We vs. Me, and Us vs. I

It’s not just you on your team. There’s a team. Besides you. Other incredibly important staff crucial to the success of you accomplishing your mission and vision as an organization.

So next time someone says “How have you all accomplished this?…” or “What do you plan to accomplish the rest of this year?….” or “Who is involved in making things happen within your organization?…” “Or talk about the keys to success for you?….” Make sure you start your answer with “WE” or “US” or “OUR.”

Not “ME” or “I” or “MY.”

It’s easy for us to get comfortable with the notion that “I’m” the reason for the success, or because of “my” willingness to stay late, or that new business deal is because of “me.”

But even if it is, honor your team by choosing WE vs. ME.

Are you Overwhelmed?

As leaders, many times we take on way more than we can handle. We intuitively know it’s not healthy or the best solution, but we feel like it’s “our duty.” Anyone with me on this??? We feel the responsibility, so therefore we are willing to roll up our sleeves and take on more. This ends up affecting our families, our own personal life, our team, and organizations.

Now don’t get me wrong…. there are seasons for carrying the weight and burning the midnight oil. But if this becomes the “norm,” then it’s not healthy. But many times we still don’t know how to manage and juggle all of the things on our plate, especially if we are leading a smaller organization, a start up, or several major projects/initiatives at one time.

This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few thoughts from my perspective:

1. Hire a great assistant- I’ve found this one to be crucial. A great assistant can really make all the difference in the world. Not in the old school fashion of getting coffee and picking up your laundry. Please. But as a project manager, a taskmaster, and ultimately an extension of who you are.

2. Make progress daily- if you are trying to tackle a big project, or multiple projects at once, this is always my approach. Many times a project is so big it just overwhelms you. But if you can see progress being made, even if it’s small, it creates momentum and keeps things moving forward. Figure out what a win looks like on a daily basis, and then shoot for that.

3. Find interns/volunteers- Interns can be a great addition to your team. Not only can they relieve capacity issues you might have, but it’s a great way to “test” out new hires before making them official.

4. Delegate- this is the one most often we forget. And not just delegating things we don’t want to do. Or just handing over everything and wiping your hands clean, but then quickly jumping back in because it’s not going the way you envisioned. Strategic delegation is the key- look at your project list and determine what can divided up among your team in three areas- 1. total handoff and no involvement from me needed; 2. handoff of project but I’ll still be involved at certain points; 3. I’m leading the project but need help on certain tasks.

5. Ultimately, less is more. If you are overwhelmed, it might be time to cut some projects or new ideas from the list. Better to be great at a few things than to be average at several.

Thoughts on Creating Great Partnerships

Collaboration is crucial in today’s culture. Great organizations seem to always have a strong ability to partner well.

Partnerships are not always easy though. Teaming up with one another can result in true synergy. Or many times can result in ultimate failure.

Here are a few thoughts on why creating Great Partnerships is a must for you and your organization:

1. Partnerships allows you to share risk and reward. Creating less downside, and potentially way more upside always make sense.

2. Partnerships create innovation, breakthrough and discovery. Working with others allows for input from outside your “normal” circle of staff or key team members.

3. Ministries and Churches have to work harder to create partnerships. Partnerships are very common in the business world, but for some reason in the not-for-profit world it’s difficult to work together. Ministries and churches don’t partner well, but when they do, it can be revolutionary.

4. Kingdom building. If we truly wish to reach our mission with the greatest velocity possible, we have to work with others. Achieving our vision and mission is much more possible when working together.

5. Good partnerships start with a deep knowledge of the other. Know your partners well before entering into one.

6. Transparency is crucial. Authenticity and honesty make for long term impact.

7. Strength/Strength. Build partnerships on each other’s strengths, not necessarily on trying to improve a weakness.

8. Good fences make for good partnerships. Many times we don’t take time to spell out all the details of a partnership in full disclosure. It is crucial to put everything on paper, in an agreement, and make sure all the details are spelled out.

