Category Archives: Uncategorized

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5 Insights to Finishing Well

Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Understanding that so few leaders finish well and the insights to hedge this reality is what this post is about. 

In comparative studies of those leaders that have finished well what are the insights that can be learned. To begin, listen to the writer of Hebrews 13:7-8 NLT; “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Heb 13:7–8). Tyndale House Publishers.}

Here are five (5) insights that can be learned and implemented from leaders who have finished well.

#1 – Perspective – We need to have a lifetime perspective on ministry. Effective ministers view present ministry in terms of a lifetime perspective. That perspective is gained from the Hebrews 13:7-8 passage. 

#2 – Renewal – Special moments of intimacy with God, Challenges from God, new vision from God and affirmation from God both in personhood and ministry will occur repeatedly to a growing leader.

#3 – Disciplines – Leaders need discipline of all kinds – especially spiritual discipline. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT; Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 9:24–27). Tyndale House Publishers.]

#4 – Learning Posture – The single most important antidote to plateauing is a well-developed learning posture. Such a posture is also one of the major ways through which God gives vision.

#5  – Mentoring – Leaders who finish will have 10-15 significant people of which the leader has made a significant deposit of development and growth in not only knowledge, but in power.

Take your study deeper. Do these five (5) insights challenge your current way of thinking and influencing? Journal what God is saying to you at this moment. What is your first step to change your current posture of learning and influencing? 

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Dissonance Versus Resonance: What is your Leadership Style?

Dissonance in its original musical sense, describes an unpleasant harsh sound. Dissonance refers to a lack of harmony. Dissonant leadership produces groups that feel emotionally discordant; in which people have a sense of being continually off-key. Anger, fear, apathy, or even sullen silences are signals of dissonance at work. This type of emotional energy at work in the leadership team produces an emotional toxicity. Dissonance dispirits people, burns them out, and sends people packing for greener pastures. The real unfortunate outcome of a dissonant environment is that you tend to bring home unhealthy emotional toxicity which poisons the very safe place that you most need.

Resonance musically creates a pleasant environment that all can appreciate. Harmony prevails! There are two primary categories associated with resonant leadership: Personal Competence focuses upon the management of ourselves and Social Competence focuses upon the management of relationships. Resonant leaders possess self-awareness and self management as part of their personal competence. Take notice of the following:

  • Self-Awareness
    • Able to read one’s emotional signals and recognize their impact upon a group
    • Involved in self-assessment and psycho-metrics
    • Self confidence – possessing a sound sense of one’s self worth
  • Self-Management
    • Able to keep disruptive emotions and impulses under control
    • Able to display honesty and integrity
    • Able to adapt to changing situations or overcoming obstacles
    • Ready to seize upon opportunities
    •  Seeing the upside of life

Regarding social competencies of the resonant leader take note of the social awareness and relationship management skills:

  • Social Awareness
    • Sensing other’s emotions, understanding their perspectives and taking active interest in their concerns
    • Keeping emotionally aware of the work environment around them
    • Servicing others needs over their own needs
  • Relationship Management
    • Motivating others to excel
    • Being a person of influence
    • Developing others’ competencies through feedback and guidance
    • Being a change catalyst – leading in new directions
    • Maintaining a web of healthy relationships
    • Promotes TEAM-WORK!

The choice could not be clearer for ministers. Dissonance crashes the existing culture. Resonance assists people in feeling great about the change that is occurring and assists them in their development to become effective participants in reaching our world for the Glory of Christ.

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To Win: Start. Play The Long Game

Life Is Not A One and Done Deal

In her book The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins writes; “To play any game, you have to start. To win, you’ll need to keep going. If you want to make your dreams come true, get ready for the long game. Life is not a one-and-done sort of deal. You’ve got to work for what you want. Do you know the game Angry Birds? Rovio, the brand that created the game, launched 51 unsuccessful games before they developed Angry Birds. How about The Avengers star Mark Ruffalo? Do you know how many auditions he did before he landed his first role? Almost 600! Even Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times. My favorite vacuum cleaner is Dyson. And there’s no wonder why it doesn’t suck at sucking up the dirt. James Dyson created 5,127 prototypes! What? And this last one will blow your mind. Picasso created nearly 100 masterpieces in his lifetime. But what most people don’t know is that he created a total of more than 50,000 works of art.

