Author Archives

Garry Brackett

BA - Fort Wayne Bible College
MAR - Trinity Evangelical Divinity
D.Min - Grace Theological Seminary
Birkman Certified Coach
John Maxwell Certified Team Member
Myers/Briggs Certified
FIRO-B Certified
TKI Certified
25 Years Executive Coaching

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To See How A Leader Is Doing Look At The People

LEARN IT

Everything Rises and Falls On Leadership

1. When leaders are healthy, people they lead tend to be healthy.

2. When leaders are unhealthy, so are their followers.

3. People may teach what they know, but they reproduce what they are.

4. The best leaders are highly intentional about developing their people.

LIVE IT

If you want to know how you’re doing as a leader, do it by asking the

following four questions:

  1. Are the people following?
    1. All leaders have two common characteristics:
      1. first, they are going somewhere;
      1. second, they are able to persuade other people to go with them.
  2. Are the people changing? In what way are you always present to help facilitate the change process for your followers? 
  3. Are the people growing? In what ways is growth a reflection of the leader?
  4. Are People Succeeding? Leaders may impress others when they succeed, but others are impacted when the Team succeeds.

LEAD IT

Take a look at the principles for people development and

rate yourself for each item on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high):

  • High valuation of people – this is an attitude issue.
  • High commitment to people – this is a time issue.
  • High integrity with people – this is a character issue.
  • High standard for people – this is a goal-setting issue.
  • High influence over people – this is a leadership issue.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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35 Weeks of COVID-19

Leadership Insights Learned In 2020

I have not met anyone that disagrees 2020 has been an unwelcome guest in our lives. Our daily- weekly rhythms have been disrupted. We have learned new concepts – Social Distance, Shelter-in-Place, Essential Workers, ZOOM, etc. We have witnessed the hypocrisy of social mandates that have allowed Liquor Stores to remain open while churches were shut down; Allow limited seating at eateries with masks yet allow social protesting without masks; allow Grandpa to take his last breath without the presence of a loving family. Yes, 2020 will leave several emotional scars on our lives for the remainder of our days.

There are so many Leadership insights that I could highlight from 35 weeks of COVID-19 Pandemic. I will limit my insights to a handful of lessons learned. Here is my selection.

Leading Beyond The Blizzard

Seven days after our national shut-down Andy Crouch of Praxis Journal wrote (March 20, 2020) COVID-19 is not just something to “get through” for a few days, weeks, or months. Instead COVID-19 should be treated as an economic and cultural blizzard, winter, and beginning of a new “little ice-age” – a once in a lifetime change that is likely to affect our lives and organizations for years. What is amazing this article was wrote while everyone else was declaring that we would be back in our churches in a couple of weeks.

Mental-Emotional Health

Overnight families were faced with managing parenting, house cleaning, work-at-home schedules, e-learning for the children, etc. Pastors were forced into the Digital Church Production mode, online giving, ZOOM small groups, and facilities with no one present. These unique pressures have sky-rocketed mental/emotional health issues. Currently Ministers are facing emotional health concerns that are 10x greater than any other point in history. Family counseling is desperately needed. Leadership Coaching is at an all-time high, yet there is a serious reluctance on the part of ministers because of looking weak. Innovation in “Family Ministry” is needed where weekend marriage retreats fall woefully short.

Traffic Light Habits

David Ferguson wrote about three types of people that have been created in the COVID-19 journey. He uses the traffic light analogy. RED LIGHT people are very cautious, stay distant from others, and shelter-in-place. YELLOW LIGHT people will venture out with caution and concern. GREEN LIGHT people are “peddle-to-the-metal” types that question if all of this is even real. He goes on to write that what started out as a medical concern has now turned into habit forming behavior. Red Light people now prefer to stay at home and work, exercise at home, and watch church services on their schedule. Yellow Light people enjoy the small group watch party idea of community and relationship building over the large crowds. Green light people are ready to get back into large crowds as though nothing has happened. Ferguson’s analogy has become a great way to under why the “PHYGITAL CHURCH” (Physical-Digital) will now be part of the faith expression of people moving forward. The average church on campus is averaging 50% of pre-COVID attendance nationally. Church is no longer a one-size fits all approach.

