check out Willow’s blog post on the LIFT proejct …

Everyone Needs a LIFT by WCAblog on 1/22/2013 1:22:47 PM

In a fast-paced, ever-changing world, most leaders find it difficult to make time or set aside budget for traditional leadership development programs or resources. Many leaders have expressed to us their sense of being overwhelmed, isolated, and even burnt out. They seek renewal and growth, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a program that works with them.

Why LIFT?
LIFT online courses are designed to renew and refresh the souls of ministry leaders through practical leadership development that is accessible and affordable way. It is a guided learning experience designed to inspire innovative thinking and inspired living.Proven Thought Leadership
World-class speakers and thought leaders facilitate inclusive lessons that are conveniently scheduled online and require less than two hours of the participant’s time per week. Course contents are thoughtfully developed through collaboration among pastors, veteran leaders, and teachers with unique insights into their respective topics. The assignments are then delivered with practicality in mind; it is essential that all learning experiences are relevant and applicable in the context of participants’ community and culture. After all, LIFT materials are more than information—it is application.

Much More Than A Class
Engaging in weekly discussions with ministry leaders around the world enhances the learning experience through deep connections and intentional engagement with a community of learners who desire to foster growth and new relationships. When leaders are strengthened, their influence is sure to permeate throughout their church communities, promoting a thriving culture. Our facilitators provide on-going guidance and support throughout the course to maximize the learning experience.

Everyone Needs A LIFT!

 

Check out the classes they offer at: www.willowcreek.com/LIFT

It will change your life and your leadership, it sure did for me!

Lessons from a Fire Station

Thanks to some friends of ours who had won a dinner at the Fire Station at an auction they attended, Sharon and I were treated to a nice dinner at a nearby Fire Station, even more I picked up some leadership lessons along the way. In addition to dinner we were treated to some Questions & Answer time as well as a tour of the station and best part of all for us a ride along on one of the calls.

Here’s some lessons I picked up along the way:

1. Have a system in place.

On 24/7 call leads to an interesting work schedule. The station we visited had 3 teams A, B, C. Typically you work every other night for a few shifts that you get a number of days off. That means that Team A has its own fridge, Team B its own fridge, and Team C its own fridge. The calendar is already filled out for the year and color coded so you know by a quick glance which your time to work will be.

Even more than figuring out sharing food, their is a schedule during the day for training, paper work and yes, handling emergencies. The night is focused to handling those emergencies as well as getting rest when possible.

2. Have a common language.

In the call I went on fire fighters from different stations arrived, not only that but also from different jurisdictions. Yet they spoke a common language. They had developed not only in San Diego but around the country, a common language to use as well as a common system to dealing with emergencies. This is good. Do you really want them figuring out who does when the emergency arises? No, you want action fast. Even more you need action immediately.

Similar to the Fire Truck I saw on my visit, but this one is is from Chico, CA Thanks to Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ChicoCAEngine4.jpg First uploaded by: User:Nick Precision on the English Wikipedia Caption: Picture of the City of Chico’s (California) Fire Engine 4

3. When you need to deal with the issue, do so now!

As they were fixing our dinner before we arrived, the team of 4 was called out on a call. They pulled the meat out of the oven, and off they went. The call I went on, I didn’t even go get my jacket. I just got in and went, and we went with sirens blaring and red lights shining.

4. Determine chain of command and empowering leadership decisions before the crisis arises.

I was impressed to see the system in place to respond to medical or fire emergencies. There is a set chain of command. Resources are not only dedicated but also deployed to handle the situation before the situation is fully known.

5. Thanks those who serve so well for a job well done.

Getting a closer look at what goes on in the Fire Station on a Friday night provided a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and service of our La Mesa / East County / San Diego Fire Fighters. I was deeply moved by their service, and greatly appreciate not only the lessons they taught but the work they do each day. God bless them abundantly!

2 Thumbs Up for Lincoln

Time off during Thanksgiving week provided a great opportunity to go see Steven Spielberg’s new movie, Lincoln. I had heard Spielberg had used Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals, to base the portrayal of Lincoln. Having read that book a few summers ago, I was intrigued how Spielberg would tie the movie into the book.

In her outstanding book, Doris portrays how Lincoln utilized in his cabinet candidates who had not only vehemently opposed him, but still questioned his ability as president. The movie picks up some of this in the cabinet scenes, but having read the book I felt I was a bit more sensitive to that portrayal.

The movie also focuses on the passage of the 13th amendment to the constitution abolishing slavery, and how Lincoln is driven to accomplish its passing. Like the book, the movie embraces Lincoln’s leadership style that focuses on the principle to be accomplished, in this case the passing of the 13th amendment by the House of Representatives, but also his commitment to preserve the Union. From this leadership style Lincoln shows great care for those who disregard him. His humility, his willingness to let others express their opinion while still holding to his own convictions, and his desire not for credit, but accomplishment, make this a great study in leadership.

