How to Find Favor with Your Boss

How to Find Favor with Your Boss

We all have to answer to someone.  Anyone who has a job has a boss and we all want our boss to like us.  When we experience the favor of those in authority we walk with a bounce in our step and a smile comes more frequently. Gaining the favor of the person you report [...]

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How Leaders Find the Best Solutions

How Leaders Find the Best Solutions

  Makeup, Silly Putty, spatulas, and bandages all share something in common. A single key ingredient softens makeup and protects skin from harmful UV rays, makes Silly Putty stretchy, adds flexibility to spatulas and waterproofs bandages. And yet, each of these items possesses unique strengths. Beyond their common key ingredient, the similarities are hard to [...]

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When Accidents Happen

When Accidents Happen

  Sitting poolside, legs kicking and splashing in the water, our three year-old daughter giggled as she churned out waves. One of her buddies sat beside her creating bubbles by paddling his legs. We dads sat a few feet away enjoying conversation and laughter filling the air. We weren’t ready for what happened next. My [...]

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A Tenderhearted Leader

A Tenderhearted Leader

  What words do you think of when you read “tenderhearted”? Does weak, spineless, or wimp come to mind? Many leaders consider tenderness to be a weakness. Only thick-skinned leaders get things done right? That’s what Mike thought. Mike was my boss at a hotel where I once worked. A thick-skinned and demanding leader, he [...]

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Parenting Tip: What to Do When Your Wrong

Parenting Tip: What to Do When Your Wrong

  Parent’s aren’t perfect but sometimes we sure act like we are. I remember a time when Dad called my brother, sister and me into our living room. By his tone, we knew he was angry and we were in big trouble. I’m sure I avoided eye contact as he asked which one of us [...]

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Two Leaders – Two Very Different Outcomes

Two Leaders – Two Very Different Outcomes

  I have been spending time reading and pondering the life of Eli, a spokesman for God who lost his voice. And no, he didn’t have laryngitis. The Bible records the story of Eli in the opening chapters of first Samuel. Eli held a prominent position of influence but lost his voice when he lost [...]

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12 Reasons Your Leadership will Excel in 2012

12 Reasons Your Leadership will Excel in 2012

This year holds amazing accomplishments ready to be enjoyed. It will require solid leadership built on the foundation of trust and a firm belief in the giftedness of those you lead. Leaders who see the possibilities and encourage an open discussion will be positioned to celebrate an amazing 2012. The best is yet to come [...]

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Pursuing High Ground when You’re Being Pulled Under

Pursuing High Ground when You’re Being Pulled Under

  If you’ve been in the workforce for very long, you’ve likely come across a manager or coworker who fits this description: “He is a dreadful manager. . . . He acts without thinking and with bad judgment. . . . He does not give credit where due. . . . Very often, when told of a [...]

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God is Faithful

God is Faithful

  I remember the subtle comment from my brother-in-law as we got into our car for the 13 hour drive home, “Be careful and no tickets.” I thought to myself, “that won’t happen, I always stay close to the speed limit.” We waved goodbye as we pulled away. It had been a great Christmas. The [...]

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Parenting Tip: Sharing Expectations

Parenting Tip: Sharing Expectations

  Children who understand what their parents expect are more likely to meet those expectations. I Heard it said once, if you don’t know what the target is you’ll miss it every time. Parent who fail to help their children find the target leave their children wondering what it takes to please or satisfy their [...]

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Parenting Tip: Making A Good Impression

Parenting Tip: Making A Good Impression

  Every parent is concerned with what impression their kids are making when they are invited to a friends house to play. Children who leave a good impression are more likely to be invited back. Parents can help their kids leave a good impression by teaching them simple ways to be considerate and show respect. [...]

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Parenting Tip: Setting Healthy Boundaries

Parenting Tip: Setting Healthy Boundaries

  Children flourish when parents set reasonable boundaries and communicate clear expectations. When children understand how far they are allowed to go, they have greater freedom and learn to make better choices. Parents, it is our responsibility to help our children learn how to manage their passions. Children who grow up letting passion control them [...]

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The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift

  Do you remember that gift you dreamed of as a child? I have vivid memories of my eyes feasting on brightly colored pictures of toys in back of the Sears catalog. With pen in hand, I circled every toy I hoped to unwrap on Christmas morning, including a bright red fire engine with a [...]

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4 Ways Trust is Strengthened Through Accountability

4 Ways Trust is Strengthened Through Accountability

  Every leader needs to be accountable. We all need to answer to someone. Accountability indicates responsibility. When we are required to provide an explanation for our actions, we realize personal agenda’s should not drive decisions. Accountability encourages finding the best solution for the movement over what is best for one individual. Leaders who resist [...]

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Leadership Ideas from an Eleven Year Old

Leadership Ideas from an Eleven Year Old

  I recently asked my son to list the top 5 things he believed a leader should be and this is what he gave me: A True Leader is: 1. Willing to listen to what other people on the team have to say 2. Keeps up morale 3. Gives his best in all things 4. [...]

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Credibility is Worth Keeping

Credibility is Worth Keeping

Have you ever worked for a boss who wouldn’t confront those who are make up their own rules? As the leader, the boss is ultimately responsible for calling out the self-serving. The story is told of a man in a high position of leadership named Eli. Among his many employees, were two managers who also [...]

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Creating Thanksgiving Place Cards

Creating Thanksgiving Place Cards

  If your  family likes to create things together like our family, you might enjoy making these. Yesterday Karen came to me and asked if we would get some acorns from our yard and figure out how they could hold some place cards for our Thanksgiving dinner table. We are having 14 for dinner so [...]

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Thanksgiving – More than Just a Holiday

Thanksgiving – More than Just a Holiday

  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  I’m glad a special day was established to thank God for his blessings. We are a blessed people. God’s goodness and grace is poured out daily for our benefit. He is worthy of our appreciation on Thanksgiving and all 364 days of the year. All to often [...]

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Pursuing Excellence

Pursuing Excellence

  Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce excellence?  Excellence is the result of giving our best for the benefit of others. There is a huge difference between “getting by” and “giving our best.” These two approaches bring about very different results. Those who do just enough to “get by” go through life [...]

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