11 Random and Recent Leadership Thoughts

1. Work environments and team structures going forward will look more like Hollywood film crews. They come together for a project but don't work together full time. 

2. The future (and now) of being a leader is more the role of aggregator and facilitator, compared to the role of manager and boss.

3. The rise of the entrepreneur is upon us, but also the rise of the intrapreneur is upon us. The leader within (intra) an organization who leads with an entrepreneurial spirit. 

4. Power is in the community. No longer does the top down hierarchical leader now have all the power and control.

5. In general, the new "conference" is small, niche focused, and practical, compared to the past model of large, generic, and inspiring. 

6. Storytelling must be part of your influence strategy, marketing plan, and overall brand building plan. Without it you're just another commodity fighting for attention. 

7. The Gig economy is upon us. Free agency is not just a sports term, it's a business and cultural mainstay.

8. No one is born world class. It takes hard work to get there. 

9. Leaders words weigh 1,000 pounds. You have the power to lift up or pull down others with your words.

10. Many leaders quit right before the breakthrough. Stick with it. The messy middle of discipline and perseverance paves the way for potential upside and success. 

11. We need to be reminded just as often as instructed. Leadership is about repetition as much as revelation. 

Young Influencers List January edition

Here you go, the January edition of the Young Influencers List. You can see past month's editions here. 

1. Kirsten Haglund- speaker, former Miss America 2008, and president of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation. 

2. Kevin Kim- San Francisco based executive director of Crazy Love (Francis Chan org) and also pastor of We are Church. 

3. Christy Wright- Nashville speaker, author, part of Dave Ramsey personalities team, and prolific coach and leadership voice. 

4. Luke Lezon- recent Texas A & M grad, author, speaker, and overall social media maven, Best known as Hood Jesus Yo on Twitter. 

5. Cora Jakes Coleman- Dallas based speaker, author, children's ministry director at The Potter's House, and daughter of Bishop TD Jakes. 

6. Jordan Boyce- youth pastor of Awakening Youth, and founder of Awakening Conference annually in Rhode Island.  

7. Jimmy Lin- medical doctor, PhD, TED Fellow, and founder and president of Rare Genomics Institute. 

Ten Points on Managing Tension in Leadership

"Leaders live and lead in the middle of the mess. Where the tension is constant, prevalent, and real." 

I am reminded of how important understanding this idea is- that tension is constant, real and prevalent when leading yourself and leading others. So we have to realize that tension doesn't go away. In fact, I would suggest tension is a good thing for leaders

Here area a few thoughts on Tension and the perspective as leaders we should have in managing it:

1. Tension is a powerful platform to clarify what is important. Out of tension many times comes change. Change for good.

2. There is a constant tension between who I am and who God wants me to be. The tension of growth and maturity is always present.

3. Resisting average creates tension. Striving for excellence creates tension.

4. We constantly live with a tension of determining in life how much we give away. Whether it is time, money, talents, resources, or focus, leaders must understand and embrace this tension of generosity.

5. Generational tension is essential in passing the mantle of leadership. For the Church to move forward in culture, older leaders must pass on their wisdom and legacy to younger leaders.

6. Tension among and within a team is healthy. Unity doesn't mean there's no tension. Unity means you are pursuing the same mission in the midst of real and purposeful tension.

7. Leaders lead in the fray. Leading in the safety zone is easy, but true leadership happens in the fray where change is happening, and there is a unique tug of war happening in that area.

8. Typically, where there is no tension, there is no real growth. Tension builds courage, character, wisdom and makes us authentic and real. It stretches and motivates us.

9. As a leader, lean into the tension that constantly exist. As Andy Stanley says, some tensions are meant to be managed, not removed or extinguished. 

10. Tension is necessary. The tension makes us strong. Ultimately, the tension is good.

Young Influencers List December Edition

Here you go, the December edition of the Young Influencers List. You can see all the past editions here.

1. Cecil Shorts III - NFL wide receiver for the Houston Texans. 

2. Jessica Ekstrom - founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope, an innovative company creating jewelry and accessories that end up providing hope and dignity to children with cancer. 

3. Barnabas Piper - Nashville based author, speaker, blogger and brand manager of Leadership Development for LifeWay. 

4. JGivens - Jeremiah Givens, uber talented hip hop artist, producer, rapper, DJ and part of Humble Beast records. 

5. Daniel Lucas - lead pastor of Better Life Church in Morehead, KY. 

6. Zakiya Larry - Dallas based speaker and director of media relations for TD Jakes Ministries, along with CEO of Quest Media Training. 

7. Dan Lin - LA based film producer and CEO of Lin Pictures, with such notable films as The Lego Movie and Sherlock Holmes to his credit. 

8 Key Leadership Questions to ask in Reviewing 2015

As leaders- it's critical we stop and review the year. 

It's important we take time as leaders to reflect and look back over the last 12 months, as well as looking forward to the next 12 months and beyond.

So here are some helpful Year End Review Questions:

1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2015 for me?

2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments created highlights in 2015?

3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2015: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, physically, recreationally.

4. What am i working on that is BIG for 2016 and beyond?

5. As I move into 2016, is a majority of my energy being spent on things that drain me or things that energize me?

6. How am I preparing for 10 years from now? 20 years from now?

7. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to execute on before the end of the year, or the first week of January 2016?

8. Is my family closer at the end of this year? Am I a better friend at the end of this year? If not, what needs to change immediately?