Some people are really into puzzles.

Location: First Congregational Church of South Pekin

We begin with a few relatively minor, even silly, examples of mistakes.

Location: First Congregational Church of South Pekin

What's the "trick" (or "secret" or "hack" or pick your clickbait term of choice)? What's the inside scoop on...

...cutting your project implementation timelines by 30%+?

...reducing costly mistakes by 50%+?

...cutting your losses with confidence before losing even more time and money?

...moving forward on a cutting-edge initiative with bold conviction?

...understanding how 85% of Convene member companies outperform their competition?

Imagine having direct, trusted, consistent access to DECADES (in some cases centuries) of seasoned business leader experience every single month.

Imagine the questions you could ask. Imagine the obstacles you could quickly circumvent.

Imagine the streamlined progress you could make without having to learn everything through your own school of hard knocks.

Shay Foulk underscored the value of the Convene model of executive development in this snippet from our conversation earlier this year on The Ag View Pitch podcast.

In less than two minutes, Shay makes a solid argument for the value of peer advisory teams. If you are an executive leader, I encourage you to take a quick listen!

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P.S. Building a business is hard, and doing so as a Christian leader adds a whole ‘nother layer of complexity. But…you don’t have to run this race alone. If you would like to learn more about Convene, The H3 Leader, and our services, please reach out to me directly.

Leaders, particularly ones that have been on the journey for a tick, have all walked the lonely road.

To do so is seemingly inevitable, especially in the early years.

But take heart, my friends. You don't have to run this race alone any more, no matter where you are on your journey.

The focus in our Central IL Convene effort happens to be on leaders at the helm of their organization.

But there are connection, support, and development resources out there for leaders at any level (e.g. Convene has recently introduced Intrapreneurial Leader groups to serve the needs of "young eagles" in the organization).

A trusted resource of peers that care about you and your impact as a leader can be difficult to find.

But, IMHO, find them you must. Real leadership is hard enough. To execute at a high level in isolation is not only unnecessary, but it can also be hazardous to our health...and to the quality, vibrancy, and longevity of our leadership.

Find your tribe. Let me know if I can help. You don't have to run this race alone.

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P.S. Building a business is hard, and doing so as a Christian leader adds a whole ‘nother layer of complexity. But…you don’t have to run this race alone. If you would like to learn more about Convene, The H3 Leader, and our services, please reach out to me directly.

(Thanks again for the conversation over at The Ag View Pitch, Shay Foulk!)

It was a case of mistaken identity!

After a wonderful extended lunch, he was all in. The conversation: lively. Our connection and alignment: apparent. The energy: high.

He even said the words, "I'm in! What's next?" It was going so well...

...until I started talking about membership fees.

He couldn't believe it - that I would charge fees to join a business leader Bible study?!?

Wowzer. Houston, we have a problem. 😮

This was early in my business development journey, and I have since adjusted the structure of the discovery conversation accordingly. 😉

But roughly four years ago, it wasn't until we were about to leave that it became quite apparent we had crossed wires early and moved forward in the conversation with a critical misunderstanding.

He thought I was inviting him to a Bible study.

When in reality, I was inviting him into the beauty and the power of a bespoke peer group utilizing a proven professional executive development model and designed specifically for Christian business owners like him.

Because in the case of Convene, said peer group is Kingdom-minded and biblically based ("Purpose Driven" if you will). But it's not a Bible study.

In today's snippet from The Ag View Pitch, host and Convene member Shay Foulk speaks very briefly about his impressions as he contrasts our model with various other interpretations of the term.

The more you know...

Blessings to you, my friends!

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P.S. Building a business is hard, and doing so as a Christian leader adds a whole ‘nother layer of complexity. But…you don’t have to run this race alone. If you would like to learn more about Convene, The H3 Leader, and our services, please reach out to me directly.

How would you describe your experience with a magnificent sunset, or an incredible mountain vista, or hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim?

Some things are impossible to adequately put into words. You can try, but the message is clear.

You really have to experience these things for yourself.

You had to be there.

In today's brief snippet, The Ag View Pitch podcast host Shay Foulk appreciates this reality when it comes to one of the most powerful executive development tools available - peer groups.

Business owners and executive leaders are at the tip of the proverbial spear. They are, for the most part, highly trained and very experienced. Typical development fare can be hit-or-miss. This group has learned a lot over the years.

But, to learn from the learnings of others at the helm of their own businesses - in real time...

Now THAT'S something worth leaning into.

