Leadership Video

Here is a short video I stumbled upon that discusses leadership: click here to view. I hope you enjoy!

Asking For Conflict

I read an article recently about a business owner named Sean Perich who started a business (Bakery Barn) five years ago that is now booming. The same management team has been in place over that time span, but he is now discovering that may be a problem.

"At a certain point, guts and hard work stop paying dividends," Perich admits. He says he now finds himself suffering from "good idea-itis"—a problem when none of his managers or directors were willing to curb his enthusiasm. "If I say, 'Let's spend time developing protein drinks,' they say, 'Great'—they won't question me," Perich says. He worries that time spent developing products like protein drinks and savory snacks has been a distraction—that perhaps Bakery Barn has strayed too far from what it does best: baking protein cookies.

What he is asking for is conflict. Not a fight, but someone to stand up to him, to challenge him, to hold him accountable and to help him be better. It takes someone who is pretty secure to admit this. He is a wise leader who knows his limitations and is looking for others to complete him, to make him better. (Go here to read the entire story).

When I evaluate myself, I feel I do OK at this in some areas of my life, but in other areas I don't do so hot--like at home. How are you at this?

Where Are You?

Yesterday afternoon I was traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to lead a leadership workshop. I usually fly out of Detroit but the flight was almost $300 less expensive if I flew out of Toledo and connected in Detroit (This has happened many times and I still don’t understand it—I’m using more of the airline’s service, yet it costs less!).

Anyway, as we approached the gate in Detroit, we sat on the tarmac for awhile. Finally, the captain announced the reason for our delay. Apparently Detroit’s airport had many people not show up for work on Monday. This meant they only had 4 employees to manage 38 passenger ramps. He went on to tell us this is a regular occurrence the day after a holiday weekend.

How sad.

Two things struck me as sad. One, that the captain would share that with his customers. It seemed like he was “passing the buck.” Even though that was the truth, customers don’t want to hear this finger pointing. This is poor customer service.

Second, it is a shame what is happening in this country. Overall, work is not valued like it once was. As a result, many people don’t treat it as a serious commitment. In this case it caused hundreds, if not thousands of people to miss connecting flights or to be inconvenienced.

Work is a privilege. We were made by God to work (Genesis 2:15). So let’s do our best to enjoy it and live up to our responsibilities.

In case you were wondering…I did make my connection, but only because it too was delayed—one of the few times I was happy with a delay!

When No One is Looking...

Steve Marr writes the following about integrity when no one is looking:

Some businesspeople practice integrity when compelled or when customers are watching. Others practice integrity when they believe no one is watching.

I had a neighbor who would walk his dog. He carried a small plastic bag to scoop up the droppings, as required by the homeowner's association. One day I was reading and glanced out the window to see the dog leaving a deposit. My neighbor looked around to see if anyone was watching, then left the poop there and walked away. At that moment, I came to understand that my neighbor lacked integrity.

In business, we can also lose our integrity, and often with drastic results.

John Dodge, a founder of Dodge Motor Company, put it clearly, "There is no twilight zone in business, a thing is right or it's wrong — it's black or it's white." The choice we have is to accept and act on this truth ... or not. King Solomon wrote, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out" (Proverbs 10:9 NASB).

We may not always see the result of our integrity, but consequences will follow. An auto dealer was doing warranty repairs and was receiving replacement parts from the manufacturer. In some instances, the broken part was repaired instead of replaced and the new part was then sold to other customers, thus generating more profit for the auto dealership. This practice went on for years, but was eventually uncovered. The result: the owner was convicted of fraud, the manufacturer revoked the franchise, and the owner was forced into bankruptcy.

The prophet Nahum wrote, "The Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" (Nahum 1:3 NASN). If we accept this truth from Scripture, then we must obediently apply integrity in everything we do.