Learned Helplessness

Dr. Henry Cloud states that any crisis thrust upon us that we do not create can lead us to a loss of control. When the reality of this fact is not dealt with, Cloud suggests our daily habits become a pattern of “Learned Helplessness.” We stop responding at all and simply check out on our future by drifting into passivity. We wait for the “old normal” to return so we can restart our living once again. Unfortunately, we lose when attempting to either wait for or recreate the past.

One Solution For Our Future – REPENTANCE!

There are two Old Testament Characters that instruct us for such a time as this. First of Moses demonstrates leaving the people in the valley while ascended the Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Upon his return from the Mount Sinai, Exodus 34:29-35 gives us the account of the people’s reaction; “…. his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord…. they were afraid to come near to him…” Exodus 24:29-30. In the face of significant crisis and the loss of national identity, Moses demonstrates for us the need to be in God’s presence to such an extent that it is obvious to the worshippers that the man or woman of God has been in the presence of God and is now speaking a fresh word from Heaven.

The Second Old Testament character that speaks to our need is King Josiah. 2 Kings 22-23 gives us the narrative of the King thoroughly destroying any and all symbols of idol worship and evil that had been performed in the Temple of God. Even to the burning of the bones of dead false prophets so there would no marker to ever return back to their memory or recall. As you read 2 Kings 22-23 you cannot help but notice the extensive work of repentance and removal of all things that have dishonored the Lord. What is most striking about King Josiah’s story is the Lord’s response in 2 Kings 22:20; Therefore, I will allow you to die and be buried in peace. You will not have to witness all the disaster I will bring on this place…” God honored the repentance but did not stop the coming destruction. Are we at such a crossroads in America?

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A Leaders First Responsibility – Define Reality

LEARN IT

You cannot define what you cannot see!

Six Rules for Successful Leadership:

1. Control your destiny, or someone else will.

2. Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it were.

3. Be candid with everyone.

4. Don’t manage, lead.

5. Change before you have to.

6. If you don’t have a competitive advantage, don’t compete.

LIVE IT

“A time of turbulence is a dangerous time, but its greatest danger is a temptation to

deny reality.” – Peter Drucker

Questions to ask to help you define reality:

1. What is reality in this situation? Do other agree with my assessment?

2. Can I identify each issue? Can I break down reality to better understand it?

3. Can the issues be fixed? Separate the solvable from the unsolvable.

4. What are the options? Establish a game plan.

5. Am I willing to follow the game plan? My commitment as a leader is

essential.

LEAD IT

1. Admit my weakness. You can’t define reality if you won’t face reality.

Have you come to terms with your weakness?

2. Embrace realistic people.

Do you have members on your team that complete you?

3. Ask for honesty from others. Are you secure enough to ask for honesty? Are you secure enough to respond to it without defense?

4. Invite “fresh eyes” to check me out. Have you asked or paid outside consultants to come in, observe, and tell you what they see?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Get In The Zone and Stay There!

LEARN IT

No matter if you’re just starting out or if you are at the peak of your career, the more you work in your strength zone, the more successful you will be.

What is SUCCESS? Knowing your purpose in life, Growing to your maximum potential, and Sowing seedsthat benefit others.

LIVE IT

To be successful, discover and develop the strength zone of your Team

1. Study and know the people on your team. How have you determined your people’s strengths and weaknesses? Do they have potential room for growth?

2. Communicate to individuals how they fit on the team. What are the strengths that they bring to the table?

3. Communicate to all team members how each player fits on the team. Which team member needs to hear how they bring value to the team?

4. Emphasize completing one another above competing with one another. How do you know when competition has gone too far?

LEAD IT

Have you identified your strength zone?

How specific can you get?

Is your job utilizing your strengths?

