Habits that can change your life

One of the most impactful books that I have read is Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  While I believe that all 7 habits can have a significant and positive influence on your success, there are two which I would like to discuss today.  The first two of Covey's seven habits are so powerful that if you can begin to live by them, I am convinced they can change your entire life.
1. Be Proactive.  You are more than the sum of your experiences.  You are more than the sum of your genetic code.  The argument isn't between Nature and Nurture.  It may be hard to believe, but you have the power to choose how you respond to every situation.  In fact, you are the only one who can decide how much value to place on others' opinions, even those closest to you.  We've all experienced it.  Someone we dislike, or who is unimportant to us has something negative to say about us. Their opinion about us matters little.  However, when someone we respect or someone close to us has the same opinion, we are devastated.  You may not believe it, you may not want to believe it, but you alone place value on the opinions of those around you.  Being proactive means saying, "I can, I choose, I will."  It means saying, "Let's look at our options."
2) The second habit is Begin with the End in Mind.  If you don't shoot at a target, you'll never hit your mark.  It is easy to just let life happen.  We look up and the year is almost over. we blink and our kids are nearly grown.  It is easy to get distracted.  Remember the sirens from Homer's Odyssey (check out O brother, Where Art Thou? for a spin on this classic) - they entice and draw us away from our purpose.  Beginning with the end in mind is a way to stay focused on the future.  Whether you want to set a target for the year, or a mission for your life, it is a huge benefit to start your journey by first thinking about where you want to end up.  Not just material things, but things of lasting value.  What do you want people to say about you?  When your time on earth is over, what will be worth the investment?  Max Lucado's new book, Outlive your life is along a similar line.  Lucado asks us the same question.  What were we made for?  Lucado tells us that our purpose is to make a difference in the lives of those around us. 

Each of us has to determine what target we are aiming for and then pursue it with passion and wholehearted commitment.  Don't let life happen to you, be proactive.  Don't wander aimlessly, chart a course. 

My best to you,

jvt

What's it take to Win?

Greetings.  Today I'm doing something a bit different.  I am asking you to respond. What does it take to win?  Many people seem to believe is a zero sum gain.  In other words, I cannot win unless you lose.  Win-Win is not in their vocabulary...or if they do use it, they really only mean, "I win, you don't know you lose".

I am convinced that an attitude focused on winning is an absolute necessity for business success.  So, if that's true, what does it take to gain and maintain that winning attitude, build a winning team, and succeed.  I realize there are all sorts of definitions for success and many people will claim they are successful because they have a great family, or good friends, or have learned to be content.  I am not challenging the concepts, but if I am honest with you, my first reaction to those types of comments is that I wonder whether they really set out to have a great family...in other words, was that their initial definition of success, or have they worked hard to redefine what success means to them.

I suspect that some of you will find me to be focused on the wrong thing when I tell you that my definition of winning includes it ALL.  I am not satisfied with only having success in one area of my life.  I am not satisfied with only winning at relationships, or with my family, or in being appreciated.  I want to succeed in every part of my life.  That's not to say that I believe I am winning everywhere.  It's also not saying that I will win everywhere, but at the same time that I am learning to be content, in any circumstances (as the Apostle Paul wrote), my desire to push ahead, strive for the next step, find ways around obstacles, savor every moment, cultivate every open field, try something new, remains.

How about you?  How do you live contented at what is, and yet "press on to gain the prize".

I want your comments and thoughts.  I'll provide some of my own as well, but over the course of time, I'll likely come back to this theme again ad again.

In the meantime, my Peace and Joy be yours today.

John.

Integrity - the true sign of Leadership

There are two qualities I seek in all the employees I hire.  One is high self-motivation (I'll write on this later), the other is Integrity.  You might think that this a no-brainer, and some of you just said, "of course." However, I have found that this characteristic is not universal among employees.

Many people claim to be ethical, even honest, but being upright and a person of integrity is more than being ethical.  Integrity requires a level of consistency that is often at odds with business today. Integrity requires that a leader not make exceptions to rules and expectations even in the face of significant arguments to the contrary.  Gerstner, in his book recounting the IBM turn-around has much to say about the kinds of executives he sought and challenges to integrity.  Examples included arguments to compensate above established parameters in order to 'keep an employee', or requests to pay unearned bonuses to 'maintain morale'.  These are often viewed as ethical and reasonable departures from stated policy.  Gerstner considers them an integrity issue.  His conclusion is that companies which tolerate lapses in integrity are destined to fail.

