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SA Leadership Podcast Episode #072

The Law of Identity

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Shared Values Define A Team!

Just as personal values influence and guide an individual’s behavior, organizational values influence the team’s behavior! Values can help a team to become more connected and more effective. Shared values like….

GLUE – When difficult times come – and they come for every team – values hold people together. If the players don’t know what their values are – and live them out – their chances of working as a unit and reaching their potential are very small

A FOUNDATION – All teams need stability to perform well and to grow. Values provide a stable foundation that makes those things possible. You need a strong foundation and values make the strongest foundation to build on.

A RULER – Values also help set the standard for a team’s performance. Ken Blanchard stated that many companies claim to have a set of core values, but in fact what they have is a list of generic beliefs that everyone agrees upon. What is lacking is rank-order and that reveals priority.

A COMPASS – J.R. Ewing the notoriously dishonest businessman in the TV show Dallas had a moral compass that can be summarized in the following statement; “Once you give up your ethics, the rest is a piece of cake.” When individuals embrace strong values, they possess a moral compass that helps them make solid decisions.

A MAGNET – A team’s values attract people with like values to the team. The Law of Magnetism in the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership states, “Who you are is who you attract.”

IDENTITY – Values define the team and give it a unique identity to the members, potential recruit and to the public. What you believe identifies who you are.

Values Add Value TO Your Team

If you have never really thought about how your team’s values can reveal identity and increase potential try the following process.

  • Articulate the values – articulate the values to key leaders on your team at a retreat or day away.
  • Compare values with practices – Watch your team in action as these values are being lived out.
  • Teach the values – Teach everyone on the team clearly, creatively, and continually.
  • Practice the values – Values have no value unless you put them into practice.
  • Institutionalize the values – Weave the values into the core fabric of the team.
  • Publicly praise the values – “What gets rewarded gets accomplished.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “The Art of Balancing Candor With Care” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

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

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

 

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LOVE

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What a grand emotion love is. Imagine a life without love. Research says a baby’s brain will not develop properly in the absence of love. Wow that is powerful! Love is very powerful. Look at your own life experiences. Can you recall a time when you felt unloved? How did that make you feel? Depressed? Lonely? Anxious?

Imagine a life full of love! Do you have that now? Are you content with the amount of love you have in your life? Are you giving love to others? Are you receiving love? If you aren’t completely happy with your relationships both giving and receiving, then it may be beneficial to learn what options you have to create that life.

Did you know you could sit down right now and begin the process of creating that perfect life you desire? The one full of love and compassion and whatever else you want. I don’t use the word need because what we need and what we want are very different. We all need food, shelter and water and according to research, love. And we want many more things like comfort, warmth, relationships, fulfillment, purpose, and material things.

So let’s focus on love for the moment. To achieve the love you want in your life, begin by talking a piece of paper and I discourage you from using a computer or other device as there is something magical to actually writing down your wants and mapping out your life.

Take the piece of paper and define the perfect scenario or definition for love. What does it mean to you. Take as long as you need and write as much as you can. Describe it in detail. If it means a foot rub every night from your significant other than write that. If it means finishing another’s thoughts then write that. Write whatever comes to mind and keep writing until you are satisfied that you have defined Love.

Now, evaluate your current relationships. Do they match what you define as love? Are you satisfied with the love you are getting and just as importantly are you living up to your definition of love? Are you giving this love to others? It goes both ways.

Know that you can’t change how someone else is but truly look at how you are expressing yourself now. People copy each other – if you give love unconditionally and expect nothing in turn, those closest to you, those who care and love you will reciprocate this love. You will find your relationships will become deeper and more satisfying as you focus more on your giving and less on your receiving.

Love is a wonderful thing – it needs nurtured and developed and now is the perfect time to start.

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SA Leadership Podcast Episode #071

The Law of The Bench

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Great Teams Have Great Depth!

A great starter is not enough if a team desires to go to the next level of excellence. You have to great depth on the bench in order to win. John Wooden of UCLA fame stated, “Unselfishness is a trait I always insisted upon. I believe that every basketball team is a unit and I do not separate my players into starters and subs. I tried to make it clear that every man has a role to play.”

Today’s Players May Be Tomorrow’s Stars

Rare are the people who begin their career as stars. Most successful people go through an apprenticeship or period of seasoning. Joe Montana for example spent two years on the bench as a backup. He now has been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Every human being has value and every player on the team adds value to the team in some way.

The Success of A Starting Player Can Multiply The Success of A Starter

The achievement of the whole team makes the starters flourish and the team flourishes as a result. John Wooden stated once that the main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

There Are More Bench Players Than Starters

When you look at the rosters of teams you will see more on the bench than on the field of play. Think about other industries such as theater, politics, corporations, etc. There are huge numbers of people behind the scenes working to assist a few. Nobody can neglect the majority of the team and hope to be successful.