Are you leading Team Members in their strength zone?

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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The Best Leaders Are Listeners!

LEARN IT

 Understanding people precedes leading them. If you want to be more effective in leading people, what steps can you take to understand them first?

Listening is the best way to understand. Are you an active listener?

Listening can keep problems from escalating. If you are not an active listener how will you obtain the facts that you need for resolutions?

Listening enables trust. “Listening builds trust, the foundation of all lasting relationships.” – Brian Tracy

Listening improves every organization. Is it possible to be a good leader without being a good listener?

LIVE IT & LEAD IT

Give yourself a listening audit. The next few times you are in meetings, ask

your assistant or a colleague to track how many minutes you spend speaking and how many minutes you spend listening.

Who doesn’t feel listened to in my organization?

The next time you have a conversation with people you work or live with, stop everything you’re doing, give them your undivided attention, and look them in the eye as they speak. Ask if you’ve neglected to listen in the past, and then let them talk.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Welcome To The “Phygital” Church of Jesus Christ

Where Technology Intersects Discipleship

What in the world is “Phygital” church you ask? Thank you 2020 pandemic for shoving in our face the longing to be in church physically and yet digitally was our only form of worship for months. Welcome to the new Physical-Digital Church – Phygital! Our national pandemic journey has made the use of technology prominent. ZOOM Conference calls are king! Live streaming has taken on a new significance, and socially distancing ourselves in our churches is just weird. After all, we are social and relational animals.

Beyond hybrid terminology what is really at stake in 2020. My answer to this question has remained the same for over 30 years of my gospel ministry – Make Disciples! While it remains true that certain platforms are to be preferred over others, the mandate of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 has not changed. It simply demands a response from churches and their leadership teams. Conducting physical and digital services is not the gold standard of measurements. Developing people into Christlikeness is the gold standard of measurement.Consider the following infographic that asks during this pandemic have you or your household been engaged with church in 13 categories. 43% responded NONE![1]

When you factor into this narrative another sub-classification that has emerged during the pandemic; New Dropouts, you begin to sense the novelty of conducting physical socially distant live services and streaming platforms is not the measurement in and of itself. As of mid-September 1 in 5 regular worshippers (pre-pandemic category) have not connected with church on any platform.

It appears there are three key actionable steps that should be taken immediately.

  1. The 1 in 5 dropout group is the churches most important missional outreach presently. We need to connect and engage with this demographic. They were attending, but the pandemic has been so disruptive they have not been able to re-engage church and life in the same way.
  2. Rethinking our discipleship strategy is of the utmost importance. Programs and bling will not make disciples that are capable of withstanding our present day. Strong in faith and able to “self-feed” from scripture is our best hope.
  3. The Phygital church is not going away. Citizens in the digital realm are actually in Digital Babylon and they need someone to reach them. Native Content development and creativity is desperately needed.

To impress a sense of urgency, consider this infographic in closing[2]

[1] Barna & Stadia Research, Six Questions About The Future of The Hybrid Church Experience. (Barna Group Digital Format Ó2020). P. 9.

[2] IBID. P. 18.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Never Work A Day In Your Life!

“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun!” – Thomas Edison

LEARN IT

What was a significant event that you were able to turn into an unforgettable one?

Passion is an incredible asset for any person, but especially for leaders.

What does a leader need to succeed?

Where is your passion leading you?

LIVE IT

Pursuing your passion makes all of the difference in the world.

Passion fills you with energy and desire.

Passion will give you the will to win.

The greatest job is one where the line between work and play is blurred.

LEAD IT

How much passion do you have for your current work?

90% or above: You are in your sweet spot – celebrate!

75%-89%: Make minor adjustments to align with your passion.

50%-74%: You need to make major adjustments.

49% or less: You need a job or career change.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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The Crisis Leader

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:19 — 25.2MB) | Embed

Bad situations in life needs good leadership. For some leaders a crisis will put them on the top. For some leaders, a crisis will topple them.

