31 Days to Becoming a Better Leader

Growing Your Nonprofit from the Customer Up Interview with Bill Woolsey

With decades of experience in starting and leading ministries, churches and networks, Bill Woolsey now invests his life in men and women who want to reach people for Jesus in new, creative ways.

After serving congregations in the Midwest, he and his family planted CrossPoint Community Church in Houston, a congregation that led his denomination (LCMS) in baptisms for much of the 2000s. In 2009 he led the launch of FiveTwo, a network that helps men and women grow their God-given dreams into ministries and businesses that last.

Bill authored “Seven Steps to Start,” a practical ‘how-to-start’ book written from a front-row seat of over 30 years of outreach experience. He and his wife of 34 years, Julie, have 3 children: Timothy, and his wife, Caitlyn; Abigail, her husband Nick and son, Ezra; and Samuel.

For more about Bill and his work, go to https://fivetwo.com/

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Leadership Challenges in Managing a Land Conservancy Nonprofit with David Perry

DAVID PERRY, Executive Director is a Blacksburg native, has been with the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy since 2006, when he was hired as the land trust’s project manager. He became assistant director in 2011 and executive director in 2012. Dave is chairman of the City of Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Advisory Board and a member of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club.

Dave has a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor’s degree in geography from James Madison University. Prior to coming to the land trust, he was employed with the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Salisbury, MD and as a district executive with the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Kinston, NC. He, his wife and two sons live in southwest Roanoke

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The Pillars for Success

Strategy: Leadership without a strategic framework for an organization will compromise the results, overwork the leadership and teams, and waste time and money. A strategy is a Solution Map defining where the organization wants to be and how to get there. Here are the key elements:

• Vision & Mission
• Market 
• Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
• Goals

Skills: Leadership, communications, and financial results are all grounded in effective relationships. Creating a culture of high performance starts with the first person (the leader) and is developed with intentionality with each addition to the board, the staff, the committees, the advisors, and the community advocates. Here’s the sequence:

• Lead
• Learn
• Grow
• Influence

Team: Teams are essential to the work of any organization. Moving from traditional thinking to a culture of servant leaders will impact the results of the organization. Build the principles for the culture and the skills to lead the teams before inviting the first team member to join.

• Competency
• Role & Responsibility
• Culture Fit
• Expectations

Finance: Create an operational budget in which each line item connects to a milestone in the strategy. Also, create a start-up budget from concept to launch. The missing element is the cash flow projection. Make notes on how to create each of these

• Start-Up Budget
• Operational Budget
• Cash Flow Projection

Support: The best leaders, like the top sports figures, always have a coach. The leader’s job is to define and lead the work. Over 90% of the skills and systems are hidden from visionary leaders, especially start-up leaders and early stage organization leaders, however this need never ends. Always having an experienced coach is the essential step for accountability, sequence, skills, discernment, clarity, and referrals.

• Mentor or Coach
• Team
• Mastermind Group
• CFO/COO

 

Keep the Momentum!

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Becoming A Better Leader Monday Momentum 12

