Leadership Myths

Sorry for the LONG time off. I sent this article to my Leadership Team at church, so I thought I would break my nearly 2-month long silence and share with you.

5 Leadership Myths Every Leader Should Abandon

The following is an excerpt. See entire article at: http://careynieuwhof.com/2014/07/5-leadership-myths-every-leader-should-abandon

There are leadership myths: Things that most leaders believe are true that really aren't. We've all fallen for a few. How many are you still falling for? And what’s stopping you from abandoning them now?

Once you abandon them, you’ll be amazed at the progress you make.

Myth #1. Success will happen overnight.

There are very few overnight successes.  Musicians often struggle in obscurity and near defeat for years before they break through - same for writers, businesses, and many other leaders. So what do you do? Set realistic expectations. Work hard. Celebrate progress, even incremental. As Winston Churchill said, success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

Myth #2. Smart work, not hard work, will win the day.

Working 100+  hours a week is the answer to very few problems and completely unsustainable. But smart work is no substitute for hard work. You will always have to work hard on your leadership. You’ll always have to work hard on leading yourself, your team and your mission. When you stop growing, so do the people around you.

Myth #3. I will get universal buy-in.

This myth is so seductive.  That day will never come. You might get most people to buy in, but you will never get everyone to buy in. This kills most leaders because it causes them to procrastinate. The myth makes them "wait" until all the conditions are right to launch their big move. Conditions will never be perfect. "Everybody" will never buy in. Sometimes you just need to lead.

Myth #4. There is a silver bullet.

A silver bullet? A model I can just embrace and press play and everything will magically be wonderful? Right? Wrong. Systems trump silver bullets. If you have a problem, the system you’re using created it. To change the outcome, change the system.

Myth #5. One day I will arrive.

No you won’t. Effective leaders keep growing. They never stop. They are just relentlessly curious, and the curiosity keeps them growing. Organizations that become complacent, like people who become complacent, inevitably decline. The more successful you are, the more you will be tempted to think you have arrived. That’s why the greatest enemy of your future success is your current success.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

Email: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

Dilbert Leadership

5 Ways to Build Your Integrity

See full article at: http://careynieuwhof.com/2012/02/5-ways-to-build-your-integrity

Integrity is about more than just doing the right thing. It’s about building the kind of character that can survive a crisis intact. In the same way a building that has integrity can survive a storm, a life that has integrity can do the same.

So how do you build integrity?

1. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself. Of all the lies we tell, the ones we tell ourselves are the most deadly. Question your motives. Stop justifying what you know to be wrong. Stop excusing yourself.

2. Seek wise counsel. We all have blind spots. It’s one thing to be honest with yourself, but sometimes you and I are just blind to faults others can see. Find three or four people who believe in you and ask them for feedback on your life.

3. Decide to honor God, not please people. Doing the right thing is almost never the easy thing, and sometimes it’s not the popular thing. Honoring God is not the same as believing you are always right and everyone else is wrong – it simply means you are going to live with a long view of what to do, informed by scripture. It means enduring short term pain for longer term gain. To avoid becoming arrogant or deluded, make sure you test what obedience looks like for you not only against scripture and prayer, but also with your circle of wise counsel (see above). They will see things you can’t see.

4. Be appropriately transparent. We’d all like to be something we’re not. Admit your shortcomings. You don’t have to tell everyone what you’re struggling with, but you need to tell someone. Part of being honest with yourself is being honest with others. And as much as you might be afraid that everyone will think less of you, living transparently and not pretending to be someone you aren’t actually makes people think more of you. It’s counter-intuitive. It’s also transformative.

5. Put yourself first when it comes to personal growth. I know that sounds selfish, even unbibilical, but I’m not sure it is. Jesus prepared for thirty years before ministering for three. And during those three years he often disappeared to pray. You can only give what you’ve got. And he spent whole seasons of his life receiving from God what he needed to give to the world. Cancel some appointments. Tell the kids to wait. You need to build a solid spiritual, emotional and relational foundation for your life. Pray. Open the Bible (for you – not for anyone else pastors). Go for a run. Eat something healthy. Go for dinner with a friend who gives you life. If your cup is empty, how are you going to fill anyone else’s?

