In Austin today for Q. Lots of friends here and great conversations. You can follow the blog and updates at the Q website at www.qideas.org. I'll have some updates later today and some more pictures. Right now discussing the future of community in the suburbs.
I did an interview last week with Eric Bryant from Mosaic. You can listen to that interview here. Eric asked questions about what it's like to lead Catalyst, how we take risks, and being mentioned on the back of Seth's book Tribes.
A major blog post is coming tomorrow to summarize catalyst west coast, but for now wanted to post a few more pics from this week.
Today was an amazing day. Hillsong United, Brian Houston, Andy Stanley, Fee Band, Ravi Zacharias, Jud Wilhite, Guy Kawasaki, Catherine Rohr, Nick Voijic. Unbelievable! Incredible amount of energy among the leaders who are gathered here in Orange County- all 3,300 in attendance. This is the start of something big for leaders on the West Coast. More on that later. For now, just a quick funny moment - we asked the entire room to give us a shot for Tripp's blog- everyone doing something together. Here is what we got:
Thumbs down!
More updates and reflections to come. So many amazing leaders and strategic conversations and connections being made. Gotta get to bed for another great day tomorrow!
Check it out. We have been working together the last several months on a new project with Leadership Journal. Here it is. Launching today. Brand new digital magazine - CatalystLeadership. Big props go to Marshall Shelley, Skye Jethani, and Nate Johnson from the Christianity Today/Leadership Journal team for making this happen.
This is a FREE digital magazine so that millions of young leaders from around the world can have access to great content and practical application. Check it out and forward to your friends.
A whole new post regarding Airplane Etiquette, or actually lack of it, after a long flight earlier today. New items to add to the list:
1. Tommy Turnaround- the guy in front of me on a number of occasions actually turned around and sat on his armchair facing me, sitting high and looking over the back of his chair. He was reading a book, but it was still creepy.
2. Larry Leaner- Someone may have already brought this one up, but again, had it today for 5 hours! Larry is in the middle, I am in the aisle, and he leans on me as he falls asleep. Multiple elbows, throat clears, and side swipes don't seem to alleviate the issue.
3. Wrong Way Wes- so you know how everybody stands up when the plane gets to the gate, even though you still have 5 minutes before you are even thinking of exiting the plane. So Wes decides to stand up, and then instead of facing towards the front of the plane like everyone else, he decides to stand and look in my direction, towards the back of the plane. Multiple minutes of trying to avoid eye contact at close range is a difficult task!
My view for the next five hours.....
- Check out this three part interview between Louie Giglio and Andy Stanley. This is part one, but go ahead and also download part 2 and 3. Great interview series. - Article on Fast Company's website regarding Scott Belsky and the Behance Conference going on this weekend at the Times Center in New York. The conference is dubbed "the 99% conference," referring to the notion that making ideas happen is 99% perspiration. Scott is the founder of Behance and will be speaking at Catalyst in October. Really excited about hearing him.
- An interesting take on business cards on Tripp's blog.
- You need to read Seth's advice on giving a presentation.
- Amazing stop motion graffiti animation in this video. Check it out. Thanks to Jeremy for the heads up on this. This is unbelievable stuff.
a few pics from our Catalyst West Coast Special Roadtrip Edition Podcast recording. Special guests included Perry Noble, Carlos Whittaker, Aaron Keyes, Tyler Stanton, and Tripp Crosby, along with the Catalyst team. Getting geared up for next week in LA! You can listen to the roadtrip edition here. And if you are heading to the event, listen in your car on your way to Mariners Church, about one hour from arriving!
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Yesterday was on a conference call with several leaders. One of the questions that was asked was "why do you step out and risk when you have a comfortable niche you are running in? Why change if things are going great for you?" Great question. Had to think about my answer. Four things stood out to me on the whole issue of taking a risk:
1. Entrepreneurs and Type A Leaders are never satisfied with the status quo and the comfortable niche. They can't stand to sit still. Their DNA won't allow it.
2. Stewardship- because what you are running or leading is temporary, and your responsibility is to steward it correctly, if others need it, and this requires changing or risking, then you need to step out and continue to push the envelope with what God has given you.
3. Adventure and the power of the pioneer- we are wired to be pioneers. To go on an adventure. Pure and simple.
4. Due diligence suggests it's time to move- do your homework, research, talk to people, and take very seriously the idea that you are risking. It's dumb to step out and change/take a risk if you haven't properly prepared and surveyed the landscape. But once you've done your homework and prepared, then go for it. Many people stifle the actual desire to step out because they spent too much time on due diligence.
check out these photos from yesterday here at the Catalyst office, properly labeled "Dress Up Day." For no reason other than to just be completely goofy. We tried our best to make the pictures look like a cheesy law firm. I think we succeeded.
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I am reading a brand new book right now by my good friend- Tullian Tchividjian- titled Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different.
Tullian has a unique perspective on the Church, Christianity, and living within and outside the "Christian bubble." As the grandson of Billy Graham, he's had life experiences that give him incredible insight into the always pressing question of how do we as followers of Christ live in the world but not of the world.
He recently was hired to lead Coral Ridge Ministries, and is merging the ministry of Coral Ridge and New City Church, the church Tullian founded in 2003.
Tullian wrote this most recent book to make the case that Christians make a difference in this world by being different from the world- challenging Christians to be courageous enough to be different.
Check it out, and pick it up.
Can't wait to hang with the Hillsong United team next week at Catalyst West Coast. Not only are they incredible worship leaders, songwriters, and producers, but they live out their relationship with Jesus on a daily basis. Passionately.
