Plussing – Add to ideas and decrease offense
We all know that we need honest feedback to improve and grow. Lavishing praise on people all the time doesn't help them. But we also know that it can be difficult to give honest feedback without creating a toxic environment and shutting the creative juices of those...
When the Elephant Dances, the Mouse May Die
Dr. Miriam Adeney, an anthropologist, missiologist, author, and associate professor of World Christian Studies at Seattle Pacific University, recounted the following story that an African Christian friend told her. "Let me tell you a story about Americans,” an African...
It’s Not Enough to Know True North
When I watched the 2012 film, Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg, the words of president Lincoln from a scene with Thaddeus Stevens stroke me as some of the wisest words I have ever heard. They transformed the way I work with the truth and with wisdom. Stevens...
What happens when a leader you trust says something you know is not true?
A large child sponsorship organization that I respect says on their website, "Sponsoring a child with our organization is the most cost-effective way to end extreme child poverty." I have founded and ran a child sponsorship and leadership development organization for...
A doctor as a healer of the world
To me a doctor is a healer of the world. His heart, mind, body and soul want to heal the sick and relieve pain no matter where it is. And by sick, I don't simply mean physically sick. I mean, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, etc. I take...
Decision Making and your strengths and strategy
When you have to make an important decision, checking for alignment with your strengths and strategy is a very helpful thing to do. It helps you narrow down the choices. Strengths. Does this decision allow you to use your strengths more? When faced with multiple...
How to Know if a Voice is from God (ABCDE)
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil" 1 Thess. 5:19-21 If someone who purports to be a prophet gives you a word that she says is from God, what do you do? If someone you...
Are leaders born or made?
It depends what kind of leader you are talking about. It depends on how you define leadership. If you use the popular and broad definition that leadership is influence, then everybody can be a leader because everybody can influence someone. If your view is that...
Behaviors must align with aspirations
A lot of people have aspirations to become something great. They have big dreams and visions for a better future for themselves, their families, and their companies. The disconnect comes at the level of their behaviors. On a daily basis, they don't align their...
When you live your truth…
If you live your truth, the only place you'll shine is where you were designed to shine. There you will shine and enjoy peace and plenty together with some seasons of pain and hardship. Pursue your truth and live it out. That's how you bring joy and the gift of...