Tag Archives: perseverance

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What A Swan Taught Me About Leadership

On a warmer February afternoon, Pamela and I walked through our neighborhood. We walked over a creek, which is a hotbed of activity during the summer. In the winter months, there’s not much going on.

However, on this day, we saw two ducks and two swans. The two ducks and one swan were swimming along fine. They were having a great time in the water.

But then there was the second swan…

A swan on water. There is ice surrounding the swan.

He’s in the middle of an ice patch. All around him is a crunchy layer of ice. What we saw happen next surprised me.

The swan didn’t take flight. He pushed himself forward, again and again, into the ice. He was breaking through the ice so he could get to the portion of the creek that was free of ice.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Boys In The Boat

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

In 1936, the University of Washington’s Junior Varsity crew team did something amazing. The crew team consisted of Don Hume (Jack Mulhern), Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), George “Shorty” Hunt Bruce Herbelin-Earle), Jim McMillin Wil Coban), John ‘Johnny’ White (Tom Varey), Gordy Adam (Joel Phillimore), Charles ‘Chuck’ Day (Thomas Elms), Roger Morris (Sam Strike), cox Bob ‘Bobby’ Moch (Luke Slattery). They beat varsity teams and then went to the Olympics. From there, they won the Olympic games and took home gold medals for the USA.

These boys, not men, competed in one of the most grueling sports imaginable. Most people don’t even know what crewing is. I only knew what crew was because of the ethical clothing boutique my wife shops at and does a side hustle for. 

The University of Washington Junior Varsity crew team in their boat  Read more...

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5 Examples Of Leaders From The Bible

When I think of great leaders, I think of the myriad of leaders in the Bible. You can’t get away from the fact that while the people highlighted in the Bible were flawed, many of them were examples of great leadership.

People like Moses, King David, Abraham, Esther, and more… These people had their issues (just like you and me), but they also had the makings of great leaders.

I want to focus on some of the great people in the Bible and what their example can be for us today as leaders.

5 Examples Of Leaders From The Bible

Deborah:

Women were overlooked for far too long in the church and leadership sphere. Yet, the Bible is clear that many of the women in the Bible were leaders.

Take Deborah, for example.  Read more...

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Bouncing Back: How to Cultivate Resilience in the Face of Life’s Challenges

Our mindset can make or break us. If we live with a negative mindset long enough, we bring ourselves and those around us down.

We can’t do that. It’s not right for those we care about. It’s not right for us.

But what can we do about this? We can change our mindset. We can become resilient.

A rock island surrounded by water and rock walls

Photo by Wolf Schram on Unsplash

Bouncing Back: How to Cultivate Resilience in the Face of Life’s Challenges

Life throws a lot of crap our way. It’s our choice whether or not we allow the crap we get hit with to stick or not.

I think of all the setbacks I’ve had in my life. From being let go from Family Christian Bookstores (this could be one of the best setbacks that set me up for a great comeback) to becoming deathly ill, I’ve had to bounce back.  Read more...

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Leadership Reflections From The Amway River Bank Run 2023

I participated in the Amway River Bank 25K run this past Sunday. It’s an annual event that was started in 1978. The race, a 15.5-mile stroll through downtown Grand Rapids and more, is one of scenic beauty. You run past the John Ball Park Zoo, along the river bank, and back into the city. Every part of the run can take your breath away.

Over the years, the sponsors have changed. It started as the Old Kent River Bank Run, transitioned into the Fifth Third River Bank Run, and is now the Amway River Bank Run. There’s a lot of history in the race and people are proud.

Something unique about the race is the distance. You hear about 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon but the 25k is an elusive distance. It’s one that brings in runners from all across the country. Over 10,000 people ran in this race. It’s quite the experience to run with that many people!  Read more...