Four Characteristics of Inspirational Leaders
I’ve met numerous leaders in my career. Some did a better job than others at actually leading. But few were what I would call “inspirational leaders.”
By inspirational, I simply that they had the ability to motivate others to accomplish something significant, perhaps even heroic. William Wallace was such a man.
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you can read the rest at Michael's blog:
http://michaelhyatt.com/2007/04/four-characteristics-of-inspirational-leaders.html
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
I need more time...by Seth Godin
You'll note that I posted something by Seth last month. He's someone who's challenged me with some good thinking and I just want to pass it along.
Also, you'll note that it's been about a month...not sure what's up with that. I feel a sense of writer's block or something...anyway...read on and be challenged...
I need more time
By Seth Godin
First rule of decision making: More time does not create better decisions.
In fact, it usually decreases the quality of the decision.
More information may help. More time without more information just creates anxiety, not insight.
Deciding now frees up your most valuable asset, time, so you can go work on something else. What happens if, starting today, you make every decision as soon as you have a reasonable amount of data?
Also, you'll note that it's been about a month...not sure what's up with that. I feel a sense of writer's block or something...anyway...read on and be challenged...
I need more time
By Seth Godin
First rule of decision making: More time does not create better decisions.
In fact, it usually decreases the quality of the decision.
More information may help. More time without more information just creates anxiety, not insight.
Deciding now frees up your most valuable asset, time, so you can go work on something else. What happens if, starting today, you make every decision as soon as you have a reasonable amount of data?
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
The sad lie of mediocrity By Seth Godin
The sad lie of mediocrity
By Seth Godin
Doing 4% less does not get you 4% less.
Doing 4% less may very well get you 95% less.
That's because almost good enough gets you nowhere. No sales, no votes, no customers. The sad lie of mediocrity is the mistaken belief that partial effort yields partial results. In fact, the results are usually totally out of proportion to the incremental effort.
Big organizations have the most trouble with this, because they don't notice the correlation. It's hidden by their momentum and layers of bureaucracy. So a mediocre phone rep or a mediocre chef may not appear to be doing as much damage as they actually are.
The flip side of this is that when you are at the top, the best in the world, the industry leader, a tiny increase in effort and quality can translate into huge gains. For a while, anyway.
By Seth Godin
Doing 4% less does not get you 4% less.
Doing 4% less may very well get you 95% less.
That's because almost good enough gets you nowhere. No sales, no votes, no customers. The sad lie of mediocrity is the mistaken belief that partial effort yields partial results. In fact, the results are usually totally out of proportion to the incremental effort.
Big organizations have the most trouble with this, because they don't notice the correlation. It's hidden by their momentum and layers of bureaucracy. So a mediocre phone rep or a mediocre chef may not appear to be doing as much damage as they actually are.
The flip side of this is that when you are at the top, the best in the world, the industry leader, a tiny increase in effort and quality can translate into huge gains. For a while, anyway.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Seasons - Craig Groeschel
God Determines the Seasons
By Craig Groeschel on spiritual development
God determines when a season begins and ends. Scripture says, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them…” (Dan 2:20-21 NIV)
Jesus seemed very aware of God controlling the times. He said in John 2:4, “…My time has not yet come.” Later in John 17:1, he prayed confidently, “…Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
It is helpful to remember that there is a purpose in every season.
Paul waited for months before God opened the door for ministry.
Elisha followed Elijah f or years hoping to get what Elijah had.
Joseph spent years in prison before being promoted to the palace.
I try to remind myself that I can’t skip a season and every season is important.
If you seem stuck in a non-ending season, find comfort in these verses:
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place…Habakkuk 2:3
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Gal 6:9
What are some of the most important seasons you’ve experienced?
By Craig Groeschel on spiritual development
God determines when a season begins and ends. Scripture says, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them…” (Dan 2:20-21 NIV)
Jesus seemed very aware of God controlling the times. He said in John 2:4, “…My time has not yet come.” Later in John 17:1, he prayed confidently, “…Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
It is helpful to remember that there is a purpose in every season.
Paul waited for months before God opened the door for ministry.
Elisha followed Elijah f or years hoping to get what Elijah had.
Joseph spent years in prison before being promoted to the palace.
I try to remind myself that I can’t skip a season and every season is important.
If you seem stuck in a non-ending season, find comfort in these verses:
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place…Habakkuk 2:3
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Gal 6:9
What are some of the most important seasons you’ve experienced?
Saturday, March 21, 2009
My Mother's Prayers - by Bill Bright
My Mother's Prayers
"Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name." (Isaiah 40:26)
As a young man, I was a materialist and humanist. To me at that time, success in life was measured by the accumulation of material possessions, honors, applause, and the praise of men.
The idea of God, or a Savior, or the Bible, had little place in my life. All through high school, college and in graduate school, on the extension faculty of Oklahoma State University, and later as a businessman in Hollywood, California, where as a young man I developed my own business, I was motivated by selfish goals and materialistic pursuits.
Then one day I sensed that unseen hand of God in my life. I can only describe it as a sovereign visit from God. God and my mother's prayers caught up with me. I was drawn to the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.
