Failing Forward
Here is an excerpt I found that John Maxwell wrote about failure
Failing Forward
by Dr. John C. Maxwell
Vincent Van Gogh failed as an art dealer, flunked his entrance exam to theology school, and was fired by the church after an ill-fated attempt at missionary work. In fact, during his life, he seldom experienced anything other than failure as an artist. Although a single painting by Van Gogh would fetch in excess of $100 million today, in his lifetime Van Gogh sold only one painting, four months prior to his death.
Before developing his theory of relativity, Albert Einstein encountered academic failure. One headmaster expelled Einstein from school and another teacher predicted that he would never amount to anything. Einstein even failed his entrance exam into college.
Prior to dazzling the world with his athletic skill, Michael Jordan was cut from his sophomore basketball team. Even though he captured six championships, during his professional career, Jordan missed over 12,000 shots, lost nearly 400 games, and failed to make more than 25 would-be game-winning baskets.
Failure didn’t stop Vincent Van Gogh from painting, Albert Einstein from theorizing, or Michael Jordan from playing basketball, but it has paralyzed countless leaders and prevented them from reaching their potential.
No one remembers any of these people for their failures. Their legacies were defined by their successes because of their failures.
Why are we so afraid that people are going to remember our failures?
I didn’t know most of these facts until I read them in the article Maxwell wrote. We as a culture have shied away from failure and even when we teach kids in school we don’t teach them about all the failures some of these people had. We love to glorify everything and make it sound better. But success does not come as easy as everyone makes it sound in the books. Success comes from learning from failures.
Don’t let failure stop you from moving on. Look back and learn from it, that is what failing forward is all about.
Have a great day
David
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
10 Qualities a leader must have!
A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric Co., said, "Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion."
A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious.
A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same.
Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Such an individual can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity.
Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity. A leader who is centered in integrity will be more approachable by followers.
Dedication means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. A leader inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes to complete the next step toward the vision. By setting an excellent example, leaders can show followers that there are no nine-to-five jobs on the team, only opportunities to achieve something great.
Magnanimity means giving credit where it is due. A magnanimous leader ensures that credit for successes is spread as widely as possible throughout the company. Conversely, a good leader takes personal responsibility for failures. This sort of reverse magnanimity helps other people feel good about themselves and draws the team closer together. To spread the fame and take the blame is a hallmark of effective leadership.
Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members of the team. A humble leader is not self-effacing but rather tries to elevate everyone. Leaders with humility also understand that their status does not make them a god. Mahatma Gandhi is a role model for Indian leaders, and he pursued a “follower-centric” leadership role.
Openness means being able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Good leaders are able to suspend judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accept new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision.
Creativity is the ability to think differently, to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Creativity gives leaders the ability to see things that others have not seen and thus lead followers in new directions. The most important question that a leader can ask is, “What if … ?” Possibly the worst thing a leader can say is, “I know this is a dumb question ... ”
Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He or she must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication.
Assertiveness is not the same as aggressiveness. Rather, it is the ability to clearly state what one expects so that there will be no misunderstandings. A leader must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their leader.
A sense of humor is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Effective leaders know how to use humor to energize followers. Humor is a form of power that provides some control over the work environment. And simply put, humor fosters good camaraderie.
Lead well today!
Have a great day
David
A leader with vision has a clear, vivid picture of where to go, as well as a firm grasp on what success looks like and how to achieve it. But it’s not enough to have a vision; leaders must also share it and act upon it. Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric Co., said, "Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion."
A leader must be able to communicate his or her vision in terms that cause followers to buy into it. He or she must communicate clearly and passionately, as passion is contagious.
A good leader must have the discipline to work toward his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team toward the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same.
Integrity is the integration of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside and on the inside. Such an individual can be trusted because he or she never veers from inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. A leader must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity.
Honest dealings, predictable reactions, well-controlled emotions, and an absence of tantrums and harsh outbursts are all signs of integrity. A leader who is centered in integrity will be more approachable by followers.
