Speak and Lead from the Heart

Recently I listened to a well-known leader speaking on leadership.  It was passionless.  Flat.  Carrying no emotion.  Just information.  It made minimal impact on the audience.  Great content, but it left me wondering what he really believed. Skepticism will be transformed to belief when your listeners believe that YOU believe in what you are saying.  Delivering a deeply emotional talk will be powerful if the problem is clearly described and the solution you speak about is compelling.  Don’t hold back from imploring people to respond to a cause you are passionate about.

People will be willing to make difficult changes in their lives if you speak from your heart.

People follow passionate leaders, not positions of leadership.

Speaking from the heart allows you to lead from the heart and will inspire people to follow you.

“Your job as a leader is to tap into the power of higher purpose – and you can’t do that by retreating to the analytical.  If you want to lead, have the courage to do it from the heart.”   Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross.

Sally's Update

Dear Praying Friends, You've been praying.......there have been answers!!  My white blood cells went from dangerously low to almost normal in 2 weeks.  That was pretty amazing, and a wonderful answer to prayer!  I couldn't have continued my treatment without that.

With my 2nd chemo treatment, I'm now a third of the way through.  That seems much less daunting than thinking of how much is left. :)  The side effects from the 2nd round seemed easier......definitely an answer to prayer.  I can imagine the "shock" of all that chemo going in the first time must have been a jolt to the body.  They adjusted my anti-nausea and sleeping meds., which has been a big help.  I've had more pain this time, but less of other symptoms.

My lovely photo quilt that I mentioned in the last update (from our daughter, son-in-law and grandkids) was oohed and aahed over in the chemo room!  It was so special.  I felt surrounded by love. Lots of the patients and nurses were so touched by the thoughtfulness of it from family so far away.  I've attached a photo below of being "hugged" by family during my chemo treatment.

I also have a new look......the bald look.  It's been an adjustment.  I was prepared mentally, but the emotions really hit me when I kept looking in the mirror.  You can see my new look below too.  I waited a few days to share the look because I didn't want to get my computer wet while I was typing about it. :(  I'm not quite sure why some people choose this look - it feels so much more vulnerable!  But I have been told I have a nice shaped head!  :) I'd have never known!!

We've been having a mild winter with lots of sunny days.  I know it's not just for me, but it feels like a "gift."  I just seem to feel better when the sun shines!  A number of people have told me they've prayed for that.

Some new prayer points:

-  We're working with the airlines canceling all our tickets for our planned travel of the next few months. Please pray with us for favor for that.  Some are easier to work with than others!  Please pray that we won't lose too much on all the cancellation fees.

-  Please pray for the evenings for me.  They seem to be the hardest.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm tired and my energy is low, but that seems to be when some of the worst side effects hit.  I also feel vulnerable emotionally at night.

While I'm going through this personal story, the ministry side continues on.  We send a new team to Jordan this week to work with the refugees. We have an important leadership meeting coming up there in Sept. too. I'd love for Floyd to still go.  Please pray for wisdom in deciding about that.

Many of you write to ask how I'm doing.  I'm so touched by that.  But please know, too, that I'm trying to not bombard you with too many emails. I know this is a long season!  I have months to go in treatment.  If you'd prefer not to receive emails, please let me know.  I understand!!!  I'm trying to send "breaking" news, but not over do it.

I have come to a new appreciation of the fellowship and prayers of the saints in these days.  Family, friends, prayer partners - more precious than gold!  Thank you for loving us and standing with us in this season. With love and gratitude, Sally & Floyd Ps. 18:18  "They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but the Lord was my support.  He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me."

I'm looking forward to that "broad place" He has for us in the future.  He's so faithful to bring good from hard times!

First Impressions

Biased first impressions create hierarchy in groups.  They are driven by perceptions about age, race, gender and education.  True leaders counter biases and influence the group to see differently.

How do we re-set our first impressions?

• Rethink generalization of people

• Repent of negative first impressions of people

• Pray a simple prayer about your reactions to people:  “Father, let me see what you see about this person, and allow me to feel what you feel about them.”

• Rephrase negative or thoughtless statements about people

Words have power.

Rethink,   repent,   rephrase...  choose a more generous attitude toward others.