Here are 7 Leadership Practices in Times of Crisis

Stand Up and Be Seen

During a crisis leaders serve as a repository of people’s fears and they absorb their uncertainties. A crisis is not the time to lock yourself in a Board Room and engage strategy sessions. You need to be seen by the people.

Embrace Brutal Optimism

“Churchill paradox.” On the one hand was the Prime Minister’s

grim promise of “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” in the near term.

On the other was his upbeat certainty that England would prevail

“however long and hard the road may be.”

Stick To The Facts

A leaders is a symbol as a matter of fact not by choice. John Gardner stated once that if your actions undermine your words, you will create problems that no amount of jawboning can fix. Be slow to speak but always speak accurately!

Tell A Story In A Statement

Consider these Presidential statements:•”I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” Abraham Lincoln•”In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.” John F. Kennedy•”The most fortunate of us all in our journey through life frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which greatly afflict us. To fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes should be one of the principal studies and endeavors of our lives.” Thomas Jefferson

Bottom Line Comes Second

We shouldn’t have to tell you what comes first. The most important

thing is to have people know that they’re secure and cared about – that

they’re not just cogs (Dee Soder). Because many workers feel a company reveals its true colors during a crisis, companies that come off as insensitive, or grudging, run the risk of alienating employees permanently.

Link The Ordinary To The Extraordinary

When a Crisis occurs, Leaders must Stabilize, Organize and Mobilize.

Do Not Overreach 

So you’ve done everything right, you’ve earned your leadership merit

badge, and now your people are giving you a standing ovation. Next piece

of advice: They’re not really cheering for you. They’re cheering for

themselves – and for the group’s ability to unite and persevere under

threat. Lose sight of that, and you violate the delicate compact between

leaders and led.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “Servant Leadership Questions” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

Executive Coaching Service– Private message me for details on this customizable service

Birkman Assessment

Leadershift by John Maxwell

Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com

Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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When You Get Kicked In The Rear

“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun!” – Thomas Edison

LEARN IT

What was a significant event that you were able to turn into an unforgettable one?

Passion is an incredible asset for any person, but especially for leaders.

What does a leader need to succeed?

Where is your passion leading you?

LIVE IT

Pursuing your passion makes all of the difference in the world.

Passion fills you with energy and desire.

Passion will give you the will to win.

The greatest job is one where the line between work and play is blurred.

LEAD IT

How much passion do you have for your current work?

90% or above: You are in your sweet spot – celebrate!

75%-89%: Make minor adjustments to align with your passion.

50%-74%: You need to make major adjustments.

49% or less: You need a job or career change.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Defining Moments Define Your Leadership

“In every age, there comes a time when a leader must come forward to meet the needs of the hour. Therefore, there is no potential leader who does not have an opportunity to make a positive difference in society. Tragically, there are times when a leader does not rise to the hour.” – Winston Churchill.

LEARN IT

Defining moments show us who we really are! Have you ever surprised yourself by your reaction in a defining moment?

Defining moments declare to others who we really are! Can you name a situation that your decisions had a dramatic impact on others?

Defining moments will define who we will become! What changes have you gone through that has stayed with you?

LIVE IT

Some defining moments are groundbreakers. Defining moments are intersections that give us an opportunity to turn, change direction, and seek a new destination.

Some defining moments are heartbreakers.  Have you experienced a heart-breaking moment? How did the experience define you?

Some defining moments are cloud breakers. In strategizing with others, have you taken an idea, seized it and had success?

Leaders become better leaders when they experience a defining moment

and respond to it correctly.

LEAD IT

How are you managing your decisions? Create a list of choices you will make based on your values and priorities. Post your list where you will see it every morning. Review the list daily for a month and manage your moment-to-moment decisions based on your choices.How prepared are you for the future defining moments? Think about how you will make the most of these opportunities.

Shepherds Advantage provides Servant Leadership that helps people close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Shepherds Advantage closes that gap by providing Leadership Development, Keynote Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com