Listen to a recent interview for our Catalyst podcast with Joel Houston and Jad Gillies from the band. You can stream here or listen on itunes.
Their next album, a Cross the Earth, is releasing soon. Believe me, you'll want to get it. I am listening to it right now and it is off the charts.
I'll be joining Eric Bryant, author and the lead navigator for Mosaic Church, on a LIVE teleseminar tomorrow (Tuesday) April 14 at 1:30pm – 2:00pm PST (4:30pm – 5:00pm EST). During the call we’ll talk about leadership and all kinds of interesting things. Make plans to join us for this LIVE teleseminar event. Time permitting we will open the lines to allow you to ask questions and interact. You can also submit questions in advance of the LIVE call via email that we’ll try to address.
You can sign up here.
The Masters Golf Tournament is one of the most special things in all of sports. Why?
1. Great course- Augusta Country Club is one of the top three golf course in the world (Pebble and St. Andrews are the other two). And the Masters is always there at Augusta- every year.
2. Tradition- the Masters is the most prestigious tournament in all of golf, and perhaps in all sports. Past Champions are exempt to play for the entire lifetime. It's great to see folks like Gary Player, Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson and other champions coming back every year to play. Pin placements are the same every year on the greens. The tagline "a tradition unlike no other" holds true.
3. Experience- people love coming to Augusta National, both the patrons (spectators) and the players. Player's families want to be there all week. Seeing the Masters in person one time in your life is a highlight for every golfer.
4. Exclusivity- the hardest ticket to get in all of golf, and overall sports. The badges for tournament rounds are passed down from generation to generation, and getting invited to attend is an amazing privilege.
5. Special auora- every person who sees Augusta National for the first time is overwhelmed. The grounds are immaculate, and the environment is special. And you can eat lunch for around $3. Seriously. Sandwiches are $1, snickers are $.50, and the lemonade is $1.50 and you get the collectors cup. Amazing.
- check out this great post from Seth on "Opening Acts and Rock Stars." - am reading the book "Why Work Sucks" right now. Very interesting book. Story of how Best Buy incorporated a results-only work environment.
- incredible basketball moment caught on video. Kid chunking the basketball. Full court shot. thanks to Jeff for the heads up.
- favorite band I am listening to right now is NeedtoBreathe. Very cool sound. Like combining Hootie and The Fray into one.
- Good Magazine now allows subscribers to pay $50 for a subscription and get a t-shirt and their name included in print. Plus all the proceeds from the regular subscription amount still goes to the charitable organization of their choice. Very innovative.
- TED had 11 million downloads of TED talks on their website last month. 11 million! That is amazing.
- Life Church.tv and Facebook have partnered to make Easter weekend monumental for all your virtual facebook friends. Check out the details here.
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Over the next 30 days, there are six leadership conferences happening that we will be part of. I recommend you attend all of them, but that is probably not humanly possible. Catalyst West- April 22-24, Irvine, CA. Mariners Church. For leaders, primarily under the age of 40.
Exponential Conference- April 20-23, Orlando, FL. First Baptist Church. For church planters.
Q Conference- April 27-29, Austin, TX. For innovators and pioneers in the Church.
ARC All Access- April 27-29, Clayton, NC. C3 Church. For church planters.
Orange- April 29- May 1, Atlanta, GA. Gwinnett Arena. For family ministry leaders.
Drive- May 4-6, Atlanta, GA. North Point Community Church. For senior pastors.
Here at Catalyst, we like to have fun. Thought I would list out some of the things we have incorporated into our culture here that keep things fun, light, and entertaining in the office. We have a mantra: "Work shouldn't suck!" If you are going to spend 40-50 hours a week (and more) with folks, why not make it interesting? Feel free to add some things you've incorporated as well so we can all learn from each other. 1. Cornhole- beanbag toss for grown ups.
2. Basketball- go to your local Wal-Mart, get yourself a Little Tike adjustable goal, and enjoy.
3. Potluck Lunches- works in churches, why not in the office as well.
4. Random Music Mix Days- everyone has different music tastes, let them express their differences. But a key- go buy some Irish music, and make Thursday afternoon at 4:30 "Irish Dance Off Time." Highly recommended.
5. Money Jar- can use this for tips when someone does something extraordinary, or can also use it for "self-policing" rude comments, out-of-bounds statements, or out-of-date jokes. Dwayne Melton on our team pays regularly.
6. Kickball- if you have a parking lot, then game on.
7. Sports related pools- keeps things interesting during slow months, and gives Chad Johnson on our team something to do!
8. Monday morning bragathon- everyone on the team picks out another team member to highlight something great they have recently done. Not just the leader bragging on individuals, but peer to peer. Everyone takes a turn and everyone gets bragged on.
9. Toys on demand- if you want people to be creative, think outside the box, and come up with great ideas, give people the tools to be creative. Literally. I know it sounds childish, but having toys around your office makes a huge difference. Plus it makes your kids want to hang out!
10. Employee Appreciation Days- not just a day to recognize all team members- but entire days focused on one specific employee.
Want to know the people who you keep up with that are interesting. Please share with everyone the three most INTERESTING blogs you follow, and the three most INTERESTING twitter feeds you follow. If you want to share more than three each, that is fine.
Here are mine:
Blogs:
1. Seth Godin
2. Tech Crunch
3. Guy Kawasaki
Twitter:
1. Tony Hawk- @tonyhawk
2. Dave Morin- @davemorin
3. Rainn Wilson- @rainnwilson
4. MC Hammer- @mchammer
5. Jeremy Cowart- @jeremycowart
6. Lance Armstrong- @lancearmstrong
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