LeadershipConneXtions

Hanging Out at Hope International

I spent a few hours yesterday at Hope International in Lancaster.

They are a  Christian organization that is doing micro-economic development, leadership development, and community development in Eastern Europe, Africa, India, China and some other places as well.

They have a great vision, a really energetic and committed team and an awesome track record. I think it is amazing what they have already accomplished.

Check them out at www.hopeinternational.org

We spent some time looking at Psalm 78:70-72 and some of the leadership metaphors in those few verses. It was fun being with them.

Living Word has invited their president, Peter Greer, to be one of our missions speakers in 2009.

Brian Rice

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (a Review)

I normally don't do two books back to back, but here is another, entirely different book that I cannot recommend enough to you.

If you are a leader . . .

If you are interested in your own spiritual formation . . .

If you are looking for someone (or a resource) who knows both leadership and spiritual formation and weaves those disciplines together . . .

If you could use a voice that is wise and experienced at helping leaders nourish their soul/heart out of which their leadership flows . . .

If you are slowly burning out and feeling diminished . . .

And if you have any kind of ministry where you must help other leaders pay attention to their inner life . . .

. . . then, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, by Ruth Haley Barton, is the book you have been waiting for. I have been waiting for a book like this for many years. In fact, if there is a book that defines what Leadership ConneXtions is all about, this is one of those books.

We are deeply interested in the spiritual formation of the inner world of those who are called to lead. Yes we pay attention to the work of leadership, the skills of leadership, all the external, observable, measureable stuff that is the daily grind of leadership. But even more important is the shaping of the life of the one who does all that external stuff.

Barton knows leadership and she knows spirituality and she knows the spirituality that leaders need to address the unique issues leaders face. Here are some of the chapters in her book:

• When Leaders Lose Their Souls
• The Practice of Paying Attention
• The Conundrum of Calling
• Guiding Others on the Spiritual Journey
• Living Within Limits
• Spiritual Rhythms in the Life of the Leader
• The Loneliness of Leadership
• From Isolation to Leadership Community
• Finding God's Will Together
• Reenvisioning the Promised Land

I hope this whets your appetite. I recommend using her book as a devotional guide. Read a few pages a day, note what is speaking to you, reflect, journal, pray through those things.

Blessings on your journey.

Brian Rice

The Trouble With Paris (A Book Review)

Here is the pdf of a lengthy review/essay on The Trouble With Paris by Sayers.

I think Sayers has offered a very important and accessible book that is good missiology on our postmodern culture. I think Sayers is saying some different things than some other emergent authors and I tend to think Sayers has done a better job of interpreting the culture.

You can read about it by cliking on the pdf.

Download TroubleWithParisReview.pdf

Brian Rice

Who Gets to Narrate the World? (A Review)

Who Gets to Narrate the World: Contending for the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals by Robert Webber, was the last book he wrote before he died of cancer.

Webber says there are two main contenders. First is a robust, holistic, biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption and consummation. Unfortunatelly, this narrative is all but lost in western Christianity.

The other contender is a radical, militaristic Islam, which even though it is in the minority number of Muslims, it has a power far beyond its numbers.

There are other rivals: variations of secular humanism (which have all proved empty and unable to sustain the west), and a privatistic spirituality that has new age, gnostic and Christian versions.

What is very interesting to me is that Webber completely misses what is perhaps the strongest rival and that is the one Barber talks about in McWorld vs Jihad. And that rival is western pop culture which is exported and globalized. Mark Sayers refers to it as hyper-reality.

Webber gives a short but nice overview of Western thought, painting the landscape in broad strokes and showing how we have arrived where we are today. He also provides a brief explanation of how western Christianity lost the biblical narrative. And he provides a brief introduction to the basic tenets of Islam.

Probably the weakest part of the book is his prescription for moving forward. He lists a number of items, but there is no additional thought as to what it might look like to do any of the things he mentions.

Webber's book is best described as a call to awarness and a plea for action, and not so much a strategy or guide to do what Webber believes must be done. It is best used as an introduction/primer for someone who knows very little about what I just described.

