The Energizer Bunny has a Battery

The Leadership Secrets of the Energizer Bunny could keep going . . . and going . . . and going. There are plenty more places to go and people to see. Friday is a good place to wrap up. BTW if Maxwell was right when he said, leadership is influence, then EB is the man, uh, er . . . maybe EB is the bunny! Right?

I try not to assume faith in Christ on TOL. I don't want drop in readers to think they are crashing a private party. It is good practice not to assume faith in the people that cross my path. I am not sure how good I am at it but I am better than I used to be.

All that to say that the last leadership secret from the Energizer Bunny is a faith secret. Leaders without faith in Christ still lead and lead quite effectively. Let's be honest here. Don't forget, however, the good to great principle. What or who can take you to the next level?

Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.

Charles Spurgeon (British preacher from 1800's) made the previous statement. EB's secret is his battery. He has power that is beyond him. He can run faster, focus better, and accomplish more because of the gift of power. He did not deserve it, did not even know it existed, and probably did not think he needed until someone gave it to him. In fact, would it be safe to say, EB's battery defines him?

Once you claim you are a leader and a Christ follower you raise your own bar. People expect more. You are saying, 'my leadership will be distinct, my choices will be informed and empowered by God Himself, and my values will driven by an eternal perspective'.

For EB, it is all about the battery. His secret is, there is no secret. What is it all about for you?

The Energizer Bunny is No Lone Ranger - Leadership Secrets III

He made it to the top five! Who would have thunk it (as my dad used to say)? Was it his own brilliance? Was it his giftedness? Not at all. EB could not have listened to everybody, but he did listen intently to somebody.

Could you imagine a young Energizer Bunny with a resume'? Where would he go? What was he qualified to do/be? What was he thinking? One day a pinhead from Energizer saw something in EB (before he was EB). So, should EB listen? What made this pinhead any different?

The environment of an effective leader includes people. In fact, I like to be around effective leaders because I will find around them, effective leaders, young and old. Visionaries. People, regardless of age that are passionate about learning, growing and making a difference. The ear of effective leaders belongs to somebody (usually more than one). He is very particular about who that 'somebody' is.

The leader, who is Christian has given his life away to Jesus Christ. Included in the package deal is his ear. That, is the beginning of wisdom. To whom are you listening? Is any recalibration needed?

Sad Day! IOP is history. Not dramatic. Are vacations supposed to be? That means it was a good one, right?

Leadership Secrets of EB - Doc Rivers' Shirt

USA Today reported this morning that Doc Rivers' (Coach of World Champion Boston Celtics) Gatorade-soaked shirt was bought by an anonymous bidder for $55,000. Just what I always wanted, a Gatorade-soaked shirt. I really don't want Doc's. I want my own.

When the Energizer Bunny was just a kid, I wonder what he wanted? What was his dream? How much can a stuffed pink bunny want out of life? Again, since EB was unable for comment, I am left to imagine what his journey to fame must have looked like.

I did three secrets yesterday. Today, only one. Nothing new or profound here. Hopefully a reminder. Effective leaders do certain things. No matter where you meet them and what their particular assignment looks like, they are similar. Normally the best do not aspire to be great, but they are focused on doing great.

Effective leaders are focused leaders. Because of that, they are not always easy to be around. My agendas and ideas are not very important to them, unless it is where they are going. EB may have had all kind of opportunities to chase the dreams and plans of others. No matter the offer, he just kept going . . . and going.

Last full day at IOP. All good. Beautiful.

Leadership Secrets of the Energizer Bunny

I can't remember who coined the term BFO or Blazing Flash of the Obvious. BFO applies here to the Energizer Bunny. He did not respond to my request for a blog interview. His agent said he was busy spinning around and banging his drum. This is a rare case of what got him to the top will likely keep him there.

Here are a few of his secrets:
1) Consistency - As with missionary to India, William Carey, you could say about EB, he is a plodder.

2) Metacognition - Impressed by my new word? I heard it from someone at WRC last week. Thanks Lindsay. Awareness of self, ability to set goals and learn, etc . . .

3) Intuitive - Are leaders made or born? Likely a bit of both, but EB simply maximized his opportunities. Will you today? Or are you just on the way to someplace else? I will unpack this more.

More on the way. Isle of Palms is great. Stay tuned.

I Spin Around and Bang My Drum!

Leadership is a subject that gets plenty of attention. I wonder if Jesus would have gone to a leadership seminar or read a Maxwell book? We may never know. I guess I had better feed the hungry leader animal in us and go with a winning subject. Readership completes me.

