Tips on making creative meetings great

June 30th, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. 4 Comments

We have a big Catalyst creative brainstorming meeting today. 70 people together to dream big, think outside the box, and come up with some crazy ideas and antics that we might possibly pull off in October, or even sometime later in 2012 and beyond.

Creative meetings are one of those things that take some intentional work to develop. So here are a few thoughts on making sure that your next creative meeting is great.

1. The answer is always “yes, and” and never “no, but” in a brainstorming meeting. Debbie downer and Mr. No aren’t invited. Ever.

2. All ideas are welcome and needed. Many times the great ideas end up being an average idea that was built on and built on and built on.

3. If you have any leaning towards operations or finance or asking the question of “how much will that cost” then you are banned and can’t ever come to a brainstorming meeting again.

4. Think/dream way bigger and with no limitations whatsoever. Try to develop ideas outside the norm and outside your industry or niche.

5. Make sure you do your homework. Research ideas, get on youtube for a couple of hours, see what others are doing, and intentionally find ideas and insight that will fuel conversations and idea development.

6. Record every idea that’s thrown out. Capturing ideas and then being able to find them later and put them into action is crucial. Everyone thinks they can remember the best ideas, but literally within a couple of hours you’ll have forgotten.

7. Music, vibe and atmosphere are crucial. Set a tone with the appropriate music, appropriate and energetic lighting, lots of snacks, and plenty of coffee and caffeine. A high energy environment makes being creative way easier.

Project 58: Collaboration and Hope around Extreme Poverty

June 28th, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. No Comments

I am really excited about the 58: project. And the word is getting out!

CHECK OUT this USA Today article on project 58: from yesterday.

Is it possible for the Church to end extreme poverty in our lifetime? The answer may surprise you. It’s time for our low expectations to change.

The stakes have never been higher. But, the news has never been better! The amazing news is this: extreme poverty is ending. The tide is changing. In just 25 years the percentage of people living in extreme poverty has been cut in half (52% to 26%). And every statistic is showing momentum toward zero in our lifetime.

Go to this 58: FACEBOOK page and join the cause right now.

So we are coming together. Not around a brand but under the only banner that matters – the name of Jesus Christ.

58: is inspired by Isaiah 58. Read it. And then read it again. Join in this commitment to live the True Fast and discover the amazing promises of God when you give up something good for the sake of something great. Discover what Isaiah 58 means for our generation.

We have the power and influence to literally change the world. And projects like 58: motivate and inspire me to continue moving towards the end of extreme poverty in our generation.

JOIN the cause today!

Are you replacing yourself?

June 27th, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. 4 Comments

What are some of the most difficult things in leadership?

I would argue that replacing yourself is one of the most challenging parts of leadership- Succession is really really difficult.

Succession, simply the transition of leadership or power, is very difficult for most companies or organizations. Whether a Fortune 50 like GE, Wal-Mart, or Apple; a non-profit like the Red Cross, Focus on the Family, or World Vision; a small startup or family held business; a church of 200 or 10,000; or one of the thousands of mid sized companies across the country. In any case, this is a tough leadership paradigm to get right.

Large companies put millions of dollars into making sure succession is smooth and seemless. Look at Apple- succession from Steve Jobs to whoever the next CEO will be could literally cost the company billions of dollars in market capitalization, and even more in brand equity. It is a huge issue for the long term health of any company.

Family held businesses or “founder-driven” organizations are really at risk of bad succession plans. Most founders of family held or not for profit organizations can’t let go, and drive everyone crazy around them. Especially in companies that are highly missional- founders are great at starting and building, but usually terrible at letting go and allowing the organization to grow into a second phase of organizational life without them, with a different leader at the helm.

Here in America, we do a really good job of succession when it comes to our President. It is a civil and democratic process. Not the case in other parts of the world, especially in third world and developing countries. Leaders hold onto power and do everything they can to stay in the seat of President or Prime Minister way long after they should be there. Usually because the power of their position corrupts their realities at the deepest levels. I believe this is one of the major issues for these countries- bad succession leads to internal strife, violence and disruptions in growth. These leaders not only hold onto to their power, but fail to develop any other leaders around them to take over.

What about you and your current leadership realities? Whether a team, a company, a non-profit, a church, a family held business, or a Fortune 50, you should be thinking about succession. How are you replacing yourself? If you are not thinking about this, you are neglecting a core part of your responsibility.

A few things to consider:

1. Is it time for you to replace yourself? Have the courage to always leave before you need to or have to.

2. Who are you grooming to step into your role? Start looking and grooming the next leader way sooner than you think you need to.

3. Does the organization or initiative need a fresh perspective and fresh eyes? Most of the time the answer is yes.

4. Power corrupts. Don’t let your power trip end up keeping you from correctly leading the organization into the next season of healthy organizational life.

5. The legacy of your leadership relies significantly on how well the organization continues to thrive after you are gone. Your replacement is a direct reflection of the quality of your leadership.

