Archives For Learning

Are You Seeking The Right Thing?

April 17, 2013

Good morning, we are starting to see flowers peeking out and buds on the trees which is a beautiful thing!sunlight Lauren 2013

As you are probably acutely aware, we live in the information age. In fact we are inundated with information from so many sources. And some of you are probably like me – an information hound. I love to learn and I am often seeking more information on a variety of subjects.

The problem is that while we have what seems like unlimited information, we appear to have a shortage of something even more important – wisdom. In Proverbs 16:16 it says “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”  So, in Scripture, wisdom and understanding are more precious than gold and silver! That sounds very valuable. Yet, it seems that we are so often lacking in wisdom and understanding. Why do you think that is?

Are we too busy? Do we not stop to think and ponder on what we are learning? Do we ever take time to reflect on the great questions of our time? Do we stop to evaluate the quality of the information we are taking in? Are we evaluating that information using a biblical worldview as a grid?

We really don’t need more information. We need wisdom and we need understanding. Become a seeker of wisdom. Become a person who seeks first to understand before being understood. Seek the company of wise people (remember, just being smart does not equal being wise). Become a person of wisdom so that you can become a wise counselor to others.

Are you seeking the right thing?

BG

In Creativity / Innovation, Leadership, Learning , , ,
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A Leadership Academy

February 21, 2013

Good morning from the South! I am back in my home state of Mississippi and have the privilege today of speaking to the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy about Strategic Planning.MCCLA2013

The MCCLA was formed to begin developing the next generation of leaders for Mississippi’s community colleges. Each year they select a “class” of around 30 young leaders and take them through a year of training. They meet 3 – 4 times a year at various campuses for a couple of days and various speakers are brought in to speak on different topics.

It’s a great idea in my opinion and a blessing for me to be allowed to participate in something that is helping my home state.

By the way – what are you doing to improve your community or state?

Hope you have a great day today!
BG

In Leadership, Learning , , ,
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Do You Protect Your People?

February 13, 2013

Good Wednesday morning to you!

Question for you – do the people of your organization feel safe? Protected? How about the people on your team? Is it safe to work for you?the-way-of-the-shepherd-book-cover

While it is important, I am not talking about physical safety today. I am primarily talking about emotional safety, your culture – the environment in your organization and / or your team.

Simon Sinek talks about this in his book Start With Why. He is talking about trust and one of the ways that you develop trust in your people is by protecting them. One illustration that he gives is that of a trapeze artist. A trapeze artist will push themselves to new feats of daring and stretch and grow their abilities to do amazing stunts – as long as they have a net under them. Without a net, there is too much risk to go for it. A good leader provides a practical and emotional net for his people. A great team will try great things and will, at times fail. That is when the leader provides them a net. And when you provide a net, people feel protected. When they feel protected, you will gain their trust.

In one of my favorite leadership books of all time, The Way of the Shepherd, the fourth principle is “Make Your Pasture a Safe Place” and there are at least six things you need to do to make it a safe place according to the authors:

a. Keep your people well informed.
b. Infuse every position with importance.
c. Cull chronic instigators from the flock.
d. Regularly rotate the sheep to fresh pastures.
e. Reassure the sheep by staying visible.
f. Don’t give problems time to fester.

So, do you want a high functioning team of people who trust each other and enjoy coming to work? Start with giving them a safe place to work – better yet, a safe place to create art and do great things!

BG

In Learning , , , , ,
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Leaders Grow!

November 9, 2012

Good morning! Here at Ambassador Enterprises, one of the key emphases is growth in all areas of your life. Reflecting on that caused me to remember this post on a great little book by Ken Blanchard – Great Leaders Grow. So here is the post I did on the book last year.

Leaders are learners and personal growth is a way of life for them.

In their book Great Leaders Grow, Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller use the word GROW as an acronym to give you a pattern for growing as a leader.