And now . . . the shame on you, bad dog, no, get off the couch, don't do that there, get outside, part! Who would not want to be on the most famous living people list? Oh, don't get humble on me. Remember, fame means you achieved something extraordinary. I don't want to be Rick Warren, but I would like to be the Rick Warren of my world (My confession to Ray Brock).

Mike and Mike (ESPN Radio) talked about a famous Americans list Friday. You could guess some, although I would have never guessed that Michael Jordon was #1. You will never guess who beat Oprah and Obama on this particular list.

I spilled my coffee, dropped my cell phone in mid-conversation, lost my highlighter in the floor board, and choked on my fiber bar when I heard who #5 was. The Energizer Bunny was considered one of the five most famous people in America.

As hard as I try to be famous, a stuffed bunny who works for a battery company, just being who he is, becomes famous. Let's face it TOL readers. Without a big break from Energizer where would this bunny be? He would be laying in a glass box at a cheap arcade waiting for the dreaded steel claw. Wow, that's gotta hurt.

Does he know he is famous? Does his parents know? Do they care? Where does he go from here? Does he have aspirations? I doubt it.

Does PETSA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Stuffed Animals pronounced "pizza") know? I am calling them. They would not be happy about the long, boring, hours of unpaid work. Banging his drum, spinning in circles, and giving his all, this bunny gets shut up in the dark at the end of the day. Abuse!

I am outraged by the whole deal. Here I am banging my drum, spinning in circles, and giving my all for what? What can I learn from the apparent fame of the Energizer Bunny? I think you can see we have potential here, so I will pick up Leadership Secrets of the Energizer Bunny tomorrow.

Isle of Palms for a few days with the Yvette, Anna, and Abby. We are already having fun. I try not to let expectations ruin vacations. A slow line at Subway in Orangeburg and thunderstorms in Mt. Pleasant didn't even throw us off.

New and Improved TOL! Now Featuring Twitter

I can't believe what I just saw! You are right Dustin, who cares about the monkey I just saw running through my neighborhood. Twittering is kind of about me. But it is fun. I don't fully comprehend it all (sorry for sound like an old guy, about 3 of you out there are older than me).

Check out the right hand column of my blog. I can send real time updates of what I am seeing/experiencing through my cell. I promise no monkey on the street updates. Newsworthy updates only. So easy a caveman can do it (sorry cavemen), that was a self-reference.

I beat some of you to Twitter, but no way I would beat Hardwick http://www.jayhardwick.com/ and his cup of joe from Starbucks. Not in this life :)

For more info go to http://www.twitter.com/

Coming Attractions - Knock Yourself Out

I don't dominate my blog with a lot of comments about church and church planting. I did respond to recent blogs of my friend and church planter Ray Brock from Ohio.

Where should we plant ourselves - in "traditional" or "contemporary" churches?

Why do planters avoid urban areas and to focus on suburbs and college campuses?

Warning, my responses are long so . . . if you are motivated, knock yourself out :)

www.raybrock.blogspot.com

www.findyourspot.com is up and running too. Have some fun with this one.

Vacation at Isle of Palms next week. Looking forward to hanging out with the girls.

Also next week: blog reviews on The Shack, Camp Rock, and Kung Fu Panda.

Today wasn't work, but I counted it! Eddie Cox, Neal McGlohon, and Larry Bateman in the upstate. What a country!

Cracking the Leadership Code - Evil Twin 2

Could it be? My evil twin leader values being followed to higher levels over helping people around him to a higher level. I understand him, oh how I understand him, you know . . . the big ugly, my evil twin leader.

When I am followed somewhere I get all the Gatorade. Me. My favorite subject. When I lift others higher they get all the Gatorade. Shoot, I like Gatorade. All over my head and on my clothes, I love them smell of cool, purple Gatorade. I want to be the hero! Oh wait, not me, my evil twin leader.

We can lead people through manipulation, paychecks, intimidation or positional authority. Most leaders depend on those tools too often. If you lead with an iron hand you are admired by most. However, you and your followers are all underachieving. If you are serving God, He gets the short end of the stick when you force people to follow.

This is one of my newly discovered favorite quotes from Coaching for Performance:

You can make a man run, but you can't make a man run fast!

The longest distance known to man is the few inches between his head and his heart. His head will tell him he had better do something. You and he get the minimum out of that deal. Lead the hearts of people. Think about what that would look like. Coach more. Attempt to help move fences in their minds. Clear the fog. Watch them soar . . . along with Kingdom impact. The Gatorade is great for the moment but over time all you have is sticky skin and purple clothes.

Helping Others Pass You - My Evil Twin

How strange would it be? Tiger Woods pulls Rocco Mediate aside and says, dude, let me help you. We may face a playoff in a major again. I know that is what you want. I want to teach you how to beat me.

I am not talking about concession here. I am talking about teaching others to be better than you at something. Sounds strange?

