Lead and Communicate for Life

ALL IN!

2011-04-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

"r u ALL IN..."

It's crazy how time flies and what started two and a half years ago is now coming to a close. Two weeks from yesterday, my final class for MBA in Leadership will be done. This process seems like it just started, but it's incredible how fulfilling this God-given dream and passion is just a step in the direction that God has chosen for us to head in.

I've been attending our Alaska Ministry Network Conference this week. The theme "Experience the Impossible" has been spoken loudly and a challenge for us to be "ALL IN". The impossible isn't based on the impossible situation but whether you are willing to go "ALL IN" and pursue what God has given you to do. Are you willing to really to commit and go "ALL IN" to experience the impossible? To God, ALL IN is just that, all of you. Your time, money, desires, family and anything else that makes you who you are.

Go "ALL IN" and just see what happens!

Expand Beyond Comfort

2011-02-02T12:32:00.000-09:00

growth requires time, resources and stepping beyond the comfortable...

Okay, this post is going to step beyond leadership and step into our personal/spiritual lives as well. Some may disagree, which is okay because that is what this is all about. I want to challenge and be challenged through this. Leadership in business, personal and church life can go hand in hand and many times applies to all areas of our life. This journey that I am walking, has me leading a start-up company, but I've also been in churches serving and speaking into the lives of students for the last 14 years.

Being in this role has helped me to see even more that each of us has an influence, we need to step out and use our God-given identity and gifts to help others change their lives. Whether in business, personally or spiritually; growth requires time resources and us stepping out beyond what we feel is comfortable. A recent post on Facebook said that 80% of most church budgets are going to help the current church attenders to be comfortable. Something is wrong with this. The church is here to reach the lost, change our communities and bring out the gifts of those in the church so that they can reach those around them that are lost.

Business leaders must budget in a way to grow the company. It may mean being a little uncomfortable in the present to see growth in the future. If we personally want to grow, we may have to make decisions that stretch us and make us uncomfortable now so that we can be better tomorrow, next week and next year.

I'm challenged and I challenge you to step beyond the comfortable in all areas. See those that are around you and seek to help their lives be changed. Stretch yourself at work and church so that others will benefit. Maybe going to church or work every day/week isn't about us, but maybe it's about how God wants to use you in other lives!

Behind the Scenes

2011-01-14T22:24:00.000-09:00

...leadership happens when no one else is watching.

Well, many of us deal with daily decisions that have to be made when no one else knows. Integrity is something that many talk about, but most don't know how to define or live it out. It can be easy to make the right decision when little is on the line. Decisions that don't have a big cost or take little consideration, are simple and easy for most people to make.

Leaders that have influence and continue to have influence will need to make the right and moral decision, no matter the cost. As you move forward and gain leadership over others and in your life, be prepared to make the decision that will be difficult when no one else would know and no one else is watching you. What if that right decision meant you losing a shot at a contract worth millions? What if making the right decision seemed to go against what everyone else is doing and no one would care or know any different no matter what you chose. That is integrity! Integrity isn't always an obvious decision but something that is right, moral and Biblical.

Integrity isn't the norm, it's not always easy and you may not be the most popular. There is prosperity and blessing for those that do what's right and live with integrity. What you lose because you made the right decision will come back to you ten-fold! I've been challenged this week and I challenge you to be a leader that lives and breathes integrity even when no one else is watching.

Live or Die?

2011-01-09T00:27:00.000-09:00

...it's time to live and lead like those we influence depend on it.

This is just as much of a challenge to me as those that will read this. It's very easy to get into the rut of living our jobs and lives like we are the only ones that are impacted by what we do. Many of us are secure in our jobs, the positions we serve in and the lives we live. What if there was a potential to loose your job, position or even family if you didn't lead a certain way? Would we live and lead differently?

It's time to live and lead like those we influence depend on it! In our minds we think, "it's okay to just slide by and be average", but those we influence need us to desire excellence in all we do. My kids need me to always be thinking excellence and put every effort that I can into their lives. My job requires me to always be thinking excellence and giving every effort to take my company to the next level. Those around us need us to always live and lead with excellence, integrity and our complete effort. These types of leaders will have greater influence and a greater impact in all areas of their lives. Leadership and influence isn't a part-time gig or a seasonal position, it's who we are!!!

