ROLE MODELS ON THE RUN
Disappointed. Confused. Hurt. That’s how we feel when a role model turns out to be unreliable. When someone we admire fails us, the painful emotions trigger questions. Should we stop looking up to the leaders around us? After all, they routinely seem to let us down. Also, should we run away from being role models…
Read MoreQUALITIES OF A GOOD GUIDE
In 1804, Lewis and Clark faced the daunting task of finding their way across the vast wilderness of the American continent to reach its Pacific Coast. Their 33-member expedition included some of the most experienced navigators, scouts, woodsmen, and hunters in the United States. Yet despite their collective talents, the explorers would have died of…
Read MoreHow competent are you as a leader?
The author John Gardner once said, “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.” We all admire people who display high competence,…
Read MoreFrom my Files: Priorities
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I try to post a quote for every day on something related to leadership or personal growth. I love sharing those quotes from my personal files, but I don’t always like the 140-character limit. Lately I’ve been sharing about priorities on Twitter. But I’ve had to…
Read MoreTHE PATHWAY TO FREEDOM: RESILIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Today is Fourth of July and I am proud to be an American, grateful for the liberties of my country, and thankful for the beauty of the land in which I live. In wondering about the future of this great nation, I am comforted by its historical resilience. I also am inspired by the courageous…
Read MoreAsk no more of others than you ask of yourself
According to noted medical missionary Albert Schweitzer, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others … it is the only thing.” Part of creating an appealing climate to grow potential leaders is modeling leadership. people emulate what they see modeled. Positive model – positive response. Negative model – negative response. What leaders do, potential…
Read MorePERSEVERANCE
Perseverance is not an issue of talent. It is not an issue of time. It is about finishing. Talent provides hope for accomplishment, but perseverance guarantees it. Running Past Failure As a small child, Vonetta (Jeffrey) Flowers dreamed about being in the Olympics. She ran everywhere she went, and gained a reputation among her school…
Read MorePERSISTING THROUGH ADVERSITY
When JK Rowling began to write her first novel, she was a single-mother pent up in a tiny flat in Edinburgh, Scotland. Struggling to make ends meet, she scraped by on a meager public welfare check provided by the state. In the solitude of her desperate situation, Rowling even contemplated suicide. Rowling’s saving grace and…
Read MoreFile (again) under F for Filing
I’ve shared in the past how I jump-start my creativity with quotes and articles from others. Whenever I need to prepare a new book, lesson, article, or sermon, the first thing I do is pull all of my files on the topic. I’ve spoken and written about this a lot. But I always get a…
Read MoreLEADERSHIP JUDGMENT
The outcome of a sporting event sometimes is heavily influenced by the judgment of an official or umpire. For instance, with game two of the playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat tied 103-103, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo drove toward the hoop for a layup. Dwyane Wade of the Heat appeared to whack…
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