There is a huge leadership deficit in the United States right now. A lot of grown men (and women) don’t act like grownups and more and more organizations are lacking adequate leaders. I believe I have a responsibility as a leader to influence others by leading courageously with the conviction to be myself and do what is right no matter what the cost. It’s never wrong to do what’s right. Leaders must act and sound like leaders.
Leaders are thinkers
The best leaders are not satisfied with doing things the way they are simply because they’ve previously been done that way. They think outside the box and outside the norm. They are deliberate in their thought process to determine best practices. Thinking yields results. After all, good leaders get people where they’re going; great leaders take people where they ought to be. The best leaders add value to others’ lives. That starts by thinking.
Leaders are always growing
Growth is a process. A leader understands that he/she has to learn how to lead well and develop a plan for personal growth so leadership can become automatic and instinctive.
From John C. Maxwell’s admired book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, growth in leadership is illustrated in the following phases:
1. I don't know what I don't know
2. I know that I need to know
3. I know what I don't know
4. I know and grow and it starts to show
5. I simply go because of what I know
Successful leaders are learners and the learning process is ongoing. As a result, the growth process leads to positive changes that improve leadership opportunities and influence. Change for the sake of change is not productive. Change that produces better results is essential.
“What is the difference between a living thing and a dead thing? How to tell one from the other?...In the medical world, a clinical definition of death is a body that does not change. Change is life. Stagnation is death. If you don’t change, you die. It’s that simple. It’s that scary.” – Leonard Sweet
Leaders are confident, courageous and curious
Leaders are confident decision makers. They make sound decisions with the information they have at their disposal and they do what's right, even at the risk of failure,in the face of great danger and under the brunt of criticism. Can you thinkof one great leader that was without courage? A leader's courage gives his/her followers hope.
During the growth process, their curiosity renews their energy by learning new ideas from others and they aren’t threatened by new ways of doing things. They have strong core principles, but somehow still evolve with changing times to meet new demands. They embrace new technologies and confidently move forward into the future.
Leaders are introspective
Honest self-reflection is vital to becoming a successful leader. Leaders must regularly examine what has worked and what hasn’t. If they don’t, they become stagnant and ineffective. They admit when they’re wrong and know when to change direction, but don’t lose confidence. They have a willingness to learn more about their fundamental nature and purpose.
Leaders have high expectations
Leaders expect greatness from those who follow them, and they don't accept anything. Expectations form a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Treat a man as he is, he will remain so. Treat a man as he can be and ought to be, and he will become as he can and should be.”
Leaders have influence
Maxwell states that the true measure of leadership is in influence - nothing more, nothing less. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed or assigned, it comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated, it must be earned. It’s earned when those following trust their leader. When people stop following, a leader is no longer effective. This crucial trust is earned with a transparency that gives others an opportunity to know about their leader in the following ways:
Character (who they are) - This begins on the inside. People can sense the depth of a person's character.
Relationships (who they know) – They have deep relationships with the right people. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, “bad company corrupts good character.” Notice, Paul doesn’t write, “Good character infiltrates bad company.” Who they associate with is who they will become.
Knowledge (what they know) – People don’t care how much they know until they know how much they care. Once they demonstrate to other they care, they must know that information is vital; they need a grasp of facts to develop an accurate vision for future.
Intuition (what they feel) – Leaders seek to recognize and influence others with intangibles like energy, morale, timing and momentum.
Experience (where they've been) – If it is paired with humility and a healthy perspective, experience will lead to wisdom. Wisdom paves the way for more influence and better decisions.
Ability (what they can do) - Followers want to know if the leader can lead them to victory. When they no longer believe he/she can deliver, they stop following. People seek leaders unconsciously and leaders step to the forefront instinctively.
The best leaders have a unique blend of these intangible characteristics that can't always be explained, but when you see them, you recognize them.
"Managers are people who do things right, leaders are people who do the right thing." - Warren Bennis
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Brett Favre's legacy...preserved
I'm pretty sure this blog has started to take on its own personality and my Monday morning quarterback thoughts don't fit into what it's become. I know I'm not a sports journalist, but I want to write about something that I've had an excess of opinions about over the past three years: Brett Favre's legacy.
When he was "forced" out of Green Bay, I was very disappointed that Ted Thompson didn't let Favre end his career on his own terms. When he was in New York, I cheered for him, but when he went to Minnesota, I lost my mind. Until last night, I've been angry with him for many reasons that I believe are legitimate as a man and as a Packers fan. Most of those reasons dealt with him ruining his legacy and spoiling my memories of him during his glory years in Green Bay. After last night, that all changed and his legacy is, in fact, preserved.
