Tag Archives: teams

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Three Ways To Demonstrate Courage – Live Blogging Catalyst West With Patrick Lencioni

Today, I’m live-blogging from the Catalyst West conference in Irvine, California. Throughout today and tomorrow, I will be sharing leadership insights from the best and the brightest in the church and business world.

Logo for Catalyst

Image courtesy of Catalyst

Patrick Lencioni is the founder and president of The Table Group. This firm is dedicated to providing organizations with ideas, products, and services that improve teamwork, clarity, and employee engagement. Lencioni is also the author of The Advantage.

Jesus wasn’t just spiritual. He was fully God and fully man. He suffered profusely for us and He didn’t have to.

The suffering Jesus went through was so profound so I decided I had to start my talk with the ending (Sorry, I’m not going to spoil it for you just yet).

Suffering is part of our lives. It is redemptive. This doesn’t mean you want to suffer.  Read more...

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Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Aladdin

A Reel Leadership Article

I can show you the world Shining, shimmering splendid Tell me, princess, now when did You last let your heart decide? These lyrics defined a generation much like “Do you want to build a snowman? Or ride our bike around the halls? I think some company is overdue I’ve started talking to The pictures on the walls!” from Frozen has defined the current generation for many young people.

I remember when the animated version of Aladdin was released in 1992. The animation was stunning. The story was engaging. And the music was top notch.

Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie from live action Aladdin

There were few people who didn’t fall in love with Aladdin at this time. Now, it’s time for a whole new generation to fall in love with the Aladdin story in a whole new way.  Read more...

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Who Is On Your Team?

Changing the course of your life and making the new year your best one ever is tough as it is. Sometimes we make change even tougher than it has to be.

Why is that? It’s because we keep the wrong people on our teams. We believe we have to take everyone along for our transformational journies…

Team of climbers climbing mountain

Photo by Mathias Jensen

When you don’t have to. You can change up your team. You put some people on the bench, “trade” them, or bring new people onto the team.

But knowing who is on your team will do you well. You need to know who is on your team and what their positions are.

Who Is On Your Team?

Like a good sports team, you need to have certain key players. Baseball teams require you to have:  Read more...

  • Pitcher
  • Catcher
  • First baseman
  • Second baseman
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Leading Is About People’s Lives

A sad trend I’ve seen in leadership is the focus on self. Leadership has, for a time, become more about the leader than the people. And leadership isn’t about the leader. Leadership is about the people.

Remember leadership isn't about you. Leading is about others.

Photo by Ezra Jeffrey

This is a leadership truth you have to remember as you lead. You have to think about the people. The lives of the people you lead. And how your choices impact those people.

Leading Isn’t About You

For a time, you may have been told leading is about you. You may have been told leadership is getting the job done, earning more money, or building a bigger organization.

None of those things are bad. In fact, many of those are good. Leaders need to get the job done. They need to build a bigger and better organization. And, if they do, earning a bigger paycheck isn’t a bad deal.  Read more...

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What To Do When You Doubt Yourself As A Leader

Leadership Lessons From Black Lightning

I had the pleasure of meeting comic book writer Tony Isabella in October 2017. Tony is the creator of the DC Comics first African American superhero Black Lightning.

black lightning Jefferson Pierce doubt his superheronessDuring my time with Tony Isabella at the Grand Rapids Comic-Con, I asked him what was his favorite comic book issue to work on. Without hesitation, he said Black Lightning Volume 2 Issue 5.

Tony went on to explain why he enjoyed the comic book so much. Black Lightning’s civilian identity is Jefferson Pierce, the principal at Garfield High School. Pierce dons the Black Lightning costume to protect his students from the gangsters who want to recruit them to their gangs and do them harm.

In the Black Lightning comic recommended by Tony Isabella, something goes wrong. Walter Kasko, a teacher at Garfield High School, tosses himself in front of a young student named Lamar as gangsters burst into the room Walter, Lamar, and Jefferson was. Walter was riddled with bullets and died. Jefferson was injured and spent time in the hospital.  Read more...