Dedication means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. A leader inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes to complete the next step toward the vision. By setting an excellent example, leaders can show followers that there are no nine-to-five jobs on the team, only opportunities to achieve something great.
Magnanimity means giving credit where it is due. A magnanimous leader ensures that credit for successes is spread as widely as possible throughout the company. Conversely, a good leader takes personal responsibility for failures. This sort of reverse magnanimity helps other people feel good about themselves and draws the team closer together. To spread the fame and take the blame is a hallmark of effective leadership.
Leaders with humility recognize that they are no better or worse than other members of the team. A humble leader is not self-effacing but rather tries to elevate everyone. Leaders with humility also understand that their status does not make them a god. Mahatma Gandhi is a role model for Indian leaders, and he pursued a “follower-centric” leadership role.
Openness means being able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Good leaders are able to suspend judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accept new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between leaders and followers, and it also keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision.
Creativity is the ability to think differently, to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Creativity gives leaders the ability to see things that others have not seen and thus lead followers in new directions. The most important question that a leader can ask is, “What if … ?” Possibly the worst thing a leader can say is, “I know this is a dumb question ... ”
Fairness means dealing with others consistently and justly. A leader must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He or she must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence. When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward a leader with loyalty and dedication.
Assertiveness is not the same as aggressiveness. Rather, it is the ability to clearly state what one expects so that there will be no misunderstandings. A leader must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their leader.
A sense of humor is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Effective leaders know how to use humor to energize followers. Humor is a form of power that provides some control over the work environment. And simply put, humor fosters good camaraderie.
Lead well today!
Have a great day
David
Monday, September 14, 2009
Good Words...
Here is some really good thoughts from a blog I read often ...
Good teachers don't just give answers. They force students to discover things for themselves. The word education means "to draw out." Based on the way we teach in schools and churches, you'd think it meant "to cram in."
Some things cannot be taught. They can only be revealed. And that's the difference between ideas and core convictions. Truth has to be owned. And the way we own it isn't via someone telling us about it. That's second-hand knowledge. We have to experience it for ourselves. That's why sermons aren't sufficient. They have to lead to self-discovery. Few things are as powerful as a personally discovered truth that is revealed by the Holy Spirit. It reminds me of the incident in Samaria where the woman at the well tells her friends and family about Jesus. Remember what they said? "We no longer believe because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves."
Here's a simple thought. And I think leaders and parents will identify with it. You can tell someone what they did wrong a thousand times. And there is a time and place for that. But when you tell someone what they did wrong they often become defensive. Here's a great question that is non-threatening. And it leads to self-evaluation and self-discovery: what would you do differently? That puts the ball in their court. And it's the key to spiritual growth. You want to mature spiritually? It requires unconditional commitment to honest evaluation. You have to be more concerned about who you're becoming than being right. It's a raw humility that wants to be challenged and confronted.
Have a Great Day
David
Here is some really good thoughts from a blog I read often ...
Good teachers don't just give answers. They force students to discover things for themselves. The word education means "to draw out." Based on the way we teach in schools and churches, you'd think it meant "to cram in."
Some things cannot be taught. They can only be revealed. And that's the difference between ideas and core convictions. Truth has to be owned. And the way we own it isn't via someone telling us about it. That's second-hand knowledge. We have to experience it for ourselves. That's why sermons aren't sufficient. They have to lead to self-discovery. Few things are as powerful as a personally discovered truth that is revealed by the Holy Spirit. It reminds me of the incident in Samaria where the woman at the well tells her friends and family about Jesus. Remember what they said? "We no longer believe because of what you said. Now we have heard for ourselves."
