Leaders lead, and not just at work
January 17, 2008
I have recently had the opportunity to serve on a board of an institution. I appreciate the honor of being asked,
Why?
1. When you are asked to lead somewhere, they don’t just need a warm body, or someone to read through reports, but someone to execute. Make decisions, give advice, comment, dream, plan, promote, inspire, share wisdom, agree, disagree. You get to add value to something not connected to you per se (your dream, job, vocation). Look for opportunities to serve.
2. This is a forum to stretch your strengths and weaknesses. Folks on boards and committees may not see you as the normal coworker, boss, or role you may have slipped into at your workplace. It could reveal a need to dust off how to connect with folks again, how to listen well, and how to be alert to group dynamics. Serve well, think and work hard, and then take your fresh self back to your own job/staff meeting.
3. Glean insights of good processes within the board. Perhaps you realize some steps to agendas that would be of benefit where you work, or perhaps the opposite, you realize how not to do meetings. Either way, just say no to boring, pointless meetings.
The world needs strong Christian leaders. Get out there!
Performance Evaluation Tips
January 11, 2008
Does performance evaluation make you shiver just a bit? Not so fun right for the boss or employee? But, this does not have to be the case.
1. Make a habit of routine evaluations, at least once a year, but frequently give feedback, direction, and coaching. Do not wait and simply be a person reacting to issues and problems.
2. Use a simple tool like this Employee Performance Review. There are self, and management review sheets. Perhaps you cover issues in addition to those listed here, but having something like this as a guide certainly keeps you from shooting from the hip, or being blind to issues that need to be confronted.
3. Meet in threes. Have your employees meet with their immediate and upper supervisor. This helps everyone, and also allows young supervisors to continue to be coached.
4. Yes, I am talking to you as ministers. Do yourself a favor and don’t assume that you are exempt from this practice as a church. The folks who work, serve, and minister for your congregation need contact and direction from the pastor/boss.
5. Use this as a powerful time for praise and vision casting. Please don’t let your review time be a time to unload everything that folks are doing wrong. Yikes. Restate the vision, and give solid praise for jobs well done.
6. As a church, be careful for what you are measuring. One powerful benchmark is a values statement. Do you have one?
Use the gift of performance reviews.
Reading through the Bible
January 8, 2008
One of my favorite ways to explore the Bible each year is with a chronological Bible. This blessing lays out the text in daily readings while placing the Bible’s content in close order to its chronological timing.
Check out this Bible.
Meet with the Lord daily.