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LRC Email – Hard Stuff

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Here’s my 2/24/14AM email to Leadership Reno County alumni:

“This leadership stuff is difficult.  I mean I have wonderful ideas it’s just all these people around me that need to change.”  Sure we don’t verbalize much of this sentiment, but isn’t it laying dormant as a very real reality in our thoughts?  We’re not the problem…all THOSE people are.  Today, I want to remind you of one of the competencies at the core of our engaging in acts of leadership: Manage Self.  When we are thinking that everyone else is the problem, we’re forgetting that leadership starts with you and must engage others.  Today, then, it might be the case that you have a managing self issue more than a “THOSE people” issue.  Know your strengths, vulnerabilities and triggers.  Know the story others tell about you.  Choose among the competing values waging war in your heart.  Get used to uncertainty and conflict.  Experiment beyond your comfort zone.  Take care of yourself.  As you engage in these managing self behaviors, you’ll jump start your engagement and undoubtedly be more effective.  So, today, do the hard stuff—change yourself—and see if this doesn’t help you make progress in this issues you care about.

LRC Email – The SOP

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alums today, 2/10/14:

S.O.P.  Many of us live by it.  Certainly our work operates by it.  We trust that those police, fire safety and ambulatory service individuals among us will follow this for our good.  S.O.P. is a terrific was to engage in work.  What is S.O.P.?  Our standard operating procedure. 
I was challenged recently by a quick update from the Kansas Leadership Center which encouraged us to make experimentation your standard operating procedure.   The reasoning?  “Over time, ‘acting experimentally’ will become a way of being in situations that demand leadership.  It’s somewhat difficult at times to see experimentation as relating to leadership, though.  Here’s another quote: “Exercising leadership requires a resilient spirit and willingness to fail for the purpose of learning.  Test your assumptions by actively experimenting.  Imagine several possible approaches, then pick one and see what you learn.  Take smart risks to reveal the best path forward.” 
Another reason this is such important activity is because one of our main contentions is that we aren’t making the progress we’d like to see because we are doing the same old things in the same old ways.  The gap (between our reality and dreams) isn’t necessarily shrinking, in some cases it’s expanding.  So, it will require us act in different ways. 

How can you act experimentally today?  What can you try?  Experimenting might just be a key that helps unlock progress on your difficult challenges.  So, experiment and see what happens.

LRC Email – Keep The Change

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Here’s the email thought I wrote to Leadership Reno County alumni today (1/27/14):

It’s been said that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”  What this is saying is that sometimes it’s difficult to adapt or (*scary word coming*) change.  Most of us change all the time, though. Sure we have staple menu items we like, but we also like to try something new (didn’t we Pin 100 new things yesterday).  When it comes to ourselves, we think we’re progressive.  Those of us who swore years ago we’d never have a cell phone suddenly can’t get enough of our Jitterbug.  We change.  Part of the personal challenge comes when change doesn’t happen in others the way we’d like to see it happen.

And, this process of change (or rather changing others to be precise) is precisely why we engage in an act of leadership.  Leadership is mobilizing people to do difficult work.  Leadership may include mobilizing people to change.  It starts with you and engages others.  It’s purposeful.  And, it’s risky.  So, today, as your heart is possibly growing faint with the lack of change you’d hoped would be so prevalent in the New Year, recommit yourself to this amazing work.  You can keep the change.  You can engage in act of leadership.  What would that be for you?  Pursue a step in that direction today and see if it doesn’t help us work together for the common good of our community.     

LRC Email – The Gap and Others

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I sent out my email to Leadership Reno County alumni on 11/20/13.  Here’s what I wrote this week:

About a month ago, I wrote about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations.  Part of my contention, as reflected in recent weeks was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different.  It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work.  We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere, it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality.
Today, one further point I want to hold up is how working to bridge this gap starts with you and must engage others.  There’s way too much (of the wrong kinds of) action in two extremes, methinks.  On the one hand, many of us sit around and make excuses as to why we can’t make progress.  Maybe we’re not the authority or the decision maker or how it may be costly and we don’t have time.  On the other hand, it’s easy to slip into “expert mode” and give a million reasons why those working for progress aren’t effective.  One is kind of a passive critique (I’d do it this way) and one is an active one (what could little ol’ me do).  And, our principle today is that making progress in these areas starts with you.  You.  Not the other person or someone who’s going after it “wrong” but you.  And, your engagement is with others.  It’s working in collaboration with others for the common good.