Walter was a contractor doing a small addition for a young couple, Ellen and Mike. He realized he made a mistake on the bid and left out a $2,500 item, costing him the profit on the job. Walter honored his price and explained to the couple he had made a mistake, but that he did not expect them to pay for it. He was not aware that Mike's dad was a major real-estate developer. After Mike's dad learned of the experience, he contacted the builder and gave him several large construction jobs, based on the integrity experienced by his son. This verifies the truth, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful in much, and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing in unrighteous also in much" (Luke 16:10 NASB).

Go here to read the rest.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am very thankful for each and every one of you. I hope you enjoy your day!

Jim

Power Rangers

An article I just read in Promo Magazine discussed the ongoing popularity of the Power Rangers, who turn 15 this year.

The reason for their longevity?

"The brand has reached pop culture status by maintaining its core values of honesty, loyalty, teamwork and standing up for what's right," says Brenda Lynch, senior vice president, The Rogers Group, Bandai America's PR Agency. "These core values resonate as strongly as they did 15 years ago."

In this day of Hollywood and sports stars being glorified for their lack of values, it sure is refreshing to see this.

We Can All Make A Difference

We are all leaders...every one of us. We all influence someone. It doesn't matter if your title is not that of a leader, you can lead and you can make a difference. This short video is a great example of that. I hope it inspires you like it inspired me. Take the next 3 minutes to watch--I promise you, you will be glad you did! Click here for the video.

The Little Things

Yesterday afternoon my son, Robbie and I raked leaves. We are fortunate where we live as we are able to burn leaves which makes it kind of fun (my son and I have a pyro streak in us!).

Anyway, the leaves were a little damp from the previous day's rain so they didn't burn real well; however, they did burn well enough to get rid of them. About two hours after starting the fire it was just smoking and I figured it would eventually burn out.

This morning as I left for work, I noticed a flame in the pile of leaves. I was amazed. 14 hours after starting the fire it was still burning. There must have been a couple of embers that kept up the good fight and this morning they caused an actual flame to appear.

This was an encouragement to me. Sometimes I feel like the small things I do day in and day out don't really matter. But this fire reminded me that even the seemingly inconsequential things can develop into something important if I just stick with it.

Leading By Example

I just read an article about Steve Nash, the flashy Canadian point guard of the Phoenix Suns. His coach, Mike D’Antoni said something about him that was pretty cool.

“When your superstar’s your hardest working guy—by far—well, then you’ve got a chance to do something special.”

Leading by example…what a novel concept.

Serving Him Where We Are

I just read an email devotional this morning that was very good. It talked about the fact that we do not have to leave our jobs to serve God. So many of us feel that in order to truly serve God we must become a pastor or a missionary.

God has designed us each with unique gifts. He wants us to use these gifts where we are today to serve Him regardless of what it is we do for a living. So how can we do that?

I have developed a program to help people with this very topic. If you would like to learn more and find out about a cool free trial opportunity (including a free copy of my book), go to http://www.bleedership.com/.

Make it a great day!

The Great Communicator

Ronald Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator." He had a way with words.

I just received an email I felt I should share. One, because we just paused to celebrate Veterans' Day in this country, to remember those who have sacrificed so much for us. Two, because there are some great nuggets of truth that we all can learn from in these words from this great leader, Ronald Reagan after he laid a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery on November 11, 1985:

We are gathered at the National Cemetery, which provides a final resting place for the heroes who have defended our country since the Civil War. This amphitheater, this place for speeches, is more central to this cemetery than it first might seem apparent, for all we can ever do for our heroes is remember them and remember what they did -- and memories are transmitted through words. Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them -- not really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is remember.

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

There's always someone who is remembering for us. No matter what time of year it is or what time of day, there are always people who come to this cemetery, leave a flag or a flower or a little rock on a headstone. And they stop and bow their heads and communicate what they wished to communicate. They say, ``Hello, Johnny,'' or ``Hello, Bob. We still think of you. You're still with us. We never got over you, and we pray for you still, and we'll see you again. We'll all meet again.'' In a way, they represent us, these relatives and friends, and they speak for us as they walk among the headstones and remember. It's not so hard to summon memory, but it's hard to recapture meaning.

