Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
GODLY LEADER MOMENT (Do not Worry)
DO NOT WORRY Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... O ye of little faith?... Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom & righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow MATTHEW 6:25-34
NOT WORRYING is a tough concept for all of us, no matter who you are! Leaders have to (and must) deal with this personally as well as for those they lead! In these challenging times with so much hopelessness, bad economy, people/friends losing jobs, organization struggling, oil spilling, disasters here and there, people being laid off, who or what is next? Will it be you, a loved one or some of those you lead? It is nearly a daily occurrence to hear from someone close in our lives who has been impacted; I heard from a good friend and executive just this morning that is now out of a job. Its everywhere, and were not supposed to worry?!? Indeed, this is one of the tougher biblical principles we are supposed to follow YIKES, no that is a DOUBLE YIKES.
As leaders we are really needed by those we lead. As much as we may want to focus & dwell on our own worries, stresses, etc .your folks need you & your leadership! A few points to share as I have been pondering this much lately:
Let them know you also have concerns personally as well as your concern for them. Be human and dont be afraid of letting them see it. When we let others IN, we build trust & strong relationships. Some believe this shows weakness as a leader .that is just wrong. The relationships in our lives makes these times much more palatable “ especially when one of those relationships is YOU, their boss! When we all get through these times (and we will unless we do not and things turn around - this trusting relationship you built WITH THEM will pay huge dividends.
Working relationships between co-workers can become very strained as individuals withdrawal, lack concentration, and/or lash out at others. Do not avoid it or try to pretend its not there. It is real and everyone feels it. Why not get it out for all to know and realize we are all dealing with it and we (the leader and the rest of the team) are there for each other. It needs to be be dealt with, exposed and curtailed before it gets out of hand. Although we can never be sure of our security (of our jobs) and those that we lead, we need to reassure our people as much as possible; & with the truth as we know it!
You may be thinking that you are not there to be a counselor, therapist or psychologist! I for one, totally disagree. REAL leaders are absolutely conscious and realize that their job is indeed all of these and more. It may not be in your job description, but trust me, the ones you lead know what they need from you; and again its all of those and more .
Gods best, BOOKER
NOT WORRYING is a tough concept for all of us, no matter who you are! Leaders have to (and must) deal with this personally as well as for those they lead! In these challenging times with so much hopelessness, bad economy, people/friends losing jobs, organization struggling, oil spilling, disasters here and there, people being laid off, who or what is next? Will it be you, a loved one or some of those you lead? It is nearly a daily occurrence to hear from someone close in our lives who has been impacted; I heard from a good friend and executive just this morning that is now out of a job. Its everywhere, and were not supposed to worry?!? Indeed, this is one of the tougher biblical principles we are supposed to follow YIKES, no that is a DOUBLE YIKES.
As leaders we are really needed by those we lead. As much as we may want to focus & dwell on our own worries, stresses, etc .your folks need you & your leadership! A few points to share as I have been pondering this much lately:
Let them know you also have concerns personally as well as your concern for them. Be human and dont be afraid of letting them see it. When we let others IN, we build trust & strong relationships. Some believe this shows weakness as a leader .that is just wrong. The relationships in our lives makes these times much more palatable “ especially when one of those relationships is YOU, their boss! When we all get through these times (and we will unless we do not and things turn around - this trusting relationship you built WITH THEM will pay huge dividends.
Working relationships between co-workers can become very strained as individuals withdrawal, lack concentration, and/or lash out at others. Do not avoid it or try to pretend its not there. It is real and everyone feels it. Why not get it out for all to know and realize we are all dealing with it and we (the leader and the rest of the team) are there for each other. It needs to be be dealt with, exposed and curtailed before it gets out of hand. Although we can never be sure of our security (of our jobs) and those that we lead, we need to reassure our people as much as possible; & with the truth as we know it!
You may be thinking that you are not there to be a counselor, therapist or psychologist! I for one, totally disagree. REAL leaders are absolutely conscious and realize that their job is indeed all of these and more. It may not be in your job description, but trust me, the ones you lead know what they need from you; and again its all of those and more .
