by Clarence E. Stowers | May 18, 2011 | Communication, Decisions, Leadership, Self-Leadership, Vision
Jesus was an innovative teacher who taught in an innovative way. He came on the scene to explain God to a group of people who were confused about God. They saw God as as distant, demanding, and unapproachable. Therefore, Jesus used word pictures, parables, and fatherly imagery to show how God desires a relationship with His people. Jesus’ innovative way of teaching upset the status quo and ultimately played a part in His crucifixion and death.
What’s the lesson: Innovation is costly!
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com recently shared his approach to innovation—both how to do it and how to stay focused when critics question high-risk projects. You can read the entire article HERE.
He said:
I believe you have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate. That’s actually a serious point. If you’re going to do something that’s never been done before – which is basically what innovation is – people are going to misunderstand it just because it’s new.
Jeff Bezos, Founder & CEO of Amazon.com (BusinessWeek.com April 17, 2008)
I agree with Bezos’ thoughts on innovation and see why most leaders play it safe and copy others. Innovators drink from the fountain of being misunderstood while ultimately paving the way for others.
Question: Do you agree or disagree with Jeff Bezos’ statement?
by Clarence E. Stowers | May 12, 2011 | 2011, Accountability, Decisions, Empowerment, Excellence, Goals, Self-Leadership, Vision
I recently heard someone say, “Life is a cruel joke and I ain’t laughing.” I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, the majority would agree that life comes at you fast, doesn’t play fair, and is downright unpredictable! Wouldn’t you agree? Since life doesn’t play fair, why should you? If you plan to excel, you’d better learn how to “hack” life and make it work for you. Hack life, what in the world is that? “A life hack a clever solution to a tricky problem,” according to UrbanDictionary.com.
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 22, 2011 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Easter Weekend, Leadership, Men, Mentoring, Self-Leadership, Top 5, Vision
Mars Hill is the kind of church men would love to attend.
Every Sunday, church pews fill up with despondent women who are forced to worship without the men in their lives. A recent survey by Ellison Research found that 31% of men never attend church even on holidays believing that church is for women, weirdos and wimps.
This sad statistic prompts parishioners and ministers alike to ask: “Where are the men?” While it’s true that several men spend their Sundays satisfying their vices for sports, beer, and sleep, men who don’t attend church usually have more substantial reasons for not attending.
However, I’d like to share five reasons why I believe Mars Hill is a church men would love to attend. (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 6, 2011 | Decisions, Empowerment, Goals, Leadership, Self-Leadership, Success, Vision
It appears I hit the right nerve judging from your response to “Getting To The Next Level.” Thank you for sharing the articles with others via Facebook and Twitter. I’m humbled and happy that others are able to experience what you have. If you haven’t read Part 1 and Part 2, you can read them HERE and HERE.
Getting to the next level is a GOD-THING and not OUR-THING. He alone determines who’s prepared and elevates them at the appropriated time. No better person illustrates this important principle like Joshua.
According to The Book of Numbers, Moses and Aaron had disqualified themselves from entering the land of promise when they had failed to honor the Lord by striking the rock at Meribah in the Desert of Zin (Numbers 20:12). Aaron had already died (Numbers 20:27-29) but the Lord now allowed Moses a glimpse of Canaan from afar. Rather than lapsing into self-pity as a lesser man might have done, Moses expressed his concern that Israel have a good leader to take his place.
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 5, 2011 | Decisions, Empowerment, Goals, Leadership, Self-Leadership, Vision
Yesterday’s post on getting to the next level created a lot of interest. Although it’s not reflected in the comments section, I received several encouraging emails and text messages from people aspiring to get to the next level. If you missed it, you can read it HERE.
When mentioning next-level leadership you may have the image of climbing a ladder to the top. It may feel good to have a position of prominence. However, next- level leadership is not about promotion. It is about preparedness. Guess what: God alone decides who’s prepared and ready to go to the next level.
Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, (Proverbs 25:6-7 New Living Translation).
I love The Book of Proverbs because it contains nuggets of wisdom applicable to all. Proverbs 25:6-7 tells us: Don’t push your way into a situation. Wait for the invitation. If you belong there, it will come. Go ahead and re-read that statement…If you belong there, God will make provisions for it to happen. In the meantime, the question remains unanswered: How a Next-Level approach affects your Leadership?
(more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 4, 2011 | Decisions, Empowerment, Goals, Leadership, Self-Leadership, Vision
No matter what you’re doing, there comes a time when you are going to want to take things up a notch. Maybe it’s your career — even if things are going along fine right now, ultimately you’d like to get a promotion, increase your client base, or reach a larger audience. “Getting started with anything can be a struggle, but once you reach a certain level of success, it can be hard to figure out how to make whatever it is you do truly remarkable,” according to Lifehack.
Leadership books, blogs, conferences, and websites mainly talk about getting to the next level. If you buy their book, read their blogs (including mine), attend their conferences, and peruse their websites – you’re well on your way to getting ‘there.’ Everyone desires to get to the next level, but many don’t know how. Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that works for everyone. Today I’d like to share what kind of leadership is required to get to the next level.
What is the Next Level of Leadership?
(more…)