And the living have a responsibility to remember the conditions that led to the wars in which our heroes died. Perhaps we can start by remembering this: that all of those who died for us and our country were, in one way or another, victims of a peace process that failed; victims of a decision to forget certain things; to forget, for instance, that the surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation -- it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves -- but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered.

Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we're little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God's first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong. Common sense forgives error, but it always recognizes it to be error first.

We endanger the peace and confuse all issues when we obscure the truth; when we refuse to name an act for what it is; when we refuse to see the obvious and seek safety in the Almighty. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. Peace is imperiled when we forget to try for agreements and settlements and treaties; when we forget to hold out our hands and strive; when we forget that God gave us talents to use in securing the ends He desires. Peace fails when we forget that agreements, once made, cannot be broken without a price.

Each new day carries within it the potential for breakthroughs, for progress. Each new day bursts with possibilities. And so, hope is realistic and despair a pointless little sin. And peace fails when we forget to pray to the source of all peace and life and happiness. I think sometimes of General Matthew Ridgeway, who, the night before D-day, tossed sleepless on his cot and talked to the Lord and listened for the promise that God made to Joshua: ``I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.''

We're surrounded today by the dead of our wars. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. All we can do is try to see that other young men never have to join them. Today, as never before, we must pledge to remember the things that will continue the peace. Today, as never before, we must pray for God's help in broadening and deepening the peace we enjoy. Let us pray for freedom and justice and a more stable world. And let us make a compact today with the dead, a promise in the words for which General Ridgeway listened, ``I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.''

In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength. And through whatever coincidence or accident of timing, I tell you that a week from now when I am some thousands of miles away, believe me, the memory and the importance of this day will be in the forefront of my mind and in my heart.

Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless America.

Nehemiah

Did you happen to see this? Archaeologists have discovered remnants of the wall that Nehemiah helped to build around Jerusalem. Cool stuff!

I encourage you to study the story of Nehemiah in the Bible. A lot can be learned from him in regard to leadership, including compassion, vision, respect of authority, humility, leaning on God, persistence and calmness under pressure to name a few.

Click here to read more.

Leading Through Failure

As many of you know I am an Ohio State football fan. I was in Columbus on Saturday when the Buckeyes were beaten by Illinois. Ohio State truly was beaten. Sure there were some mistakes by the Buckeyes and the officials, but make no mistake about it-Illinois deserved to win.

As hard as it was to take the loss for me, I know it is 100 times tougher for the players. Kirk Barton who is a senior captain had this to say:

"You just feel like a failure as a captain when you lose a game like this," said Barton, the only fifth-year senior on the team, and a co-captain. "You hope you can lead your guys out of the murky waters we were in. I take a lot of responsibility for that.

"You feel like a failure if you can't get a win on Senior Day. It takes a little bit away from your captaincy if you can't lead your team the way you need to. ... I hope you print this because I want all the young guys to remember how it feels for my Senior Day."

That is so refreshing to hear. No finger pointing, no excuses. Simply taking responsibility. Now that's leadership.

Wow You're Tall!

George Bell

I get that a lot—“Wow, you're tall!" Those of you who know me know that I am 6' 8" tall (or 5' 20" as I tell people). As a result, when I enter a public place like a restaurant, I see people whisper and then heads turn to look at me.

I suppose that might make some people self-conscious, but I like it. It is a great conversation starter.

I just read about the tallest person in the US, named George Bell. He has a great attitude about this. He is 7' 8" tall (a full foot taller than me!). Of how he feels about being tall, George said, "I have no choice but to like it."

He went on to give credit to his late great-aunt, Etonia Johnson, with his positive attitude: "She always told me, 'Don't feel ashamed of yourself. Stand tall. God made you. Be happy and show your pride.' "

What great words of advice for all of us, especially those who feel they are "less than" or don't measure up.

To read more about George, go here.

