Archives For Counsel

Do You Have To Explain?

March 9, 2012

Good morning from beautiful Florida!  It sure is noce to be here after the snow and cold of Michigan.

Question for you – do you ever miss out on good input or counsel because you are too busy explaining yourself?  I found myself doing that yesterday.

We have a tremendous Board of Directors.  Godly and wise people and we only have so much of their time each year.  Of course they don’t have all the context they need when talking with us (staff) and there is not enough time to catch them up on everything.  So, sometimes they are making suggestions we have considered or already or doing and so on.  So at times I found myself “defending” or explaining things that ate up precious time and really did not add to the meeting.

I should have simply accepted the input without feeling the need to explain. I would have been blessed by that, it allows the Board more time to give input and feel more valued and so on.

Do you ever miss out on great counsel, great conversation and etc. by wanting to “explain” yourself?  For me, I believe that actually falls into the area of “image management”.

So don’t miss out on great input from others by talking when you should be listening or managing your image when you should be taking n counsel so that you may grow.

BG

In Leadership_Coaching , , ,
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Who is in Your Kitchen Cabinet?

December 5, 2011

Odd question?  The “kitchen cabinet” is a group of informal advisors for someone – especially a leader.  You may have heard the term used in regards to a president’s group of informal advisors.

The kitchen cabinet does not show up on the organizational chart and often has members outside of the organization. Most leaders have them, but it seems most kitchen cabinets are put together in a very unintentional manner. I also wonder if some leaders are actually fully aware that they have a core group of informal advisors that help them make decisions.

So, I would challenge you to think about who you have that actually helps you make decisions. Are they the right people?  Often we choose people whom we trust and with whom we often agree, but are they the right people?  Often you need people that may make you uncomfortable.  For instance – what about having a contrarian in your cabinet?  Someone that will prevent group think and will challenge your thinking.  They are often uncomfortable, but highly valuable.

As leaders in God’s Kingdom, we need to make the best decisions possible and we know that Proverbs emphasizes the importance of a multitude of counselors. So, be wise in those you have advising you.

Blessings on you during this second week of Advent as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

BG

In Leadership, Teams , , ,
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