THAT is the value of an executive peer group - an executive development model that has been proven over decades of leveraged use.

If you've got just over a minute, check out Shay's perspective in the clip below.

Blessings to you, my friends!

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P.S. I help high-performing Christian business owners, executive leaders, and their leadership teams find clarity, confidence, and consistent growth through the power of peer groups, executive coaching, and workshops. If you would like to learn more about The H3 Leader, Convene, or our services, please reach out to me directly.

A couple months ago Shay Foulk over at The Ag View Pitch podcast asked me right out of the gate, "How did you get into this?"

(By "this" he was referring to my role in facilitating peer groups for Christian business owners and executive leaders through the Convene platform.)

It's always fun to reflect back on how I believe God has orchestrated life leading up to this amazing season.

There is a lot more to the story that isn't included in this short snippet, but the bottom line is - I didn't go searching for this.

By God's grace, it found me.

And I continue to be in awe of the power of this executive development model, particularly when it is approached with a kingdom building mindset.

This week, having met with our large business team on Tuesday and as I make final preparations for our small business team meeting today, I remain deeply thankful.

There is no other place I'd rather be both personally and professionally. It feels really good to be used by God in this way.

Blessings to you, my friends! May you find peace, joy, and soul-level encouragement in your work today!!

It's kinda crazy when I think about it!

In the course of our work here in Central IL, our Convene Team has brought fifteen (15!) national circuit guest speakers to the Greater Peoria Area's shores of the Illinois river.

Wowzer.

As I begin sharing snippets of a recent podcast with Convene member Shay Foulk, I thought I'd start with one that focuses in on this value prop...

...because next month we do it again by bringing one of the best back for a second round.

We are looking forward to hosting Brian Audia for "Ignite Your Brand: The Company Manifesto" on August 13th!!

(Word on the street is he may be bringing in some special guests of his own - making it all the more fun and impactful. 😎)

If you are a faith-based business owner, CEO, or executive leader in search of development opportunities focused on your unique perspective on business, life, and faith, shoot me a DM.

I would love to send you an invitation to our event with Brian and friends.

It's going to be another fantastic session!

(Excerpt from The Ag View Pitch Podcast)

There is a basic survival tool that is available to virtually everyone in the world, and a scary large percentage of adults ignore it completely.

It is as if we have gotten to a point where we believe survival is a basic right that we don't have to work for.

As if we have taken life itself for granted.

It seems so, anyway, because this basic survival tool remains on the proverbial shelf, never to be taken up by a significant portion of our society in preparation for the inevitable chaos that is coming our way.

"The Book" lies dormant and dusty...

Per The Google Machine: "A survey by the Jenkins Group, an independent publishing services firm, has shown that millions of Americans never read another book after leaving school. 33 percent of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. 42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college."

Ouch!

Life is shifting every second of every day.

The pace of change continues to spiral out of control as technology advances.

The future couldn't be any more unpredictable, and yet...

Many among us are content with riding the waves and following the current wherever these external forces may lead...

...rather than taking the time and energy to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds..." and directing their paths accordingly.

I implore you!

If you consider yourself a leader - at any level - develop a voracious appetite for reading.

Hang out with people that are smarter than you. (You know what "they" say... If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room!)

Yes, there are other ways to learn. But these two are foundational.

They will never steer you wrong.

Be a lifelong learner. You will be blessed. And the world around you will be better for it.

Blessings to you, my friends!

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Building a business is hard, and doing so as a Christian leader adds a whole ‘nother layer of complexity. But...you don’t have to run this race alone. If you would like to learn more about The H3 Leader and our services, please reach out to me directly.

Um... Let's be real. Ain't nobody got all their ducks in a row.

Every one of us has chinks in our armor.

And as much as I believe in the things I talk and write about on this platform, let's be clear.

I don't have it all figured out.

And even the stuff that I do kinda have figured out? Well, let's just say I've not perfected my execution. I've yet to stick all my landings.

Like all of us, I've got room to grow.

Take goal-setting for instance.

I'm terrible at it.

I believe in it. I see the high value in it. And I do it (kinda).

But I'm terrible at it.

Yes, I should probably reframe my perspective and create a more positive statement around my desire to do better as I travel down this road.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

We've all got room to grow - even in our arenas of focus.

You likely do, too. (Psst...even if you are THE senior leader, am I right?!?!) 😉

That's alright. No worries. Just keep getting better every day. Maybe 1% better?

Because...as you know...

Every Day Is Training Day!

Blessings to you, my friends!