Becoming a Better Leader Monday Momentum Book Resources for Leaders   Quotes and Notes from Hugh’s book list:   Today’s notes are on The Tao of Leadership, by John Heider   This little book is full of useful and counter-intuitive ideas. It’s things we usually don’t consider. Many leaders are way too “hands on” with their leadership in attempting to make things happen, when they should be observing how things happen and guide when necessary.   Many times leaders create problems that don’t exist until they intervene. Then we make things worse with our intervention.   Keep this little book handy and just read a page or two at a time. Leave time to think.   Thinking is good and mostly underrated.   Quotes:   The wise leader does not make a show of holiness or pass out grades for good performance. That would create a climate of success and failure. Competition and jealousy follow.   Force and Conflict The leader who understands how process unfolds uses as little force as possible and runs the group without pressuring people. When force is used, conflict and argument follow. The group field degenerates. The climate is hostile, neither open nor nourishing. The wise leader runs the group without fighting to have things a certain way. The leader’s touch is light. The leader neither defends nor attacks. Remember that consciousness, not selfishness, is both the means of teaching and the teaching itself. Group members will challenge the ego of one who leads egocentrically. But one who leads selflessly and harmoniously will grow and endure.   The Paradox of Pushing Too much force will backfire. Constant interventions and instigations will not make a good group. They will spoil a group. The best group process is delicate. It cannot be pushed around. It cannot be argued over or won in a fight. The leader who tries to control the group through force does not understand group process. Force will cost you the support of the members. Leaders who push think that they are facilitating process, when in fact they are blocking process. They think that they are building a good group field, when in fact they are destroying its coherence and creating factions. They think that their constant interventions are a measure of ability, when in fact such interventions are crude and inappropriate. They think that their leadership position gives them absolute authority, when in fact their behavior diminishes respect. The wise leader stays centered and grounded and uses the least force required to act effectively. The leader avoids egocentricity and emphasizes being rather than doing.   The wise leader pays respectful attention to all behavior. Thus the group becomes open to more and more possibilities of behavior. People learn a great deal when they are open to everything and not just figuring out what pleases the teacher.   How can a good reputation be a hindrance? A good reputation naturally arises from doing good work. But if you try to cherish your reputation, if you try to preserve it, you lose the freedom and honesty necessary for further development.

Keep the momentum

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Quotes and Notes from Hugh’s book list:   Today’s notes are on Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, by Roberta Gilbert   This book is about the leadership methodology created by Psychiatrist, Murry Bowen, M.D. His colleague, Roberta Gilbert has taken the writings of Bowen and put them into systems for learning. I have worked with Roberta for about 10 years in seminars and private coaching. I find that this is the most effective and useful leadership methodology I have ever experienced.   Before studying Bowen Systems with Roberta, I had developed my own leadership content, so I had trouble getting my head around something like this. Over time I embraced the systems thinking taught by Roberta and found that the two actually compliment each other in the following ways:

• Transformation Leadership as I teach it is a system based on a vision and not the autocratic thinking of the leader. The leader is, however the creator of that vision and the champion for that vision. The system is about high performing cultures with leaders on teams. Transformation of self comes first, then transformation of the culture and the organization is possible.
• Bowen Systems is about self awareness and discovery to manage self as a leader. In order to be effective the leaders must know self and manage self.

These two methods work well together in the Transformational Leader must manage self to be the influencer for success. Too many times a leader blames others for situations of their own choosing.   Quotes: Here are some quotes from Dr. Bowen: You have inherited a lifetime of tribulation. Everybody has inherited it. Take it over, make the most of it and when you have decided you know the right way, do the best you can with it.   That which is created in a relationship can be fixed in a relationship.   I consider rugged individualism to be an exaggerated pretend posture of a person struggling against emotional fusion. The differentiated person is always aware of others and the relationship system around him.   The basic building block of any emotional system is the triangle.   One of the most important aspects of family dysfunction is an equal degree of overfunction in another part of the family system. It is factual that dysfunctioning and overfunctioning exist together.   Overfunctioning is irresponsible responsibility.   It’s ok to have empathy, but one must get out of it quickly.   The goal is to rise up out of the emotional togetherness that finds us all.   In the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down by being told to calm down.   The human has been slow to learn about his own inner space within his own skull. Thus far we have hardly scratched the surface.   All things being equal, the life course of people is determined by the amount of unresolved emotional attachment, the amount of anxiety that comes from it, and the way they deal with this anxiety.   The goal... is to rise up out of the emotional togetherness that binds us all.

Keep the momentum

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Leadership Book Quotes

Quotes and Notes from Hugh’s book list.

Today’s notes are on “As a Man Thinketh”by James Allen

One of the three books Jim Rohn said everybody should have is, “As a Man Thinketh” along with “Think and Grow Rich” and the Bible. Each of these books is full of wisdom of the ages and is timeless.