A Bench Player Placed Correctly Will At Times Be More Valuable Than A Starter

Supporting personnel can be as valuable as starters. Do not underestimate the value of great Admins!

A Strong Bench Gives the Leader More Options

When a team has a great bench, the options are almost endless. When a team has a weak bench, the leader has a few options that are usually not that good.

The Bench Is Usually Called Upon at Critical Times For The Team

Reserves are called for in war times. Injured players need a substitute. That substitute often determines the team’s success. If your ministry or Para church ministry is experiencing tough times then you know the importance of a strong bench with depth. If you are experiencing smooth times, then this is perfect time to strengthen the depth of the bench even further. You assure your success tomorrow by your preparation today.

Consider the following:

Recruitment – Who is joining your team? Adlai Stevenson once stated there are only three rules of sound administration – Pick good men, tell them to not cut corners, and support them to the limit. Picking good men is the most important he added.

Training – Are you developing the Team? You cannot solve tomorrows problems with today solutions. If you have the responsibility for your team, then take the initiative to make sure everyone on the team is growing and improving.

Losses – Who is leaving the team? The only place that never losses people is the cemetery. Losing team member is inevitable. If you keep nonproductive team members, you frustrate the productive members of your team.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “The Art of Balancing Candor With Care” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

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

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

 

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Leverage Key Skills

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Have you ever tried to remove a nut or bolt with pliers and it doesn’t budge, but when you use a wrench and get some leverage suddenly it is easy to move? That lever is such a clever tool – it is very handy and very simple.

Leverage is defined as a rigid bar that pivots about one point and is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third point. So how do we apply this to achieve a competitive advantage? How do we leverage our key skills?

Most people don’t leverage their own knowledge and skillset but instead use just a fraction of what they have within themselves.

The first step is to take inventory of your assets. This doesn’t mean to list out your home, car, checking account balance… this means to list out your knowledge, your skills and your experience.

Next, explore how to get the full advantage of your asset inventory. If you own a computer or smartphone, you are frequently prompted to upgrade an application or program. There is new information available that will make your computer or phone work better (well one hopes, not always the case!). When was the last time you updated or upgraded your knowledge base? What was the last book, course, lecture or program you engaged i

So now you have an inventory and you know what needs to be upgraded. These are your key skills and strengths that you can now improve upon. You may ask why focus on your strengths and those assets that are already developed. Why not focus on weaker skillsets. This is where you need to understand that the highest yield and the most efficiency comes from developing strengths rather than improving upon weaknesses. Leave your weaknesses for someone else who exhibits those as strengths.

This allows you to leverage your key skills and will help you improve upon areas where you show the most potential.

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SA Leadership Podcast Episode #070

The Law of The Scoreboard

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The Team can make adjustments when it knows where it stands!

Every game has its rules and its own definition of what it means to win. Some teams measure their success by points and others by profits. Others view success by the number of people they serve. No matter where you are in the game you have to know where you are in order to understand the score.

You need to know the score in order to make the correct adjustments to improve your performance and to make the correct adjustments. No team can ignore the reality of its situation and expect to win.

For any kind of team, the scoreboard is essential in the following 5 ways:

The Scoreboard Is Essential To Understanding

Have you ever wondered why the scoreboard is so huge and visible? It is a snapshot at any moment of the reality of the game. Even if you arrive late, you can catch up on the story simply by looking at scoreboard.

The Scoreboard Is Essential to Evaluating

I believe that personal growth is the key to success, GROWTH = CHANGE. Coach Lou Holtz once stated; “We aren’t where we want to be, we aren’t where we ought to be; but thank goodness we aren’t where we used to be!”

The Scoreboard Is Essential To Decision Making

Once you have evaluated your situation you are ready to make good decisions. Do you have the right people in the right places. Do you have a grasp of the overall position of your ministry? Have you evaluated key areas for effectiveness? Only after evaluating these key areas will you be able to make sound judgment.

The Scoreboard Is Essential to Adjusting

The higher the level on which you and your team are competing, the smaller the adjustments needed to achieve your best. However, making key adjustments is the secret to winning big. Knowing the scoreboard is vital to making these key adjustments.

The Scoreboard Is Essential to Winning

In the end of the matter no one can win without the scoreboard. How do you know when the game is on the line without the scoreboard. How do you know that time is running out without the scoreboard? Does your ministry view the scoreboard as a necessary evil? You can ignore the scoreboard, but not for long and still expect to do well in your profession.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “The Art of Balancing Candor With Care” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

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

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

 

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Letting Go

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Have you ever wondered why you hold onto emotional and physical pain longer than needed? There is a belief that we create and maintain problems to give us a sense of identity – to define who we are – to give us purpose.