Brian Rice

Women in Leadership: A leader that is all of herself . . .

Here are some words (very slightly modified) by Ron Carucci from Leadership Divided (pp. 162). They are an encourgement to women leaders.

Before you are a leader, you are a woman. You are a mother. You are a wife. You are a sister a friend. Then, you are a leader, a mentor, a boss, a visionary. And women do those things differently from men. In fact, in some cases you do them better. Don't try and compete on men's terms. At least for the rest of your career, there will probably always be more of them than you. You are a leader and you are a women. Be proud of both.

And if you are, you will give your organization one of the greatest gifts you could ever offer. A leader that is all of herself - talented, smart, imperfect, learning, impatient, tender, driven, anxious - all of which she is . . . as a woman. (Ron Carucci)

I greatly appreciate and value the women leaders I know and want to say thank you for your faithfulness to God as you navigate the terrain of leadership in our day.

Brian Rice

Tony Snow and His Thoughts on Dying From Cancer

My good friend Winston W. sent me an article that was Tony Snow's reflections on his cancer.  His reflection is titled:

Cancer's Unexpected Blessings:  When You Enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Things Change.

I have added it for you as a pdf.

I think you'll find it worth reflecting on.

Download TonySnowCancer.pdf

Brian Rice

The Leadership Crisis (Some Stats)

I often talk about the leadership crisis when I teach on leadership. It is an introductory way to get people interested in what I am about to say. The leadership crisis means several things:

It means we don't have enough leaders.

It means we don't have enough trained leaders.

It means we have too many of the "wrong kind" of leader.

It means we have too few "reproducing" leaders.

Type in leadership crisis in your web browser and see what you come up with. There is a crisis of leadership in Africa, among blacks, in our school systems, in the British government, in the Hague, in Pakistan...I could probably list everything if I searched through the one million plus websites that are talking about the leadership crisis.

The Corporte Executive Board of the Corporate Leadership Council did a study to assess the potential of rising talent in an organization. Here is what they found.

97% of organizations reported significant leadership gaps.

40% of those organizations said their leadership deficiencies were acute.

74% of organizations said their leadership gap has a modest or significant negative impact on their bottom line.

59% said that failures of externally hired executives is a significant problem.

50% said that failures of internally promoted leaders is a significant problem.

Not only are there huge leadership needs and deficiencies that negatively affect organzations, but over half of all the emerging leaders being hired (i.e. the future of the organizatin) don't make it.

What does your church or parachurch or organization do to develop the leaders you have? Because the bottom line is that good leaders will be very hard to find and keep. We have to develop them (life long) if our organizations are going to be successful (bear much fruit that lasts).

Developing leaders who then develop other leaders is at the heart of Leadership ConneXtions International. If we can help you in any way, get in touch with us.

Brian Rice

Why Do You Lead?

We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves. 

Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run a sub-four minute mile, May 6, 1954.  (pictured to the right)

I run. In the distant past I ran a lot, but for many years I have not been serious or dedicated about running. But I am running once again.

I run, not as Roger Bannister ran. He ran out of joy. Eric Liddell ran because he felt God's pleasure (pictured to the left).

When I run, I do not feel joy and I certainly do not feel God's pleasure. (Perhaps I feel God's pity, but that is about it.)

I run because I need to run. I run because I need to lose weight, improve my cardiovascular system, and strengthen leg muscles. I run for the benefits.

But I have to make myself run. Every now and then, (now that I am running longer distances and for longer times) I hit the zone that runners love. Suddenly running is easier. The breathing flows. The legs have a rhythm. Brain chemistry is doing wonderful things (having to do with endomorphins and pleasure).

But most of the time, running is just plain hard work. I do it because I have to do it and I have to make myself do it.

But I am a bit wistful about Sir Roger Bannister (joy) and Eric Liddell (glory) and Wilma Rudolph (pictured to the right, who ran for the dream). They ran and could not stop themselves from running.

I wonder . . .  Why do I lead?

