Dec 15, 2020Member-only12 of the Best Books That Saved the Worst YearI know it’s cliche, but if I am being totally honest, 2020 has been the most difficult year of my life. It has been difficult relationally, spiritually, vocationally, and emotionally. From January 18th 2020 and on, my life has been profoundly impacted. In fact, the last time I published an…Leadership8 min read
Published in The Startup·Jun 1, 2020Member-onlyThe 4 Things Every Leader Has to Give as Workplaces ReopenA leader’s guide for getting the team back together — Do you know what’s weird to think about? People used to go places. I see clips of sporting events and huge crowds, and immediately think, “You can’t do that! You can’t high five!” It’s interesting how quickly our brains re-wire under pressure. It wasn’t long ago that movie theatres packed…Work9 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·May 7, 2020Member-onlyThe Boundaries You Need To Filter Input6 categories for healthy boundaries that filter out the noise and prioritize what matters. — There are a few sure things in life. My daughter is never going to drop her favorite doll, but if she’s holding my iPhone it’ll drop from the highest point in our house. When I’m craving ice cream after 7:00 pm, the Mcdonald’s ice cream machine will be “broken.” But…Leadership7 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·May 5, 2020Member-onlyEvery Leader’s Guide To Taking A PunchWhy absorbing the blow matters more than landing a haymaker — Have you ever worked for someone whose pride was based on his or her ability to step into a bad situation and force his or her will upon those involved? They are passionate about stepping in after it hits the fan and exerting their will on everyone else. Have you…Leadership5 min read
Published in The Startup·Apr 12, 2020Member-onlyThe 5 Tension Points of Leading Through DisruptionHow to lead well when everything has changed. — I’ve been on or leading the same team for over a decade, and in the years I’ve been a part of this team, there has been a consistent type of question that has built its own culture. We call them “firepit questions.” About once or twice a year, our team…Leadership9 min read
Published in Publishous·Apr 7, 2020Member-onlySee How Good Leaders Go Bad When They Forget HumilityKeep your priorities straight — On my first day as a student pastor, I had 19 students at my youth group. It was an average-sized youth ministry and one that I was honored to lead. Within two years, it had grown 430%. In a world dominated by metrics, with the prevailing assumption that your ministry…Leadership4 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·Mar 30, 2020Member-onlyHow To Use Your 20's To Set You Up For LifeThree areas of focus to build a foundation for life — About twice a month, I will put an Instagram post on my story feed with a question sticker and see what rolls in. Some weeks, there are only a few things, and others I have to be selective on what I answer. This week, a young leader who used to…Leadership5 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·Mar 20, 2020Member-onlyLeadership Trends That Never Worked for MeFour popular approaches that didn’t seem to work — Maybe it’s the realization that I’m getting older and that I am no longer going to ever be the young emerging leader in my workplace. Maybe it’s the constant reminder that there’s more that I could do. …Leadership6 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·Mar 14, 2020Member-onlyCOVID-19: 8 Tips to Effectively Work from HomeHow to get things done and stay healthy while you do — As COVID-19 continues to spread all over the world, schools, businesses, and organizations are forced to adjust. Just about every humor account on Twitter and Instagram has posted something to the effect of, “I guess we’re really about to find out which meeting could be an email.” I have tried…Leadership8 min read
Published in The Leadership Journal·Mar 13, 2020Weekly Update: How Being Too Competitive Can Limit Your LeadershipLeaders are typically competitors. At one level or another, most leaders I have met have a streak of competition in their souls. For some, that streak is obvious (and the only thing you ever see). It’s the driving force between everything they ever do. For other leaders, it may be…2 min read
