Awhile back, I had a concern to address with another ministry leader. I sent him an email and requested a response. After no response, I began imagining all kinds of reasons why this person had not responded. I foolishly sent off another email and unloaded my frustrations, marking the email as urgent. This ministry leader called and apologized for not ...
While mentoring a young executive, I shared the importance of having the right balance in being people-focused versus task-focused. With my financial background, I tend to focus on tasks. However, I’ve realized over the years that people are far more important. Research conducted by Robert Anderson and William Adams discovered that the number one indicator of effective leaders is strong ...
A study done in the 1970s by Darley and Batson recreated the Good Samaritan Bible story in a modern-day setting. These researchers tested two different groups’ willingness to stop and help someone in need. One group had a very tight time schedule before their next class, the other group had no time constraints. In their results, Darley and Batson concluded ...
Some leaders refuse to admit their mistakes. Instead, they double-down and add another lie to the situation, holding fast to their original position. Sometimes, due to pride, leaders hold fast even with irrefutable evidence that they are lying. Over the years, I’ve learned that when I make a mistake, my best path to reconciliation is to own the mistake. If ...
For years I’ve observed an organization that is led by a very dominant figure. Their culture seems legalistic and the employees operate out of fear. Anyone who violates a rule suffers severe consequences or is terminated. What’s disappointing is that the organization is led by a self-proclaimed Christian, yet grace is rarely seen. It’s no coincidence that Jesus came to ...
Valentine’s Day highlights love. In the workplace, we may hear people who love their customers, but loving employees makes many too nervous to discuss such an idea. The MeToo Movement has further amplified this fear. With many celebrities and leaders accused of sexual impropriety, many are reconsidering even having private meetings with someone of the opposite sex. This can be ...
AB May, a home service company in Kansas City, won the Global Healthy Workplace Award in Bergamo, Italy, last fall. This international award is for organizations that have well-being at the center of their culture. AB May has many great well-being programs, but Glen and Shirley Posladek noted that all the winners of the Global Healthy Workplace Awards deeply care ...
Recently, I asked my wife, Kathy, how her day went. She replied, “Frustrating. I had so many meetings that I didn’t get any of my work done.” Kathy, like many of us, loves people, but she likes to mark tasks off her to-do list. It’s easy to forget that much of our work is about the people. Although Kathy didn’t ...
Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. was born Michael King? In 1929, Dr. King’s father spent time in Germany admiring the reformer, Martin Luther. This event moved Mr. King and his teenage son to change their names to Martin Luther King and Martin Luther King, Jr. Carrying the name of a great reformer like Martin Luther impacted Dr. ...
Coach John Wooden said, “being an effective leader requires being an effective listener.” When we take on a leadership role, we often suppose we were put in charge to speak, not to listen. However, as Mr. Wooden informs us, listening to those around us is our most critical leadership tool. As we listen, we gain insight into the ideas, hearts ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