The Power of Margin

June 26th, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. No Comments

Margin is a powerful concept.

For businesses, margin is one of your top priorities. Margin in business creates profits.

Margin in family creates memories.

Margin in our personal finances creates opportunities.

Margin in our lives overall creates options. Options to pursue dreams, think, pray, relax, meditate, process, grow and ultimately live life more fully.

As leaders, it is important that we create moments of margin for ourselves. Time to dream, time to laugh, time to retreat- on a regular basis, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Even if it is 5 minutes during the day to think, walk, pray, or simply relax. Margin gives us energy and renewed momentum and enthusiasm. And it is equally important to allow for margin in the culture of your team, and margin for your individual team members. Even something as simple as a funny story shared with the team, or a stop by someone else’s office to catch up and say hi, or a quick review of pictures or great memories from something earlier in the year.

On the flipside, lack of margin makes us tense, creates stress and pushes for quick decisions. Lack of margin leads to stale and unhealthy relationships, and drives us towards the most available options at the time, but many times not the best. Lack of margin makes for rushed projects, for forced creativity, and for strategy that only thinks of the short term gains, not the long term opportunities.

Margin is the fuel for responding to the unexpected, and the option we all need for being more focused, intentional, life-giving and less stressed.

Average is… well, just average

June 24th, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. 3 Comments

Are you just being average? In your job? In your family? Your friendships? Your community? Your organization? Your Church? Your passions and hobbies? Your leadership?

Are you typical? common? ordinary? all right? fair? everyday? commonplace? decent? moderate? customary? general? mediocre? run of the mill? tolerable? usual? All common synonyms of average. Yuck.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be mediocre or tolerable or run of the mill. And let me clarify- we’re not talking about whether you were a C student in Calculus or Chemistry or English class in high school, or being an athlete, or an amazing communicator, or an orchestra singer, or a world renowned pianist. There are certain gifts or wirings or areas where I’m going to be average at best, regardless. For example, I’m an average (maybe more below average!) basketball player. I’m never going to be better than average at basketball, no matter how much I practice and work out.

I’m referring to the things in life and leadership that we can control. That we can get better at. That require intentional focus and a mentality that says I’m not going to settle for just being okay. Areas where my competence can continue to grow.

Don’t be that person who just does enough to get buy and keep your job for one more day. Don’t be that person who everyone says, “yeah, it was an ok presentation, nothing out of the ordinary.” Don’t be the that leader who simply is trying to “not rock the boat” and hold on for as long as possible without stirring things up. Don’t be that person who is the last option when it comes to helping out or volunteering because you have a reputation for just showing up but not helping. Don’t be that person who your boss or employer has to painstakingly consider every quarter whether to have a sit down conversation about your performance…. “I like you Bob, but your performance and contribution to the team is just average.” Don’t be that person who no one wants on their team because they know you won’t contribute anything to the conversation or to solving the problem. Don’t be that.

There are way too many average people right now in the world. So… Right now, get up, straighten up, stand up, and do something extraordinary. Decide you want to be excellent. Do Something outstanding. Make today remarkable.

Being average is ….. just average. And being average needs to end.

"Be Present" at Catalyst Atlanta- best rates end Today

June 23rd, 2011 by bradlomenick in Misc. No Comments

Make plans now to join us for Catalyst in Atlanta October 5-7, 2011 at Gwinnett Arena. The BEST rates on ticket prices end TODAY (Thursday, June 23), so go ahead and register your group today.

You won’t want to miss the Catalyst Conference, where 13,000 young leaders will converge for the leadership experience of the year, including high-octane speakers, powerful worship, innovative programming, and an experience unlike any other. I’m really excited about this year’s theme of “Be Present.” A perspective and approach that every leader needs to understand and practice.

Hear from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Francis Chan, David Platt, Priscilla Shirer, Mark Driscoll, Dave Ramsey and Judah Smith, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like Princeton professor Dr. Cornel West, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, Global Soap Project founder and CNN Heroes Award Winner Derreck Kayongo, Hillsong United and NYC visionary Joel Houston, Barna Research President David Kinnaman, and adoptive mother of 13 Katie Davis.

Plus, Catalyst Labs will feature innovative thought leaders like David Platt, Michael Hyatt, Reggie Joiner, Mark Batterson, Tim Elmore, Dave Gibbons, Margaret Feinberg, Bob Goff, Susan Isaacs, Mike Foster, Bethany Hoang, Samuel Rodriguez, Stacy Spencer, Jon Acuff, Lecrae, Jo Saxton, Charles Jenkins, Jim Daly, Darren Whitehead, Vicky Beeching, Eugene Cho, Lisa Sharon Harper, Jon Tyson, Lysa Terkeurst, Bobby Bailey, Jeanne Stevens, Mary Graham, and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst tickets end TODAY- Thursday, June 23rd, so register now. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online. Use Rate Code FOB today and receive a ticket price of $199 (savings of $120 off regular prices). Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!