Nehemiah faced his own issues with Integrity in the power structure within Jerusalem (Neh. 5) The officials were loaning money to those who were in need and struggling.  The people were struggling due to famine, a poor economy due to a lack of safety, high unemployment, and loss of earning power due to the focus on building the wall. When people couldn't pay, these lenders began to foreclose.  Those suffering included many who were working on the wall.  There was a huge uproar and Nehemiah knew he had to do something.  What is amazing is that the lenders certainly had 'every right' to loan, charge interest, and foreclose.  It was their money to do with as they wished.  Today, many would claim the same right.

However, the Mosaic Law, which had been ignored for many years, forbid the children of Israel from charging one another interest.  Not only that but, Nehemiah and his team were loaning money at no interest, feeding many daily, and attempting to establish a healthy economic environment by improving the safety and well-being of those within Jerusalem.

 

What the officials were doing was not 'illegal' under Babylonian law, and we might even say they were enterprising, responsible businessmen.  We might even be tempted to say they were engaged in honorable activities, even helping sustain the local economy.   However, what they were doing was not an example of integrity.  They loaned to those who couldn't pay.  They foreclosed without care for their brothers.  They sought to benefit from the improvements in Jerusalem without personally contributing to the outcome.

In contrast stood Nehemiah.  Not only was he supporting many who were in need, and loaning without interest, but Nehemiah, sought not personal gain as Leader in Jerusalem.  That's not to say he didn't desire to be paid, desire the respect of others, or seek success.  As governor, Nehemiah received a salary, money for his expenses, and had the right to tax the citizens of Jerusalem.  His predecessors not only spent all their allotted expense budget on themselves, but taxed the people to line their own pockets.

When push came to shove, only a man of integrity could appeal to the wealthy and challenge them to change their ways.  He points to the Law.  He points to the example of the men who came with him from Babylon.  His authority, his power, came not solely from his position, in fact he never threatened. He never ordered, he appealed.  It was Nehemiah's integrity that won the day.

With the observation of MLK, Jr.'s birthday, we have one more example of how integrity in leadership has the power to reform a nation.  You, too, can impact your family, community, and workplace by being a person of integrity.

jvt

Dealing with Adversaries

Happy Friday!  Have you registered to receive an email notice about new postings?  Enter your email in the box on the right and you will receive a link each time we post.

My last commentary talked about Nehemiah and his early response to a crisis he was facing.  I think a review of his story can also teach us about how to address adversaries in our lives and business.

Nehemiah faced opposition to his plans to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.  His antagonists were led by a guy named Sanballat. While Sanballat may have had some legitimate authority in the region, he had no part of Jerusalem.  However, he didn't want the walls built for a number of reasons.

- New power in the region threatening him

- What was good for Jerusalem was bad for him (he had a "zero sum gain" view of the world) 
- He didn't care for the Jews

Isn't it the same for many of us?  Our adversaries at work, or in our lives, or even within our own family, think our success is their failure, or they think we are a threat to their power base, or they just don't like us very much.  These people can cause us real difficulties and make our lives miserable-- if we let them.

Nehemiah provides us with some good ideas on how to handle adversaries.

1) Pray about them.  Sanballat and his cohorts ridiculed and harrassed Nehemiah and those working on the way.  Nehemiah prayed that God would repay them for their rotten ways.


2) Confront lies and false accusations head on.  Sanballat accused Nehemiah of setting up his own kingdom in opposition to the King of Babylon (his employer).  Something like accusing him of going behind his bosses back.  He even threatened to tell the King what he was accusing Nehemiah of doing.  Nehemiah said, "Nothing of the kind is going on. You are making it all up." It is a figment of your imagination.  Nehemiah didn't try to befriend Danballat or convince him of the truth, he just said, "You are wrong.". That's it.  Don't let your adversaries misconstrue your actions or attach false motives to your behavior.


