Leadership Example #1

I thought this was really informative. The product involved could not be farther than what I concern myself with--in fact I'm against the use of consumer credit for the most part--but there are a lot of great lessons for someone who wants to lead better.

It's long so here's the title and a teaser and then you can follow the link for more.

Peace
Click here to read the entire article.

Toyota Tackles an Audacious Goal

How to lead an organization through transformational change

by George Borst, President and CEO, Toyota Financial Services

It would be great if leaders could learn everything they need to know before they need to know it. That's rarely the case -- most of us learn on the job, in the thick of it. Sometimes we don't even realize what we've learned until long after the moment has passed. In hindsight, I realize how fortunate I was.

We were beginning to tackle a major initiative that would significantly change Toyota Financial Services (TFS); simultaneously, I was being exposed to new leadership ideas. I would need these new ideas, along with new skills and abilities, to lead my team to achieve a "BHAG" -- a "Big Hairy Audacious Goal," as Built to Last authors Jim Collins and Jerry Porras call it.

My BHAG was to lead TFS through an expansion of our customer base and product line. TFS offers automotive loans to Toyota and Lexus customers, but if we could add credit cards, mortgages, and loans to Toyota customers and dealers, we could create much more business, profit, and ultimately, loyalty.

But that required transformation in every aspect of the organization -- new people, infrastructure, knowledge, and skills. Some of the changes offered exciting new opportunities, but others presented new problems. In every case, the expansion required new methods of leadership from me -- including framing, communication, and team-building strategies -- to face the upcoming challenges.

Read the rest of the article here.

Busted...

So I was outed yesterday morning. I'd been trying to hide it... I'd blame it on the kids; I'd say that the TV was already on that channel; I'd claim that I was just "checking it out." But Saturday morning, the kids were already up and out, I had no way to explain my way out of the fact that Tricia came in to the bedroom to find me watching...



Lilo and Stitch.

That's right, it's all out in the open now...I feel so relieved. I like to watch Lilo and Stitch, the kids animated series on the Disney Channel (7am & 7:30am), that's based on the Disney movie of the same name. Funny thing is... I haven't even seen the movie.

I know for some of you, this will bring me down off the pedestal. For others of you, it just confirms you worst fears, and you're able to nod with a knowing "mm--hmmm." That's all okay with me though, cause I've got my "ohana" -- Tricia, Katy and Will all still love me just the same. And my extended animated ohana... well we're tight and when I see them again tomorrow morning at 7am on channel 173, I'll tell them you said to say "Hi."

Peace

Near Disaster...

Okay, so the job of a worship pastor is multi-faceted...there's many a duty that falls to me on a weekly basis. But it cannot be denied that in the present, playing a guitar on most Sundays is my bread and butter--or at least what people most perceive.

So I was a little alarmed when this happened this afternoon (Saturday)...
.
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But how many pastors can brag about their "banana bread" making injuries. That, my friends is a one-inch slice from a Pampered Chef Chopper...on my chording hand. And we're supposed to play James Taylor tomorrow.

BTW, the slime looking stuff is the "super glue" they put on me at the Immediate Care. Seemed like a better option than stitches for a quick healing. Plus if it comes off, I can replace it myself with a quick trip to Ace Hardware...thank God for modern medicine.

Wanted: Video Geeks for Jesus

I made a video transition. It connects this weeks main title slide to the song background. It is two seconds long. It took over TWO HOURS to make. Much of that was the learning curve...hopefully my next attempt won't take as long.


Well... are you blown away? Neither was Tricia! ;-)

I'm admittedly rather jealous of churches that have awesome video/media departments. I think that video is very much the first language of most of the people who visit our church. I'm glad that we're a part of the NewThing Network and are able to use many of their media. But I really hope and pray that God will bring someone our way who is gifted and wants to use their talents in a local church setting.

Maybe it's you that I've been praying for. Maybe you looked at what I made and immediately thought of 13 ways to make it better. Maybe you are the soon-to-be newest NC3 artist, specializing in all things video. Drop me an email.

Peace!

A Question for Leaders

Leadership is at the discrepancy of the led. I think that's a hard concept for many of us that aren't as good at leading as we'd like to be. Successful leadership can be measured by the degree of followship. (It's been said that a leader who isn't being followed is just taking a walk.)

Followship can be encouraged by the leader in many ways...not all of them good.

• Followship can be obtained by fear: Do what I say or you're fired. Do what I say or I'll hurt or kill you. Both of these can provide followers, but probably not longevity nor effectiveness.
• Followship can be obtained by guilt: Follow me because you owe me...I've done ____ for you. Ahhh...used by moms, world-wide. ;-)
  
• Followship can be obtained by a simple lack of options: Follow me because I'm the best you can do.

Perhaps a better model is: Follow me because I can show you a desirable future and I can take you there with me.

If that's the case, a further measure of leadership becomes the degree to which vision is cast AND the progress made toward that envisioned destination.

