Agility

Starting an organization from scratch makes you the little engine that could.  You chug along under the radar fueled by a shoestring budget and a dream. But when you’re small, you have an unfair advantage:  Agility.

Agility may be one the most overlooked aspect of organizational behavior.  To have that ability to maneuver swiftly to avoid obstacles or chart a new course at the snap of a finger.  In an age where speed trumps girth, agility is critical for long-term survival.

The same is true for churches.

Today, folks often look at some of the suburban monstrosities we call churches and shake their head in disgust.  People just aren’t impressed with size like they used to.  Even more, our churches are often ill-equipped to handle the climate of change we’re in and the transformation that’s looming in our culture.  The gaps between seeing the need for change to making a decision to take action to implementation is so vast a train could chug through them- sideways.

As a new church, I’m hoping we can be agile now to remain agile later.

We must.

There’s too much at stake.

Tags: Business, Church, Church Planting, marketing, organizational behavior, strategy

The Difference Between Mission and Vision

What’s the difference between a mission and a vision?

I spent some time reading various mission and vision statements from many companies, organizations, and churches.  Some straight up get it.  They know why they exist and they communicated it with a single, sticky statement.

But I was surprised to see how many of clearly didn’t.  They either had all these multiple statements full of buzz words or one confusing statement that went on and on and on.

I think the primary issue is they don’t know the difference between a mission and a vision. If you don’t know that, it’s really difficult to put it in writing.

If you’re wrestling through these various statements then I hope this helps you.  It’s not that complicated. The key is to understand the distinction between a mission and a vision.  It’s all about the questions they answer.

Mission:
Why does your organization exist?
What’s your core task?
What are your marching orders?

Vision:
Where are you going with the mission?
What will the future look like if you fulfill it?

Can you see the difference?  A vision is useless without a mission.  Mission is the catalyst for the vision.

It’s good to put your mission and vision in writing.  However,  I believe we need to lead with one, memorable mission statement and live it out.  Because without the why, nothing else matters.

If you’re a church and your vision is to have 10,000 members, you might achieve that.  Congratulations!  But without a clear mission, that vision was useless. All you did was assemble a bunch of people with no real purpose.  You’re no different than a big game or a big concert.

Know the why and then imagine the where.  Lead with the mission and envision the future if it is fulfilled.

Tags: Business, Church, Leadership, mission, mission statement, organization, purpose, vision, vision statement

So You Wanna Be a Manager

By day I’m a Training & Development Manager.  One of my favorite parts of my job are coaching fellow employees.  Recently a person asked me what practical things they could do to prepare themselves to be a manager someday. I thought I’d share my reply for anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation.

Great question.  The fact that you asked me that question says that you’re already on the right track.  Here is a pocketful of suggestions to guide you.  This isn’t an exhaustive list but it is a good start.

1. Lead People Right Where You Are – Even when you’re not in a management position, you can still be a leader.  Leadership is nothing more than influence. Go out of your way to encourage.  Set a good example in how you work.  The key thing to remember is that managers are rarely hired because they were good at their jobs. They are hired because they can lead people.  Be a people person!
2. Be Proactive- Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, you create them. Get involved in projects. Ask other managers if they need you to research something for them. Sign up for classes that can prepare you. Read books on leadership, business, marketing, people, etc. Make it known that you want to be a manager someday.  And find a mentor who you consider to be a great leader and ask to pick their brain on a regular basis.
3. Work Strong– Like I said before, managers aren’t simply hired because they were good at their jobs but because they can lead.  However, your reputation is built on how well you do your current job. Earning the respect of your peers and managers is crucial.  Do what you do very well today and it will pay off tomorrow.  Also, get to know the big picture of the organization.  What’s the mission? Why does the organization do what they do? How do certain departments fit into the overall strategy of the organization? Talk to the decision makers and find out.
4. Have Ideas- Many people can criticize- and most do. But few people criticize by creating.  For example, if we had a product that just wasn’t working, rather than gripe, suggest a solution, improvement, or a better idea. It may not always float but people who volunteer ideas often get much further than people who sit back and complain.

I can’t promise this will lead to a management position someday.  But if nothing else, you will make a difference today and be better for it.

Best Wishes,
Jason

Tags: Business, Career

Influential Books: Brain Rules

You may not know this, but by day I’m a Training & Development Manager.  Basically, a teacher for grown-ups (although I spend a lot of my time managing my team and steering the ship).