Did you see that last number? 50,000. That’s two pieces of art a day. Success is a numbers game. And, you’re not going to win it if you keep telling yourself to wait. The more often that you choose courage, the more likely you’ll succeed.”[1]

In playing the long game of life it has been stated that you can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have booth. So, what is courage? Aristotle suggested that courage is the virtuous activity of the soul versus the courage in acting out some foolish dare in life. I am not referring to the superhuman strength in saving the world every day. I am suggesting that real courage is about teaching your children right from wrong, loving your family deeply, helping a work colleague, and caring for your neighbor. If you possess the courage to begin life’s journey, then you already possess the courage to win the long game of life.

What is at the end? Legacy!

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, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

[1] Brian Johnson’s Philosophers Notes, The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins. Accessed 25 September 2020.

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Heartburn Triggers

Here are some common triggers for heartburn: Tomato based products, high citrus foods, garlic, vinegar, onions, chocolate (that hurts), coffee (that really hurts), high fatty foods deep fried, carbonated drinks, certain spices. Of course we have to look at the lifestyle habits that can cause heartburn also: eating large meals too fast, laying down right after eating, eating close to bedtime, stress, anxiety, exercise immediately after eating. 

What if I told you there are Spiritual triggers for “heart-burn.” Consider Luke 24:30-32;  “When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and sblessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 tAnd their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And uhe vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, v“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he wopened to us the Scriptures?”[1](emphasis added).

What was the effect of this heart burn for the Emmaus Road disciples? Immediately, they rose from the table of presence and went to Jerusalem and witnessed of the risen Lord. I will take this type of heart burn all day every day! Isn’t this type of heart burn at the foundation of discipleship? Pastors do not speak to be speaking – their heart has been set ablaze with a fresh word from God to the people. Disciples are equipped enough to recognize the presence of God in our culture that makes them “counter-cultural” citizens. This type of heart burn causes us to share our faith “for such a time as this!”

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, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

s See Matt. 14:19

t [ver. 16]

u [ch. 4:30]

v Ps. 39:3

w ver. 45

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 24:30–32). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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LIVE

Will you not “revive” (bring to life) again that your people may rejoice in you?

One of the most powerful demonstrations of God’s ability to restore life to that which was dead is found in Ezekiel’s writings. Ezekiel implores the use of the Hebrew word chayah – a sense of living. The power of this term is in its repeated use (153x) in the Old Testament. The most dramatic use of this term is seen in the sentence construct of an oath. “Therefore, as I live (chayah)…..” The power of the first half of the oath sets up the reality of the second half of the oath. This is a powerful way to communicate truth that applies to our daily living.

We read how God took Ezekiel out in the spirit and sat him in the valley of dry dead bones and asks the question can these bones live? The response, “O Lord God, you know…” In other words, Ezekiel acknowledged his humanity – from the human perspective I do not see the possibility of life. However, Ezekiel acknowledged whom he was talking to. Translated “Adon Yahweh” – this double use of deity was to acknowledge in the highest manner possible the living God. Because you live then you know if this valley of death can live again. Ezekiel used the terms of life more than any other Old Testament writer to portray the death of a Babylonian captivity and the restoration of life and future glory that would be restored.

Now that we are starting to return from our national quarantine there is much debate about finding our way back to “normal” before Covid-19. History has demonstrated that change is always the result after major crisis on any level. However, as we hear the words of scripture, “As surely as I live….” We can take comfort and heart in the Lord of life that he is able to make good of the second half of the oath: I am going to heaven to prepare a place for you. As you see me leaving, I will doubtless return and receive you unto myself.

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, Key Note Speaking, and Executive Coaching. 

Shepherdsadvantage@gmail.com

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Turn Off The TV

At the most basic level of life, our ability to engage fully depends upon our ability to fully disengage. I actually believe that we are naive’ when it comes to the influence of digital technology impacting our daily lives. I am a firm believer in practicing “digital sunrise and sunset” daily. In other words I do not allow digital technology in my life until I have completed my morning routine of devotions and creative writing. I put away the digital technology in the evening to allow time for unwinding and relaxing. TRY IT you will be amazed at the positive improvement.

Authors Loehr and Schwartz state in their book, The Power of Full Engagement, “Television, for example, is one of the primary means by which most people relax and recover. For the most part, however, watching television is the mental and emotional equivalent of eating junk food. It may provide a temporary form of recovery, but it is rarely nutritious and it is easy to consume too much. Researchers such as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi have found that prolonged television watching is actually correlated with increased anxiety and low-level depression.”

Go for a walk, hang out with friends, read a book, write in your journal, meditate, get in the sauna – just unplug the TV!