So for me the question becomes, "Have I shown you a place you want to go, and am I helping you get there."

First Week at 705

Not sure why it took me so long to blog about this. Luckily I have good blogger friends who caught my slack here and here. 705 causes a mixture of emotions in me. I've poured so much of my time, heart and energy into it for the last three weeks, that I feel like I've been cheating on my wife with this project--90 hour work-weeks do not a strong marriage make. Now all of the major hurdles are past, the birthing pains have subsided, but I may have a touch of postpartum.

Many have described the new facility as "home." I'm not there yet. It's not quite home. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to simply move my guitar to my office and leave everything else plugged in and in place, after the 2nd worship service. I love much of what we've been able to do with a new building... the quality mixing console, the six (count 'em - 6) monitor mixes for the band and vox, the way we've upgraded our stage lighting capability while going to a far more cost effective lighting rig. The screen and projector are both major upgrades that I'm lovin' already.

It's going to come.


This Sunday was definitely off the chain! Lots of new faces...lots of faces, period. 394 different people came to one of our two worship experiences. The band was just simply smoking! We still have a few sound issues to address, as well as a power issue (as in, suddenly not having any), but it's gonna come together. Mike, Steve and Sean are a great team to work with...three guys I'd hire in a second if the time was right.


It's way late...I've got more to say, but I'd better end this while I'm somewhat coherent.

Happy Birthday, Will!

My son, Will turned 5 on Sunday. He is a great kid...I couldn't ask for better. Loving, considerate, way too smart... he's definitely all boy. I'm excited about the challenge of raising him to be a man of God, and seeing God use him to change the world!

Should we move to the city?

Scott Hodge has been blogging from Q in NYC. A few days ago he shared his notes from a session with Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC and author of The Reason For God.

In his session, Tim said "If you want to be culture makers you ought to live in big cities."

That strikes a nerve with me. Could it be that evangelical christian leadership has focused on rural/suburban areas because its easier, and neglected the opportunity to truly make a cultural difference?

Personally, I've always felt like a city-guy at heart, so when I read Scott's notes on Tim's session, I nod...I get what he's saying. Now I'm not saying there's not a necessity for ministry in rural or suburban areas...two thirds of my ministry life has been spent in communities under 40,000. But...I'll finish with Tim's words...

"If you can be used elsewhere, great. But don't stay out of the cities because you’re selfish or cowardice or don’t have the grace or because you're clueless about their importance."

Read Scott's blog about the three city-graces

It was a good plan!

The plan was in place... Katy (our six year-old) attending a spend-the-night birthday party at her cousin's in Joliet; Will (our five year-old) getting some one on one overnight quality time with "Nanna," Tricia's mom. Knock praise band practice out quick as all the songs were kinda "old favorites," and then nothing to do but spend a relaxed, quiet evening with my incredibly hot wife.

Until... I come home from work at 4:30 running a 100 deg. fever with chills and aches. Not the romantic mood setter I'd been hoping for.

Instead, here I am still in bed on Saturday, hoping to snap back by tomorrow
...knowing that my volleyball team's last game today is something I have to skip
...knowing that there is a lot of work left to be done at 705 before next weeks launch
...and knowing that I'm pretty much stuck here for most of this day.

Not loving life right now... =(

705 progress

Wow! I haven't blogged in a while...mainly due to the combination of three things: the renovations at 705 E. Washington, preparations for Easter, and moving our offices the week after Easter.

The auditorium at 705 is coming along. As of today, all electrical is finished except for a ceiling outlet for the projector. The balcony is finished. The sound booth is built and painted...just needs trim and the countertop cut to fit. The projecton screen is up!!!

Other remaining projects:
Hanging the projector - 4/1
Hanging stage light bars - 4/1-4/2? (have to be cut down and re-welded)
Installing new sound board - 4/3
Installing stage lighting - 4/7 (waiting on board and dimmers)
Building/installing acoustic panels for back of room - 4/7-4/9 (waiting on fabric)
Building/installing window panels - 4/7-4/9 (waiting on fabric)
Running all audio/video/light cabling - 4/3-4/5

All this is do-able. I'm not in panic mode yet, but a couple of missed deadlines could definitely send me there. I have had so much help on this project. Steve and Shane Mahnke, Scott Mounts, Sean Davis, Mike St. Germain, Dave Ritter, Derek Wren, Brian Depung, and Jake Lambros have all played big parts in what we've accomplished so far. Dave Tatum, Glenn Burnam, Ed Jenkins, and Randy White all have jumped in as well. Kevin Murphy kept the power on (most of the time) and Jeff Eberhard has done a great job of encouraging (git-r-done, dangit!) and standing around looking very knowledgable and important. =) I love you, Jeff! Mike Lanahan has been a great idea man and he'd be on-site a lot more if he weren't at home with new twins.

I'm sure I've forgotten someone, and I apologize, but thank you to everyone who has pitched in and played a part. Wouldn't be this close if it hadn't been for the part you played.