It was there that I heard about the great Creator God of the universe. Simultaneously, I discovered that my head had been in the sand -- the sand of mundane, selfish interests and temporal pursuits.
But there at that wonderful church in Hollywood, I was moved to look up, beyond my microscopic world, at the wonder of creation, behind which was an obvious Creator. And one day I met this One who, according to the Bible, came to this earth in the greatest act of love the world would ever has ever known. He is Jesus of Nazareth, God's only Son.
My life has never been the same since I surrendered my life to Him.
YOUR VIEW OF GOD REALLY MATTERS...
Have you ever fully surrendered to God? Until you surrender unconditionally, you will never experience the incredible adventure God offers you. If you haven't already, why don't you take the first step today---surrender.
Additional reading: Philemon 1; Ephesians 3:1; Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1.
Because God is sovereign...
I will joyfully submit to His will.
Adapted from Daily Insights, by Bill Bright.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from theDiscover God Bible (NLT).
"Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name." (Isaiah 40:26)
As a young man, I was a materialist and humanist. To me at that time, success in life was measured by the accumulation of material possessions, honors, applause, and the praise of men.
The idea of God, or a Savior, or the Bible, had little place in my life. All through high school, college and in graduate school, on the extension faculty of Oklahoma State University, and later as a businessman in Hollywood, California, where as a young man I developed my own business, I was motivated by selfish goals and materialistic pursuits.
Then one day I sensed that unseen hand of God in my life. I can only describe it as a sovereign visit from God. God and my mother's prayers caught up with me. I was drawn to the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.
It was there that I heard about the great Creator God of the universe. Simultaneously, I discovered that my head had been in the sand -- the sand of mundane, selfish interests and temporal pursuits.
But there at that wonderful church in Hollywood, I was moved to look up, beyond my microscopic world, at the wonder of creation, behind which was an obvious Creator. And one day I met this One who, according to the Bible, came to this earth in the greatest act of love the world would ever has ever known. He is Jesus of Nazareth, God's only Son.
My life has never been the same since I surrendered my life to Him.
YOUR VIEW OF GOD REALLY MATTERS...
Have you ever fully surrendered to God? Until you surrender unconditionally, you will never experience the incredible adventure God offers you. If you haven't already, why don't you take the first step today---surrender.
Additional reading: Philemon 1; Ephesians 3:1; Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1.
Because God is sovereign...
I will joyfully submit to His will.
Adapted from Daily Insights, by Bill Bright.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from theDiscover God Bible (NLT).
Thursday, March 19, 2009
listening to God...
Psalm 131: “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore” (NIV).
What a great way to begin a time of prayer...
M@
What a great way to begin a time of prayer...
M@
Monday, February 09, 2009
just because
wow...since I started blogging a few years ago, I don't think I've ever gone this long without a post. I'm guessing that even my mother has stopped checking in! Why the lack of posts? Probably a few reasons: i'm very busy, i'm doing more personal updates via facebook these days, and, did I mention I'm really busy? I suspect I'll get back on the wagon, but don't want to make any promises I can't keep.
Here's a little personal update:
1. Heidi's out interviewing for jobs. Since moving to IL, she's been working for a staffing agency, which staffs nurses in many area hospitals. As the economy has taken a dive, hospitals have relied much less on agencies, so her work has slowed to a halt in the past few months. So she's talking with hospitals directly. Several are interested in her, so she should have some good choices.
2. The kids are doing great! Levi is growing in his swordplay, which is disconcerting for his sister. Izak continues to love school and learning - especially about the weather. And Liberty is a great artist who also loves to play on the computer when she can.
3. Life at the Chapel is busy. The building project is wrapping up with amazing results. We had hoped and prayed that the direction we're taking would create great space that helps people connect with each other and God. We're seeing it happen! Thanks, God!
4. Personally, I'm a bit tired these days. I'm trying to figure that out and get to the bottom of it. also probably one of the reasons that I'm not writing much these days.
5. Can't believe the Pats missed the playoffs and another shot at the super bowl. Congrats to Steelers nation.
Back to daddy-land...
M@
Here's a little personal update:
1. Heidi's out interviewing for jobs. Since moving to IL, she's been working for a staffing agency, which staffs nurses in many area hospitals. As the economy has taken a dive, hospitals have relied much less on agencies, so her work has slowed to a halt in the past few months. So she's talking with hospitals directly. Several are interested in her, so she should have some good choices.
2. The kids are doing great! Levi is growing in his swordplay, which is disconcerting for his sister. Izak continues to love school and learning - especially about the weather. And Liberty is a great artist who also loves to play on the computer when she can.
3. Life at the Chapel is busy. The building project is wrapping up with amazing results. We had hoped and prayed that the direction we're taking would create great space that helps people connect with each other and God. We're seeing it happen! Thanks, God!
4. Personally, I'm a bit tired these days. I'm trying to figure that out and get to the bottom of it. also probably one of the reasons that I'm not writing much these days.
5. Can't believe the Pats missed the playoffs and another shot at the super bowl. Congrats to Steelers nation.
Back to daddy-land...
M@
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