I work with people to help them manage change. When things go well, they produce results that they weren't able to produce on their own. This is a common outcome. I speak to many clients who want to leave their job. Their obstacle: Their resume isn't ready. They'll wallow in misery rather than write their resume. Meanwhile they deliver "Less than" results for the people they work for. This may last weeks, months or years. Disengagement is contagious. It needs to … [Read more...]
Are you a champion?
September 7, 2011 by
I hear bad advice a lot. The most common I people tell each other is "You should just do 'insert action'." You don't ask your infant to walk when they can't even crawl. Why do we ask adults to do things that they haven't demonstrated an ability to do? Just because you know how to walk doesn't mean the person you're trying help does. Telling them to walk produces one thing. Frustration. You're frustrated with them for not listening. They're frustrated with themselves for being stuck or … [Read more...]
Who do you relate to?
August 23, 2011 by
The word relationship is built on the root: relate. So a relationship is based up how we relate to others. When you build relationships do you relate to the other person or do you relate to yourself while talking to another person? You can't meet someone where they are when you don't relate to them for who they are. How do expect to sell them, support them, lead them or love them when you aren't even talking to them? Stop talking to yourself. Build a relationship instead. It will … [Read more...]
Live for what’s at stake
August 2, 2011 by
I love steak. I wouldn't know I loved it if I hadn't ever smelled or tasted a steak. I wouldn't love steak because I wouldn't know steak. Jen was telling me about a girl she's friendly with. The friend comes off as aloof and distant. Jen's learning that the girl thinks that people won't want to talk to her if she talks. So she doesn't talk. People think she's aloof and distant. They don't talk to her. She gets what she expects. She doesn't get what she wants or needs. I'm that … [Read more...]
How to build more powerful relationships.
July 28, 2011 by
Relationships. I read a lot about relationships. Apparently, they're important. In sales, people prefer to buy from those they trust. In leadership, people prefer to follow those they trust. Trust requires a relationship. The root of the word relationship is relate. The word 'relate' comes from a word that means "to bring". Are you bringing yourself to your relationships? Relationships are built on the cornerstone of revelation. We relate to what's revealed. The more that is … [Read more...]
A simple way to be a better leader – Pt 3
July 13, 2011 by
I squatted down to put Sophie, my 4 year old niece, on the pew. She sat down. When she leaned back she cracked her head on the seat back. It was like a softball hitting a wooden bat. She looked at me quizzically. The expression asking, "What should I do?" Her eyes showed she was leaning towards crying. I had a moment to decide. I'm just starting to get used to being around kids. God's been giving me practice. Good thing. My two new babies will arrive in about 3 … [Read more...]
A simple way to be a better leader – Part 1
July 12, 2011 by
In the past few days I saw a simple truth about the language of leadership. Ned and Nancy were trying to get their son to get into the pool. Their son, Niles, was scared of the water. "Do you want to get in the pool?" asked Ned. "Do you want to try to stand on the first step?" Niles froze at the decision point. He was anxious and uneasy. His answers came non-verbally. Niles stopped and backed away from the pool's edge. Parents are leaders. The leaders were putting the child … [Read more...]