So, today, revisit that area that you’d give yourself for.  What progress would you like to see made?  What are you waiting for?  Acts of leadership start with you and must engage others.  Let’s move in, then, for the common good and progress of our community. 

LRC Email – Another Important PSA from Our Sponsors

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alumni, sent out on 11/12/13:

Good Morning.  I was asked to write another brief word from the Leadership Reno County Alumni Association (we’re also on Facebook: LRC Alumni).  As you know, many of you reading this weekly email at one point went through the Leadership Hutch or, as it was later (and currently) called, the Leadership Reno County program.  What is Leadership Reno County about?  Well, like I’ve said before, that would be an interesting discussion, but one theme that emerges for me is equipping leaders in Reno County to make progress on issues that we care about deeply.  Many of you are in the trenches, behind the scenes, working to make our community a better place.  Leadership Reno County exists to help you make progress in your difficult work. 
A new class for the winter and spring is in the process of filling up.  As is usually the case when we are preparing for a new class, we are facing immediate needs for scholarships for our program.   The Alumni Association would like to encourage you to join them by renewing your membership before the end of the year.  This will ensure membership through next year and it will help our community by enabling others to make progress in their work.  You, most of all, probably recognize the change factor that comes once you’ve gone through the LRC program and, therefore, you will want to be a part of this opportunity.  Therefore, would you please send a $25 membership renewal fee payable to “Leadership Reno County Alumni Association” to the following address: Debbie Cowl, Treasurer
Leadership Reno County Alumni Association
 % First National Bank of Hutchinson
P O Box 913
Hutchinson, KS  67504-0913

Thanks for taking time with this important request.    

LRC Email – Anyone, Anytime, In Any Gap, Anywhere

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County Alumni for 11/4/13:

Been racing through the KLC’s Leadership Principles the past few weeks offering a review/reminder of the important things that define our activities of leadership.  Specifically, we’ve spoken of the gap that exists between our reality and where we’d like to be and seen how it’s not so much authority (which can be helpful/necessary at times in providing protection, direction and order) but engaging in the activity of leadership that will help us make progress.  Today, is the simple reminder that anyone can lead anytime, anywhere. 
You see when it comes to the gaps of our current reality and where progress needs to be made, we tend to default, I think, in letting the experts handle things.  We like to offer up all kinds of solutions on Facebook, coffee meetings and a host of other venues, but rarely do we get our skin in the game.  And, yet, this is what is necessary for progress to be made in the gaps of your world.  Anyone.  Anytime.  Anywhere. 

Today, what steps can you take to make progress?  What conversations, diagnoses, interventions or considerations could you pursue to help make progress on the matters of life that you face?  You can engage in an act of leadership today where you are.  This is a core defining principle that we believe.  So, why not engage in something in someway at sometime and see if it doesn’t help us make progress in those areas we care about deeply. 

DC Email – Review Session 9

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My email to Elders/Deacons of Crestview on 10/29/13:

Thanks for the hard work last Tuesday, men.  For the next two weeks, I’m going to review the Dangerous Calling DVD sessions so that we can keep pressing on to application.  Session 9 was entitled The Danger of Separation.  Tripp read Ephesians 6:10-20 on spiritual warfare.  His key points:
·         One of the dangers of arrival is that you become comfortable with a disconnect between who you are in public ministry and who you are in private. 
·         Spiritual warfare is being waged in the little moments of life within our hearts. 
·         Since all of life is ministry, we are always in the role of ambassadors of Christ.
Following up on this, Tripp asked:
1) What are possible disconnects that may exist between our ministry persona and who we are at home, with family or in private?
2) What are some possible reasons why someone would become comfortable with a disconnected life?
Some applications:
·         Are you doing things you would be embarrassed for your brothers and sisters in Christ to know about?
·         If your spouse honestly wrote down 5 character qualities that described you at home, what would she write?  What 5 qualities would your children write down?
·         Is the culture of our church safe for those in ministry to confess sin?
·         Would you be quick to judge and condemn, or will you be quick to seek God and begin the process of restoration and forgiveness?

