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Posts Tagged ‘Leadership’

Mini Review: Who’s Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi

08 Jul

When my friend Karl Schlegel told me that Keith Ferrazzi’s new book (Who’s Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships that Create Success- And Won’t Let You Fail) was out, I immediately picked up a copy from my local library.  His first book, Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, one Relationship at a Time was a favorite of mine and I devoured his ability to combine name dropping with a fresh approach to relational work.  Keith knows networking and has built his company around the concepts of relational work and respect for the individual.

Ferrazzi’s sequel to Never Eat Alone left me, well, wanting to eat alone.  As with so many best-selling authors who find success with a breakout hit, Ferrazzi’s latest sadly disappoints.

There are a few things that turned me off from the start, including:

  • The mention of “breakthrough program” in the title.  Do we really need more programs for self help?
  • Keith is a dynamic, gifted young man who lives the life of a rockstar.  I get this and even admire it but for the average guy, Keith can fall into the same category of Tim Ferris of 4 Hour Workweek fame.  I think that most of us are pretty ordinary, successful in our own right and practical people.  It’s not that Keith’s latest bit of advice (form deep relationships at all costs) isn’t dead-on.  It is.  The disconnect is that most people are not even remotely like Keith and can find his story and style a bit condescending.  Hard to dig the message when you can’t relate to the author.
  • Too much information.  Much of Who’s Got Your Back is autobiographical.  A little is ok, a lot gets old fast.  I ended up skimming much of the book as a result.

Would I recommend the book?  Only if you can’t find a copy of Never Eat Alone.  Who’s Got Your Back leaves the reader scratching his back rather than running to tell others about it.

 
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Posted in At Work, Books, Leadership, Productivity

 

The Four Websites I Just Can’t Ignore

02 Jul

I used to use Google Reader until I discovered Twitter.  I then found that Twitter’s “favorite” feature (starring) was a great way for me to save links and then read them when I had more time to focus. Twitter just seemed to make my RSS reader seem, well, irrelevant.  I said goodbye to Google Reader and pushed on.

Of late, there are a few sites that I have purposefully not subscribed to via email.  I do follow the authors on Twitter but there’s something organic about actually going to their sites on a daily basis.  Why bother?  For me, it’s a bit of a ritual but I also find their sites aesthetically pleasing (a fancy word for “looks nice”).  They authors are thoughtful and speak to where I’m at right now in my ministry and in life.  So who are these masked men?

  1. Michael Hyatt.  Michael is the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the world’s largest Christian publishing company in the world.  He writes about Web 2.0, leadership and writing.  I find his insights helpful as a new CEO myself and his Tweets (@michaelhyatt) only compliment the strong content that can be found at his site.
  2. Pastor Connections. This site is a combined effort of several pastors who write about different aspects of ministry.  Each day there is a different focus and once a month, pastors join together in Ohio for a shared discussion.  I find this site particularly challenging in a good way.
  3. Church Crunch. CC is dedicated to all-things-tech but as they relate to ministry.  You get plenty of high-end geeky stuff but since it has a ministry angle, there is an honest sense that the authors are on your side.  Nice layout and plenty of updated content.  On Twitter, @human3rorr.
  4. Scott Cheatham.  Scott is a forty-something pastor in Colorado who is also a church planter.  His articles seem to blend much of the above three sites, weaving tech with ministry with writing.  Scott is also great about getting back to you so feel free to drop him a line.  You can also follow him on Twitter, @scottcheatham.
 
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Posted in At Work, Blogging, Communication, Faith, Leadership, Ministry, Web/Tech

 

The Good (and bad) News about Interviews

20 Jun

I’ve always subscribed to Penelope Trunk’s advice about interviewing.  She explains that an interview is like a test that you can prepare for, the questions often being predictable enough to hit out of the park.  I had to smile recently when I was in an interview session and received the gem of “how would you describe your leadership style?”  Since I had prepared for that same question, it went off like a new hit single.

Unfortunately, some new research is revealing a bit more about interviews and the fact that they might not be as reliable as we once thought.  Fast Company’s recent magazine deals with this issue, making the case that a good interview is just that- a good snapshot of a person but maybe not an accurate indicator of a person’s work performance.

Turns out more companies are now relying on work samples, mini-performances and even writing tests.  They figure that a person’s ability to handle real workplace issues outweighs their ability to cleverly answer what can too-often be planned questions.

How will you conduct your next interview?

*Photo by Thomas Hawke

 
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Posted in At Work, Communication, Leadership

 

Should You Take a Workplace Pledge?

12 Jun

A friend who is a priest just became a pastor.  A first step, even before meeting his new community included an oath of loyalty to the religious community to which he belongs.  I’m now reading about the 50% of Harvard Business Graduates who just signed an oath of ethical behavior.  There’s just something about oath-swearing that speaks to a deeper reality about work.

Work involves the whole person, period.  The next time your spouse has a bad day and brings it home for the whole family to “share”, just be reminded that work is an action of the spirit as much as it is a way to pay the bills.

If your workplace offered an oath for ethics, would you be willing to commit?

