grow

Dec 19 2012

Balance is a Huge Mistake!

For several years, I served in an organization that was incredibly balanced in their approach to life, work, style, ministry – you name it. You’ve heard of core values – I think this organization had one core value – balance. Life was good – most people were happy.

After some time, I began to realize that this emphasis on holistic balance was actually stunting the personal growth of the individuals within the organization (and ultimately the growth of the organization).

Consider the enormous potential of your life and the collective potential of those with whom you serve. When you consider this potential, balance is a huge mistake.

Dec 17 2012

Criticism – 6 Things I Learned from Critics

I really don’t like to be criticized. A single criticism can ruin my entire day. I often wonder how someone so thin-skinned ended up in administration.

Dan Rockwell once said: Criticism is something you can avoid – by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

Is that what you really want?

Recently, I was thinking about criticism and about how often I am faced with it – daily!

Over the years I have benefited significantly from criticism. In fact, I am a better dad, a better husband, a better professional, a better leader… because of my interaction with critics.
Here are six things I have learned from critics:
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Dec 12 2012

Home Depot – How Did I End Up HERE?

A number of years ago, I purchased a commercial property that needed significant renovation. The entire project took about five years to complete. During those five years, I made approximately 24,352 trips to Home Depot. Ok, I made that up – but it seemed like that many. It was so many trips that I could get in my truck, put my mind on auto-pilot, and eight minutes later be getting out of my truck and walking into Home Depot.

It was a great system until one night my wife and I were going out to eat. We left the house and eight minutes later…Home Depot parking lot. Before I realized what I had actually done, Sarah assured me that we were NOT going to document trip number 24,353 prior to our dinner date.

Dec 03 2012

Communication and Structure – Get Any Organization Back on Track

Having been involved in organizational leadership for more than 20 years, I am always intrigued by those things that either hinder growth or support it. It’s true – every organization is moving ahead or its falling behind.

The primary focus of my work has been organizational development. In fact, the companies and institutions where I served each experienced significant growth while I was there. Several experienced record growth. And more importantly, some have continued to grow since I transitioned to a new place of work.

There are two things that have the most profound influence on whether an organization grows or declines…

Aug 29 2012

Family – Do you REALLY care about yours?

What is your family to you? Do you care about your spouse? Does it matter to you what your children will become? Not what they will do for work – but who they will be – what they will become. What legacy you are leaving for your grandchildren?

This post is part of the series – Non-Negotiables For a Healthy Family
Broken Family – It Doesn’t Have to be This Way
Family – Do You REALLY Care About Yours?

In our parenting journey, Sarah and I have noted essentials for healthy families. Every family can do these!

BONUS: I’ve created a NEW Guide that will walk you step-by-step through writing your own Personal Life Plan. You can find out how to get a copy of this life-changing tool at the end of this post.