Joseph Grenny, author of Crucial Conversations, highlights in a Harvard Business Review article four ways to prepare for a tough conversation. The final way he recommends is to “get curious.” Recently, I had a tough conversation with a family member. Fortunately, before I confronted him with my set of facts, the Holy Spirit prompted me with curiosity for his side ...
Over dinner, a young couple shared with Kathy and I about being raised in a religious cult. The leadership of this cult had control over all aspects of their lives. The congregation was not allowed to view TV or movies. Their schooling, marriages and jobs were managed or monitored as well. This couple’s God-given talents were stifled. There are also ...
When I’m the person in authority, slowing down and being thorough is my job. It’s not optional. This means stepping back, listening, observing, taking plenty of notes, studying, doing research, and getting advice from wise people. Proverbs 20:8 teaches, “When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.” Many decisions can be biased ...
Early in Phil’s business career he noticed how easy it was for people—including himself—to speak disrespectfully to and about his bosses or customers. Somewhere along the way he read Titus 2:9-10: Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and ...
I just finished a two-hour conversation and walked away without an answer. How frustrating! No matter how hard we try, sometimes we’re not going to get answers. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Very seldom did Jesus answer a question ...
Too often we say one thing when we mean something else. We say ‘yes’ to too many obligations when we really want, or should, say, “No.” Saying “no” is an important decision that allows us to prioritize. To regain our ability to effectively and honestly say, “no,” we need to: Understand the amount of time you may be committing. Ensure ...
How many of us started a new job only to encounter paperwork, a bare desk and a lonely lunch? Stunned, we contemplate, “Did I make the right decision?” A recent Harvard Business Review article, “How to Get an Employee Up to Speed?” suggests this check list: A clean and “stocked” workstation A list of access codes Welcome emails An overview ...
If you ask most people about St. Patrick’s Day, you might hear about drunken Irishmen, leprechauns, and lucky green shamrocks. St. Patrick would likely be appalled at how his legacy is now celebrated. St. Patrick was a 5th century Irish slave who later escaped and became a Catholic priest. Later, God called Patrick to return to a hedonistic Ireland! For ...
Bruce was meeting with Terry, whom he had not seen since Terry had launched a new business. When Bruce asked Terry how the new business was going, Terry quietly said, “It didn’t make it.” Bruce was crushed! “What are you going to do?” he asked. Terry said, “I’m going to pray and trust God for what’s next.” In that moment, ...
A family member was having trouble with their car lender so I researched the company who loaned them the money. The lender’s website claimed many awards for being one of the best workplaces in the nation, yet this didn’t line up with customer reviews. The average customer review, from hundreds of customers, was only 1 on a 5 point scale! ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