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Fault Finder Vs. Benefit Finder

“Optimalists tend to be benefit finders – the sort of people who find the silver lining in the dark cloud, who make lemonade out of lemons, who look on the bright side of life, who do not fault writers for using too many cliches. When a knack for turning setbacks into opportunities, the Optimalist goes through life with an overall sense of optimism.” Tal Ben Shahar

What are your thoughts on the comparison of Fault Finders Vs Benefit Finder? Which are you? Do you see opportunities in lemons or do you complain about the sourness of your circumstance?

What is the #1 thing that is stressing you out at the present? If in fact that it is really bothering you, we can be sure that you are in “fault finder” mode. Flip the switch to your benefit mode!

What are the top three things that you can appreciate in your current challenge? List them now while enjoying a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade.


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Leadership Tune-Up

Time For A Tune Up!

All engines need a tune-up at regular intervals. It does not matter if we are talking about a lawn-mower engine, Cadillac, or Lear Jet – engines need to be serviced. Without it they will not perform at their best.

This blog is about considering reflective questions that will assist you in tuning up your leadership capabilities. Peter Drucker stated that leadership is not about making speeches or being liked. Leadership is defined by results not attributes. Great leadership is about combining your skills and talents to produce results.

Set aside time and a journal and respond to the following 10 reflection questions.

  1. What will I do today that will stretch my team to reach their potential?
  2. On a scale of 1-10 how would my team rate me as a leader that achieves results?
  3. Am I distinguishing between “busywork” and “accomplishments?” DO I encourage my team to do the same?
  4. How does my sense of self-worth and self-confidence impact my daily performance?
  5. What does a “High Performance” day look like for me personally? For my Team?
  6. Have I sought feedback from my peers?
  7. Do I plan my day early in the morning or evening for the next day? Which works best and why?
  8. How are you maximizing your time today?
  9. What are the three (3) most pressing things that I must focus on? What is my action plan?
  10. Can I write out my personal growth plans for the next twelve (12) months?
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Great Leaders Add Value

People who add value to others do so intentionally…Leaders must give of themselves. That rarely occurs by accident – John Maxwell

Leaders add value by serving others! The bottom line of leadership is not to see how far that you can go, but how far you can take others. The interaction between every leader and every follower is RELATIONSHIP! As a leader you are having either a positive or negative impact upon those you are attempting to lead. How can you tell?

Are you making things better for the people who follow you? That’s it! if you cannot answer this question with an unhesitating YES and provide evidence that backs it up, you may very well be a subtractor in your team’s life.

Great leaders get out of their comfort zone on a daily basis and unselfishly give of themselves for the benefit of their team. Leaders who subtract, divide their team daily by dividing their impact. History is filled with leaders who thought little about their position and thought more about others around them- – Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King Jr to name a few.

Servant leadership permeates their mindset. Servant leading does not happen in front of an electronic devise, it happens literally when you walk with others. When you strive to lift others up, help them advance, make them part of something bigger than themselves, and assist them in becoming who they were made to be, you are now adding value to others!

CASE STUDY: Paul Encouraged Putting Others First – Philippians 2:1-11 (The Bible)

Questions

Jesus had position and power as God, yet he humbled himself and made himself nothing. Why did he do that?

The passage says that Jesus took on the form of a servant. What differences are there between someone who serves others and someone who takes on the very nature of a servant?

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Decision Fatigue

Basal Ganglia??

Nerd Alert! Did you know the part of your brain that makes things run on auto-pilot is called your basal ganglia? We do not need to think about breathing and our heart-beating. It just happens.

Have you ever wondered why Steve Jobs always wore black? He discovered that he could save 12 hours per year by eliminating the daily two-minute decision on what to wear. Beyond the actual time you spend picking out your clothes, you are making another decision. Every decision is like doing another rep in the gym.

The research is clear, there is an upper limit to the number of decisions that you can make daily. By doing so many reps of monotonous things, at some point your decision-making muscles get tired and you start making poorer decisions. Author Greg McKeown in Essentialism, writes that we need to make some decisions once and not 1,000 times.

Now this may not seem to be a big deal at first but, when you add up all of the times that you think about decisions that you could have put on auto-pilot you begin to see that the most creative among us are also the most boring in every other aspect of their lives.

Am I going to have devotions this morning? That decision is on auto pilot. Brain cells saved! Am I going to surf the web each morning? NO! That decision has been made – no internet before creative work.

Let’s give our prefrontal cortex a break and stop making so many decisions that could be handed off. What decisions can you give your basal ganglia?