This little book is a short read. Each time I re-read it, I see different things and the things I saw before mean something different. It’s work reviewing monthly.

Even though the book is short, it’s full of profound ideas. The quotes below are some of the passages I have marked.

Quotes:

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.

 

Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.

 

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.

 

A man has to learn that he cannot command things, but that he can command himself; that he cannot coerce the wills of others, but that he can mold and master his own will: and things serve him who serves Truth; people seek guidance of him who is master of himself.

 

All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts.

 

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.

 

Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.

 

The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.

 

As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.

 

 

 

 

 

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Becoming a Better Leader Monday Momentum Book Resources for Leaders Leadership Resources: Books, Hugh's Notes and Quotes   Quotes and Notes from Hugh’s book list.   Today’s notes are on the 2 Napoleon Hill books on my list:

1. Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill https://amzn.to/2IenAVY
2. Napoleon Hill On the Air: The Five Foundations for Success, Napoleon Hill transcriptions https://amzn.to/2Z7YZsS

  Think and Grow Rich is a classic self-help book which is the basis of much of the teaching coming from self-help gurus in the last century, with Jim Rohn and Bob Proctor being two of the most visible and popular presenters on the wisdom of Hill. It in one of the top selling self-help books of all time. Many other books have been and are continuing to be published thanks to Don Green and the Napoleon Hill Foundation in Wise, Virginia.   Hill directs his readers to read chapter 4 every night aloud and to underline passages that impress us to remember and activate his premises for success.   Napoleon Hill On the Air is a set of radio interviews by Hill transcribed and also available on Audible. It’s great to hear Hill’s wisdom in his own voice. Hill expands and highlights the themes taught in Think and Grow Rich as well as his Laws of Success and other writings.    The combination of these 2 books gives insight into what Hill learned in his interviews of 500 successful business leaders of his time who were introduced to him by Andrew Carnegie.    Selected quotes from Hill: Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.   Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.   Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.   Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.   First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.   First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.   What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.   Reduce your plan to writing. The moment you complete this, you will have definitely given concrete form to the intangible desire.   Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage.    

Keep the momentum.

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Books   Here's my list of the top 10 books to develop and to stay on top as a leader:

1. Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill https://amzn.to/2IenAVY 
2. Napoleon Hill On the Air, Napoleon Hill transcriptions https://amzn.to/2Z7YZsS
3. Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, by Roberta Gilbert https://amzn.to/2MtNF8I
4. The Tao of Leadership, by John Heider https://amzn.to/2IdLhO9
5. As a Man Thinketh  by James Allen https://amzn.to/2F1JOtF
6. The Tyranny of the Urgent, by Charles E Hummel https://amzn.to/2IedMeH
7. Transforming Leadership, by James Macgregor Burns https://amzn.to/2QGtX8e
8. Master Leaders: Revealing Conversations with 30 Leadership Greats, by George Barna https://amzn.to/2EReb5J
9. Transforming Power: Stories from Transformational Leaders for Encouragement and Inspiration, by Hugh Ballou  https://amzn.to/2IjH4sj
10. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You, John Maxwell https://amzn.to/2MuD51e

Many good thoughts in each of these. I will be mentioning all of these in future sessions.

 

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Balance…or Not!

I’m writing a new book. I’m thinking of calling it Adrenaline as a Way of Life. Or maybe I’ll try Time: There Will Never be Enough of It, So Squander What You’ve Got. Here’s a sneak peak at my chapter outline.

Chapter One: E-mergency

Answer all emails at once. Do not delay. Stop whatever you are doing and answer that baby.

Chapter Two: Adrenaline is My Motivator

Save tasks that are “due today” until the last hour, better yet, the last half hour of your workday so you will have the added energy boost of adrenaline to help you complete your tasks.

Chapter Three: Be a Hog

Hog the copier. Put off using office machines until the last possible minute, never mind if your colleagues need them.

Chapter Four: Under-prepare for Meetings/Rehearsals

That way you’ll find out what you’re really made of. Can you fly by the seat of your pants? Are you great at improvisation? Can you fake it in front of a group?

