Monthly Archives: October 2016

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33 Book Recommendations From My Friends

I love consuming the content of books. Men and women have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into crafting a book worth reading.

Years of knowledge are condensed into 200 or so words. Or new worlds are available to us when we crack open a book.

Knowing that, and the fact that I had 2 Audible credits (get a free trial to Audible by clicking on the link) left, I took to Facebook to see what I should read.

Book recommendations

Once I asked the question, the book recommendations poured in. I was overwhelmed with the response.

In total, 33 books were recommended at the time I wrote this. Many I’d already read.

In honor of those who shared their book recommendations with me, I wanted to share them with you.

33 Books You Should Read
As Recommended By My Friends

1. The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene – Ken Vanderstelt  Read more...

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Use Your Weakness

A lot of research has been done in the science of strengths and weaknesses. Most research tells us that we need to stay in our strength zones.

And I’m a strong believer that we see the greatest results when we apply our strengths to what we’re doing.

However, I’ve come to believe that we’re doing a disservice when we dismiss our weaknesses.

Use your weakness to improve

Why Strengths Are Great

Our strengths are the areas in our lives that we rock at. These are things like being a visionary, including others in what you do, or in a desire to achieve goals.

By focusing on these strengths, we’re able to play to our natural talents. We’re able to do what we were created for.

We also feel great when we are working in our strengths.

These feelings make us want to focus on our strengths all the time. But this is a mistake.  Read more...

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Do People Count On You?

If you’re a leader, the answer to this question is: Yes, people count on you.

That’s a cornerstone of leadership. Your team needs to know you’re going to do what you say.

Who's counting on you?

However, we see many cases where leaders aren’t able to be counted on. They’ve left the building.

You’re not that kind of leader. Are you?

I don’t think so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be actively seeking to improve your leadership skills.

People Are Counting On You

Whether or not you’re doing a good job, people are looking to you for guidance. They want to know you will be there when things hit the fan.

Why?

Because you’re in charge. You’ve stood up and said you want to be the one to show people the way.

And they responded.

They said they TRUST you. They BELIEVE in you. They want to FOLLOW you.  Read more...

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5 Leadership Lessons From A Comic-Con

Last weekend I got to experience something I’ve always longed to do: Attend a comic-con.

This one wasn’t a big convention like the San Diego or New York Comic-Con. It was a much smaller one that still packed a punch.

Mario Cosplay at Grand Rapids Comic-Con

While the Grand Rapids Comic-Con was smaller, walking the convention still took us 4 hours. As we walked the convention floors, I saw leadership lessons all around.

Leadership Lessons From A Comic Convention

1. You don’t have to be perfect to lead

If you know anything about the comic book world, there’s a lot of fans who love to show their adoration of the characters by dressing up in cosplay for conventions. This comic con was no different.

There were plenty of fans dressed up as their favorite characters. I remember seeing Captain America, the Ghostbusters, Winter Solider, and many more comic book and TV characters.  Read more...

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How 3 Questions Can Change Your Leadership

As a man of faith, I believe God can change our lives for the better. Through Him we receive the ability to persevere and have hope for a better tomorrow.

In 2 Chairs: The Secret That Changes Everything, Bob Beaudine’s latest book, Bob shares 3 questions that will disrupt our lives. I believe these 3 questions can also change your leadership.

2 Chairs and 3 questions to change your life

The 3 Questions That Will Change Everything

The premise behind 2 Chairs is that we need to spend time conversing, not just talking TO, God. By using 2 chairs we will have a visual representation of our conversation with God.

This is an amazing premise. Yet, I love what Bob’s mother shared with him at one point in his life.

What were those questions?

1. Does God know your situation?

2. Is it too hard for Him to handle?  Read more...