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

Email: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

5 Signs You Lack Integrity

See full article at: http://careynieuwhof.com/2012/02/5-signs-you-lack-integrity

Don’t just think of these things as character flaws, think of what’s at stake: when the crises hit (and they will), you won’t be left standing.  Simple as that.  When you attend to these things, you integrity grows, and so does your ability to live and lead through difficult times.

1. It’s all about you. You can say it’s about God.  You can say it’s about others.  But only you and God know your heart.  Selfish people harm their organizations, families and friends.  If it’s all about you, you won’t go the distance.  Or you will,  but you’ll hurt a lot of people in the process and you’ll never know what could have happened if you made it about God and others.

2. Your self esteem rises and falls with the opinion of others. A secure leader can see the right way and lead people there through tough conditions.  An insecure leader will bend with every change in public opinion. This means you’re not actually leading anyone, not even yourself.

3. You’re hiding things. You shouldn’t be telling everyone everything (that’s not healthy) - but someone needs to know everything.  If you’re keeping secrets, you’re heading for a fall.  Between my wife, elders, close friends and counselor, I have an inner circle that knows everything about me.  (By the way, if you’re afraid to give your password on your computer or phone to anyone in that circle, you’re hiding things.)

4. You fail to do what you said you were going to do. This isn’t just about keeping promises; it’s about keeping your word in everything.  Better to say nothing and surprise someone by delivering than blurt out an intention you can’t fulfill.   Ultimately, people lose confidence in you when you fail to deliver.  It’s a trust issue.   A fairly easy way to address this is to say less and deliver more.  A great follow up system also helps (sometimes a lack of integrity isn’t even a moral issue – just an awareness and organization issue).

5. You make too many compromises. Leadership is not about getting everyone to like you or about finding the easiest path.  It’s about discerning the best way forward.  It’s about getting people to go where they wouldn’t go if it wasn’t for leadership.  If you make too many decisional compromises or even a handful of personal compromises, your effectiveness will be–you guessed it– compromised.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

Email: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

7 Questions in 10 Minutes

Consider asking yourself these seven questions within the first 10 minutes of your morning.

1.   If I could only get one thing done today, what would it be?

2.   Have I set aside quiet time with God to pray, reflect and read His Word?

3.   Is there any unconfessed sin in my life that I should confess?

4.   Are there any relational issues with others that need rectifying?

5.   Am I eating a healthy breakfast with plenty of protein and healthy carbs?

6.   Am I focusing on the positive, good things in life and ministry, or do my thoughts immediately turn negative?

7.   Do I have a consistent routine like getting up at the same time, eating at the same time, taking a shower at the same time, etc., or is each morning dramatically different?

What we do first thing in the morning will dramatically affect the rest of your day. The Psalmist offers great advice with these words:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Ps 143.8, NIV)

  

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/246539-7-questions-leaders-ask-every-morning.html

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

Email: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

EMPOWERMENT - One Time When It’s Not a Good Idea

What do you do if you really don’t think the person is capable of accomplishing the goals they’ve set? When it comes to aiming high with employees [or volunteers], you have to be careful. If you are so encouraging and have such a high value for fairness that you treat everyone the same way regardless of their competence or skill level, because you believe anything is possible, and you haven’t been disappointed yet, you will be soon.

Just because you see great potential in an employee and desperately want that person to be capable of great growth doesn't mean they are actually ready, willing, and able to rise to the occasion. For some, all you have to do is set the bar high and they won’t stop until they succeed. But others really just want to stay cozy in their comfort zone and do exactly what is expected. These are not the people with whom empowerment will be effective.

See full article here:

http://leaderchat.org/2015/02/07/empowerment-one-time-when-its-not-a-good-idea

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

@PastorDaniel321

PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

Ten Ways To Say "Yes" To Saying "No"

Saying “no” feels like a door closing. Those who can’t say no end up over-committed, overwhelmed, and ineffective. Saying no is the first step toward freedom for someone who says yes too much. 

Yes:

1. Keeps options open.
2. Reflects positive attitude.
3. Explores opportunity.
4. Moves forward.

 Too many "Yes's" cause:

1. Confusion.
2. Over-commitment.
3. Missed deadlines.
4. Mediocre results.
5. Anxiety.
6. Neglected relationships.
7. Diluted impact.
8. Letting teams down.
9. Persistent fatigue.
10. Stress.

