A Must Read from Ron Edmondson

by Laurinda on July 28, 2010

in Personal Development

Pastor Ron Edmondson wrote a post today entitled “10 Problems with Doing the Best You Know How.”  There’s lots of wisdom in this article and  felt I needed to share it. You can get to it by clicking here.

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4 Temptations of Leadership

by Laurinda on July 19, 2010

in Self-Leadership

Pride

Don’t start believing the hype.  We live in a culture of hero worship. The great leaders we’ve become to idolize in our American History have been morphed into invincible men and women without weaknesses. However, you can study any leader and discover their weaknesses.  Athletes and performers are instant role models but yet some exhibit moral failures out of the spotlight. Maintain a balance perspective of your accomplishments.  It is wise to keep your potential in your windshield and weaknesses in your rear view mirror as you drive along the journey of success.

Complacency

Ever watch shows on music channels like “One Hit Wonders of the ‘80s”? I’ve witness many “one hit” wonders on the job ride that one success to a height only to fall miserably.  I believe this is a direct result of the hero worship in our culture. Many of our historical heroes are known for one major success. Look closer at them; there was a consistency prior to that huge success.  If you and your team experience success, strive for consistency.

Exemption

This is the second cousin of pride and many leaders begin to feel exempt from the need for accountability.  “I did, therefore I know” becomes a mindset. But nobody succeeds alone. Become an insatiable learner and surround yourself with people who know and do more than you.

Lust

Success can also birth the need for more wins.  If you get a rush out of the accolades and pats on the backs, be careful.  Success becomes like a drug addiction; you’ll do anything to get more.  When your values get compromised and you strive for success at the expense of your people, you have crossed a line. Strive for balance when it comes to pursuing your goals. Make sure your identity is not in your accomplishments but in your values.

What other temptations do Leaders deal with?

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Independence: One Tough Decision

Leadership

My favorite scene from HBO’s 2008 mini-series “John Adams” – the drafting of the Declaration of Independence: The fragile alliance between the colonies would have disintegrated  if the issue of slavery was brought into the decision to separate from Britain. To make the choice to focus on independence, while leaving the slave trade and ownership [...]

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Absolute Values of Leadership

Servant Leadership

In mathematics, an absolute value is the numerical value of a real number regardless of its sign that is regardless if it’s positive or negative. A leader must live by certain absolute values. These values cannot be adulterated based on circumstances. We also cannot afford to live by emotions or opinions – which are never [...]

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Turning Criticism into a Game Plan

Personal Development

One of the most difficult things I have learned is how to take and process criticism.  Nobody likes to be criticized, but if you are a leader – criticism will come.  Part of the leadership identity is determining who to take criticism from and what to do with it. Those of us with a job, [...]

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How to Plan Using Backwards Goal Setting

Personal Development

In project management, we plan from the desired end state.  I have found this technique helpful when it comes to planning for the goals I’ve set for my life.  Project management provides processes and structure to achieve that end state. For example, last year I set a goal to climb Mt. Rainer this year.  I [...]

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