Steve Fee song

by bradlomenick in Misc. No Comments

Many of you worship leaders who were at Catalyst remember Steve Fee leading everyone in the chorus of “Glory To God” this past October. Powerful moment and powerful song. Well, you can get the chords and lyrics to the entire song and watch Steve and Matt singing it at the Fee website. Check it out.

Start of the Week

by bradlomenick in Misc. 2 Comments

A few thoughts as we begin the last week of January

1. Wow, how about the historic events of last week. A great moment in history. Now the work begins. In the meantime, check out this amazing pic that Los tracked down. I spent an hour looking at it. Seriously. 

2. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?

3. Working hard on the speaker lineup for Catalyst East in October. I am really excited about who we have so far, and who is in the works. Several favorites will be returning for the 10th year anniversary.

4. Heading to Dallas this week for the Innovation3 Gathering being put on by Leadership Network. Really looking forward to it. If you are going to be there let me know. Would love to say hello. 

5. In honor of all of the award shows happening in Hollywood over the next several weeks (and tonight), I think I am going to start asking everyone I talk to “who are you wearing today?” 

6. If you are a twitter user, make sure to follow Guy Kawasaki and Robert Scoble. Between the two of them, you’ll get all the info you need on staying up to date with all things in technology and innovation. 

7. Great article in Fast Company on Shaun White, the skateboarding/snowboarding mega superstar. 

8. Saw Cirque du Soleil on Friday night. Amazing. The creativity and attention to detail within the program is off the charts. A great book on the innovation within Cirque is The Spark. It’s been out for several years, but if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.

Are you a Finisher?

by bradlomenick in Misc. 3 Comments

I love people who execute. Who get it done. When it comes to hiring new employees, no other characteristic is more important than someone who can finish. It is the #1 trait related to work ethic that I look for in a new hire. 

Anyone can come up with a new idea, a new concept, a new pithy word, a new organization, or a new perspective. What ultimately matters is were you able to take an idea from concept to completion. And to do that, you have to have finishers on your team. The folks who are intrinsically wired to make things happen, and bulldog their way to the finish line. They find joy in checking things off the list. But not just a task machine. Anyone can take an order and then go complete it. What matters is whether you can carry the ball all the way down the field and cross the finish line. 

Take a moment and think about who that is on your team. If you don’t have someone in this role, go find them immediately. This is incredibly important if you are the leader- you have to have someone on your team in whom you have ultimate confidence that if you hand them a project, they will get it done… and without your constant management of them. The answer can’t constantly be “we’re still working on it….”. That is an excuse for either being lazy or unfocused. You’re either moving forward or backwards.

For our team here at Catalyst, it is imperative that everyone plays the finisher role. Now some have to more than others, but no one can only be the “idea” guy. Everyone is required to execute and own projects from start to finish. It’s a non-negotiable. We take incredible pride in being able to take a concept and turn it into a finished project. This is a distinctive part of our culture here. We’re serious about it. It’s part of our DNA. 

And for all you type A’s, you can’t do everything yourself, even though you think you can. Find someone who can carry the load alongside you.

Proud to be an American

by bradlomenick in Misc. 2 Comments

Today, I am proud of my country. Yesterday was a historic day. Some might call it a benchmark day in the history of our country. Regardless of what you call it, I feel proud. 

I felt proud seeing 2 million people on the National Mall cheering and waving American flags. I felt proud watching the most civilized transfer of power the world knows. I felt proud seeing the first African American president being sworn in. I felt proud watching and listening to Rick Warren’s prayer for our country and for our President. I felt proud seeing the crowd on the mall made up of whites, blacks, latinos, asians, old, young, students, children, and grandparents. All Americans. All people who love this country. 

I was trying to remember the last time I felt an overwhelming sense of patriotism and love for my country like this. Probably in 2003 while watching live footage of the statue of Saddam being torn down in the historic district of Baghdad by the Iraqi people. I was overwhelmingly proud of my country and proud of our soldiers then. 

We all know we have an uphill battle. President Obama is not the answer to solving all the problems. I disagree with most of his policies. Almost all of his policies. BUT, change can be good, and he has inspired us. I think he is a good man, and I am going to pray for him and his team, and do what I can to be part of the solution. 

But it is not about one man or one administration or one team. It is about our country. The American spirit and resolve just needs a nudging, a strong reminder of where we’ve come from, and where we are going.

Today, I am proud.

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