Here's a simple thought. And I think leaders and parents will identify with it. You can tell someone what they did wrong a thousand times. And there is a time and place for that. But when you tell someone what they did wrong they often become defensive. Here's a great question that is non-threatening. And it leads to self-evaluation and self-discovery: what would you do differently? That puts the ball in their court. And it's the key to spiritual growth. You want to mature spiritually? It requires unconditional commitment to honest evaluation. You have to be more concerned about who you're becoming than being right. It's a raw humility that wants to be challenged and confronted.
Have a Great Day
David
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
16 Signs That A Leader Has Lost His Mind
Found this great list ... I think some day's I'm working on 1/2 a brain.
#1 – He refuses to admit his mistakes.
#2 – He begins to blame the problems on people or circumstances rather than actually seeking out what the problem might be.
#3 – He refuses to listen to the team assembled around him.
#4 – He fights every idea that isn’t his own, thinking his originality is what must keep the church afloat.
#5 – He refuses to face reality.
#6 – He is unwilling to make the necessary changes because it would be highly unpopular.
#7 – He tries to listen to what everyone has to say about every situation.
#8 – He begins to believe that God’s favor on his life is because of how good he is rather than because of how good God is!
#9 – He believes that he can’t learn anything from churches that are smaller than his. (This would be arrogance!)
#10 – He abuses his staff to accomplish his agenda rather than leading them to accomplish God’s.
#11 – He fears asking for commitment because of how people may perceive him.
#12 – He becomes obsessed with the way things are rather than how they should be.
#13 – He views himself as an expert.
#14 – He tries to motivate with fear rather than vision.
#15 – He doesn’t seek fresh revelation from God and often goes back to what has been done instead of seeking direction for what has never been done.
#16 – He stops taking risks and becomes obsessed with playing it safe.
Something to think about
Have a Great day
David
Found this great list ... I think some day's I'm working on 1/2 a brain.
#1 – He refuses to admit his mistakes.
#2 – He begins to blame the problems on people or circumstances rather than actually seeking out what the problem might be.
#3 – He refuses to listen to the team assembled around him.
#4 – He fights every idea that isn’t his own, thinking his originality is what must keep the church afloat.
#5 – He refuses to face reality.
#6 – He is unwilling to make the necessary changes because it would be highly unpopular.
#7 – He tries to listen to what everyone has to say about every situation.
#8 – He begins to believe that God’s favor on his life is because of how good he is rather than because of how good God is!
#9 – He believes that he can’t learn anything from churches that are smaller than his. (This would be arrogance!)
#10 – He abuses his staff to accomplish his agenda rather than leading them to accomplish God’s.
#11 – He fears asking for commitment because of how people may perceive him.
#12 – He becomes obsessed with the way things are rather than how they should be.
#13 – He views himself as an expert.
#14 – He tries to motivate with fear rather than vision.
#15 – He doesn’t seek fresh revelation from God and often goes back to what has been done instead of seeking direction for what has never been done.
#16 – He stops taking risks and becomes obsessed with playing it safe.
Something to think about
Have a Great day
David
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Numbered!
A friend posted this devotion ... good stuff.
OUTNUMBERED
As with most lessons from the Lord, this one began with a simple Bible text that caught my attention; I found myself meditating on (i.e., thinking often about) one of dozens of incidents when God tells His kids not to be intimidated by the enemy’s superior size or numbers. He says, “Do not be shocked, nor fear them” (Deuteronomy 1:29), and though they are more numerous, just keep remembering who is on your side (Deuteronomy 20:1‐4).
That sounds like the pep talk I used to give the U‐10 soccer team I coached the season we had two incredible, no‐one‐is‐better players (No, I didn’t recruit them). As a coach, I knew my players would do better if they worried less about how impressive the other teams appeared. I wanted to spare my kids anxiety and fear—besides, having coached a long time, I knew we really would win every game that season.
It’s easy to read such words from the Lord in a legalistic, prove‐you’re‐really‐a‐good‐Christian manner, imagining His voice tinged with disgust at the pathetic team He has to work with. God isn’t angry when He tells us not to be unnerved by the odds. He’s simply reminding us that He has what it takes—even (especially) when we don’t.