I am reading a new book on coaching. Coaching for Performance by John Whitmore is a classic, often recommended book by coaching rock stars. First written in the early 90's, the human potential theme will spook some readers. Context, however, is everything, so for me, there is much to learn. On working with people Whitmore makes the following statement:

One of the best things we do for them is to assist them to surpass us.

Why do we shy away from this idea? How would this value help you take people to a higher level? I have a twin who is an evil leader. My dark side can often be seen through my desire to control people. There is another way my evil leadership twin shows up. My twin shows through a desire to maintain the belief of people around me that I am superior to them. A bit uncomfortable with this? Me too.

Listen to the old Apostle, Paul:

For now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord (I Thes. 3:8)

You think Paul worried about people surpassing him? Don't think so. Look at the people around you differently today. God has placed you there for a reason. The reason is likely for the people who are physically positioned closest to you. Teach them how to beat you.

Indy, Tennessee, Dad, Dad Regrets

Indy Wrap Up - Slowly, the climate is changing in the SBC. I spent an evening at the convention shadowing Ed Stetzer (getting him soft drinks, carrying his brief case, etc. you know what I mean). The love he is getting from the SBC mainstream is amazing. That says more about the state of things than anything else. The platform is changing, too. Less bashing of the new, more, where do we go from here?

Tennessee - Great fun hanging out with family for the weekend. Covered Bridge 5K, Celebration Church http://www.celebrationchurch1.org/ with my former friend and blog promoter, Sid, and Coffee Company www.experiencingcoffee.com .

Dad - for the first time in years I spent Father's Day with my dad. Dino Sr. is soon to be 76 years old. He doesn't make it to first base as fast as in days gone by. He is, however, always good for a belly laugh, great conversation and wisdom about life. Fond memories: He always overstated how good I was at doing things; He loved people; People loved him.

Dad Regrets - My wife and I should have sat on the same side of the table . . . I am not out of time here, and have made significant changes over the past 5 years. My daughters should have seen more evidence that my relationship with them was not as important (you read that right) as my relationship with my wife.

I want to be even more careful calling my one-on-one time with my daughters dates. I understand the relate to men thing, but I may have cut off my nose here. My daughters are not my girlfriends and I am not their boyfriend. My wife, and my wife only, is my girlfriend. Should my daughters and I have one-on-one fun? Absolutely! Just don't want to send the wrong message about what healthy family relationships look like. At least from now on.

From Indianapolis - Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Most of you are not Southern Baptist. Some of you who are could care less. Here is an overview:

1. Johnny Hunt (Woodstock, GA) was elected president on the first ballot. Six men were nominated so a first ballot win was a bit of a surprise. Johnny, like Frank Page, is the real deal. No pretending -- BTW, FBC Woodstock has planted 78 churches under Johnny's leadership. Considering 5 percent of our SBC churches ever participate directly in a new church, I say Johnny and FBC is in a league of their own.

2. Frank Page, in typical Frank Page style, knocked a home run in his president's address. What you see is what you get with Frank. Frank is a gentleman with a real passion for changing the world and a behavioral track record to match. His hammer was applied to himself: The problem is not somebody else, the problem is me. He challenged Baptists to stop pointing fingers. He spoke with the personal responsibility of an Old Testament prophet.

3. 7000 officially registered, voting, participants at our national meeting. Those numbers continue to drop as we continue to run the meetings the way we have for years. Not only do the numbers drop but our hair gets more gray and we all walk bent over a bit more. We are as white as we have ever been. Then, we have the courage to go out and yell at pastors who are fighting to survive about how they need the courage to change. That is probably as controversial as I can be at this point. Enjoy.

From Indianapolis - How are YOU Doing?

Chris Beard, pastor of First Christian Assembly in Cincinnati, told me something I will never forget about friendship. He said in effect, real friendships are like reading a great book, you can put it down, but when you pick it back up, you can start back right where you left off.

People you will never know are on the list of good books I am picking back up this week in Indy. Will Langford, Bill Hounshell, Ty Salter, Bob and Debbie Bieke, Roc Collins, Gale Hartley, Joey Herrod, Tim and Renee Brogan, Ron and Emily Herrod, and many others. Friends from the past who value me puts wind in my sails. None of these guys care about my ministry role. They only care about me. They ask, How are you doing?

Carl Martin from Crosspoint Bluffton is really good at this. I am blessed with a lot of S.C. friends like that. Seldom do I ever have a conversation with Carl (and we have a lot) that does not include the question from him, How are YOU doing? He says it in a way that does not let me off the hook. Ask somebody that question today. I know I will be asked all day long.

