Sometimes the best nuggets of wisdom are found immediately after interviewing someone. Recently, I was video interviewing Scooters Coffee franchisee, Tracy Bouwens. After we finished, we discussed some common challenges of managing employees. Tracy told me that a common refrain in her workplace is, “Being unclear is unkind.” Tracy mentioned those times when we avoid hard conversations because we’re ...
Poor communication is a big challenge for small businesses. Recently, Kathy and I met with a team of our son’s caregivers. We were shocked to learn that Jeremy had experienced multiple incidents of anger, resulting in destroyed property and harm to others. Jeremy’s team assumed we knew of these incidents. We discovered that we’d not been included in the ...
Early in my ministry, I sat next to Frank at a generosity event. We were asked to pretend that we had just been given $100,000, and to make a list of charities and the amounts we would support. After looking at my list, Frank noted, “Rick, you didn’t list the ministry you lead.” Frank continued, “Could it be that you ...
A study reported in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion found four important ways in which those interviewed feel “called to work:” As an opportunity to use gifts and opportunities provided by God; As a chance to share or model one’s faith; Through producing goods or services that benefit society, and As a means to a higher calling ...
My friend, Kent Humphries, who is now with the Lord, wrote a book called Shepherding Horses. Kent wrote this book for pastors to help them equip their highly driven entrepreneurs and business leaders, who are more like wild horses than sheep. These kinds of leaders may be much harder to manage. But when equipped properly for ministering to others, their ...
A CEO I worked for early in my career became furious with one of his family members. Rather than working through the anger, this CEO fired his relative without processing the ramifications. He may have had good reason for his anger, but his approach had a lasting impact on his family. Their family was splintered and estranged for many years. ...
Many years ago, I served on a board that welcomed Carl to his first meeting as a new board member. Rob, an existing board member, started joking and jabbing some sharp comments at Carl, even though they had never met before. Although that was not uncommon for Rob, his banter was rarely that harsh. The meeting ended with awkward feelings ...
Sean Kouplen owns multiple businesses, including a $1 billion bank. He also coaches the top little league team in Oklahoma. Before they went into the regional Little League playoffs, Sean encouraged his team, to love others and be kind to the other teams. Sean’s player, Isaiah Jarvis, shocked the world when after being hit in the head with a ...
In this series, we’re talking about five steps to fruitful networking. The final step is Meeting the Needs of Others. As you meet with people, recognize that everyone has needs. This requires seeking to understand your new friends and then, listening carefully for their biggest concerns. My bride, Kathy, can quickly uncover a new friend’s deepest wound or recent concern. ...
Speaker and author, Nicole Unice, shared with our Des Moines audience recently an incredible insight for those immersed in a workplace conflict. Nicole informed us that distance creates distrust. I don’t know about you, but when I’m having a conflict with someone that I’m struggling to resolve, I tend to avoid them for a while. If I must work with ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