For Life

New Year Strategy

2011-01-01T14:21:00.002-09:00

...resolutions are great // Strategy is Critical!

As 2011 begins many people begin setting resolutions and goals that rarely get accomplished. It's not that people don't try or even put in a good effort, but the fact of the matter is that it's very difficult to accomplish resolutions by simply just setting them. I love goals, I think they are a necessity and anyone that wants to get anywhere in life must set them.

Over the past couple years I've been able to coach several teams/individuals and help them try to meet short-term and long-term goals throughout the season. These goals (resolutions) set by the team are great and give the team direction. However, these goals are not going to accomplish themselves and will be very difficult to reach without a plan or strategy on how to accomplish them. This is where the coach comes in. A team desires to win the game and has that great goal of getting to the post-season, but the coach must create the game plan and help to develop the team to the point of reaching the goal.

When we talk about leadership and goal setting, it is important to set the goals. My challenge to you this year is to set a short-term goal (every 1-3 months) and then set a strategy to accomplish that single goal. Create a plan that is realistic for each time frame and then stick to it. Don't be overwhelmed with more than one goal and all the things that come with them. Break down your goals into bite-sized pieces and then set a strategy to get them done.

Leadership principles are great, but application of them is critical for success. Strategy must be in place or our goals will never become reality!

Ryan

Social Leadership

2010-12-28T22:22:00.001-09:00

...leadership doesn't start or end with a position, but everything you are.

Application of leadership principles can become so overwhelming as we read books, blogs and hear top leadership speakers give us their key insight. Our influence and leadership can become very compartmentalized to a specific role or position that we have within an organization, family or group of people. We desire these principles to be applied to that position and it becomes very difficult to separate our role from the rest of our life.

I propose to you that while many only think to be leaders in their specific role, true leaders allow their leadership to impact all areas of their life. Let's take a look at sports because that is what I know best. There have been Pro Football Quarterbacks that have to be leaders on the field and have done a great job with that role. They apply all that they know to that role and do what they can to influence their teammates to play better. This elevates that entire team.

A few of these quarterbacks have left practice and the game to go out with buddies and make bad decisions. Some of been pulled over for a DUI and yet others have done even worse with harm to others. Their leadership was only compartmentalized to their role and not all areas of their life. I can think of several that lost their influence as quarterback because they weren't leaders socially and in other areas of life.

If we want to influence and to be leaders that impact the world around us, we must realize that we need to have standards and be leaders in all areas. This can be a very big responsibility but when we become leaders in all areas, our influence becomes even greater. Leadership doesn't start or end with a certain role or position, it should be in everything you are.

I challenge you to see all areas of your life as opportunities to influence others. Your decisions not only impact you but all those around you and all areas of your life. Be the one that sets the pace!

Ryan

Celebrating Legacy

2010-12-20T10:31:00.001-09:00

...your legacy is defined by who you were, who you are, and who they will be.

Over the past few days, there have been many circumstances that has shed a whole new light on celebrating Christmas and what it really means for us. This time of the year is more than just presents, giving, receiving, decoration, family and even the Christmas Eve service that you may attend. Those are all great parts of this season but there is sooo much more than that.

As we go about our daily routines and getting ready for this weeks celebrations, other families and friends are experiencing more than we know. We have several friends that have received early Christmas presents in the forms of little babies that happen to have perfect timing, just in-time for Christmas. What a gift, a life and child that will make this one of the best Christmas celebrations ever. While others have lost loved ones in the recent days and weeks. A very close friend of ours just lost his Grandpa and one of the most influential churches in America just lost the founding pastor yesterday after a battle that has seemed to last forever.

Now, these circumstances and experiences can be sad, happy and bring a flood of emotions that we don't always understand. I'm not saying that I know what each of these people is going through, however something hit me that brings new clarity to Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Leadership isn't just about the here and now, but more importantly, how will your leadership will impact the future. Your legacy will be defined by who you were, who you are now and ultimately by who those that follow you will become.