Trying to get back to Dad Regrets. Too many sights and sounds in Indy. I am like a dog at a whistler's convention. Hang with me. BTW, Guidestone 5K was cancelled due to rain. I did get the t-shirt though!

From Indianapolis - Find Your Spot

In a fit of desperation, after living in Columbia for three months, I conferred with http://www.findyourspot.com/ on the advice of a friend. The site is down right now so don't bother. I am not sure what they were selling. I answered twenty questions or so to see if God would tell me where I was really supposed to be living.

I know prayer is the right answer here, not findyourspot.com but prayer was not working well for me at that moment. I had always been taught that God works in mysterious ways. I was trying to help Him.

Indianapolis http://www.indy.org/ was the first choice for me, according to the site. St. Louis was second. Cincinnati was in the top five. The only city in the south that seemed to be a match was Tampa (don't worry, they do small cities and towns too, it's fun).

God did not move me to Indy. He kept me where He wanted me. In August '08, He kept me where He wanted me for six years and counting. He would not be out done by a cheesy website or a profoundly perturbed preacher. I am glad. Father knows best.

More Dad Regrets tomorrow. Also observations about this great city, Indianapolis, and the SBC (safe commentary only, of course), will be coming via Thinking Out (not so) Loud.

Dad Regrets III - Meet Mrs. Jesus

When you search the Bible on the subject of marriage you make several startling discoveries. The discoveries were wildly counter-cultural in their original historical setting. Same could be said about applying the Bible to today's culture.

Metaphorically, a healthy relational environment between husband and wife is illustrated through the relationship of Jesus Christ and His church. Jesus loved the church to the level that He paid the ultimate, selfless price. He died for them (us).

So then, if I am to love Yvette to the same level, the coach might ask, What would that look like? And, if I loved Yvette that way in the past, What would that look like to my daughters? How would that affect their view of life and family? How would that affect their view of a real relationship with Jesus?

How important is my relationship with Yvette? So important that God Himself compared it to my relationship with Him. Traditionally, we say our priorities should be: 1) God 2) Family 3) Job. I think those priorities are not biblical or healthy.

Here is the real order (if you are married of course): 1A: God 1B: Wife 2. Children 3. Job. I cannot separate my relationship with God from my relationship with Yvette. She benefits by God being my first love. My children benefit from God being my first love and Yvette being the second part of my first love. More on this subject, next post.

Heading to Indy this weekend after a stop by at Willow Ridge. Look forward to the fun. Running in a 5K there.

Dad Regrets II - Kid Pain

Discomfort might sound less abusive than kid pain. Again, this may be so basic for some of you. It was not for me (or is not). All of us, I think, have certain blind spots. Remember, weaknesses are easily identifiable. You can't see blind spots, thus, the term, "blind" spots.

I was determined early in my children's lives that they would live in a pain-free environment. Several things helped me transition in my thinking. I was not as god-like as I thought.

Maybe it was when Abby was velcroed to a table at 2 years old to get her lip stitched. Maybe it was watching Anna's chronic preschool tantrums. Maybe it was watching Krista battle the teenage years. Or all of the above . . .

I think I hurt them. I hurt them by trying so hard to create a false, pain-free world. Not trying to be profound here but just pointing to a current reality: I am here to walk along side my children and help them process pain and disappointment. I am not here to take it away.

If I could take it all away, I shouldn't. If I could it would only be short-term, not lifelong. If I could I would not be fulfilling my real role as dad. Preparing them to live without me.

Dad Regrets - Take Vacations

Last time I spoke at Willow, I talked about home and family in the Deeper Water series. I ran out of time before I got to the confessional section of the sermon (think that was on purpose?). I listed several dad regrets.

I have three daughters ages 21, 12, and 9. I have a wonderful wife (age unavailable at the time of this post). Most of you do better than me at my first regret. In fact, some of your habits in this area helped me see how bad I was at this.

Dad Regret #1 - Not enough planned, intentional, multiple day vacations. I am talking extended time with just Yvette and the girls. It might have been a sense of self-importance or an inappropriate sense of obligation to parents. Maybe it was misplaced money priorities or lack of resourcefulness. My non-parent vacations were a day here, two days there, rushed stressed, unpack, repack.

I am not alone. No excuse though. The Real Age http://www.realage.com/ website reported in 2005 Americans threw away (use or lose) an estimated 415 million vacation days. That is 1.6 million years of unused vacation! I lost more than the days, however.

I regret the past. I am committed as of summer of 2007 (Orange Beach) to do better. No matter how unimportant I feel laying on Isle of Palms beaches end of June and playing in Stone Mountain end of July (Summer '08) its a done deal. I am with Pumba (Lion King, Disney, 1994). I am putting my behind in the past and on the beach and mountains.