For the joy set before me? 

Because I feel His pleasure?

Because of the dream?

Because I cannot help myself?

Or just as a mercenary, for the benefits . . .

Leader as the hired hand or good shepherd?

So whether you eat or drink (or lead) or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Brian Rice

Control Freaks

If you've been to an AA meeting, you know the routine for introductions.

"Hi, my name is Amy and I'm an alcoholic."

"Hi, my name is John and I'm an alcoholic."

Sometimes I think we should start our leadership meetings by saying, "Hi, my name is ___________ (insert your name) and I'm a control freak.

Control and leadership.

It is a real issue and a painful one.

We hate it when things are out of control. We don't like not being in control. We hold on to control (power and authority) way too much. We are slow to give away control to others. We are quick to take control if we don't have it.

Being "out of control" is certainly a problem. Lindsay Lohan is out of control. So is Kate Moss (hanging out the window upside down!!!). British soccer fans are out of control. A child throwing a temper tantrum is out of control.

Self-control is a virtue and one that needs careful development. But the control we are talking about is different. It is the kind of control that seeks to solely possess power and authority for decisions. It is the kind of control that seeks to hyper manage reality by our own efforts. It is our attempt to force reality to "be" according to our will.

Here are some of our reasons (justifications, excuses, rationalizations, etc.) for being control freaks.

ONE:  I'm afraid to lost control because something might go wrong.

TWO:  Someone might take advantage of me if I share or give away some of my authority and control.

THREE: What if I appear weak to others if I am not in control?

FOUR:  If I give away power and authority (control) to others and they fail - then they will look bad and the organization will suffer, and I WILL LOOK BAD.

The reality for control addicts/freaks is that we will always have a rationale for keeping control.  And we will keep control and that will hurt us, our colleagues, partners, team and ultimately the organization.

The irony for control addicts/freaks is that control is an illusion. Life is messy and mysterious. People are complicated (they have layers, like ogres and my friend Mike). Choices are rarely black and white, but come in multiple shades of gray. And only God is the sovereign God who is in control.

Time for some reflection:

• How are you doing on this control thing?
• To whom are you giving true power and authority (control)?
• What are your preferred "excuses" for keeping control?
• What are some of the next steps you can take to let go of some control?

Many years ago, I came across the picture below with an interesting caption. The caption said something like this:

Contrary to popular opinion, stress is not a 20th century phenomenon.

Brian Rice

The Mentor as Bridge Builder

Here is a thought from Buscaglia via Behar that really moved me.

Master bridge builders are ideal teachers and mentors who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students and mentorees to cross.

Our words, our actions, our love, our very "self" become the bridge for another to walk across from the place where they are to the place where they would like to be.

Jesus talks about laying down his life. No one forces him to do this, Jesus does it on his own accord. While Jesus was talking about laying his life down as a sacrifice on the cross, I think the principle is this:

Mentors are always laying down their lives for the sake of others. In some cases, we lay down our life as a bridge for someone to use to move into the future.

May you have great joy and fruit as a Master Bridge Builder. And may you encourage those who cross your bridge to become bridge builders as well.

Brian Rice

Fully Alive Leaders Who Change the World (or their little pocket in our world)

Don't ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Howard Thurman

This is leading from heart passion and soul wisdom.

May you know what makes you come alive and go do it. And as you go do that thing, may you discover God is creating a pocket of greatness through you to bless the world He loves.

Brian Rice

Leaders Who Live on Different Planets (Jobs and Behar)

A few weeks ago I did some blogging about Steve Jobs and Apple and the tension I felt as I read about Jobs' leadership style. To say it bluntly, Jobs exemplifies most of what I think is wrong with leadership today. I won't list all those things again. Unfortunately (for me), by being the wrong kind of leader, Jobs gets extraordinary results and he has gained the world through the production of a truly superior computer product.

And soon after I finished that book, I read Howard Behar's book about Starbucks. And Behar represents just about everything that I think is right about leadership. And he also has a superior product and great success.