A Challenge for Worship Leaders

I’ve got to speak up.

I’m not on staff at a church. I’m not a worship leader. I’m not a creative arts pastor. None of those things.

But I’ve got speak up and ask for a favor. Make a challenge. To those who lead, stand up, speak, sing, make announcements on Sunday mornings.

I’ve got a challenge for all my brothers and sisters who are leading millions of folks in congregations around the world……

Please make it ALL worship. Not just the singing.

When you say “Now it’s time to worship” or “Let’s stand and worship” or “Wasn’t worship great!” and you are only referring to the singing, I think we’ve missed something. Does that mean the rest of the Worship service we are part of is not really worship? Only the singing part?

It’s all worship. Monday through Friday. Saturday. Sunday. The singing. The giving. The teaching. The praying. The confession. The community. The Bible reading. The relationships. The small groups. It’s all worship.

I think we are all on the same page, we just have to change our vocabulary.

So this Sunday- how about we all say “Let’s CONTINUE in worship through singing.” And at the start of the service, when someone gets up and does announcements, let’s say “We are glad you are here to worship with us today through teaching, giving, singing, connecting, reading. It’s ALL Worship. Let’s celebrate together.”

It’s ALL Worship. Even the BAD singing….

Monday Mania Top Five

Here are 5 things worth considering at the start of this week:

1. Brand new feature to the Catalyst website- A “Conversations” section where we will have tons of interviews with all kinds of leaders. Currently on the page are Dan Kimball, Cue Jean Marie, Laura Waters Hinson, Eboo Patel, Dino Rizzo, Miles McPherson and more!

2. Vote for my friend and Catalyst speaker Tad Agoglia, the founder of the First Response Team of America, to win the “Best Man, Best World” Contest with GQ. You can vote here.

3. Good friend Tim Elmore‘s brand new book Generation iY is now available. This book is a must read for parents, student pastors, teachers, coaches and anyone else leading the generation born after 1990. It is eye opening insight and practical tools for understanding this next wave of leaders who are now starting to enter the workplace.

4. My current music recommendations for you: Satellite, Horse Feathers, Civil Wars, Unhindered.

5. Do you have a September birthday? If so, plan to get involved with the charity: water September birthday campaign. Watch this video to find out more:

Behind the scenes interview with Kay Warren

The latest edition of the Catalyst Podcast features an interview with Kay Warren, co-founder of Saddleback Church and best-selling author of Dangerous Surrender. In the interview Kay discusses leadership, her role over the years with Saddleback, the realities of leading a church, tips on staying grounded, women in leadership, and the idea of balance.

We also catch up with Carlos Whittaker on his crazy adventure driving his family across the country in their 2005 Hyundai, and realities of car trouble has them stranded in Gallup, New Mexico.

You can listen here, or better yet download from itunes as a full-time subscriber.

My Pre-season Football Predictions

I always like to put something in writing around this time of the year regarding the upcoming Football season and who I think will emerge as Champions.

NFL: The Superbowl will be Minnesota and New England. I think the Vikings beat the Patriots in a great Super Bowl matchup and Brett Favre will finally retire.

College: The National Championship will finally feature a non-BCS team…. Boise State will play Oklahoma in the national championship. Oklahoma will get revenge for the loss in the Fiesta Bowl on the trick play three years ago and claim its Eighth national title. BAM!

Who you got in the Super Bowl and National Championship???

Chris Heuertz- A Leader You Need to Know

Excited about the next interview in the “Up Close” Series - a chance to catch up with Chris Heuertz. Chris is the International Director of Word Made Flesh and the author of Simple Spirituality and his most recent book Friendship at the Margins. He’s a great friend and has rich and deep experiences from around the world that have shaped his thoughts on leadership, faith, community and friendship.

In this interview we discuss his latest book, what really should be our role in living in community, the margin between the rich and poor, Nebraska football, and the shift of missions over the last 30 years. Really good stuff.