Urban Culture Transcends Borders

My urban journey has gone from Kabul to Amsterdam to Cape Town and as I lived in these very different places, I became fascinated with the rise of cities.  I was provoked to develop a theology of the city, which I have reflected in my book, 'Seeing the City With the Eyes of God'.

Here is what I learned about urban culture:

• Urban cultures are like mountain tops... everything flows down from there to smaller towns and rural areas regardless of national borders and language differences.

• Urban cultures are trend setters.   What happens in cities today happens in the rest of the world 5 and 10 years from now.

• Urban cultures are multi-ethnic.  When I moved to Amsterdam there were 114 languages spoken in the city.  Today, there are more than 180 languages spoken there.

• Vast segments of worldwide urban culture identify with American youth culture via TV, music and movies.

• This identification is producing a hostility and backlash in certain parts of the world, namely the Middle East and the Muslim world.

• Urban young adults are vastly different from their rural counterparts.

• Urban sub-cultures are like villages stacked on top of each other, connecting via ethnic similarity and language, not urban geography.

• Cities have personalities... some are financial centers, some are fashion and cultural trend setters, and still others are the center of gravity for spiritual appetite and curiosity.

The Focused Leader

I learned an essential leadership skill from a mentor.  The skill of giving undivided attention.

This man always looked people in the eye, smiled and listened attentively.  He did not allow others to interrupt.  He worked at remembering peoples names.

People were important to him -  and it showed.

Great leaders focus... inwardly... on others... on the world around them.

Leadership is not just a set of skills.  It starts with an attitude that says "you are important".

Most leadership programs focus on what a leader should know and do, but the true starting point is focusing on people.

Turn off your smart phone, blank out the activity around you and make the person in front of you feel important by giving them what is most valuable to you...  your time and your undivided attention.

Africa's Time is Now

African nations are beginning to take responsibility for Africa – instead of looking for handouts from the West. Africa’s economy is growing faster than that of any other continent.

However, there are 50-plus countries in Africa, so the growth needs to be looked at country by country to get an accurate understanding of what is happening in Africa.

African economies are synergistic. To look at Africa in a fractured light is to miss the dynamism of the whole. China certainly has not made that mistake. Presently, China has trade agreements with every country in Africa.

One example of the growth of the African economy is the explosion of mobile telephone usage across Africa. The Praekelt Foundation has focused on this phenomenon (www.praekeltfoundation.org ) and thus has become an incubator on mobile technology which improves the health and well-being of millions of African people living in poverty. There are now more than 450 million hand phones in use in Africa, almost one for every two people in Africa.

How to Prompt Trustworthiness in Others

When we feel and express gratitude towards others it fosters a sense of trustworthiness in them, which in turn, leads to trustworthy behaviour.  Even the most broken person has potential for greatness.  When we see that potential, we convey it in our attitude.

Be intentional about expressing belief and gratitude in people and you will inspire them to hope in themselves...even when hope has been destroyed in their past

Who Can You Trust?

God's trust in us is a gift based on His grace.  We should trust people for the same reason... His grace.  After all, everything outside of hell is grace.

Most people don't rise above the expectations of others unless there is someone who believes in them, who really thinks they are worth believing in.

Be a leader who believes in people and you will attract them to your cause and inspire them to grow.   Be a leader who sees the potential in others and draws them into their own personal greatness...

How Should We Portray Female Leaders?

The questions we ask and the words we use to frame the conversation about women in leadership can be biased and offensive if we are not careful. Our choice of language can reinforce negative stereotypes of female leaders. Women should not be portrayed as “bossy, emotional or too nice” just as men are not to be described as “chauvinistic, insensitive and domineering.” There are biases that hold female leaders back. We need to identify them, examine them, and get rid of them. Generalizations are not helpful in dealing with this topic. Certain leaders who write on this topic would not use generalizations about minority groups as “lazy, uneducated and aggressive.” They should no less use negative generalizations about women.

Maleness and femaleness are both reflections of God’s nature and character. We need both men and women in roles of leadership to give a fully rounded reflection of God’s perspective on things.

Temptation After Victory

Most leaders make their greatest mistakes after their greatest successes.  Beware the temptations that come after a great victory.  When things go well, don't let it go to your head.  Everything good in your life is a result of the blessing of God.