The cool part about this gig is staying current on books related to learning, business, communication, etc.  So today’s influential book selection is one that I’m really digging right now: Brain Rules.

This book, written by developmental molecular biologist John Medina, explores the fascinating world of the brain.  I’m learning so much going through this book and it’s having an influence not just on my job- but my life.

I thought this amazing slideshow from presentation guru Garr Reynolds really unpacked some of the main ideas of the book. But I highly recommend you get a copy for yourself and read it. Plus, it comes with a bonus DVD. Good stuff.

Enjoy!

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Tags: books, brain, brain rules, Business, Garr Reynolds, john medina, learning, presentations, training

“Quote”

“The object isn’t to be perfect. The goal isn’t to hold back until you’ve created something beyond reproach. I believe the opposite is true. Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all. - Seth Godin

Spot on!

Read the rest of Godin’s insightful post: Is it Worthy?

Tags: Business, Career

Before You Send Your Next Email- Read This

I would like to thank Seth Godin for writing this checklist to review before sending an email. Especially at work. Good stuff.

1. Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
2. Since it’s going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
3. Are they blind copied?
4. Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
5. So that means that if I didn’t send it to them, they’d complain about not getting it?
6. See #5. If they wouldn’t complain, take them off!
7. That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
8. Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated, personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a sender. Probably none of my business, but I’m just letting you know how I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
9. Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
10. Have I corresponded with this person before?
11. Really? They’ve written back? (if no, reconsider email).
12. If it is a cold-call email, and I’m sure it’s welcome, and I’m sure it’s not spam, then don’t apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes, it’s spam, and I’ll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
13. Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
14. Could I do this note better with a phone call?
15. Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
16. Is there anything in this email I don’t want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
17. Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
18. Is it in black type at a normal size?
19. Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
20. Have I included the line, “Please save the planet. Don’t print this email”? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest ranger or flight attendant).
21. Could this email be shorter?
22. Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?
23. Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like ’send big files’ and consider your options.)
24. Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
25. Are there any or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
26. Am I forwarding someone else’s mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
27. Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else’s)? (If so, delete).
28. Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it’s ‘actually true).
29. Did I hit ‘reply all’? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
30. Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, “yes,” is not helpful).
31. If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it’s? Just wondering.
32. If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the asymmetrical nature of email–free to send, expensive investment of time to read or delete?
33. Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
34. Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
35. Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what’s to come and likely it will get filed properly?
36. If I had to pay 42 cents to send this email, would I?

Tags: Business, email, Productivity, seth godin

Great Quote from Seth Godin

Godin on persistence:

“Persistence isn’t using the same tactics over and over. That’s just annoying.

Persistence is having the same goal over and over.”

That was brilliant!

It sort of reminds me of this often-quoted definition.

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

Are you persistent, annoying, or insane?

Tags: Business, persiistence, Quotes, seth godin

Leadership

Leaders lead regardless of a job title or position. I’ve seen this time and time again in my time in business, the military, and in ministry. Some of the top leaders in my life don’t have any authority over my life- but they do have a lot of influence in my life.

Authority can make you in charge- but influence makes you a leader.

The key for any organization, whether business, military, or church, is for the influencer’s to be the one’s with authority.

Authority + Influence = Maximized Leadership
(I’m sure John Maxwell said this somewhere).

One thing I’ve discovered about leadership is this: Most of us, if not all of us, have leadership potential.

Disagree with that statement? So did I. I used to think only a select few had leadership abilities- but I’ve learned that’s not completely true.

The moment I became a dad, I became a leader. Every parent is a leader! Some are just better than others. That doesn’t mean that you have to be a parent to be a leader but it does prove that leaders aren’t just born- they’re developed.

My hope is to continually grow into a better leader. To develop other leaders- not just a following. To inspire people to see beyond what is- and live out what could be. To not just influence people by my words- but also my example.

For me, the best lab to develop as a leader is in the petri dish called home. As I grow, my hope is that my influence will pour out into the rest of my life.

Tags: authority, Business, influence, john maxwell, Leadership, Military, parenting

Give Me a Sign!

I opened a new stick of deodorant this morning and imprinted on the top was this message.

Do you think it was a sign?

I’m not sure how much it cost to add a message to the top of Degree anti-perspirants/deodorants, but this is a cool touch.  Clever (and remarkable) product enhancement.

Tags: Business, deodorant, marketing, Neato!, signs