Last season, I was literally sick for two days leading up to his return to Lambeau and was upset that he had so much success in a Vikings uniform. It was surreal and stung, and I know I wasn't alone in my feelings as a Wisconsin resident. The part that bothered me most was the sudden love for Brett Favre all over Minnesota and their pride and ownership of the old gunslinger. It didn't seem right. It was like they were showing off a toy they stole from their neighbor and everyone knews it didn't belong to them. My thoughts leading into this season weren't as severe, but I was still bitter with Favre, until last night.
I think one of the reasons Packers Nation loved Brett Favre so much was because of his transparency. He was a real human being with an extraordinary capacity to throw a football. He had a lot of magical moments on the football field that elevated him to a place above humanity, but he also made many poor choices that brought him back to reality. He started his career as a renegade before getting serious and taking over for the Packers. He struggled with drug addiction and other things that he openly talked about. We didn't condone his actions, but could identify with his struggles. He then went through a series of tragic events in his personal life that he shared with the Packers fans (the death of his father and brother-in-law as well as his wife's battle with cancer). He dealt with a lot of these problems through football and through the Green Bay Packers. We were there for him and felt his pain.
Last night was all too familiar. It seems like poetic justice. He goes across the river to an organization that pales in comparison to the Packers on many levels. Obviously, the history, the championships, the ownership, the fans, I could go on and on. He took the helm of a good team and much was expected of him, rightfully so, but I never understood what bothered me so much until now. It was the fact that the Vikings and their fans hadn't been through life with Brett Favre. They hadn't been through the ups and downs with him and hadn't learned how to deal with the bad in order to enjoy the good. They were spoiled by his great season last year, but didn't know how to handle the setbacks because they didn't appreciate Brett Favre for who he is - human. I don't think the Vikings deserve him and last night was the best evidence I have for this idea.
After a poor performance that ended in a loss, the Vikings coach threw Favre under the bus and the fans are calling for Tarvarias Jackson to take over. We're now seeing a man broken physically, mentally and emotionally after a series of poor choices on and off the field. What's ironic is that it all came to a breaking point last night...in Lambeau Field...in front of those who know who Brett really is - human.
His transparency will be part of his legacy. This is how I'll remember Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and this is how his career is going to end. The best part of it, the Packers fans are the only ones who truly understand Brett and it all ended for him at home in Green Bay. Packers fans are the only ones who can truly appreciate him for what he is. Other organizations have no choice but to give up on him and throw him under the bus because they don't know who he is. He's human and even though I don't condone the bad decisions he's made, he's endeared himself to me once again as a broken man. That, I can identify with. I've always loved Brett Favre for his transparency.
I write all of this with his future uncertain. His consecutive games streak will likely end this weekend. His first start was in Green Bay and his last start is going to be in Green Bay. 19+ years of heroism and magic alongside real life and brokenness. His pain threshold is out of this world, but it appears as though he is just like me - human. I like that.
Brett Favre's legacy is preserved, but I'm pretty sure you need to be a Packers fan to understand it.
When he was "forced" out of Green Bay, I was very disappointed that Ted Thompson didn't let Favre end his career on his own terms. When he was in New York, I cheered for him, but when he went to Minnesota, I lost my mind. Until last night, I've been angry with him for many reasons that I believe are legitimate as a man and as a Packers fan. Most of those reasons dealt with him ruining his legacy and spoiling my memories of him during his glory years in Green Bay. After last night, that all changed and his legacy is, in fact, preserved.
Last season, I was literally sick for two days leading up to his return to Lambeau and was upset that he had so much success in a Vikings uniform. It was surreal and stung, and I know I wasn't alone in my feelings as a Wisconsin resident. The part that bothered me most was the sudden love for Brett Favre all over Minnesota and their pride and ownership of the old gunslinger. It didn't seem right. It was like they were showing off a toy they stole from their neighbor and everyone knews it didn't belong to them. My thoughts leading into this season weren't as severe, but I was still bitter with Favre, until last night.
I think one of the reasons Packers Nation loved Brett Favre so much was because of his transparency. He was a real human being with an extraordinary capacity to throw a football. He had a lot of magical moments on the football field that elevated him to a place above humanity, but he also made many poor choices that brought him back to reality. He started his career as a renegade before getting serious and taking over for the Packers. He struggled with drug addiction and other things that he openly talked about. We didn't condone his actions, but could identify with his struggles. He then went through a series of tragic events in his personal life that he shared with the Packers fans (the death of his father and brother-in-law as well as his wife's battle with cancer). He dealt with a lot of these problems through football and through the Green Bay Packers. We were there for him and felt his pain.