 
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Posted in At Work, Leadership, Motivation

 

Sunday Night Reflections from Pentecost Sunday

01 Jun

My parish is unlike any other and the people of St. Vincent’s have taught me a lot about the spirituality of work.  Here are some reflections based on today’s Mass:

  • Fr. Pat, “Today is a great day to be the church!”  Well said from someone who has led the parish for almost twenty years.
  • Text messaging is not cool in church.  Tell the lady in front of me, please.  I think her name is Denise based on her messages.
  • Support your pastor, after all, he’s got a lonely job.  Shake his hand.  Tell him he’s cool.  He needs your support.
  • Being late for an 11:30AM Mass is not cool.  Just ask me and my family.  Guilty as charged.
  • Look around- lots of holy, hurting and happy people trying to draw closer to Christ.  St. Augustine said that the Church is supposed to be full of sinners.
  • Mass on a nice day is almost always more enjoyable.  Now if we could just figure out how to program that piece of things.
  • Homilies are complicated so try to take just one thing away from them.  What’s your takeaway from today?
  • Joy- that’s the key point that I took away from Fr. Pat’s message.  People who say they’re Christian should be visibly joyful people.

Have a great week.  Make it great for someone else. Make it a workweek that is truly spiritual.

 
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Posted in At Work, Faith, Leadership, Ministry

 

Mini Review of The Soul of a Leader by Margaret Benefiel

20 May

If you’re new to The Daily Saint, then I refer you to my own sense of call.  I’m passionate about doing work better, smarter and with greater passion.  I do this by integrating my own faith with my daily schedule.  Simple as that.

Unfortunately, there are few others who have made this niche their own.  That is of course until you’ve stumbled onto the work of Margaret Benefiel.

Benefiel’s first book, Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership In Organizations, was an insightful look at the qualities that make organizations about more than just the bottom line.  In the follow up, The Soul of a Leader: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment, (Crossroad Publishing, 2008) Benefiel captures a similar spirit but hones in on the role of the persons who move the organization forward.

The author’s point is crucial before one can even look at the mechanics, for lack of a better word, of soulful leadership.  “The past decade has witnessed scandal after scandal: in business, in nonprofits, in religious institutions.  This world of scandals desperately needs leaders with soul.”  To the degree that a leader can activate the spiritual component of his/her leadership, the results will be dramatically positive.

Benefiel articulates several key leanings for the soulful leader to be attentive to, including Following the Heart, Finding Partners, Daring to Dream, and Keeping Mission at the Fore.  I found her final chapter, “Finding Spiritual Guidance” to be particularly on target as she deals with the ancient benefit of spiritual direction.

I think that one of the most enduring themes of the book is the primacy of keeping work human in whatever organization one finds himself.  When we just see our labor as a means to an end, we can lose sight of those with whom we serve.   As Benefiel states, “Every human being feels overworked and underappreciated at times.  Likewise, everyone, in the press of busyness and stress, forgets to thank those whose work makes theirs possible.”

I recommend that you pick up a copy of Margaret Benefiel’s newest book and while you’re at it, check out the many helpful articles available on her website.  Here’s to soulful leadership in your life as well…

 
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Posted in At Work, Faith, Leadership, Ministry, Simplicity, Work/Life Balance

 

Management as Ministry?

10 May

Be sure to check out Pat Lencioni’s talk here at the recent Strong Faith Strong Men conference.  Not only does he share his Catholic faith with a hungry audience but he discusses management as ministry.  He encourages us to:

  • be vulnerable
  • be “sweaty” (i.e. practice our faith) so that others can see the glean of our faith
  • be great leaders who are comfortable being humble
  • hold people accountable
 
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Posted in At Work, Leadership

 

Leadership in a Time of Transition: What Not to Do

07 May

So you’re being replaced or you’re about to step into a new role of leadership, now what?  Let’s break these scenarios down and outline what not to do.

First of all, it’s crucial to understand that any transition of leadership brings about a strain on the organization.  Even if the person on their way out was disliked, there is still a predictable amount of stress that comes with a new chief.  Will he sustain our progress?  Will she make quick changes?  These questions and many more bring some stress to even the most stallwart employee.

NEW KINDS OF LEADERS

Consider what Bill George writes in Business Week:  “I believe all the economic misery, financial disasters, and millions of lost jobs will produce a new generation of leaders who are battle-tested in crisis and ready to get the global economy pointed in a healthier long-term direction.” Business Week.

As long as the leader can be incarnational- that is to say, respecting of the organization- he will do just fine.  Here are some things not to do:

  1. Don’t presume that everyone will embrace you. You’re probably going to face the Law of Thirds: one third will love you, another will provide resistance and a final third will be open ground to be won over.
  2. Don’t pretend that you know everything about the organization. It’s super important to learn the culture and the vibe of the community you will be serving.  Get to know the history, the symbols and the places that make your organization so cool.
  3. Don’t think that the first year will be full of roses. To the degree that you can anticipate challenges and crises, you’ll be better equipped to handle them.
  4. Don’t under-communicate during the transition. Write notes, blog, make your calls and do anything you can to strategically communicate before and then after the transition.

RECOMMENDED READING

A Bright Side to the Econ Crisis: A New Type of Leader

*Photo by BrennanMore

 
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Posted in At Work, Leadership