Do you know of anyone who creates problems and then swoops in to save the day? Or someone who creates problems to then play the role of victim for sympathy and attention?

These behaviors, whether in ourselves or around us are due to the need to replay our past mistakes like a broken record in our minds which in turn builds feelings of shame and regret. Carrying these burdens dictates the actions we take in the now. In addition, we hold onto worry and frustration about the future creating unnecessary stress. Stress has been linked to numerous health issues and the majority of us live with this fabricated stress every day treating is as our normal state.

We all know that if we put a little energy to something we get a little out… the same holds true for letting go. By letting go just a little of your past and future regrets, you obtain a little peace in your life but if you let go of a lot, then you will bring in a lot of peace. More peace equals less stress! Isn’t that the formula we all desire?

Here is a sampling of actions you can take today to begin to let go of the pain and allow peace into your mind and body:

  1. Meditation
  2. Physical Activity
  3. Learn a new skill
  4. List out your accomplishments and continue to add to the list daily
  5. Focus your energy on that which you CAN control and not that which you CAN’T control
  6. Engage in a creative project (painting, crafts, gardening, book club)
  7. Write a letter to whomever you hold your anger for, then burn the letter
  8. Take responsibility for you could have done better
  9. Wear a rubber band on your wrist and pull it every time you begin to obsess on the angry thoughts
  10. Have gratitude for the positive memories and know that life is a learning experience
  11. Visualize how you were before the event and know that you now can be that again
  12. Take deep breaths and focus on your breath when you feel angry

And lastly, fill a backpack with rocks representing your past hurts and take a hike. When you are ready, remove one rock at a time, naming the rock with a specific memory or person or event that has brought you pain and release it. You may find that you have packed more rocks than actual pains!

Letting go allows you to make space in your life for new and exciting adventures, experiences, loves, memories. Letting go brings you inner peace and reduces stress. Letting go allows you to view the world with new eyes ready to create, build and live that life you have always dreamt about.

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SA Leadership Podcast Episode #069

The Law of The Price Tag

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The Team fails to reach its potential when the team fails to pay the price!

If a team does not reach its potential, seldom is ability the issue. It’s rarely a matter of resources either. Its almost always a payment issue. Consider the story of Montgomery Ward and Company of the Chicago area. This chain of stores was a precursor to Sears and Roebuck stores. Montgomery Ward had plenty of resources, and it had the talent it needed – including a leader that could move them forward. The problem was the company’s owners were unwilling to get out of their comfort zone, take a risk, and try to break new ground.

One of the reasons a team fails to pay the price to reach their potential is that they misunderstand the Law of the Price Tag. Many times they honestly do not know how it works. Take note of the following four truths about this law that will help clarify this law in your mind.

The Price Must paid by everyone!

People who have never had the experience of being on a winning team often fail to realize that every team member must pay a price. If everyone on the team doesn’t pay the price to win, then everyone will pay the price by losing.

The price must be paid all of the time!

People mistakenly believe that if they accomplish a particular goal, they no longer have to grow….Effective leaders cannot afford to think this way. The day they stop growing is the day they forfeit their potential as well as the potential of the organization. Earl Blaik, former football coach of the United States Military Academy stated; There is no substitute for work. It is the price of success. President Eisenhower would state, There are no victories at bargain prices!

The price increases if the team wants to improve, change, or keep winning!

Becoming a champion carries a high price. Remaining on top costs even more. The higher you are the more you pay for even for small improvements. No one can move closer to their potential without paying in some way to get there. To change, improve, or keep winning, as a group the team must pay a price and so must every team member on it.

The price never decreases!

Most people never quit at the bottom of the mountain; they quit halfway up. Nobody sets out to become a loser. The problem most often comes when you believe that at some point it will get easier and the price of success will get cheaper.

So what is the price of Teamwork?

SACRIFICE – There cannot ever be success without sacrifice. James Allen stated; “He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much. When you become part of a team, you may be aware of some things you will give up. But you can be sure that no matter how much you expect to give for the team, at some point you will be required to give more.

TIME COMMITMENT – Teamwork does not come cheaply. It will cost you time and that means that you pay with your life! It takes time to get to know people and to build relationships to see how people work and work together. Teamwork cannot be developed in a microwave time. Teams grow stronger in a Crock-Pot environment.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT – Your team will reach their potential only you reach your potential. That mean’s today’s ability is not enough. Said another way from Max DePree; “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” The desire to keep getting better is the key to reaching your potential.