When God uses you, get on your knees and thank him.  He is the source and the goal of all that we do that has lasting value in people's lives.

When people honor you, simply say, "Thank you" and in the same breath say from the heart, "I'm glad God used me."

And mean it.

Creativity

"There is no such thing as a mistake in the creative process."  John Cleese

Failure

There is no such thing as failure if you learn from it.

Reframing Our Mindset About Problems

Problems are opportunities. The trick is to reframe your perspective from one of solving problems to appreciating an opportunity. You have to shift your perspective from inside (your church / business / school / synagogue) to outside, (how visitors / members / students / clients) perceive it.

It means asking those you serve how they want to be served, not how you have grown accustomed to serving them. How do your customers experience your business? How do students perceive the learning environment you have provided? How do members and visitors enjoy the life of your community?

The common approach to problem solving is a simple three-step approach:

1. Identify the problem

2. Outline possible solutions

3. Define the way forward from there

The problem with this approach is just that…it is a “problem” oriented approach.

Rather, search for what is working well for those you serve, and build on life, not on difficulties. What do people appreciate? What is life giving to them? What is working well is what needs to be expanded and improved, not what is not working.

Choose Who You Serve

Wise leaders don't wait for people to choose them, they carefully select who they will serve and then build their life mission on that decision.  A shotgun approach to servanthood can lead to an unfocused life...nice, but ineffective.

Balance?

Forget about being balanced.  Balanced people are boring.  Live for the extreme.  Believe in something so passionately that balance doesn't worry you.  Let your worry be 'will my life count for something?'.

Personal Mission Statement

A great way to decide on your life's mission statement is to imagine what you would like people to say about you at your funeral.  Imagine if you could 'listen in' to the future... and hear what your children and co-workers say about you.

Do You Want to Grow as a Leader?

This article is taken from the Acts 29 blog site found here.

GROW

By Ron Edmondson

“Here are seven sure ways to grow as a leader:

1. Desire growth

Sounds simple, but we tend to seek what we desire most. If you truly want to grow as a leader you will continually find ways to do so. Check your heart. Do you really desire to grow as a leader?

2. Accept correction

No one enjoys hearing they did something wrong, but many leaders view all correction as criticism rather than an opportunity to grow. Growing leaders realize that correction helps them improve so they can do better next time. (Proverbs 12:1) Check yourself. Can you take correction, even when it stings a little to hear, and turn it into something good?

3. Listen to wiser voices

Experience is the best teachers. And, all of us are surrounded by people who have grown wise through their experiences. Growing leaders glean all they can from other people. Would others consider you a wisdom seeker? Can you name specifically the voices you are learning from these days?

4. Invest in others

Growing leaders learn or reinforce leadership principles while helping others learn them. Sometimes it is not until we talk through an issue with others that we find clarity in the issue ourselves. (“Give and it will be given back to you”…) Ask yourself…Am I helping to grow other leaders? Am I allowing others to learn from my experience? Coul you name those people if asked?

5. Recognize weaknesses

And strengths. When you become more aware of what you do well and what you don’t, you grow as a leader. You start investing more energy in the strengths and seek to minimize the weaknesses. Can you admit there are some things you simply aren’t good at doing? Are you confident enough to recognize your strengths?

6. Refuse mediocrity

Growing leaders push themselves beyond the limits of normalcy. Average is common. Exceptional takes work. Are you seeking to go beyond what’s expected? Are you holding yourself to standards nothing short of your very best? (Isn’t that even Biblical?…”Whatever you do…do as if unto the Lord”.)

7. Embrace failure

Falling dow. Getting back up. Falling down. Getting back up. Growing leaders have learned this is a part of maturing as a leader. In honest evaluation, would you say you have allowed failure to shape you as a leader, or hold you back from all you could be as a leader?

I am certainly not suggesting this is an exhaustive list. I am advocating that growing as a leader requires intentionality on the part of the leader. It doesn’t automatically happen.

What are you doing to grow as a leader these days?”

Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Check out his blog here.

One Down - Five to Go

Dear Praying Friends,

1 down and 5 to go. :) My first day of chemo treatment went as well as I could have hoped for. I felt enveloped in God's peace and care all through the day. On the way there, I told Floyd that my body was a little nervous, but my heart was at peace. I felt carried by the prayers of friends.