I also greatly appreciated how the movie worked in the Gettysburg address and Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address, Lincoln’s Greatest Speech (and also a great book).   Part of the power of the movie for me was the feeling Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis who plays Lincoln, picked up Lincoln’s communication style with folksy stories to make his points and his ability to draw attention not to himself, but to the principle he was lifting up.

In addition to Daniel Day-Lewis, the ensemble cast does a tremendous job. The focus is on Lincoln, but every one is needed, not only in the movie, but in the leadership style Lincoln pursues. He realized he could not do this alone. He leveraged and at times leaned hard to get the best out of people whether family, soldiers, politicians, or influencers.

Though there are no great chase scenes and you kind of know how the story will end, this is a great movie to see to remember American history, and to learn from it. I give it 2 thumbs up, 4 out of 4 stars. And if I had my way, the politicians in Washington should rent out a movie theater, get their favorite soda, a large bucket of popcorn, and sit and watch this movie together. Then come out and make this commitment, “Though we are rivals, America is our team, and we will work hard together to bring out the best.” That’s true not only for fiscal cliffs, dealing with a long-lasting conflict, times of war, but leveraging the best of what it means to be America. Seems like we have forgotten that message in our day, perhaps seeing Lincoln will bring that power back not only in D.C., but in each of us as Americans.

The Lift Project: Leading for Transformation: 1st Steps in Leading Change

The temptation in wanting to change the world is look at what the world needs to do to change, but the first step in changing the world is looking at how I need to change. That’s why I love the Lift Project, it challenges me to look deep inside myself and see what needs to change, and to see outside myself and seize the opportunities God provides to transform my life and the lives of others.

This past week started week 1 of Leading for Transformation. It’s the first course in the Lift Project, of which, I have taken 2 others and experienced transformation in my leadership. Eager for the class to begin it was exciting to see we were starting off with 2 articles to read and a virtual classroom that featured 4 videos to watch.

1st Article by Cally Parkinson took a closer look at REVEAL and even more the challenging question: Where are you? Not only only a key question from Genesis 3:9. In this case the REVEAL question looks at the spiritual continuum and how people move along that continuum.  The continuum has 4 segments and 3 movements.

2nd Article by Dallas Willard, Spiritual Formation as a Natural Part of Salvation, provides his challenge to see one’s faith relationship as more than a swap of sins for a Savior, of faith as being an entrance into heaven, but the entrance of heaven into life. Willard is a deep thinker and lays a solid foundation to renovate the heart. His article deepened my understanding of grace that not only brings one to justification, but to new life in Christ today. He challenges me to take 1st steps in leading change in my life to grow with Christ in order to lead others to travel that path as well.

Following up the 2 articles came the virtual classroom. That’s 4 videos 25 or so students interacting, and the Holy Spirit speaking powerfully into our lives. He is definitely the leader of transformation.

Video 1: VIM and Vigor

Mindy Caliguire and Dan Meyer introduce the class to the topic of transformation. Building on Dallas Willard’s observations, we begin with his concept of VIM and Vigor. VIM stands for Vision. Intention. Means. Vigor is a reminder to do so with great passion.

In the weeks ahead we will focus on 3 areas of transformation in our lives: The Leader’s Soul, Shaping  Culture , and the Strategies for Transformation. Having taken The Leader’s Soul class as well as Shaping Culture, I know the good stuff that lies ahead. Strategies for Transformation is next on my list after this one.

Video 2: Value of Culture

Lift classes are more than theory, they feature practitioners, those learning along the way. Dan Meyer not only offered the challenge to be willing to shape a culture of transformation, but the story of his church’s journey.

A key step in the journey was stepping into transparency. He had a great phrase, “dentures dropping out” transparency. We like to hide our messes, transparency calls us to be honest with the mess.

Shaping culture deals with atmosphere, relating to one another with transparency, and leadership intentionality.

Video 3: Strategy

I love strategy. Our upcoming look at strategy will look at the weekly gathering, one on one relationships, as well as individual strategy that leads to transformation.

Dan gave this great acronym to work through: STEP

Sight for the pathway.

Training for the Spirit

Equipment for life

Partners for the journey.

That’s part of the plus of Lift classes, it lays out those 1st steps for the individual and the strength of an outside group who bring their own experiences, their own journey to bear.

Video 4: Prioritization

This was the briefest of the 4 and simply laid out these 4 questions / these 4 challenges:

1. Begin by looking at yourself — what do you want in your relationship with Jesus?

2. What is our church doing with transformation?

3. Where could it go? (What a great question to dream and pray through!)

4. Start the work. What needs to be built in? What are the 1st steps in leading change?

What a great class to lead off with this fall. I am excited to see where God is leading us and how He continues to bring forth much growth in transforming lives to be like Jesus.

What first steps are you taking in leading change? Where are you learning to lead for transformation? I highly recommend one of those steps be a Lift Class!