You see, these two great men that passed away in the last week have left a legacy that will be seen for generations to come. Who they were was changed by Jesus (who we celebrate this week), who they are can be seen in those that have followed and have been influenced by these men living out what they were gifted with. Leadership doesn't always feel good and isn't ever easy, but realizing that what we deal with now will impact those that follow brings a whole new meaning to leadership. These little babies that have been born will follow someone and become the man or woman they've been created to be if they have leaders that have legacy in mind, not there own personal agenda.

This week as you celebrate Christmas and go through your traditions, celebrate the legacy that Jesus left. Then, take a look at the legacy you are leaving and the influence that you have in others. We have all made mistakes in our past, but we can create a legacy by what we do now. Be the leader that does the "right" things now to secure the legacy for those that follow you.

Lead like their life depends on it, because it does!

Ryan

Driving Force

2010-12-18T00:08:00.000-09:00

...the life we live isn't limited by titles or methods, but by obedience alone.

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on here and now hope to get back into the swing of things. Writing and discussing the topic of leadership as well as how it apply's to each and everyone of us is the passion of this blog. There are many books and speakers out there that have more knowledge and experience than I do. However, my hope is that I can bring leadership and influence to a place in your life and mine that can be applied and lived out on a daily basis.

The last year has been quite the ride as we transitioned out of a great position and family in Kenai into what we have felt was the next step for us. Ultimately, we are taking this journey one step at a time and seeing the great possibilities that are being opened in front of us. To some we had taken a detour off the "right" path but Heather and I know that the life we live isn't limited by titles or methods, but by obedience alone. As I take a step back and see what has transpired over the last year, this step has been confirmed many times over.

As blog posts come from this page, please understand that each of us lives a journey that requires us to make decisions that are not only about us and our current circumstances, but a legacy and influence that we have been given to live. Your comments, questions and thoughts are always welcome here. My passion to lead and communicate the message I've been given is paramount. This is the driving force to hopefully helping you walk this out on your journey as well.

Ryan

Lasting Leadership

2010-02-11T11:49:00.000-09:00

As we go through life, there are transitions and circumstances that will cause us to wonder what God is doing. Heather and I are currently going through one of these transitions and allowing God to direct our every step. We will be transitioning out of our current position as Youth Pastors here at Kenai New Life Assembly of God at the end of May. It has been amazing to be apart of what God has done in our lives and the lives of our students and leaders at Engage. If the steps God has for us meant staying here another 10 years, that is what we would do. We love the students, staff, and people here very dearly.

God's direction for our lives has never been dictated by money, family, position, or anything else other than desiring for God to do what He has for us. Over the last couple years, God has birthed a passion for leadership and to train church/business leaders in leadership and communication. The only thing I have to compare this to, is when God called me to lead students and become a Youth Pastor. This God given passion to lead people is only from Him and the main reason for starting my MBA in Leadership in January of 2009.

The door has been opened wide for me to take a position as Operations Manager for Tunista Construction a start up company that is a subsidiary of Calista Corporation in Anchorage. This is a very exciting opportunity but also a little scary. The potential of this company and how God is going to use this is up to Him, but we know that this is something we are supposed to do.

Lasting Leadership happens when you pour everything you are into everyone you lead. My desire since being here and for the last few months that we minister here at Kenai New life is to do just that. Joshua did a great job leading the Isrealites into the promise land and conquered many things, but as far as we read he didn't replace himself as leader. After Joshua was done leading, the nation of Israel went down hill fast. Our desire is to pour what God has done in us into our students and leaders so that no matter who the next leader is, God can still work and be evident in the Youth Ministry here in Kenai.

There is still a generation in Kenai that needs to be reached no matter the man or women of God that takes over. Heather and I want our leadership to be lasting so that the next leader can run with what God has started and done over the last 4 1/2 years.

Will you strive to do the same? Your lasting leadership can build momentum and allow change to be a catalyst for something great!

Change in the New Year

2010-01-05T12:44:00.001-09:00

Well, we are back into the swing of things after a great Christmas and New Year. Our family spent a week in with Heather's parents and sister in Wasilla. It was a great time to do nothing except eat too much, play games, and try to get as much sleep as possible. As many do, it is a great season to ponder and think through the last year and make goals for the year to come. Many of us experience some tough times as well as exciting times this last year. What do we expect for Twenty-Ten? What do I want for my family and life in the new year?

