Have you set appropriate boundaries in your life? One way to evaluate this is to consider your relationship with the word “no”. Do you mind hearing it as an answer? Do you cringe with discomfort when it’s the answer you want to give? I lean more toward the latter. Throughout my teens and early adulthood I was prone to over-commit myself ...
Read More »Life+Leadership
Why Character Trumps Accomplishment
A few times each week, I make an elaborate plan to sabotage myself. The assassination of my own character is often an inevitable result. I call it a to-do list. Part written, part mental, it becomes the mighty standard of all measuring sticks. After all, if achieving a goal is intricately tied to our capacity to 1) break a long-term goal into a short ...
Read More »How Conflict Can be a Good Thing
Conflict is the key ingredient to every compelling story. Without it, there’s no plot. This ingredient captivates the audience’s attention. The more impossible the situation, the more difficult it is to put the book down or turn the movie off. Why is this so? Human curiosity? Our tendency to relate with the protagonist? Or maybe its our familiarity with the ...
Read More »3 Keys to Communicating Christ
Do you communicate with someone at least once a day? If so, you are a communicator. Are you a follower of Christ? If so, you are a leader. You are a leader because you were created and re-created to lead. You are a communicator because, well, we are all communicators. Every day you send and receive messages with those around you – your family, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and ...
Read More »4 Ways Active Listening Increases Your Influence
Everyone wants a boss who is an active listener. These sorts are a rare commodity, but when you come by one you feel like you’ve hit the career jackpot. The active listening boss is one who invites conversation. He asks for constructive feedback. She wants to know your ideas. He cares about your personal life. She puts away her devices ...
Read More »Why You Should Want to be an Effective Communicator
Do you think of yourself as a communicator? Maybe you’re an introvert who speaks as little as possible. Or maybe you’re a social butterfly who can strike up a conversation anywhere, anytime, with anyone. Chances are you’re somewhere in between the two – someone who appreciates keeping quiet but is able to hold a conversation when necessary. No matter what ...
Read More »10 Qualities of Influential Christians
All Christians have the capacity to influence the people around us to live in such a way that reflects Jesus’ heart for the world. It doesn’t matter how wide your circle of influence is – how many friends, kids, Facebook acquaintances, or twitter followers you have, how large your church or community is, or how many work associates you have. What matters ...
Read More »Why Jesus-Followers Should See Themselves as Leaders
Every Christian is a leader because every Christian influences someone. It's not about titles, it's about intentionally pointing to Christ in daily life.
Read More »The Ministry You’re Already Doing: The Top 4 Ministry Myths
I’d love to be involved in a ministry. My life is just so crazy right now. Or perhaps you think you don’t have the skills/gifts or you haven’t found the right place to serve. However, if you are a Christian, the reality is that you are probably already engaged in ministry! It may just be that you aren’t aware of it. ...
Read More »