There’s an age-old saying about assuming things. I won’t quote the saying because it is slightly inappropriate but often accurate.

However, I think we can begin assuming things about others. I began to think about assuming in a different light after a recent church board member orientation meeting.

Pastor Doug Tuttle, from Grand Rapids First, presented the orientation. He went over what it takes to be a great board member. He also shared the roles and responsibilities. It was pretty intense.

Yet, one thing, more than anything, will stick with me.

Pastor Tuttle said the board members should always do one thing. I believe leaders should also do what Pastor Tuttle suggested we do. That suggestion?

Always assume positive intent.

What You Should Assume About Others

Boom! That hit me like Casey Jones hitting a bad guy with his hockey stick.  Read more...

When you think of Thanksgiving, you probably think of family gatherings, great food, turkey, and a brief reprieve from work. You may not think of leadership.

Today, I want to challenge you to think about the leadership lessons Thanksgiving can teach us. It’s not that far of a stretch. It’s just something we don’t think about often.

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to show us what leadership can be about. Let’s look at those things today.

Leadership Lessons From Thanksgiving

1. Leaders need to be thankful:

The Thanksgiving holiday comes but once a year. On this day, people begin to remember what they’re thankful for. Everybody has multiple things they can be thankful for.

When I think of what I’m thankful for, I think of the following:  Read more...

• My wife, Pamela

It is easy to see the weaknesses of your team. Sally may not be the most organized. Jim may be late 20% of the time. And Bob… don’t even get me started about Bob.

We are trained to look for the weaknesses of others. We need to see the weaknesses of others. If we don’t, how will we know what to work with them on to improve?

 

But what if we’re looking at things the wrong way? What if by focusing on your team’s weaknesses, you’re hurting your team?

It’s not a what-if scenario. It is a truth.

By focusing on the weaknesses of our teams, we’re hurting them. We’re constantly reinforcing what they’re doing wrong. They’re not dumb. They know the areas they struggle in.

Jim knows he’s constantly late. Bob knows he causes frustration in the office. And Sally knows she’s not organized.  Read more...

What is vision? Vision is a critically important piece of any leadership plan. It is something you must create and share with your team over time.

Vision is a strong mental picture of what you would like to see you or your organization accomplish. Your vision could be:

• To become the world’s most loved, most flown, and most profitable airline. – Southwest Air
• To spread the power of optimism – Life Is Good
• A just world without poverty – Oxfam
• For clean water and fullness of life – Team World Vision

Your vision statement can be long or short. For the examples above, I share 4 short vision statements. Each statement clearly communicates what the organization wants.  Read more...