The New Year is a great opportunity for change. Many of us shy away from change and do what we can to keep our comfort and schedule intact. However, if we keep doing the same things and remain in what we've always done, we will get the same results we've always had. A new year means that many of us can get a fresh start, create good habits, and make changes that will allow us to live a more fulfilled and fruitful life in the coming year. Great leaders will see change as an opportunity for growth and help others work through the change. Without change our lives, businesses, families will remain the same and the results won't change. If we need different results, than something is going to have to change.

Instead of creating goals or resolutions for the coming year, go after it with passion to change so that we can do our part for a better year. We can blame the government, family, our spouses, our kids, and anyone else we want, but really it comes down to us changing what we can in our lives and leading others. What if we tithed and God could bless us to overflowing? What if we thought of our spouses first and our marriage thrived? What if we did what we could to get our kids and families in the presence of God every week and we saw God not only work in our lives but our families as well? What if our job was an opportunity to speak life into others and God began to change the lives of those around us?

Every decision has a impact and corresponding action by not only us, but those around us. How will we change our decisions in 2010 to get the outcome we desire in all areas of our lives?

Change is good, let's do it with passion!

For Life

Creativity

2009-12-11T14:35:00.001-09:00

Over the last few months, there has been a reoccurring theme of needs and God's response to those needs. Now, I have spent my life in church and doing my best to commit to God and His plan for my life and my family. It seems that no matter how much God does for us we always ask the questions why or when with God. These responses and questions come very naturally to us as human beings dealing with human issues in our world. Our desire to pray and then expect the answer now is very normal for us or we like to think that we know how God is going to do something, we like predictability.

creativity - The quality or ability to create or invent something.

Last night at our worship practice we spent time in prayer and prayed for some really serious needs that several of us were facing as well as talking about new worship. Again, we all deal with things, have dealt with things, and will in the future because that is part of this world that we live. However, after all my years in church and striving to let God lead I thought of something that I've never really given much thought.

He is creativity from the very beginning. God's nature is always creativity and why should we expect anything different from Him. Come on, I mean forming man out of earth, Valley of dry bones coming to life, Jesus the King of all kings being born in a manger, and the creativity in Revelation are just a couple of thousands of examples in the bible. All of us are different, He chooses to heal in a different way every time, He's unpredictable yet stable, He's all knowing but keeps us guessing, He's giving creativity in every breath we take, He's always come through yet we wonder why it doesn't happen like it did last time or in our timing.

Why? Creativity in is the very nature of God and everything he does will be creative in a whole new way. He can't be predictable, because it's not His nature. Spitting in the mud to heal someone's vision, crazy! Feeding 5000 plus people with 5 loaves and 2 fish, unheard of! Speaking the universe into existence in 6 days, extraordinary!

So, if you are going through something difficult, trust in God and His creativity to do it His way and in His timing. What if we asked for His creativity through prayer instead of the answer or response WE want? What if we asked God to move with creativity in our families and churches instead of putting Him in our limiting boxes? What if we stopped comparing churches, people, speakers, moves of God, and worship because we realize that what God did yesterday may not be how He wants to do things today? He desires to be worshiped but gave creativity to those worshiping Him. Worship last year was good, but creativity didn't stop because one song was written! New styles and songs will always be written in worship to God because creativity is in His nature.

Allow God's creativity to flow in your life. Let Him work in an unpredictable and creative way.

For Life

Bottleneck

2009-12-04T11:22:00.000-09:00

Right now as I sit here typing this, I am also drinking a very good bottle of Glaceau smartwater. If you've never had it, it's great stuff and maybe the best water I've had. It's refreshingly smooth with no after taste like some bottled waters, doesn't cost a lot, and very cold just like I like it. This doesn't have a whole lot to do with what I'm about to write except it's in a bottle. Bottles have necks, which allows the water to come to a smaller opening for us to drink out of. I know, you're probably wondering where I'm going with this, but it will all make sense.

"The bottleneck is always at the top of the bottle" - Peter Drucker

Leadership is not always about leading an organization or even people, but has a lot to do with how we lead ourselves. We can't lead anyone else around us if we can't first lead ourselves. When a bottle is filled, the contents must go through the bottleneck and only through the bottleneck. Our lives, our families, and those we lead are directly impacted by what WE allow or don't allow through. If we want to live a life that is blessed and fruitful, we need to allow the right things through the bottleneck and keep other things out. Fear is a great example of this! For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7 However, we allow things into our lives that can cause us fear and keep us from the power, love, and sound mind. As parents, we are the bottleneck that feeds our families (especially dads). What are we allowing into our families or keeping our families from, can impact their lives? Our leadership is a powerful tool that can help enable, encourage, and direct others to positive life changing decisions.