I hope as you consider this session that fresh grace comes to your life…

LRC Email – Activity In the Gap

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Here’s my Monday AM email to Leadership Reno County on 10/21/13:

Last week, I wrote about the gap that exists and suggested that to bridge the gap (between our current reality and where we’d like to make progress) we would have to act differently; we would have to engage in different behaviors.  At its most basic level, then, what I’m proposing is that you, yes you, engage in an activity.  Really that’s what leadership is: an activity, not merely position.
Sure, position can be helpful and is definitely needed at times to give protection, direction and order.  But, position or authority may or may not be engaging in acts of leadership.  And, when we think about the gap that exists in our world today on some of our most pressing questions, we need activity, not simply more positions of authority. 

Today, my simple challenge is this: what can you do to make progress in the gap?  How can you engage?  What activities can you pursue?  Rather than slipping into expert mode and complaining about all the problems that exist in the gap, why not engage in an activity of leadership and see if progress isn’t made on those issues you care about deeply.

LRC Email – Caring For Yourself and Others

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alums today, 9/16/13:

I know I’ve been on a managing self kick in recent emails, but I thought it was good to come back to the idea of taking care of yourselftoday.  One reason is that I’m rather drained after the amazing month I’ve been privileged to live recently.  Another is that as I visit with others, I get inspired by those who have the wherewithal and insight to pull back.
In 2012, the KLC did a conference call “On the Balcony” and thought about what it means to take care of yourself that I highlighted in some emails.  The big point: “Leadership is risky.  You stand a better chance of succeeding when you’re at your best.”  Caring for yourself means recognizing when you need to take care of yourself, finding what balances you, and having kindness and compassion for yourself and the work you’re doing.  Some warning signs that you need to take care of yourself were: you become restless, irritable, and discontent, you can no longer meet people where they are, you start forgetting things, you become physically sick and/or you take things personally that were meant as constructive criticism.  The remedy came in three ways: 1) Take quiet time for yourself: prayer, reflection, meditation.  2) Care for your physical needs: get enough sleep and exercise regularly. 3) Ask for what you want or need.
So, today, this is as much for me as anyone, but if I know anything about hard-working, nose-to-the-grindstone Kansans, it’s that we easily forget to manage ourselves by taking care of ourselves.  So, today, I free you take care of yourself, so that you can engage in more effective acts of leadership, helping our community make progress on the issues we care about deeply.

With you in this… 

DC Email – War of the Heart

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Here’s the email I wrote to elders and deacons at Crestview today, 9/10/13:

As we continue to think about Tripp’s Dangerous Calling book, we were encouraged to read Chapter 7 and I was reminded of this section of Tripp’s talk in the last video:
“Ministry is always shaped by a war between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God, which is fought on the field of your heart. The reason this war is so dangerous and deceptive is that you build both kingdoms in ministry by doing ministry! Perhaps some theological background would be helpful here. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that Jesus came so that those who live would no longer “live for themselves.” Paul is arguing something significant here, something that every [leader] should remember. He is arguing that the DNA of sin is selfishness. Sin inserts me into the middle of my universe, the one place reserved for God and God alone. Sin reduces my field of concern down to my wants, my needs, and my feelings. Sin really does make it all about me.” 

Beware of the tendency to make ministry more about you than about God.  We will tend to drift into this naturally, I think.  But, fight this.  There’s a war going on for your heart.  Honor God by serving in a way that is distinctly about God’s kingdom, not yours.