Have you ever had one of those days? You know, one of those days when you feel like you are sinking and you feel like there is nothing you can do about it? I think each of us have felt like that at one time or another as a parent, as a leader as someone who simply has a pulse. Sometimes life just hits us and other times we create an a perfect storm through our choices and we start to go under. So, with that in mind, I want to share with you 3 C’s that can sink your leadership boat.

Control

Avoidance of certain situations or people is a form of staying in "Control." Staying away and not having that difficult conversation is a way for each

Leaders who have been around awhile may have a tendency to answer questions rather than ask them. I’m not sure why leaders stop asking questions. Maybe it’s a lack of curiosity? Pride? Fear of letting others know they are asking for help? I'm sure it’s different for everyone. Sometimes, when we think we know it all, we start lecturing instead of listening. I have been guilty of all the above at one time or another in my leadership life.

In this simple post I wanted to pose 5 questions for all leaders to consider. I believe if we do our best to ask and answer these five questions on a regular basis we have incredible potential to become great leaders.

1. What Am I Learning?

If we want to be leaders then we need to be a learners. When the memories of our past success outnumber the dreams in our future its safe to say then end is near. Remember, it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts the most. Reading books, articles and blogs that not only agree or support our line of thinking but books, articles and blogs that challenge

In LeaderSHIFT Part 1 we talked about the shift we go through and how that makes a huge difference in our life keeping us alert, aware and mindful Here, in part two, I want to talk about the gears themselves. After-all, the gears are what give us power and get us moving.

In my 1966 Robin’s Egg Blue Volkswagen there were five gears. First, second, third, fourth and reverse. Let’s take a look at each one and see how making a LeaderSHIFT can give us the power to make a difference.

1st Gear: Connecting Deeply

Connect deeply with two other people you can trust.

Call it what you want, accountability, connection, community but the bottom line is this, who really knows you deeply? Who can see past your hang ups, extend grace and mercy and love you anyway? Who can lift you up in prayer or be your wise guidance in the midst of difficulty or discouragement?

A healthy leader needs to connect deeply with at least two other people. Why two others? Because, A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a

My first car was a 1966 robin's egg blue Volkswagen. It had 5 gears, several dents and a spare tire under the hood. It also had a manual transmission and broken parking brake. As a 17 year old, I hated it. Actually, let me rephrase that. I loved the car! I just hated the shift I had to go through to drive it. Left foot clutch, right foot gas, right hand shift. It wasn’t easy. And, If you were stopped at a red light on a hill, well, you were in big trouble. A stalled car rolling backwards with a 17 year old at the wheel isn’t pretty.

A manual transmission was just to much for an impatient 17 year old to think about. Learning the timing and rhythm of when I had to upshift or downshift or stay in neutral was a nightmare. I can remember stalling my car for the one hundredth time while trying to make a right hand turn. I was so frustrated that I would never get the hang of shifting gears that I guided the car to the curb, got out, and walked away.

That’s right, I got out, closed the door, and walked away. I couldn’t wait for the day I could afford an automatic transmission, a transmission that did the gear shifting for me. Simple to use and easy to operate. Just put it in “D” and drive.

I have also observed good leaders try and make a turn, stall, get frustrated and walk away. I have been there myself. Good leaders stall, it’s part

How do you deal with difficult people?

We all experience what I call “sandpaper” people in our life. Each one comes with a different “grit” but their purpose in our life is the same, to smooth out our rough edges. Here are 3 reminders for each of us when the edges of our attitude need a little sanding.

Reminder Number 1:

Develop Thick Skin and a Sensitive Heart

The phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me” is simply not true. Words do hurt and sometimes worse than a broken bone. The Bible says, “Our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.” James 3:6 CEV.

When reckless words come our way they are usually hurled by someone who has been hurt or offended either by you or someone else. Remember, “hurt people…hurt people.” We can let

I experienced this cultural ritual first hand while loitering in a local Apple store. What I saw and experienced got me thinking about how we honor those who have worked for us. Perhaps I should say, “if” we honor those who have worked for us. I have found that most churches do a wonderful job at honoring those folks who attend weekend to weekend but fall short when it comes to honoring staff either while they are present or when they leave. There frequently seems to be a neutral to slightly negative “spin” given to explain the departure.

What I observed in the apple store that day would transfer nicely to the church. Here are my three observations.

1. They Show Up

My first impression when walking into this store which, by the way, I have walked in to a hundred times, was how extremely well staffed they were on this particular day. I decided to ask one of the staff at the apple store why there were