Two leaders.  Two leadership ways that are polar opposites. Both eminently successful. One I respect and the other I "almost" despise (that is the leadership ways, not the people).

I guess this is my question. Is there a place for Jobs' style of leadership, even if it is all wrong?

And: Does the end (a superior product that makes tons of money) justify the means (the leadership way of Jobs)?

Here is one more question:

What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?(Matthew 16:26)

Brian Rice

When It's Time to Leave

I have a "blog" folder where I keep some ideas for "later on." I am interested in the idea, but at the time, I don't have the time to process them more fully.

I recently pulled out that blog folder and spent some time thinking about the subject of - when is it time to leave a position or role? These ideas are not original with me. I jotted them down from somewhere else, but failed to note the source.

The answer to this question is rarely simple, often it is messy and complicated. But here are some "telltale signs" that are important.

• When you are no longer excited about the mission or vision of the organization.
• When you no longer look forward to coming to work but experience dissatisfaction and tension (even anxiety).
• When you no longer have the strength to deal with the challenges and conflicts in your workplace.
• When your joy and gratitude levels are low and your appreciation and respect are in decline.
• When you have stopped learning.
• When you no longer enjoy and love the people with whom you work and serve.
• When you are no longer praying diligently for your people and about your mission.
• When you find yourself complaining and criticizing more than celebrating and encouraging.
• When integrity issues begin to arise and are not easily resolved.
• When you feel you have hit a ceiling that limits your capacity to contribute.
• When you must compromise your core values to fit in or accomodate to the organization.

All the above signs are RED LIGHT INDICATORS that something is definitely amiss. Still, they may be the occasion for reflection and action. If that does bring some positive resolution for you, then it is quite possible that God is using this to move you on to a new platform in the pursuit of your calling.

On the humorous side, check out this website for funny resignation letters.

Brian Rice

yoofSpeak

Here are some of the top new words of the youth culture around the world. Many of these words originate in countries outside the U.S.  Some of the words are existing words that have new definitions.

One of the features of post-modernity is the globalization of western culture. English is by far the most spoken language around the world and as it is spoken around the world, it is also morphed and grows.

I'll provide the words for you here.   For fun, see how many you know.  Then, click on the pdf to get the definitions:

Bizznizzle

Bling

Brill

Chillin'

Dope

Flow

Fundoo

Give it up!

Mad

Mang

Phat

Poppins

Rick Rockets

Shut up!

Snag

Stog

Sweatin'

Wassup?

Ya-ya papaya

Here are the answers. 

Download the_definitions_of_the_yoofspeak_words.pdf

Brian Rice

Some Fun Words (From a Million Words and Counting)

In light of some of the heavy posts of recent days, here is a lighter one. Here are just some of the fun, new words and phrases that are being created in the English language.  (From a Million Words and Counting, by Paul Payack.)

Percycution:  giving your child a name he will hate for the rest of his life.

Martyration:  a request for only 36 virgins in paradise.

Enamortization:  to fall rashly in love with an object or person, and end up paying for it for the next 20 years.

Arrgh!:  An onomatopoeic term from Pirates of the Caribbean. It means, arrgh...

McDreamy:  The latest Hollywood hunk, but sensitive to boot.

Truthiness:   From the Colbert Report meaning truth that is unencumbered by the facts.

Misunderestimated:  One of the many "Bushisms" that is now accepted vocabularly. This one was the Global Language Monitor word of the year in 2002.

Deferred success:  A euphemism for "failure."

Misguided criminals:  The BBC's new term for terrorists.

No noising.  Be quiet.

Gray skills:  Career-enhancing skills such as drinking, singing karaoke, and card playing (from China). Like the monks playing poker.

House slaves:  People who bought a bigger house than they can afford and so are bound to it (another one from China).

Cuddies:  Underwear

Fundoo:  Cool.

Propone:  the opposite of postpone, it is to move something ahead and not back.

Amigoization:  the increasing influence of Mexico on the American southwest.

Tomorrow - some of the top yoofSpeak words of today.  (i.e.  Youth Speak words)

Brian Rice