Community

Dec

2021

Leadership Lessons from LOR: Fellowship of The Ring

Almost every year around this time we watch the Lord of the Rings series. The story is so intricate I seem to learn something new every time. Recently as I was watching the first movie in the series, I spotted three leadership principles.

For those of you familiar with the movie you may know what I reference with each of these ideas, but those of you who are not you will see at the bottom I have provided a link to the scene which prompted the idea.

Have a Community of Support

A small hobbit has inherited a ring of power that has the power to do great evil. At this point a group of individuals are gathered determining what to do with this ring. (video 1 below) During an argument about how to destroy the ring Frodo, the hobbit, volunteers to carry the ring into Mordor to destroy it and save the world.

After volunteering to carry the ring, eight other people determine to support him on this treacherous journey. They, and he, know this is not a journey that can be taken alone. These individuals understood what John Maxwell said in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork:

“If you want to do something big, you must link up with others.”

Frodo’s mission was enormous, and the leadership burden he had to carry required a team around him. As leaders if we don’t need a team around us, I would suggest we may need to look for a bigger vision. The vision can be overwhelming and feel like a burden so we need others around us on the journey.

Have a Guide

Gandalf, a wise old wizard, had been friends with Frodo and his uncle for years. He was the one who helped him arrive at this point in the elf land of Rivendell. The team has assembled and they are following Frodo as he exits the gate. (video 2 below) At the exit point there is a crossing road and Frodo whispers to Gandalf “left or right.”

Frodo knew he had to be the leader and the team was ready to follow him, but he was leading in faith and needed a mentor by his side. That mentor was Gandalf. Gandalf knew the path to Mordor because he had seen it.

As a leader you may have the vision and are excited by what you want to accomplish, but deep down realize your knowledge and experience is limited. Every successful leader has someone in their inner circle who has been down the path before and can guide them at crucial moments to make the best decision. Evaluate your closest relationships. Who in your inner circle can guide you when you are at a crossroads?

Have an Encourager

The team has fallen apart because of the enemy and Frodo has realized his path is diverging from the rest. He launches off in his canoe to reach the trail across the river when his friend Sam comes running into the water willing to drown and not abandon him. (video 3 below) After pulling him up into the boat Frodo, who was ready to go alone, realizes he has a great encourager at his side.

Leadership is not easy and we are often tempted to go alone even in a community. Sam was the person in Frodo’s life who helped him carry the burden. He could not carry the ring because that was Frodo’s burden to bear. He could encourage him when he was down, carry him when he was weak, be a voice of truth when others were trying to take him off his course, and be a friend who he could be honest with.

My friend, if you are reading this I know you have a leadership burden you carry. It could be at work, in your community, or in your home. Do not carry the burden alone. Who in your life is your encourager, your guide, and your community? The leadership journey is hard, your vision is worth it, but do not journey alone. If I can serve you in any way let’s connect. Lead well.

Community of Support

A Guide

An Encourager

Dec

2020

Holiday Self-Leadership Part II

Last week I shared ideas on how to lead ourselves well during the Holidays. I’m continuing this week and as I said this is based on a series of videos I created last year, but the world has changed since last Christmas.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but life can get really crazy during the holiday season. There’s already expectations at work and at home, but then we pile on the often-unrealistic holiday expectations. Maybe a pressure to buy lots of gifts or excessive commitments to be at multiple events even in a time when gatherings are limited the pressure has gotten more complex. What can we do to help us with these expectations?

Even in a limited gathering time like this we still all have a lot going on, but maybe one of these ideas will help you adjust your expectations and maintain perspective during this time.

Community

This is a unique year in that we are limiting how much we gather, but we still need community. Community is connection whether in person, on the phone, or via video. People in our community can help us maintain a proper perspective. How do we build that community whether in person or otherwise?

Ask questions and be fully present with the other person. We’ve all done it. We are on the video conference or phone call and we only half listen because we are busy doing something else. When we are in person we look present, but mentally may be elsewhere. We were built for human interaction. During the holiday season take time to connect and listen for what other people need to understand appropriate expectations.

Realistic Goals and Expectations

Life is much different this holiday season than it was a year ago. Considering that, have we modified our expectations? We may not be able to get that perfect gift . . . and the other person may be ok with that. Chances are they care more about us being fully present with us emotionally than receiving a present. If gifts are important to those in our community, how could we provide them in a way that creates less stress while showing great love to those individuals?

Serve

A third idea is getting out of our own world. I know during the holiday season our family tries to find unique ways to help other people. In the past, we’ve delivered gifts or food to families in need. Also, we have gone to a place in downtown Indianapolis to wrap gifts for a community gift shop. Each of these ideas are ways we get a fresh perspective and help us be certain we have realistic expectations.