Gods best, BOOKER
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
…When they saw Jesus having dinners with tax collectors and ‘sinners’, they asked his disciples “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors & ‘sinners’?†On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go & learn what this means….For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners and the sinners.." MATTHEW 9:11-13
There are so many messages within these scriptures for leaders, but allow me to focus on one I relate to and use in discussions with leaders. An assumption from my first book:
[ Both leaders and followers in the workplace and society have become accepting and numb to ineffective leadership. Most of us have accepted how non-productive, unenthusiastic, and ineffective we and those around us really are! We accept this insanity as just the way it is and has to be (poor relationships between individuals and departments, conflicts and bottlenecks, poor attitudes, bad apples and bad management). ]
The point I make here is regarding this ‘bad apples’ thought. There is this conscious or subconscious thinking on the part of many in leadership roles, that there just will always be those bad apples on any team. These bad apples might be viewed as the two or three folks on every team that have issues,… cause trouble,… they challenge YOU,,… don’t seem to be team-players,… the ones always in conflict,… or some other shortage of abilities and/or skills.
In looking back at the scripture, Jesus speaks of His role to teach or serve those who need leadership, healing or teaching! The righteous and/or healthy ones, those other members of your team are not who need your leadership - it’s the bad apples. Leaders tend to take credit for the ones who are healthy/play well on the team and use the ‘bad apple’ language to avoid their (the leader’s) job, their LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE!?!
As leaders, we likely have a high percentage of folks who are just fine with or without your leadership. Your responsibility and role on the team (if you are to be an effective leader vs just another manager maintaining status quo) is to teach, lead, grow, mentor and develop those sick ones…the bad apples. Managers & organizations often just view ‘bad apples’ as if they are unsalvageable and the only solution is to just get rid of them. While there is undoubtedly a small % that deserve this and need to be tossed out; the vast majority of those bad apples (in my humble opinion) can be led to become healthy productive team players.
Are you up for your LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE? Are you willing to have ‘dinners’ with the sick (the bad apples); teach and make them well? Jesus knew his purpose,…… do you, do we, and does organizational leadership?
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
There are so many messages within these scriptures for leaders, but allow me to focus on one I relate to and use in discussions with leaders. An assumption from my first book:
[ Both leaders and followers in the workplace and society have become accepting and numb to ineffective leadership. Most of us have accepted how non-productive, unenthusiastic, and ineffective we and those around us really are! We accept this insanity as just the way it is and has to be (poor relationships between individuals and departments, conflicts and bottlenecks, poor attitudes, bad apples and bad management). ]
The point I make here is regarding this ‘bad apples’ thought. There is this conscious or subconscious thinking on the part of many in leadership roles, that there just will always be those bad apples on any team. These bad apples might be viewed as the two or three folks on every team that have issues,… cause trouble,… they challenge YOU,,… don’t seem to be team-players,… the ones always in conflict,… or some other shortage of abilities and/or skills.
In looking back at the scripture, Jesus speaks of His role to teach or serve those who need leadership, healing or teaching! The righteous and/or healthy ones, those other members of your team are not who need your leadership - it’s the bad apples. Leaders tend to take credit for the ones who are healthy/play well on the team and use the ‘bad apple’ language to avoid their (the leader’s) job, their LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE!?!
As leaders, we likely have a high percentage of folks who are just fine with or without your leadership. Your responsibility and role on the team (if you are to be an effective leader vs just another manager maintaining status quo) is to teach, lead, grow, mentor and develop those sick ones…the bad apples. Managers & organizations often just view ‘bad apples’ as if they are unsalvageable and the only solution is to just get rid of them. While there is undoubtedly a small % that deserve this and need to be tossed out; the vast majority of those bad apples (in my humble opinion) can be led to become healthy productive team players.
Are you up for your LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE? Are you willing to have ‘dinners’ with the sick (the bad apples); teach and make them well? Jesus knew his purpose,…… do you, do we, and does organizational leadership?
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
A GODLY Leadership Moment
…When they saw Jesus having dinners with tax collectors and ‘sinners’, they asked his disciples “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors & ‘sinners’?†On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go & learn what this means….For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners..." MATTHEW 9:11-13
There are so many messages within these scriptures for leaders, but allow me to focus on one I relate to and use in discussions with leaders. An assumption from my first book:
[ Both leaders and followers in the workplace and society have become accepting and numb to ineffective leadership. Most of us have accepted how non-productive, unenthusiastic, and ineffective we and those around us really are! We accept this insanity as just the way it is and has to be (poor relationships between individuals and departments, conflicts and bottlenecks, poor attitudes, bad apples and bad management). ]
The point I make here is regarding this ‘bad apples’ thought. There is this conscious or subconscious thinking on the part of many in leadership roles, that there just will always be those bad apples on any team. These bad apples might be viewed as the two or three folks on every team that have issues,… cause trouble,… they challenge YOU,,… don’t seem to be team-players,… the ones always in conflict,… or some other shortage of abilities and/or skills.