Last night was all too familiar. It seems like poetic justice. He goes across the river to an organization that pales in comparison to the Packers on many levels. Obviously, the history, the championships, the ownership, the fans, I could go on and on. He took the helm of a good team and much was expected of him, rightfully so, but I never understood what bothered me so much until now. It was the fact that the Vikings and their fans hadn't been through life with Brett Favre. They hadn't been through the ups and downs with him and hadn't learned how to deal with the bad in order to enjoy the good. They were spoiled by his great season last year, but didn't know how to handle the setbacks because they didn't appreciate Brett Favre for who he is - human. I don't think the Vikings deserve him and last night was the best evidence I have for this idea.
After a poor performance that ended in a loss, the Vikings coach threw Favre under the bus and the fans are calling for Tarvarias Jackson to take over. We're now seeing a man broken physically, mentally and emotionally after a series of poor choices on and off the field. What's ironic is that it all came to a breaking point last night...in Lambeau Field...in front of those who know who Brett really is - human.
His transparency will be part of his legacy. This is how I'll remember Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and this is how his career is going to end. The best part of it, the Packers fans are the only ones who truly understand Brett and it all ended for him at home in Green Bay. Packers fans are the only ones who can truly appreciate him for what he is. Other organizations have no choice but to give up on him and throw him under the bus because they don't know who he is. He's human and even though I don't condone the bad decisions he's made, he's endeared himself to me once again as a broken man. That, I can identify with. I've always loved Brett Favre for his transparency.
I write all of this with his future uncertain. His consecutive games streak will likely end this weekend. His first start was in Green Bay and his last start is going to be in Green Bay. 19+ years of heroism and magic alongside real life and brokenness. His pain threshold is out of this world, but it appears as though he is just like me - human. I like that.
Brett Favre's legacy is preserved, but I'm pretty sure you need to be a Packers fan to understand it.
Friday, October 22, 2010
WWCA Coaches Convention
I was recently asked to speak at the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association Fall Coaches Convention. I was honored because my good friend Mark Hull was the one who asked. Mark is the regional director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and this year FCA will be hosting a break-out session on Saturday morning at the Coaches Convention in Green Bay. Every year, FCA holds a breakfast banquet at the NCAA Division 1 National Championships and it's very well attended, so my guess is many of the coaches are familiar with the idea. There could be hundreds of coaches in attendance.
I had originally planned on not going to the Coaches Convention this year. I was scheduled to be in Vancouver, CAN for an international wrestling tournament, but it all changed. It's clear to me that God wanted me in Green Bay speaking to my peers.
If I'm honest, I'm a little nervous on how I'll be received by the coaches. I'm a young, 31 year old coach who hasn't been around the block like some of the grandfathers of the sport. Many of them could wonder what I could possibly offer them, spiritually speaking. Wisdom comes with age and, frankly, I don't have the years of experience like many others. It's alright; I understand. I am confident, though, that God has blessed me and uniquely positioned me to have an impact in the lives of other coaches, regardless of age.
If I trust God in this moment, this could actually be one of the most important days of my life. As an athlete, I pointed my success towards Him. I wanted to make God's name known through my athletic accomplishments. I knew that my name was not going to last very long while God's will last for an eternity. I wanted my career to be about His name, not mine. Now, as a coach, the focus is the same: make God's name the main idea of my story. This is an opportunity to point everything toward God. My name will be on the brochure and program, but God is going to get the credit.
If you're the praying type, I ask that you would pray that I will boldly and confidently represent Christ in a way that is unique to my own personality as a coach and that I would be a catalyst in a move of God that will change the entire wrestling culture for the glory of God. If you're not the praying type, that's alright, but I want you to know that I just prayed for you to embrace God like you've never done before. :)
I had originally planned on not going to the Coaches Convention this year. I was scheduled to be in Vancouver, CAN for an international wrestling tournament, but it all changed. It's clear to me that God wanted me in Green Bay speaking to my peers.
If I'm honest, I'm a little nervous on how I'll be received by the coaches. I'm a young, 31 year old coach who hasn't been around the block like some of the grandfathers of the sport. Many of them could wonder what I could possibly offer them, spiritually speaking. Wisdom comes with age and, frankly, I don't have the years of experience like many others. It's alright; I understand. I am confident, though, that God has blessed me and uniquely positioned me to have an impact in the lives of other coaches, regardless of age.
