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. 

Top Ten Books that Have Shaped my Faith and Leadership

Top Ten Books that Have Shaped My Faith and Leadership

Leaders are readers. Pure and simple.

I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of books over the years, and each of them continues to add to the fabric of who I am and how I lead.

I believe that’s true for all of us. Whether you’ve read one book or a thousand, what we take in and ingest as leaders always contributes to our who we are what we do, and how we ultimately lead.

As a starting point, let’s begin with the Bible. The Holy Scriptures are by far the most important and most integral resource to my journey of faith and walk with Jesus. All of us should have the Word of God at #1 on our list of most impactful books we’ve read, and continue to read.

So with that said, here are 10 books that have most shaped my life and leadership.

1.   Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders. This is an instant classic. Combining faith and leadership in a powerful way.

2.   The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership- John Maxwell. One of the legendary leadership books. So much of my own leadership journey has been shaped by John Maxwell and his writing.

3.   What’s So Amazing about Grace- Philip Yancey. I read this book in my early 20’s and it truly opened up my mind and heart to God’s grace in a powerful way.

4.   Next Generation Leader- Andy Stanley. A tone setter in leading and equipping the next generation.

5.   Axiom- Bill Hybels. The primer on getting the best of Hybels in bite size chunks.

6.   Roaring Lambs- Bob Briner. A defining book on following Jesus in the middle of mainstream culture.

7.   Good to Great- Jim Collins. Arguably one of the greatest business books ever written.

8.   Purpose Driven Life- Rick Warren. We all know this one!

9.   Mere Christianity- CS Lewis. This classic should be on every believer’s nightstand.

10.                The Ragamuffin Gospel- Brennan Manning. Man, I love Brennan Manning’s writing. This one is perhaps his best known and best written.

*** bonus: In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership- Henri Nouwen. 

Let’s all commit to continuing to live out the “leaders are readers” code and commission. Hungry leaders continue to get better, and never before have as many books and resources been available to us, in every format and delivery system, to help us navigate the tricky road of influence.

Read well, my friends! 

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.

21 Quick Leadership Reminders

1. Be responsible. If you say you are going to take care of it, then take care of it.

2. Be professional. Arrive on time. Actually be early. And be organized.

3. Be the best. Get better every day at what you do.

4. Be humble. Talk less. Listen more. Make others the hero of the story. 

5. Be proactive. Not reactive. Respond and initiate before being told to or asked to by your boss or peers.

6. Be focused. When it's time to make it happen, discipline yourself to take it across the finish line.

7. Be authentic. Lead from the real you. 

8. Be trustworthy. Your word is your bond. And your reputation. Honesty always trumps.

9. Be optimistic. See the best in people and opportunities.

10. Be curious. Learn constantly. Read everything you can. Ask questions. Add to your information quotient daily.

11. Be passionate. Love what you do. Do what you love.

12. Be hopeful. Create a vision that tomorrow can (and will) be better than today.

13. Be courageous. Step out and take a risk right now.

14. Be a hustler. Work hard and make things happen. Get it done. 

15. Be vulnerable. Lead with transparency and a willingness to allow others to get close to you. 

16. Be self-aware. Know yourself and commit to constant self discovery. 

17. Be generous. Give more than expected, including time, talent, treasure and encouragement. 

18. Be faithful. Push to be steadfast and willing to stick with it. 

19. Be innovative. Have a posture of constant curiosity and creativity. 

20. Be collaborative. Partner with others well. 

21. Be convicted. Integrity is essential. Build your character constantly.