G – Gain Knowledge

* About yourself
* About others (learn their stories)
* About your industry / profession
* About leadership

R – Reach Out To Others

* Formally
* Informally

O – Open Your World

* Gain new experiences at work
* Gain new experiences outside of work

W – Walk Toward Wisdom

* Self-evaluation
* Seek feedback
* Seek counsel
* Spend Time

Excellent little book.  A quick read with some great concepts.  It’s worth your investment.

BG

In Good Books, Leadership, Learning , , ,
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Which Hat To Wear?

November 5, 2012

Good Monday morning to you! Hope you had a great weekend.

Do you ever had that nagging feeling that there is some aspect of an issue that you have not addressed? Or maybe in one of your meetings everyone seems to be saying the same thing? Or maybe the strongest personality in the room is overly pessimistic or optimistic so everyone else adopts the same approach? Regardless, you know that you are missing something.

Well there is a way of parallel thinking that will help you and your team fully think about and discuss issues. It is called The Six Thinking Hats. In this approach you learn how to separate thinking into six distinct functions and roles that help you to have a more robust analysis of the issue.

First is the White Hat – this aspect just deals with the information that you have or need. Just the facts.

The Green Hat deals with all the possibilities, alternatives, new concepts, and so on.

The Yellow Hat is when you explore the positives and look for value and benefit.

The Black Hat is where you look for the difficulties and dangers and explore why something might not work.

The Red Hat deals with emotions, hunches, and intuition. Here is where yo express your fears as well as hopes.

The Blue Hat is the managing of the thinking process ensuring that all of the “hats” are used in the process.

So, if you want a more robust examination of an issue, try wearing the Thinking Hats.

Have a blessed week serving our Lord!
BG

In Creativity / Innovation, Learning, Productivity, Teams, Tools , , , ,
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A Culture of Growth

September 17, 2012

Well, this is the week we move our household from southwest Michigan to northeast Indiana! Bittersweet. Sad about the friends and ministry we are leaving, but excited about the new organization, the opportunities and the new friends we will meet. A big week for our family!

Leaders grow – in fact that is one of the defining characteristics of a true leader. Good leaders also lead others to grow and are a part of their growth process. Great organizations have a culture of growth. not just professionally, but holistically as a person.

So, are you developing a culture of growth? Are you driving it deep into the “DNA” of our organization? How are you showing your staff just how important it is to be on a path of continuous growth?

You don’t have to start big, just start by sharing and talking about articles or blogs you have read. Learn your people, what are their dreams and passions? How can you help them reach their goals? Can you provide them resources or point them to resources? Make their growth a part of your everyday conversations with them. Help them to see that it is important and how they will benefit from a holistic approach to personal growth.

Build a culture of growth in your organization and you will be amazed at what happens!

Blessing on your week!
BG

In Creativity / Innovation, Culture, Leadership, Learning ,
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Receiving Instruction

September 6, 2012

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, . . . ” Proverbs 10:17

Do you receive instruction well, or do you have everything “figured out”? Too many of us actually don’t “heed” instruction very well. Especially in the areas of our life where we have a great deal of experience and expertise. We often say that we are teachable, but we just don’t seem to run into anyone that we think can teach us!

Starting into the third day of my new position with Ambassador Enterprises, I have been thrust back into the role of a “newbie” and very much in a learning mode. Actually it is a tad uncomfortable, even though exciting. At Life Action I have come to learn that at a certain level, I thought I had things figured out since I had been there so many years and had held my position for quite some time. Not an overt or conscious thing, but very subtle. Entering into a new environment has demonstrated to me that I did not have as much of a learner’s heart as I had thought.

So, my question to you is – “Are you really a learner? Are you really heeding instruction?” Do a self assessment then ask some of your co-laborers – maybe like me, you might be surprised at the answer.

By the way, one of my favorite Louis L’Amour quotes (not exactly probably) is. “You can learn something from anyone, even a fool, even if the only thing you learn is how not to be a fool.“

Have a learner’s heart today & grow in your service to the Lord and others.

BG

In Creativity / Innovation, Leadership, Learning, Personal Management ,
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