by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 19, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Communication, Conference/Workshops, Events, Leadership, Preaching, Travel
Wow, it's been at least three years since I've attended a conference. THREE YEARS!!!
I've made plans be part of Catalyst's newest offering: a One Day
leadership experience (glad someone figured it only took ONE DAY to say what they have to say) packed with teaching and insight from Andy
Stanley and Craig Groeschel, two leading voices in the Church today.
They say we're going to learn how to:
- Discover the key to creating and sustaining momentum in your organization
- Identify and break through the barriers to momentum and overcome personal leadership lids
- Leverage the three triggers which ignite organizational momentum
- Create a culture of continual improvement
- Embrace a new approach to leading organizational change
I really like these two guys & I'm pumped to hear what they have to say!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 14, 2008 | Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Thankfully, the election is over. We now have clarity about who is going to lead our country for the next four years. I have never personally witnessed such excitement and hopefulness following an election (though I acknowledge that not everyone shared that sentiment).
However, the problems still remain. The stock market continues to remain volatile. I am not sure that this is so much a response to President-Elect Obama as it is a reflection of the fact that the economic environment is still enormously turbulent.
So is the glass half empty or half full? The truth is, both.
In times like these, leaders must do two things simultaneously:
- Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.
- Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
This is what author Jim Collins refers to as “The Stockdale Paradox.” In his book, Good to Great, he tells the story of Admiral James Stockdale, who was a prisoner of war for eight years during the Vietnam War.
After his release, a reporter asked Admiral Stockdale, “How in the world did you survive eight years in a prisoner of war camp?”
He replied,
I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that we would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event in my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.
The reporter then asked, “Who didn’t make it out?” Admiral Stockdale replied,
Oh, that’s easy, the optimists. They were the ones who said, “We’re going to be out by Christmas.” And Christmas would come and go. Then they’d say, “We’re going to be out by Easter.” And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart.”
Collins then goes onto state that an attribute of truly great companies and great leaders is that they are able to embrace simultaneously these twin truths of their current reality and their ultimate triumph.
Questions: Are you embracing the Stockdale Paradox in your leadership? If so, how?
© 2008, Michael S. Hyatt. Used by Permission. Originally posted at www.michaelhyatt.com.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Nov 13, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
I’d like to share with you “10 Reasons Why You're Probably Going to Fail” from a blog I ran across by Tony Morgan.
- It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your
heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep,
you’re probably doing the wrong thing.
- You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you
need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality.
That includes a financial plan. (I happen to believe you need direction
from God on this.)
- You’re waiting for it to be perfect. Test-drive
it. Beta-test that new idea. You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if
you think it has to be absolutely right from day one.
- You’re not willing to work hard. Everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance.
- It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not.
- You’ve had success in the past. I’ve watched
organizations hang on to a good idea for too long. Time passes.
Momentum fades. It’s risky to let go of the past and jump on the next
wave.
- You’re unwilling to stop doing something else.
Complexity is easy. Simplicity takes discipline. You can’t build a
healthy marriage if you’re unwilling to give up dating other women.
Who/what do you need to stop dating?
- You won’t build a team of friends. Anyone can hire
from a resume. You need to find people you want to share life with. In
the long run, great relationships will get you out of bed in the
morning.
- You won’t have the tough conversations. When
breakdown happens (and it always does), someone needs to put on their
big-boy pants and initiate the difficult conversation that leads to
relational healing.
- You’re afraid of failure. When fear consumes you,
it will cause you to do stupid things. You’ll let negativity distract
you. You’ll embrace the known, and grow comfortable with mediocrity.
The more often you fail, though, the more often you’ll find success
Now why am I sharing this with you? Well, these things just hit me hard and I wanted to share them with you. What do yall think – care to add to the list?
