Tag: struggle

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

An Experiment in Being Present

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with a couple of friends — and a few strangers.

And when one of the young guys put his phone in the middle of the table, two others quickly followed — and then looked at the two of us who had yet to clue in.

As I looked at the growing pile of phones, and then back at the young guy who started the pile, he could see that I needed an explanation.

“The game,” he said, “is quite simple. The first person to reach for the phone — for any reason — buys lunch.”

“YIKES!” I thought.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

Where’s Your Growing Edge?

I don’t know about you, but I can be a creature of habit.

If I’m not careful, I can become very content in the rhythms and routines that I create for myself.

And some of that, admittedly, is good.

But during a recent conversation with a colleague, I was surprised to learn that one of the greatest sources of joy — free and available to anyone — is found in learning and doing new things.

Growing.

Changing.

Moving away from the status quo.

Leadership Development

When Choosing Between Great and (Potentially) Greater

So I’ve got one last post (for now anyway) on the interesting leadership experiment taking place within the San Francisco 49ers organization.

Earlier this week I posted on what young leaders could learn from Colin Kaepernick — the 24-year old quarterback that has been thrust to the helm of a Super Bowl contender.

I also posted on what established leaders might learn from Alex Smith — the long-time starting QB for the 49ers — who had helped to lead the Niners to a 6-2-1 record this season, before getting injured a few weeks ago, and subsequently been replaced by his back-up.

Today I’d like to focus on the man behind this grand leadership experiment — 49ers head coach, Jim Harbaugh.

I think what I’m most taken with is his willingness to take (what appears to be) such a BIG risk.

Leadership Development

Leading in the Face of Unexpected Adversity

How do you handle adversity?

How do you handle unexpected adversity? I mean the kind of adversity that totally knocks you upside the head — because you just never saw it coming?

In the face of that kind of adversity — how do you lead?

These are a few of the questions I’m asking myself as I watch the quarterback situation unfolding in San Francisco.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

The ‘Kaepernick Factor’

Have you heard about the “Kaepernick Factor?”

I’m going to guess “No” — in part, because I may have just made it up.

Colin Kaepernick is the new starting quarterback of the surging San Francisco 49ers.

As a 24-year old who has been thrust to the forefront of a Super Bowl contender, he has won his first two NFL starts — leading his team to big wins over the Saints and Bears in back-to-back weeks.

Kaepernick got his big break when Alex Smith, the overall #1 pick from the 2005 draft, got injured during the 49ers win over the St. Louis Rams on Nov. 11th.

Although Smith has been cleared to play, Kaepernick continues to look like the Niners new leading man.

And before this starts to sound too much like a guest post for ESPN, let me tell you what I think any of this matters to you — and the young, aspiring leaders you serve…

Leadership Development

Leading in the Midst of Division

Leading is a challenge.

Leading in the midst of division is all the more so.

But I’m confident that it can be done.

As our nation begins to settle into the reality of last night’s election, and the direction of our country for the next four years, there are some things that I hope our elected officials might consider — and that we, as ministry leaders, might model — as we seek to move forward for the betterment of those that we have been called (or elected) to serve.

Big Ideas & 'Best Of'

Why Your Voice (and Vote) Matter

It’s election day in America — and it’s both a right and privilege that we have to participate in this democratic process.

And there are some important decisions to be made that will undoubtedly shape the future direction of our country — and local government.

But I believe there is an even more important impact that today’s election can have on each one of us.

That we vote (not how we vote), affirms what we believe about our voice.

That it matters.

Or that it doesn’t.

Leadership Development, The Campus Minister

The Power and Peace of “No”

“No.”

How often to you use this word? Do you feel the freedom to use it — to tell people no, to turn down a request?

My guess is the answer to that question is “no.” Or at least, not very often.

We feel called by God — to serve others. To be available. To make a difference.

“No,” just feels so unhelpful — even unChristian.

But is it?

Leadership Development, The Campus Minister

The Freedom in Discipline

Have you ever been to a dueling piano bar?

They’re truly astounding to watch. Their level of skill is uncanny, and they can play a seemingly endless number of requests. To this day, I’ve never seen a dueling piano player stumped by an audience request.

The freedom these performers have on their instruments is enviable. How fun it must be to sit down with such command of the piano! To have the freedom to play whatever they want.

I took piano lessons for several years as a kid, and I never got even close to this level of talent. It’s easy to watch these guys and imagine they must just be better than I am. More musical, more gifted, whatever.

Leadership Development, The Campus Minister

Hiding Behind Busy

In the last year, I’ve gotten to a place where the hamster wheel that I feel like I’m on is spinning out of control. Because I’ve been on the hamster wheel for, oh, about 25 years (I perfected managing a schedule, balancing responsibilities, and not lying around at a very early age), I actually know better how to live busy than I do to live balanced. I’ve explained to friends and family for years… okay, decades, that “things are going to slow down soon,” or “I’m just hustling now and I will get a break in a couple of weeks.”

In the midst of the busyness of ministry, I’ve learned that perhaps busyness is masking a dirty little secret. In the last year as I’ve examined both the cause and the cost of my busyness, I’ve begun to wonder if sometimes my busyness is actually…