These were three simple ideas on what we can do to help us adjust our expectations and maintain perspective. As leaders when we have proper perspective and expectations we will be in a place to help those we lead do the same. Which of these areas will you engage with this Holiday season? Let me know and lead well.

May

2020

Control or Let Go as a Leader?

I was watching part of the movie Finding Nemo with my boys. I had been frustrated that day wanting something of value to write in this blog. Nemo’s dad, Marlin, and Dory are inside the whale and an intense conversation occurred.

Marlin was holding on to Dory preventing her from falling into the throat of the whale when Dory said something critical. “It’s time to let go, everything is going to be alright.”

Isn’t this the tension leaders continually have? In times of adversity or crisis this tension is felt even stronger.

Letting Go

What is it we are holding onto? I can think of multiple times in life where I wanted to hold onto the past because it was safe, familiar, and comfortable. What is familiar may not be what is best. In times of adversity and change we often must let go of the familiar to move toward the next normal.

What is safe may simply be comfortable. I remember a nineteen-year-old car I drove that was comfortable, but many would have questioned the safety. When I finally let go of that car the next normal was much better. The question is what do we need to let go of to embrace the next and oftentimes better normal?

Holding On

I would suggest often what keeps us holding on is the desire for control. We want to feel in control. This is a way we deal with our own fears or insecurities. The fear of the unknown is one of the greatest.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, in his book Creativity Inc discusses fear and its relationship to trust which I would suggest is a key to what keeps us holding on. He says:

“Fear and trust are powerful forces, and while they are not opposites, exactly, trust is the best tool for driving out fear.”

In order to let go we have to be able to trust others. In the movie Marlin had to let go of trying to protect his son and trust that Nemo was capable. In leadership we often must let go of the need to have it done our way and fear that it won’t be done right. Instead, trust those we lead will accomplish the goal we defined.

Courageously Move Ahead

That which Marlin feared greatest . . . the unknown ocean, was what he had to face to reach the goal of saving his son. In order to move ahead into the unknown, leaders often must face what they fear. Marlin had one thing we all must have to succeed as leaders.

Community.

All along the journey he had Dory by his side and many others along the way who helped him reach his destination. As we lead courageously into the unknown, we need those around us who will be thinking partners and support to keep moving ahead.

What about you? Is there something you are attached to that is holding you from moving ahead into the unknown and leading to your full potential? Who is around you to help you lead in trust and not fear? If I can help you in any way, please contact me. In the meantime, lead courageously and lead well.

Jan

2020

The Positive Power of Social Media

I typically stay off social media because it eats up time and primarily use it for business purposes, but I recently did something out of character for me. My wife encouraged me to share with people about my new book When I Am Afraid on Facebook. She understands all that better than me, so I listened to her.

I was blown away.

I try to be sensitive about my faith and don’t want anyone to feel forced to believe what I believe or be that “pushy” guy. This book is impacted by my faith and I shared in my post a little about my entrepreneurial journey from fear to trust. Usually I only hear about the negative aspects of certain social media platforms, but this caused me to experience the positive power of social media in a unique way.

Caring

After I made my post many friends commented and congratulated me. These were people I know and have interacted with not just “friends.” I must confess I did not expect the outpouring of encouragement. (I think I learned though that much of the world must be on Facebook on Sunday night at around 8:45 PM EST.) This was encouraging because I knew they were genuinely happy for me amidst being afraid to share.

Connecting

While in the middle of this experience I also connected with a man from India who is doing great work for people in that country. While responding to the encouraging replies of friends, I also was getting to know a man who serves women and children with HIV in India. In the middle of this I was realizing the power social media has to create an environment to connect with people across the world in a way I never thought.

Community

A friend of mine saw the post and asked me to share it on his private group page. Once I figured out how to join the group and share my original post, I experienced the power of community. My friend has been building this community for a year or more and this small group gathered around and helped support our family.

As part of sharing about this book my wife and I are offering it as a gift to anyone who gives $50 or more to support our family trip to Mexico to build a couple homes. This is what my friend got excited about. He rallied his tribe to help get momentum to raise money for this family adventure.

Now I am still not a huge fan of social media because of the amount of time I can potentially waste, but I now see more clearly the positive power it provides. What does all this have to do with leadership though?

If leadership is influence, then anytime we are sharing on social media we are potentially influencing somebody so the question is are we using this tool to add value to others or take it away? As leaders let’s add value to others and create momentum for good with these platforms. When we do, we can create positive transformation and, in the process, live out leading well. If you utilize social media, what is one way you can use it today to add value to the world? Share below. Lead Well.