Ken

I'm sitting in Starbucks enjoying a hot cup of coffee and I'm not sure which I'm most thankful for -- the coffee or the ability to sit and type. One month ago I hurt my hip while playing a game of pick-up basketball.  I'd like to say that I landed wrong after slamming a dunk.  Truth be told, I simply got knocked down and landed on my kiester.  That allowed me to get reacquainted with my sciatic nerve. For the last three weeks, I've been visiting a chiropractor who also attends Mountainview.  Dr. Rob Anderson (on Twitter @DrRobAnderson) has patiently explained things to me, twisted me further than I've been twisted before, and is getting me back on the straight and narrow.  And here I am today sitting comfortably and typing away! The basic principle of chiropractic care (in laymen's terms) is that we all need adjustments to stay in…

The New York Times has an interesting article on the return of Howard Schulz as CEO of Starbucks.

“The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is, due to genetically prescribed talent. Instead, these differences reflect a life-long period of deliberate effort to improve performance.”  --  K. Anders Ericsson

I love this line from Mark Sanborn: "Self-preservation isn't selfish; it's vital to the health of those you lead." As a leader, what are you doing to stay physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally healthy?

Leadership has been rightly defined as influence.  Paraphrasing John Maxwell, if you think you are leading people but no one is following you, you're just taking a walk. Without influence, a person is not a leader. Without integrity, a person does not have influence. You can motivate (influence) people out of fear or guilt for only so long.  And after a while, the law of diminishing returns kicks-in and it actually becomes counter-productive.  Leaders who use fear to get things done are developing followers who will grow resentful. Leaders with integrity know that character matters more than competency.  Ideally, a leader will have both.  But if I had to choose between a leader with high character and average competency or high competency and average character ... it's a no-brainer.  Choose otherwise and you're setting yourself up for disappointment; or worse, disaster.