If I trust God in this moment, this could actually be one of the most important days of my life. As an athlete, I pointed my success towards Him. I wanted to make God's name known through my athletic accomplishments. I knew that my name was not going to last very long while God's will last for an eternity. I wanted my career to be about His name, not mine. Now, as a coach, the focus is the same: make God's name the main idea of my story. This is an opportunity to point everything toward God. My name will be on the brochure and program, but God is going to get the credit.
If you're the praying type, I ask that you would pray that I will boldly and confidently represent Christ in a way that is unique to my own personality as a coach and that I would be a catalyst in a move of God that will change the entire wrestling culture for the glory of God. If you're not the praying type, that's alright, but I want you to know that I just prayed for you to embrace God like you've never done before. :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Your greatest moments
Your greatest moments - by Steven Furtick, Elevation Church
Posted: 07 Oct 2010 03:49
A phrase you hear all the time is “we need to make time for this.” I understand the basic idea behind it. Time is short. There are things that you really want to be doing or know you should be doing. Unfortunately there seems to be no time to do them.
But there’s a problem with this phrase. There’s no such thing as making time. In the Bible, only one person has ever made time. And He’s already made as much time as He’s ever going to make. There is nothing more to add.
What the Bible says to do is redeem the time you actually have. Like redeeming a coupon or a gift certificate, cash it in for its full value. Maximize time to its full potential. Or as Colossians 4:5 translates it, “make the most of every opportunity.”
Some might take this to mean doing the standard carpe diem stuff that’s associated with living life to the fullest. Things like jumping out of an airplane, getting a tattoo, and taking a random road trip to California. But I don’t think that’s necessarily making the most of your time. It could actually be wasting some of the most valuable opportunities that God has for you in the time He’s given you.
If you read the context of Colossians 4:5, redeeming the time is connected to introducing people to Christ. When the same phrase is used in Ephesians 5:16, the context is living a life that pleases God.
The way you redeem time is by living in such a way that it reverberates into the place where there is no time. Time is going to end, both your time here and time in general. That doesn’t make our lives meaningless. On the contrary, it challenges us to make them meaningful by connecting them to what matters eternally.
The greatest moments of your life will be the moments you carry into eternity.
Seeing coworkers and friends who are far from God be filled with life in Christ.
By the grace of God, overcoming a sin that has plagued your family for generations.
Raising up children who will lead and change their generation for the glory of God.
And you have the time to do these things every second of every day. If something ultimately insignificant is taking up the time that God has given you to do them, you can’t make more time. So you’re simply going to have to get rid of it.
God’s power to impact the world and eternity through you is unlimited. Your opportunities are not. Make your move. Redeem your time.
www.stevenfurtick.com
www.elevationchurch.org
www.sunstandstill.org
Posted: 07 Oct 2010 03:49
A phrase you hear all the time is “we need to make time for this.” I understand the basic idea behind it. Time is short. There are things that you really want to be doing or know you should be doing. Unfortunately there seems to be no time to do them.
But there’s a problem with this phrase. There’s no such thing as making time. In the Bible, only one person has ever made time. And He’s already made as much time as He’s ever going to make. There is nothing more to add.
What the Bible says to do is redeem the time you actually have. Like redeeming a coupon or a gift certificate, cash it in for its full value. Maximize time to its full potential. Or as Colossians 4:5 translates it, “make the most of every opportunity.”
Some might take this to mean doing the standard carpe diem stuff that’s associated with living life to the fullest. Things like jumping out of an airplane, getting a tattoo, and taking a random road trip to California. But I don’t think that’s necessarily making the most of your time. It could actually be wasting some of the most valuable opportunities that God has for you in the time He’s given you.
If you read the context of Colossians 4:5, redeeming the time is connected to introducing people to Christ. When the same phrase is used in Ephesians 5:16, the context is living a life that pleases God.
The way you redeem time is by living in such a way that it reverberates into the place where there is no time. Time is going to end, both your time here and time in general. That doesn’t make our lives meaningless. On the contrary, it challenges us to make them meaningful by connecting them to what matters eternally.
The greatest moments of your life will be the moments you carry into eternity.
Seeing coworkers and friends who are far from God be filled with life in Christ.
By the grace of God, overcoming a sin that has plagued your family for generations.
Raising up children who will lead and change their generation for the glory of God.
And you have the time to do these things every second of every day. If something ultimately insignificant is taking up the time that God has given you to do them, you can’t make more time. So you’re simply going to have to get rid of it.
God’s power to impact the world and eternity through you is unlimited. Your opportunities are not. Make your move. Redeem your time.
www.stevenfurtick.com
www.elevationchurch.org
www.sunstandstill.org
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