leadership
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Most commonly ignored conversation
Do you know the most common conversation people (especially leaders) wish they had had sooner? It’s the “What I think about you” conversation. That might sound like a difficult conversation – and it would be if it was with someone… Continue reading
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Reflections from building the HBC Hub
About 12 months ago I took an architect and a couple of our Committee of Elders to a 1970s warehouse and pitched the idea that by the grace of God we could use it as a home base for our… Continue reading
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Remember you’re dealing with two worlds
Both worlds are connected, both worlds influence each other. God is sovereign over both, and he created both. But even so, be careful not to confuse these worlds or imagine links between them that aren’t there. I’m talking about the… Continue reading
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1 Minute Manager
The whole point of this book really has one point; Can you describe the job you want someone to do in one minute? You can’t just name the job (e.g. “Welcoming leader”). You have to so explain the job that… Continue reading
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Define what TYPE of conversation you’re having
What type of conversation are we having? Because if you think we’re having a “Let’s come to an agreement before we move on anything” conversation, and I think we’re having a “tell me your ideas, perspectives, issues with my plans… Continue reading
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Externally solid, internally flexible
Great teams think highly of each other, trust each other, and are reluctant to jump on the bagging-out band-wagon when its aimed at their team mates. For example, even though I wasn’t the most liked guy on my rugby team… Continue reading
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Meet with volunteers after x weeks, not after x is done.
If you plan to meet with someone “as soon as you’ve finished the next step”, there’s little chance you’ll meet. Whereas, if you plan to meet with someone “in 3 weeks”, you’ll meet, and there’s more chance they’ll have finished… Continue reading
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Solve or manage? What type of tension are you dealing with?
There’s only two things you can do when you face a tension; a situation when you are faced with two good things and you can’t easily do both they way you’d like to. You can either solve the tension or… Continue reading
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Is there something else?
If you’re meeting up with someone, or you’ve been approached by someone, there’s a question you need to ask pretty regularly… “Is there something else you’d like to raise?” “Was there anything else you wanted to chat about?” “Is there… Continue reading
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Giving good news might be fun, but…
Giving good news in person is fun, but giving bad news in person is important Andy Stanley mentioned this in his brilliant podcast (here) It makes lots of sense, and its really hard to do. But that’s why it needs… Continue reading
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part of being “above-reproach” means “escalate it”
If something happens to you that might be seen in a bad light, escalate it. If someone raises a concern with you, especially with your behaviour, escalate it. If you find out someone has some issue with you, escalate it.… Continue reading
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A different definition of coaching
Another Manager-tools concept that’s been helpful… taking the idea of a sports coach, who kinda’ walks around and keeps pushing players forward. He’s not the guy who trains you in how to tackle or pass, there are trainers for that.… Continue reading
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Some feedback tricks are just destructive
Have you heard the feedback trick, “Sandwich negative feedback between two positive pieces of feedback”? But what usually happens? They hear the first comment with suspicion, thinking “What’s coming that’s so bad you need to butter me up first?”. And… Continue reading
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You have to operate with some assumptions
It’s impossible to assume nothing. Either they have done what you’ve asked, or they haven’t Either they know about the issue already, or they don’t Either they are lying to you, or someone else is Either they are planning on… Continue reading
MINISTRY PRINCIPLES & PRAGMATICS 