"NO" PROTECTS SUCCESS.

No:

1. Protects energy
2. Enables focus.
3. Limits distraction. 

THE QUICKEST WAY TO RADICALLY IMPROVE LIFE AND LEADERSHIP, FOR THOSE ADDICTED TO "YES" IS SAYING "NO."

A good "No":

1. Makes room for priorities.
2. Keeps you living in your strengths.
3. Opens a door. 

THOSE WHO CAN’T SAY "NO" ARE DOOMED TO FRUSTRATION AND MEDIOCRITY.

Saying "No":

1. Don’t fully book. Leave open spaces on your calendar.
2. Practice saying no with friends. Get together and say, “Let’s learn how to say no.”
3. Choose a no statement that feels good to you. “I’d love to but I can’t.”
4. Say yes selectively. Ask yourself, “Do I love this, or, am I tolerating it?”
5. Say no sooner rather than later. It’s hard to say no after you said yes.
6. Identify your values. Say to yourself, “That’s not important to me.”
7. Do more of what fulfills.
8. Stop saying, “If I can just get through this … things will be better.”
9. Give yourself space. When you feel pressure to say yes, say, “Let me think about it.” But, realize a delay keeps issues on your plate.
10. Go ahead and explain yourself. “I’d love to say yes, but ….”

Pressured to say "Yes"?

Leaders who can’t say no are pushed around by people and opportunities.

People who pressure you to say yes are manipulators. Once you start saying yes, they’ll keep expecting you to say yes. Stand your ground or be a doormat.

See article here: https://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/ten-ways-to-say-yes-to-saying-no

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

EMail: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

Attitude and Academics

No, I don't believe in waving around my degrees as evidence of my expertise. One, that would be false advertising, because all the degree means is that I've studied the ACADEMIC aspects. Two, only practical real-life application gives one the EXPERIENCE aspect that is"on the job training." For example, you can read all about working on Black Friday in the retail world, but until you do it ... trust me on this ... you don't get it. Same with leadership. You can understand how to lead a team on paper, but until you start dealing with different people’s attitudes, quirks, and priorities, you won’t understand how difficult it is.

You don’t need a degree to be a good leader. There are great leaders who have little schooling, and there are those with a plethora of degrees who have no idea how to lead a team. Leadership is more about ATTITUDE than ACADEMICS.

Sure, having the education is a tremendous advantage, because surrounding yourself with theories and reading the great works on leadership help form your own attitudes and opinions. If you approach your leadership education as a dry sponge, absorbing what you learn and appreciate from others, you are certainly better off than when you started.

But, as I said, education is a recommendation – a VERY strong recommendation, mind you – but it is not an absolute prerequisite. Great leaders who have no formal education have the “dry sponge” attitude, learning from those around them. Attitude, grasshopper, attitude. Many of us have had horrible managers who thought they were good leaders. They were ignorant fools who thought they had leadership figured out, rather than trying to learn from others.

Unfortunately, some leaders today are also ignorant fools. They think leadership is treating people fairly, being open and honest, etc. Yes, that will get you a good way down the road. But the real problem is that most leaders don’t challenge themselves by asking a simple question – “What if I’m wrong?” By opening yourself up to this question, by allowing yourself to have this attitude of "maybe I have a wrong opinion," you may just stumble on a better way to do things. I firmly believe that the vast majority of SUCCESSFUL leaders have an attitude of, “I need to keep learning.” So keep reading, grasshopper, and keep learning.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

Twitter: @PastorDaniel321

EMail: PastorDaniel321@gmail.com

Welcome!

WELCOME TO MY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT BLOG

Welcome!! I am so glad you are here.

MY NAME is Daniel Lynn. I am an ordained pastor at Nashua Baptist Church in Nashua, NH.

MY ROLE there is “Pastor of Leadership Development,” where I “coach” our Leadership Team to better align their organizations with the mission, vision, and goals of our senior pastor.

MY EDUCATION includes a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Liberty University Seminary, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from SUNY Buffalo (State University of New York).

MY GOAL for this blog is to share information about leadership – sometimes regarding the church, sometimes not. Whether or not you are teaching others or learning yourself, leadership information is plentiful. These posts will be ones I find most interesting.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:17

Pastor Daniel

You can also find me on Twitter @PastorDaniel321