In looking back at the scripture, Jesus speaks of His role to teach or serve those who need leadership, healing or teaching! The righteous and/or healthy ones, those other members of your team are not who need your leadership - it’s the bad apples. Leaders tend to take credit for the ones who are healthy/play well on the team and use the ‘bad apple’ language to avoid their (the leader’s) job, their LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE!?!
As leaders, we likely have a high percentage of folks who are just fine with or without your leadership. Your responsibility and role on the team (if you are to be an effective leader vs just another manager maintaining status quo) is to teach, lead, grow, mentor and develop those sick ones…the bad apples. Managers & organizations often just view ‘bad apples’ as if they are not salvageable and the only solution is to just get rid of them. While there is undoubtedly a small % that deserve this and need to be tossed out; the vast majority of those bad apples (in my humble opinion) can be led to become healthy productive team players.
Are you up for your LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE? Are you willing to have ‘dinners’ with the sick (the bad apples); teach and make them well? Jesus knew his purpose,…… do you, do we, and does organizational leadership?
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
There are so many messages within these scriptures for leaders, but allow me to focus on one I relate to and use in discussions with leaders. An assumption from my first book:
[ Both leaders and followers in the workplace and society have become accepting and numb to ineffective leadership. Most of us have accepted how non-productive, unenthusiastic, and ineffective we and those around us really are! We accept this insanity as just the way it is and has to be (poor relationships between individuals and departments, conflicts and bottlenecks, poor attitudes, bad apples and bad management). ]
The point I make here is regarding this ‘bad apples’ thought. There is this conscious or subconscious thinking on the part of many in leadership roles, that there just will always be those bad apples on any team. These bad apples might be viewed as the two or three folks on every team that have issues,… cause trouble,… they challenge YOU,,… don’t seem to be team-players,… the ones always in conflict,… or some other shortage of abilities and/or skills.
In looking back at the scripture, Jesus speaks of His role to teach or serve those who need leadership, healing or teaching! The righteous and/or healthy ones, those other members of your team are not who need your leadership - it’s the bad apples. Leaders tend to take credit for the ones who are healthy/play well on the team and use the ‘bad apple’ language to avoid their (the leader’s) job, their LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE!?!
As leaders, we likely have a high percentage of folks who are just fine with or without your leadership. Your responsibility and role on the team (if you are to be an effective leader vs just another manager maintaining status quo) is to teach, lead, grow, mentor and develop those sick ones…the bad apples. Managers & organizations often just view ‘bad apples’ as if they are not salvageable and the only solution is to just get rid of them. While there is undoubtedly a small % that deserve this and need to be tossed out; the vast majority of those bad apples (in my humble opinion) can be led to become healthy productive team players.
Are you up for your LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE? Are you willing to have ‘dinners’ with the sick (the bad apples); teach and make them well? Jesus knew his purpose,…… do you, do we, and does organizational leadership?
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
HR JOB, Higginsville, MO
Saw on Craigslist, this HR JOB NOTICE (don't know anything further..
Human Resources Director
Date: 2010-07-13, 10:08AM
Working in accordance w/ the established mission, policies, and procedures. The HR Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and administering the personnel activities for the community. Includes screening, interviewing, and training all exempt and non-exempt employees.
Location: Higginsville, MO
Compensation: negotiable
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Human Resources Director
Date: 2010-07-13, 10:08AM
Working in accordance w/ the established mission, policies, and procedures. The HR Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and administering the personnel activities for the community. Includes screening, interviewing, and training all exempt and non-exempt employees.
Location: Higginsville, MO
Compensation: negotiable
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Blog title...
Working on TRANSPORTATION NEEDS for Lafayette and surrounding counties/KC area (as National HOPE Association Exec Director). This is regarding the Elderly, Disabled, Health related, Disadvantaged, Previous Offenders,.....and lots of others!
Would LOVE to hear from YOU if you have anything to share, an idea, a need, some money/car to donate, or any other interest you may have. Please do not hesitate if so...
Additionally if you have a need/passion or purpose and need a Nonprofit organization to work with, call us!!!
Meeting tomorrow/Thursday, July 15 in Independence, MO...call me if you are interested in joining us!
BOOKER, 913.232.0244 / nationalhopeassociation@gmail.com
www.nationalhopeassociation.org
Would LOVE to hear from YOU if you have anything to share, an idea, a need, some money/car to donate, or any other interest you may have. Please do not hesitate if so...
Additionally if you have a need/passion or purpose and need a Nonprofit organization to work with, call us!!!
Meeting tomorrow/Thursday, July 15 in Independence, MO...call me if you are interested in joining us!