There were little unexpected joys through the day. As we left our house, a friend was waiting at our gate with a gift bag of "survival" items for my day. It was so loving and thoughtful. Both Floyd and I were blessed as we opened the gifts all through the day.

The staff at the chemo center were very kind, but just the explanations of stuff they tell you scares you to death! It was a 6 hour treatment day. I was the 2nd to arrive, and the last to leave. Future days will be longer. They prepared me that this was my "easiest" chemo day - it will get harder. They were caring, positive, encouraging, but very realistic. The health care here in South Africa has been excellent. They gave me a good balance of encouragement and reality. I want to know what to expect so I can prepare myself for it.

The long day of treatment passed by quickly, and soon we were headed home. I was exhausted, but was glad to have one treatment finished. Thankfully, there was NO nausea - my biggest prayer request. I think I can handle all the other stuff more easily if I'm not nauseated. The drip they gave me for nausea will wear off today, so please continue to pray that there will be no nausea.

I've had lots of side effects in the last 48 hours, but I'm doing well. I've had ongoing knife like pain in my abdomen. I'm trusting that means there's lots of "killing" of cancer cells going on! That's what needs to happen.

One big prayer request - they told me the treatment can affect the kidneys. They will be testing to monitor that. I now have only the 1 functioning kidney. Please pray for protection for it......and continue to pray for a kidney miracle of the other one starting to function again.

The day before my treatment I went to our All Nations family staff meeting where everyone prayed for me. Very precious! I continually think of how grateful I am for all the prayer support.

One joy for me in the day is that Floyd is with me. It was very sad seeing all the people at the chemo center who were alone. Many of them. Lots of "stories" I'm sure. One young man looked like he was barely alive. I am so thankful to be surrounded by the love of family and friends. Thank you for being part of that.

Another unexpected joy was Lulu, the nurse who assisted me throughout my treatment. She was professional, caring and attentive.

Thank you for caring for Floyd and me during this time. We are so touched by your messages and your love.

Blessings,

Sally & Floyd

A Leader's Legacy

The key issue for a leader is what you leave behind.  It's not how spellbinding your words are, nor how funny... it is what you leave behind, the legacy that outlives you.  Ultimately, people are the greatest fruit of your life.  It's the people that you have shaped by the influence of your life that testify to the impact your life has had - and that's what counts!

Six Surprising Characteristics of Effective Leaders

From Thom Rainer's great blog site comes this fascinating article. This blog has looked at characteristics of effective pastors from different perspectives over the past few years. But this information may prove to be a bit surprising…

“A couple of caveats are in order. First, the idea of “surprising” can vary from person to person. I think you might be surprised at some of these traits, but you might not be. Second, the term “effective” is nebulous. I am not speaking of size of church or level of fame. I have subjectively noted several dozen pastors whose ministries have been consistent and whose impact in their churches and communities has been positive.

By the way, these same traits could apply to other church staff. Indeed, some of them could apply to any leaders. I’m omitting the obvious characteristics, like good preaching, strong morals, and faithfulness to family. Those would not be among the surprises.

What, then, are some of the surprising traits? I’m glad you asked.

1. They are persistent. Their lives could be characterized as “three steps forward, two steps backwards.” They have setbacks, but they remain stubbornly persistent.

2. They have a good sense of humor. They take their ministries seriously; but they don’t take themselves too seriously.

3. They are highly intentional about connecting with unchurched persons at least once a week. In fact, weekly intentionality is the norm. They put such interactions on their calendar. They take unchurched people to lunch. They are involved in non-religious community events.

4. They look in the mirror. These pastors have clear self-awareness. They are not only evaluating themselves constantly, they typically have a trusted advisor who tells them on a regular basis what he or she sees.

5. They are intentionally consistent learners. These pastors read a lot. They attend conferences. They expand their educational opportunities, both formal and informal.

6. Their most consistent discipline is daily Bible reading. This time in the Bible is beyond sermon preparation. This discipline is kept with greater rigor than any other discipline in their lives.

Again, these are some of the surprising traits I have noticed in effective pastors.

What do think of these six? What surprises you among them? What would you add?”

By Thom Rainer Lifeway Christian Resources www.thomrainer.com