3)Ignore them - Stay Focused.  Sanballat tried to distract Nehemiah and even befriend him by inviting him to meet with them and 'join' their team.  Nehemiah wasn't fooled.  He knew this was an attempt to distract and perhaps even to gain some power over him through the relationship.  Nehemiah ignored Sanballat and told him that he was far too busy to break away from his task.  Why should the work suffer while I go off to meet with you?

4) Sanballat threatened to harm Nehemiah and the workers.  Nehemiah didn't get scared, didn't quit, he planned and prepared.  They "prayed and posted a guard."  He fortified the workers and kept his eyes open to be sure that he was ready to defend against any attack.


We may not be able to prevent others from coming against us, but we don't have to be easy targets.  In addition, we can heed the words of Paul, who said, as much as it is in your power, be at peace with all men.  These steps above provide us some clear methods for dealing with adversaries.


Trust God.  Pray, and post a guard.  Be on your watch, but don't become distracted.  Ignore those who have nothing good to say and stay focused on the tasks and goals ahead.


Best to you!

jvt

Don't "Just do something"!

The shootings in Tucson, Arizona last week are a tragedy and something has got to be done!  I suspect most of you agree.  However, a knee-jerk response to emotional events is rarely the correct action to take.  In fact, our emotions often lead us to want to resolve, prevent, or respond to crises at all costs and without consideration of the long term impact of those actions.

The media and pundits emphasis on "rhetoric" and talk radio as the instigators for these shootings is irresponsible and nothing but conjecture.  Proposing laws to prohibit images of political figures with cross hairs on them may not seem like a bad idea in light of recent events, but freedom of speech advocates should be outraged.  While there are certainly important issues to discuss, and lessons to be learned from these tragic events, we would benefit form some separation from the emotion of the moment.

The same type of knee-jerk responses often happen in business and politics.  When we lose jobs to the competition, when economic circumstances change, when our plans fail, or market assumptions change, leaders must resist the pressure to 'just do something, anything!'

A study of the life of a man named Nehemiah, in the Biblical book that bares his name, provides us with some solid steps for facing any heart-wrenching circumstances.  Nehemiah learned of something that both stirred and surprised him.  It probably shouldn't have.  Nehemiah was 900 Miles away from the situation, the situation hadn't changed recently, and it didn't really affect his day-to-day life.  Its often the same with us.  Circumstances rarely change in an instant, though it is often a single event that brings us face-to-face with reality.  The demand for action, whether internal, or from the cacophony of voices around us finally become deafening.  We feel as if we must act or we will burst.

This was Nehemiah's situation.  He was brought face-to-face with a first hand account of the devastation, the turmoil, the dishonor of the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem.  These people were without protection, without an advocate, and subject to the corrupt and evil men in the region.  This situation reflected not only on the individuals, but on everything that Nehemiah thought was right, good, and honorable. Namely, on God himself.

Nehemiah's response is a terrific formula for us. (Neh 1:1 - 2:18)

1) Pray.  His first action was to seek God's will and ask Him to restore honor and protection and bring justice to the land.  He also prayed about how he could help and he asked God for favor.  I hope you've prayed for Congresswomen Giffords, the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and the nation.  Have you prayed about how you can help, what you can do?

2) Gather trusted supporters. He sought support from those who could best help him.  In his case, his employer, who also happened to be the King.  He sought a leave of absence and resources to accomplish his task. He also took his brother and others along: men he could trust.

3) Perform a thorough Assessment. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, he didn't announce his plans right away, but took a complete survey around the city to understand what needed done and get a good idea of the work.

4) Announce your intentions and plans.  Knee-jerking often relies upon thin logic and others quickly see through the veneer.  A tempered, thoughtful assessment of all the facts will ultimately lead to a sounder conclusion. One that others will more readily agreement to and support.

It is upon this foundation that good decisions can be made about circumstances we encounter.  Don't allow the tyranny of the urgent, the demand for action, result in knee-jerk responses and poorly formulated conclusions.  Real leaders take the path tempered by patient assessment and godly wisdom.