Do I have what it takes? I almost always need more resources than I have in hand. As a pastor I feel constantly undersupplied (time, money, volunteers), and in want of more…everything! As an individual believer I worry about not having enough (right) words to share my faith, not having enough money to cover college tuition for my kids, not enough people in my Bible study, etc.
Unknowingly, the pursuit of “excellence” in my church and in my life can end up being little more than a desire to have good enough goods, numerous enough resources, to even the odds. I want to be able to count what I have—and conclude that my chances for winning are good. Actually, I want enough of whatever to assure victory…on my own.
UNNUMBERED
When Jesus encouraged us to count the cost, He did so partly by telling a story of a king whose army was outnumbered. The point of the story is not for us to be sure we have enough soldiers to match the enemy’s numbers. Rather, unless we realize that the numbers will almost always be against us, we’ll be tempted to size up the size of our army, and surrender before the Unnumbered One can fight for us.
I’d be content if God would at least show up on the troop roster—even in disguise and under an alias—and assemble, unnoticed to all, where I could see Him wink at me periodically. But He’s never there! He’s invisible.
That’s one of the great things about an invisible God. Granted, we cannot see Him or count Him among the ranks/resources supporting us. But neither could Goliath or Pharaoh see Him, until it’s too late. That realization is helping me become eager for battle when the obvious odds are against me.
God can’t be counted—but He can always be counted on.
Have a great day
David
A friend posted this devotion ... good stuff.
OUTNUMBERED
As with most lessons from the Lord, this one began with a simple Bible text that caught my attention; I found myself meditating on (i.e., thinking often about) one of dozens of incidents when God tells His kids not to be intimidated by the enemy’s superior size or numbers. He says, “Do not be shocked, nor fear them” (Deuteronomy 1:29), and though they are more numerous, just keep remembering who is on your side (Deuteronomy 20:1‐4).
That sounds like the pep talk I used to give the U‐10 soccer team I coached the season we had two incredible, no‐one‐is‐better players (No, I didn’t recruit them). As a coach, I knew my players would do better if they worried less about how impressive the other teams appeared. I wanted to spare my kids anxiety and fear—besides, having coached a long time, I knew we really would win every game that season.
It’s easy to read such words from the Lord in a legalistic, prove‐you’re‐really‐a‐good‐Christian manner, imagining His voice tinged with disgust at the pathetic team He has to work with. God isn’t angry when He tells us not to be unnerved by the odds. He’s simply reminding us that He has what it takes—even (especially) when we don’t.
Do I have what it takes? I almost always need more resources than I have in hand. As a pastor I feel constantly undersupplied (time, money, volunteers), and in want of more…everything! As an individual believer I worry about not having enough (right) words to share my faith, not having enough money to cover college tuition for my kids, not enough people in my Bible study, etc.
Unknowingly, the pursuit of “excellence” in my church and in my life can end up being little more than a desire to have good enough goods, numerous enough resources, to even the odds. I want to be able to count what I have—and conclude that my chances for winning are good. Actually, I want enough of whatever to assure victory…on my own.
UNNUMBERED
When Jesus encouraged us to count the cost, He did so partly by telling a story of a king whose army was outnumbered. The point of the story is not for us to be sure we have enough soldiers to match the enemy’s numbers. Rather, unless we realize that the numbers will almost always be against us, we’ll be tempted to size up the size of our army, and surrender before the Unnumbered One can fight for us.
I’d be content if God would at least show up on the troop roster—even in disguise and under an alias—and assemble, unnoticed to all, where I could see Him wink at me periodically. But He’s never there! He’s invisible.
That’s one of the great things about an invisible God. Granted, we cannot see Him or count Him among the ranks/resources supporting us. But neither could Goliath or Pharaoh see Him, until it’s too late. That realization is helping me become eager for battle when the obvious odds are against me.
God can’t be counted—but He can always be counted on.
Have a great day
David
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