Chapter Five: Don’t Bother Planning Ahead, Wait Until the Last Minute

Careful planning is over rated! Panic provides lots of energy for a task. It’s contagious too, so if you can get other people panicked about a mutual project, just think of all the energy!

Chapter Six: Don’t organize your stuff.

That last minute search for materials provides a great panic push just when you need an extra shot of adrenaline.

Chapter Seven: Run

Don’t walk, run. Run to the workroom, to the bathroom, to your car. Run yellow lights. Heck, run red ones. That gets everyone excited!

Chapter Eight: Do One More Thing

Do one more thing before you leave. That will insure being late.

Chapter Nine: Shallow Breathing

Be sure to keep your breath short and rapid. Mimic panic in your breathing at all times. Remember, you don’t have time to take a deep breath.

Chapter Ten: Run Late

Show up at the last minute, or better yet, arrive late. Increase every one’s anxiety level!

Chapter Eleven: Yell

Yell at everyone when you are running late. If there is no one there, yell at the empty house. Yell at other cars, yell under your breath or right out loud at anyone or anything that gets in your way.

Chapter Twelve: Fast

Eat in the car. Even better, don’t eat at all. Being hungry increases your discomfort level and decreases your functioning level which will force your adrenaline to kick in and do it’s magic. When you do eat, gorge on foods that are bad for you.

Chapter Thirteen: Blame

Blame other people, blame your life situation, blame the traffic, blame the stoplights, blame your mother. Blame anything or anyone you can think of for anything and everything.

Chapter Fourteen: Calendar, Schmalandar

Don’t bother double-checking your calendar for appointments. Better yet, don’t write them down in the first place. If they really need you, they’ll call you.

I wrote this as a joke in a particularly busy season in my life and shared it at a staff meeting as a way of apologizing to my colleagues for my hyper-anxious state of being at work. I wish I could say those things are exaggerations, but they are based on the truth of how out of balance my life was at that time.

This winter, as I enter a very busy season once again, I’m attempting to do things differently. Like taking time daily for prayer, exercise, good nutrition, and Sabbath rest. As an experiment, I’m going to take one workday a month out of the office to be still and pray. It’s already making me nervous but I’m determined to do it to break the habits I wrote about in my “book”.

As I attempt to regain balance in my work schedule, I hope you’ll be encouraged to do the same. May God bless us on our journey

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Balance: Getting and Staying Centered

In this episode, I’m starting to focus on my “Four Leadership Principles”: Foundations, Relationships, Systems, and Balance. Today we focus on balance. Even though it’s the fourth principle, it’s the one that makes the others work. If we can’t manage our use of time, the musical version of this principle is “Value the Rests.” In music the rests have a distinctive purpose and are not just the absence of sound. They are punctuation. They are a regrouping of energy. They are times used to clarify and cleanse the auditory palate. 

Balance has several dimensions:

• Work/Life Balance 

• Balancing Multiple Tasks and Priorities 

• Balance of Self: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, and Discernment 


You may be able to think of other ways balance is important to you and how to define that dimension.

There’s also the internal and external dimension to notice and regulate:

Internal

Mental - Growing in knowledge and experience challenging our intellect 


Emotional - Learning to separate feeling from thinking and being able to fully give and receive love 


Physical- Staying healthy by managing diet, exercise, and the rhythm of life 


External

Work- Setting boundaries so work doesn’t encroach on personal life while being effective in productive work 


Family- Being differentiated so we remain ourselves and don’t get sucked into dramas while spending quaility time with family members 


Recreation- Managing use of time by putting recreation and social time on our calendar  


 When planning for the enterprise you lead, be sure to plan for your life as well. Then integrate the two plans. Balance doesn’t mean that everything is equal. Balance means that we highlight what’s more important and place it in perspective with everything else. Many times we need to consider letting go of something in order or achieve what’s most important to us. 

Being centered in this sense is being grounded in solid principles. 

 

 

 

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