John Von Thaden

Becoming Audacious - Dream Big Dreams

If you've been around business for a while, you are familiar with the idea of BHAGS (pronounced “bee-hags”) or Big Hairy Audacious Goals.  The first time I became aware of this term was while reading Built to Last  by Collins and Porras. In their research, these fellows found that one difference between highly successful efforts and not was the use of ambitious, even over the top, goals to motivate and focus employees toward achievement.  I am an advocate of setting long-term, stretch goals, but find it difficult to "reach for the stars", so to speak.  Perhaps I am too conservative, or not enough of a dreamer.  I suspect it might also have to do with being more risk adverse than I'd like to admit.  I can be critical of others who aren't willing to take risks, but sometimes I should be pointing the finger at myself.

Perhaps you are like me, maybe you even have thought, "well, that's just my personality."  I have come to believe that everyone can learn to dream bigger dreams, set more audacious goals, strive to be more than we are.  I've come to believe that the extent to which we are willing to risk has more to do with the spiritual side of life.  Sometimes I think our willingness to dream big dreams is based on the fact that we don't feel worthy of success.  Sometimes I think it is due to the fact that we wrap too much of our personal value in the success or failure of our endeavors.  I also wonder whether we've somehow gotten the wrong idea about love and respect.  I wonder if we've incorrectly connected the love and respect of those dearest to us to our success.  I'd like to think I'm immune to these thoughts, but I'm not.  I too, have the occasional need to realign my thinking.

My pastor did a nice job of that today with his message about Audacity.  The message focused upon Jesus encounter with a Roman Centurian who had a sick servant (Luke 7:1-9).  Encounter may not be the right word.  See, the centurian didn't even come to Jesus, nor did he wish to bother Jesus with coming to his home.  He sent friends to ask on his behalf.  Then while Jesus was on his way to the centurian's home, he sent more friends to tell Jesus that he didn't deserve for Jesus to enter his home - he was unworthy.  Jesus is amazed to find such faith as the centurian says that if Jesus would only speak, his servant would be well.

We can learn some powerful, life-changing ideas from this Centurian:
1) This man believed that Jesus had the power to change a person's circumstances with just his word.
2) That God, through Jesus, desired to bless.
3) That it IS possible to make an Audacious request and still be humble.
4) And something that my mom has always said.  "The answers no unless you ask!" We'll never accomplish Audacious goals, or see God do Audacious things in our lives if we don't define them.

Finally, if you come back to read other thoughts and ideas (and I hope you will), one thing you are going to see over and over is that I cross seamlessly between thoughts on faith and thoughts of business.  They are impossible for me to separate.  In fact, I think it is imperative that we not attempt to do so.  Deciding to be serious about my business requires that I also be serious about my faith.  Moreover, Big Hairy Audacious Goals are about creating an environment where we must trust God for their success. If we could do it all ourselves, their probably not that audacious.

Dream Big Dreams.  Strive to Fill the Gaps in your life, in your community, in your Church, and in your workplace. Trust God to help you meet your Audacious Goals, and trust him to do audacious things through you.

jvt.

Fill the Gap - Stepping up to meet the challenges of life

Greetings and welcome to Fill the Gap.  I'm hoping this will become a part of your regular reading.  One thing that I am sure many who know me would say is that I am rarely without an opinion.  I hope you'll find thought provoking discussion which will encourage, and perhaps coax you to fill the gap where you work, where you worship, and in your community.  Filling the Gap is about doing just that.  Stepping into that place where no one else has stepped, closing the open space between where others are working.  It comes from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament.  You'll hear a lot about Nehemiah here - he's one of my favorite Biblical leaders.  Nehemiah went to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.  He needed the people to step up, to fill the gap.  The work they did restored the honor of Jerusalem, just like you can do for your company, for your community, for your family.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts about this over the course of time.

I've recently been reading Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.'s book "Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?". Gerstner writes in the introduction that he didn't think he had anything to say and therefore never had aspirations for writing a book.  I'm certainly not as humble as Gerstner seems to be about what he has to offer others, but I am hopeful that I'll have something to offer just the same.  Something that is unique in this day, that speaks uniquely to those of you who want to do something important, want to excel in the world of business, want to leave a lasting impression on your family, your community, your workplace.  I believe I can offer some encouragement, some motivation, and with the help of others (i.e., Nehemiah, Gerstner, and more), I will endeavor to contribute to your success.

Here's to a wonderful 2011 and beyond!!  Happy New Year!

jvt