BOOKER, 913.232.0244 / nationalhopeassociation@gmail.com
www.nationalhopeassociation.org
Thursday, July 8, 2010
CONFLICT with a Golf twist..
Leadership Linkage#1, ‘a series of articles connecting Golf & Leadership’
Think about individual and organizational conflict. People will be in conflict, accept it, it is a fact… the only need actually is that there are people ‘functioning together’. The issue may be anything, from implementing a new process at work, to how someone talks or acts, differences in views about life, habits/behaviors……and well, maybe even where we should place a wastebasket in an office!
Why is conflict so natural and inevitable. Some partial reasoning is that we work with people that we did not (or would not) possibly have chosen – if it had been our choice. Unlike other situations, (like church, school and/or some other social setting where we get to choose those that we want to be with), at work it is rarely our decision. In those other situations, we can walk away at any time; it is not the same in the work environment. Therefore, you must get along with others or face conflict….or leave, which rarely seems to be a good option ?!?
Ok , so you think “yeah all that makes sense, but how does it apply on the golf course?†Well thanks for asking.
Consider this scenario: Four people, (let’s call them Bob, Susan, Alex and Jackie) decide to go play golf for whatever the reason, maybe they know each other well, maybe not. Without any team/relationship-development or consciousness of conflict dynamics, they just take off on the first hole, assuming WE will just work/play well together naturally. How difficult can playing a golf be in the context of conflict? Let’s just provide some of the many dynamics that may occur now as these four begin to ‘play’ in these serene and beautiful surroundings!!!
• On every shot, Alex takes forever to actually swing at the ball, after all kinds of setting up, fidgeting, practice swings, adjusting whatever, staring at the ball……!
• Bob, being the office gabber, doesn’t really know etiquette here or in the workplace, so he just continues to talk as Susan sets up and swings…!
• Jackie grabs her cell phone which of course rings right as Alex is in his backswing…
• Bob doesn’t count his stroke, the one that was behind the bush, and boldly declares he got a 5 on that hole. Alex being one that plays exactly by the rules (in play, life and work) is extremely aggravated about this kind of math…!
• Susan loves to drive the cart as fast as she can and come to screeching halts by the ball when found, which drives Jackie crazy, who wants things slow and enjoyable…!
• Susan also washes her ball after every hole, and Bob who typically plays the whole round with a ball becoming increasingly soiled…!
• Jackie always jumps up to hit first, even though it is not her turn…!
• Bob walks across the line of Susan’s (and anyone elses) put on the green…!
• Alex just picks up his last putt, even though he is 4 ft away and all know he could easily miss that ‘gimme’ putt…!
• Bob has a cooler of drinks/snacks and trashes the cart,…of course Alex is a neat freak…!
Oh yes, conflict is extremely natural and inevitable. Relationships, communication and conflict resolution are interpersonal-understandings that many of us do not practice so well. We just go back home, to the office, etcccccccccc and tell someone else. >>>>>> Golf and the Workplace, hummm<<<<<
God's best to you, BOOKER
Think about individual and organizational conflict. People will be in conflict, accept it, it is a fact… the only need actually is that there are people ‘functioning together’. The issue may be anything, from implementing a new process at work, to how someone talks or acts, differences in views about life, habits/behaviors……and well, maybe even where we should place a wastebasket in an office!
Why is conflict so natural and inevitable. Some partial reasoning is that we work with people that we did not (or would not) possibly have chosen – if it had been our choice. Unlike other situations, (like church, school and/or some other social setting where we get to choose those that we want to be with), at work it is rarely our decision. In those other situations, we can walk away at any time; it is not the same in the work environment. Therefore, you must get along with others or face conflict….or leave, which rarely seems to be a good option ?!?
Ok , so you think “yeah all that makes sense, but how does it apply on the golf course?†Well thanks for asking.
Consider this scenario: Four people, (let’s call them Bob, Susan, Alex and Jackie) decide to go play golf for whatever the reason, maybe they know each other well, maybe not. Without any team/relationship-development or consciousness of conflict dynamics, they just take off on the first hole, assuming WE will just work/play well together naturally. How difficult can playing a golf be in the context of conflict? Let’s just provide some of the many dynamics that may occur now as these four begin to ‘play’ in these serene and beautiful surroundings!!!
• On every shot, Alex takes forever to actually swing at the ball, after all kinds of setting up, fidgeting, practice swings, adjusting whatever, staring at the ball……!
• Bob, being the office gabber, doesn’t really know etiquette here or in the workplace, so he just continues to talk as Susan sets up and swings…!