Comparing to Others

I wrote in one of my last newsletters about feeling like I did not belong on my college basketball team. We had some great players on our team and I sometimes felt like I didn't measure up. I went on to write that we all have gifts and we are to use them to serve God. We are not to compare ourselves to others (which I was doing).

Well, I am in beautiful Marco Island, Florida this morning and I am preparing to speak at a prayer breakfast for a hardware convention. At dinner last night the organizer mentioned to me that past speakers at this event have included Zig Ziglar and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

I had those feelings all over again...those feelings of "So why am I speaking here? I can't measure up to these giants."

As I prepare for this morning I am taking my own advice. I am going to do the best I can and do it for God.

Those Who Irritate You

We all have at least one person in our lives who irritates us...and they usually sit near us at work.

RedLetterBelievers had a great post yesterday about how these people can actually be placed in our lives to help us to grow--to help us develop into the person God wants us to become.

Check it out here.

Your Company's Business Plan

In 1923, Time Magazine warned of "the possible advent of a New Ice Age."

In 1939, Time warned of "Global Warming."

In 1974, Time warned of "another Ice Age coming."

In 2006, Time declared "The debate is over. Global Warming is upon us."

Sometimes it is hard to know what is truth and what is made up to sell magazines and papers. The same is true for all the different management techniques that are touted as the next great thing.

There is only one way to know if any new method is right or not and that is to stand it up to the Bible--even if this deals with work. If it aligns with Scripture, then you can know this is good and it is Truth. If not, you know you can discard it.

Lion's Roar

No one could have predicted the turnaround the Detroit Lions have made this season. The season is only halfway done and they still have a long way to go, but anyone looking at this team knows there is something different going on.

In the Fellowship of Christian Athlete's monthly magazine Share the Victory, they reveal some of what is happening. One of the primary changes was that the team acquired quarterback Jon Kitna from the Cincinnati Bengals. Jon is known as a great Christian leader.

These are the words of team chaplain, Dave Wilson:

“When Jon came in, the entire locker room started to tilt toward his locker—his and Josh McCown’s,” said Wilson. “The thing that led people to want to hang out with him was joy. He was laughing all the time. He and McCown were playing games. There was just this joy factor that I don’t think most people see in Christians. I would walk in the locker room and everybody would be over by Jon. Even the loudest guys in the locker room were hanging out with Kitna. And I was like, ‘You know why they’re over there? Because they are attracted to joy.’”

It wasn’t long before that joy turned into camaraderie, which turned into team unity, which turned into a spiritual momentum that no one could have predicted.

We don't need to be on a football team to have the same impact on others. Let's live with a joy that is contagious--it can really make a difference!

Loving Those Who Make You Mad

If you are like me, there are people you work with you make you mad. You know, the ones who know just the right things to say or do (or not do) to set you off.

So how are we supposed to act toward these people? Can we do anything to change them?

The Bible tells us we are to love our enemies. But how can this help?

David Jeremiah shares this story which sheds some light on this:

In the mid 1930s, a German Protestant pastor was abducted from his church. Suspected of aiding and abetting Jews, he was thrown into prison without a hearing, a trial, or even a phone call to his family. The prison guard outside his cell hated everyone associated with Jews and purposefully skipped the pastor's cell when meals were handed out, made him go weeks without a shower, and gave him the most difficult job on the labor gang. The pastor, on the other hand, prayed that he would be able to love this guard with God's love. As the months went by, the pastor smiled at the guard, thanked him for the few meals he did receive, and even got to talk about Agape love. The guard never said anything; but he heard it all, and one night he cracked a smile. The next day the pastor received two meals and was able to shower for as long as he wanted. Finally, one afternoon the guard personally made the long-awaited call to the pastor's family, and a few months later, he was released.

It is against our human nature to love someone like that prison guard; but through His power, God can give us the ability to love the unlovables.

Treating them poorly because they are treating us poorly is what our human nature tells us to do. However, this will not help to change them. Only by showing them Christ's love can they be changed.