UNSELFISHNESS – People naturally look out for themselves. The question, “What is in it for me” is never far from their thinking. But if a team is to reach its potential, you must put the team’s agenda ahead of your personal agenda. H Jackson Brown’s “Boomerang Theory” is true; When you give your best to the world, the world returns the favor!

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “The Art of Balancing Candor With Care” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

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

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

 

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Law of Vibration

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We are all connected. If you took a powerful microscope and viewed your hand, you would not be able to differentiate where your hand begins and ends. All things are in a constant state of vibration. The only difference between one thing and another is in the density or amplitude of vibration. Therefore, we are all connected.

When you have a thought – your brain sends out vibrations. Sometimes these are positive thoughts and sometimes these are negative thoughts. Either way, the vibrations are sent out. If you concentrate on a thought, you are increasing the density or amplitude of the vibration of those cells and the electric waves become more potent.

Those electrical waves are originating in your mind and you are choosing the density of the vibrations. Think about how powerful that is – you are choosing the density of the vibrations of your thoughts!

Everything is a manifestation of the same thing. The difference is the rate of vibration or frequency. When you are in harmony with something, you resonate with it – you are in harmonious vibration.

By concentrating on and sending out vibrations of an image in your mind, in the present tense, you are vibrating in harmony with every particle of energy that is necessary for the manifestation of your image on the physical plane. By holding that image, those particles of energy are moving toward you and you toward them – that is the law of vibration.

Think about the law of vibration – take some time to really think about this – ask questions – gather information – form an idea – test this law.

You will see that through the law of vibration, you will attract to you exactly that which you resonate with, that which you are in harmony with, that which you expend energy thinking about. If you think about lack – you attract lack. If you think about abundance – you attract abundance.

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SA Leadership Episode #068

The Law of Countability

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Your teammates must be able to count on each other when it counts!

The Law of Countability is clearest when the stakes are at their highest. The mantra of every team should be, “We do not work for each other, we work with each other!” This statement embodies the ability and desire for your team – church – pastoral staff – church board to work toward common goals.

The formula for countability is not rocket science but it is impactful and powerful. Here it is: Character + Competence = Commitment = Consistency = Cohesion = Countability.

Lou Holtz’s 12 Covenants

1.We will accomplish what we do together. We share our success and we never let anyone fail alone.

2.We are all fully grown adults. We will act as such and expect the same from the people around us.

3.We will not keep secrets. Information that affects us all will be shared by all, we will quickly separate fact from fiction

4.We will not lie to ourselves or to each other. We will depend on each other for the truth.

5.We will keep our word. We will say what we mean, and do what we say. We trust the word of others to be good as well.

6.We will keep our head. We will not panic in the face of tough times. We will always choose to roll up our sleeves instead of ringing our hands.

7.We will develop our abilities and take pride in them. We will set our standards higher than the most challenging opponent.

8.We will treat our locker room like home and our teammates like friends.

9.We will be unselfish and expect the same from everyone around us on our team. We will care for each without expectations.

10.We will look our for each other. We truly believe that we are our brothers keeper.

11.We are students of life first and we will complete what we set out to do and expect that others will do the same.

12.Losing cannot and will not be tolerated in anything we do – there is no excuse for losing!

How are you personally doing in each of these areas that we have discussed in this podcast today?

  • Is your integrity unquestioned?
  • Do you perform your work with excellence?
  • Are you dedicated to the team’s success?
  • Can you be depended on every time?
  • Do your actions bring the team together?

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE

FREE GIFT – “The Art of Balancing Candor With Care” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page

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

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

 

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Law of Prosperity

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Spirit never expresses itself other than pure perfection, therefore, whatever imperfections do exist are always the result of our individual or collective thoughts. Because this is true, it is not necessary that you hold onto anything for fear of losing it. In fact, you will never truly enjoy anything you must hold onto because freedom in all areas of your life is absolutely essential for you to grow into the truly great human being that you are able to become.

These obstructions that we harbor are doubt, guilt, resentment, and thoughts of lack or limitation. Including any negative ideas which have a tendency to block the flow of creative energy to and through you.

When we hold onto these obstructions, we are unable to make room for the image which we are trying to create. We must resolve to letting go of all of these obstructions so that we can make space in our lives for the good that we desire.

Make room for the new you that you are creating and for that which you desire. Allowing your mind to fill with things that you have no use for stalls your ability to achieve that which you want. Let go. Make space for all the good that is awaiting you.

Make room for new clothes – for the new you that you are creating. Make room for that which you desire. Not only do I encourage you to physically clean out your closet, I have metaphorically shown you how our minds get cluttered with those things that we no longer have a use for. It is time to clean house and let go. You must continuously make space for the good that you desire – this is an exercise you will practice for the rest of your life. Let go of the old so you may make room for the new.