• Jackie grabs her cell phone which of course rings right as Alex is in his backswing…
• Bob doesn’t count his stroke, the one that was behind the bush, and boldly declares he got a 5 on that hole. Alex being one that plays exactly by the rules (in play, life and work) is extremely aggravated about this kind of math…!
• Susan loves to drive the cart as fast as she can and come to screeching halts by the ball when found, which drives Jackie crazy, who wants things slow and enjoyable…!
• Susan also washes her ball after every hole, and Bob who typically plays the whole round with a ball becoming increasingly soiled…!
• Jackie always jumps up to hit first, even though it is not her turn…!
• Bob walks across the line of Susan’s (and anyone elses) put on the green…!
• Alex just picks up his last putt, even though he is 4 ft away and all know he could easily miss that ‘gimme’ putt…!
• Bob has a cooler of drinks/snacks and trashes the cart,…of course Alex is a neat freak…!
Oh yes, conflict is extremely natural and inevitable. Relationships, communication and conflict resolution are interpersonal-understandings that many of us do not practice so well. We just go back home, to the office, etcccccccccc and tell someone else. >>>>>> Golf and the Workplace, hummm<<<<<
God's best to you, BOOKER
Monday, July 5, 2010
To PEACE in your life..
Some thoughts to share below….but first a quick reminder that the National HOPE Association Meet/Greet is tomorrow night, 5-7pm...please stop by if possible. Here are a couple of links for the details if you haven't received an invite (or lost it)!!!
LINKED IN: http://ping.fm/qqSqI
FACEBOOK: http://ping.fm/V8L9I
****************************************
Some thoughts on this World of OURS - I am not sure if these were prompted by Church yesterday, the 4th of July/Patriotism thing, my Teaching, my Hometown challenges, the National HOPE Association purpose I am focused on, etc…but these random thoughts hit me listening to the Pastor yesterday>
• What an AWESOME world we have…
• So much PAIN/SUFFERING happening….
• BEAUTY can be found in abundance…
• Everyone doesn’t have our FREEDOMs...
• LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS make it good...
• Around us we find HATRED/EVIL staring at us…
• So much is NEEDED by so many…
• GREAT PEOPLE are all around us…
• PAIN, SADNESS & BAD stuff can happen to all sorts of folks…
It just struck me how much of EVERYTHING there is and how we can get focused on one or the other and then SURPRISE, the other extreme hits us or someone nearby. So keep your eyes open – IF things are good, stay conscious of the bad you might help someone with (AND) if you are suffering in some way, realize there is much good to be thankful for all around…!?!
I have no idea where this needs to go, I just wanted to share and hope it helps. For me, I just find the PEACE with all that is going on in our Savior, Jesus. Praying and seeking His Wisdom works for me; too much for us to try to tackle, process, try to fix on our own. I just try to put it in His hands. I hope this finds you HAPPY, in PEACE, not NEEDING too much and HELPING someone today!
Doug Booker, Leadership Teacher/Exec Dir of National HOPE Association
913.232.0244
LINKED IN: http://ping.fm/qqSqI
FACEBOOK: http://ping.fm/V8L9I
****************************************
Some thoughts on this World of OURS - I am not sure if these were prompted by Church yesterday, the 4th of July/Patriotism thing, my Teaching, my Hometown challenges, the National HOPE Association purpose I am focused on, etc…but these random thoughts hit me listening to the Pastor yesterday>
• What an AWESOME world we have…
• So much PAIN/SUFFERING happening….
• BEAUTY can be found in abundance…
• Everyone doesn’t have our FREEDOMs...
• LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS make it good...
• Around us we find HATRED/EVIL staring at us…
• So much is NEEDED by so many…
• GREAT PEOPLE are all around us…
• PAIN, SADNESS & BAD stuff can happen to all sorts of folks…
It just struck me how much of EVERYTHING there is and how we can get focused on one or the other and then SURPRISE, the other extreme hits us or someone nearby. So keep your eyes open – IF things are good, stay conscious of the bad you might help someone with (AND) if you are suffering in some way, realize there is much good to be thankful for all around…!?!
I have no idea where this needs to go, I just wanted to share and hope it helps. For me, I just find the PEACE with all that is going on in our Savior, Jesus. Praying and seeking His Wisdom works for me; too much for us to try to tackle, process, try to fix on our own. I just try to put it in His hands. I hope this finds you HAPPY, in PEACE, not NEEDING too much and HELPING someone today!
Doug Booker, Leadership Teacher/Exec Dir of National HOPE Association
913.232.0244
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