What if we began taking responsibility for what is happening or not happening in our lives? What if we stopped blaming others or God, but realized we are the bottleneck that can allow or not allow blessing? What would happen if our companies, churches, and families began to change because we realized that our influence is not about us at all, but everyone around us?

May we drink a lot of water : ) and realize that God desires great things for us, our families, our churches, and our businesses. Our decisions as the bottleneck will determine how full the bottle gets and what it's filled with. So, open wide, put a check valve in, and let God do what He would love to do in your life!

For Life

Salsa Perspective

2009-11-19T10:19:00.000-09:00

There aren't many people that don't appreciate the incredible taste of really good salsa on a nice warm, crisp tortilla chip. We have a local restaurant that serves the best salsa. Tomatoes on the other hand, not so much! Not sure what it is, but I don't enjoy tomato slices or little red cherry tomatoes but chop or blend that thing up with some peppers, onions, and jalapeños, then we're talking.

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. - Charles DuBois

A very key part of leadership is understanding that we have not arrived and can continually learn or be challenged. Part of leadership is helping people cope with change which means we must be flexible and ready for anything that comes our way. None of us that are reading this have finished the race, but we should all be striving toward the goal to what God is directing us to. This will always require us to sacrifice who we are to become what we need to be. For me, the tomato isn't so good, but when it is changed to become part of the salsa that we all love, that's a great thing.

What if daily we choose to sacrifice part of who we are to become someone that speaks life into others? What if our influence and leadership could grow because we sacrifice our pride, position, or selfishness? May we at any moment sacrifice who we are for what we can become. May we at any moment sacrifice who we are for what our family, business, relationships, or ministry can become. Let's sacrifice what we are today so that tomorrow we can enlarge our influence and help see lives changed.

For Life

Exemplary vs. Servant

2009-11-12T16:12:00.000-09:00

The process of how we lead will define our lives and how we impact others.

This is the thought that I've been contemplating over the past few days. As I continue my education in pursuing my MBA and attempt to bring this knowledge into practical use, I am constantly being challenged to step up in lots of areas. The idea of servant leadership has been passed around for years now and there is so much that we can get from this idea that to be a true leader we must serve people as Jesus did. There is much validity and weight to the teachings of servant leadership, however, I have been challenged to take it another step.

The challenge to you and I is that we become exemplary leaders. Leadership is not about personality or who we think we are, but practice and what we actually do. Exemplary leadership challenges us to use our actions and what we actually do. Business executives that apply this style would train leaders beneath them by being an example and creating other leaders that act and do as the top leader does. Thus creating his or her style of leadership throughout the entire organization. The organization doesn't take on the leaders DNA but the people within the organization take on the leaders DNA.

So, what if you and I took this to our everyday lives? What if we used exemplary leadership in our homes with our kids, at school, at church during our worship services, or with those we work with? What if those around us took our example and had our DNA? What would they look like? My prayer is that my kids will get a double portion of my spiritual DNA, that my example to them will be great, servant-like, and Christ like. May we decide to lead others by example and not worry about messing up, but simply being an example of Christ no matter where we are.

For Life

Back At It

2009-11-11T11:15:00.000-09:00

Well, it's been months since I've blogged and not sure why except that it's been a very busy year. We had our fourth and final baby boy Jude born in January and I started my MBA in Leadership as well. So, that kicked it all off and now we are in November wondering where it all went. God has done some incredible things in all areas from our kids to our students at Engage and our church (Kenai New Life) as a whole. Our youth ministry has raised right at $15,000 for missions this year and we are seeing more students becoming leaders to those around them in incredible ways.

I say all that just to give a very brief update of what has been happening. God has given me a passion for leading and to train leaders in a biblical and passionate way. This blog will be dedicated to just that! Your comments, questions, and any other input are always welcome.

Management is orchestrating things, Leadership is orchestrating people.