Organizational Killer: Leadership Insecurity

By E. Brown

I talked with a friend yesterday who recently left a job. I was shocked and concerned to hear how the company and its culture had changed within a very short period of time. Over the course of 5 months communication went from full-disclosure to hidden agendas, from mission-minded to money-centered, from exciting to discouraging, and from encouraging to fearful and intimidating. What could bring on this hideous transformation in such a short time? This is the result of leadership insecurity.

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7 Best Words for Leaders

By E. Brown

You’ve worked your way up into management. You started at the bottom and you learned every aspect of the business to this point. Now you’re leading a team, a department, or an organization and it feels great. You are the “go to” person with all the answers. Yet, over the last few months you have noticed this nagging in the back of your mind…

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New to Online Learning?

By: E. Brown

As more and more non-profits head into the world of computer based learning and training, they often venture into territory that is very new and very unfamiliar. Listed here are some (not all) of the potential issues non-profit organizations need to consider before foraging out to build their new online training initiatives.

We hope you find this article helpful.

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The Power Principle

By E. Brown

Ever heard the term, We’re living on borrowed time? For those of us in positions of power and authority a variation holds true: We’re living with temporary power. This is what I call the Power Principle.

I was reminded of this the other day by my friend, Andy. He commented that we’re all given a certain degree of power. We all have influence in certain arenas of our lives — for a time. The power will not always last and it can be taken away. How we use the power we have is tantamount. Are we leveraging our power for the good of others or for our own selfish ambitions?

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Life and Leadership Integrity

By E. Brown

I have had this on a 3×5 card on my desk for years. I look at it often along with other cards I have written inspirational thoughts and quotes on. If you like this, grab an index card and write it down for keeping on your desk. Make the same habit of collecting quotes and encouraging tidbits to inspire you toward higher goals.

Integrity:

- I will live what I teach.

- I will do what I say.

- I will be honest with others.

- I will put what is best for others ahead of me.

- I will be transparent and vulnerable.

Leadership: “Gardeners” Needed

By E. Brown

My friend, Dr. Tim Elmore, made some interesting observations. He studied world events and how each generation since the 1950’s have viewed leadership. He recognized how leadership styles have evolved over the years. He then categorized a series of leadership styles based upon his findings.

As a new generation of workers/employees come on board, we agree with Dr. Elmore, that a new kind of leader is needed. What does that new leader look like? What qualities does he/she possess? How much experience does this leader need?

The brief descriptions below were taken from his white paper: A New Kind of Leader.

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Leading or Competing?

By E. Brown

“Having influence” is a broad definition of leadership. Within 360 Visioneering we often talk about Christian media and ministries taking a leadership role on the World Wide Web. Is it possible to be a leader, considering such popular sites as Microsoft, Time Warner, Yahoo!, eBay, Amazon, and Google?

I say yes. Before you write me off as an idealist, think about a few things. While it is true that many ministries have neither the budgets nor the staffs that the companies noted above have, big budgets and big staffs do not automatically secure the popularity or success of a web-based initiative. You and I serve a big Creator who owns all the resources necessary to influence lives on a global scale. What can we do to get in on His agenda?

We first must ask the question: With the Internet as part of God’s plan to reach the world, are we committed to using this medium to make an eternal impact? The following are checkpoints to gauge where you are as an organization in your commitment to use the Internet.

1) Have clear direction. Ask God to define the purpose of your Web-based initiatives, then make sure your team has clear direction about the tasks at hand.

2) Build for success. Ensure that the structure of your team has the components for success. First, create the right motivating tasks that generate results. Second, compose a good mix of diversely skilled and talented team members. Third, set the expectations for how your team should work together within the boundaries of your organization.

3) Give full support. Give your staff access to training and consultation. Share appropriate information with your staff and include them in planning. Provide your team with the resources they need to get the job done – tools, space, or whatever the job requires.

This may be revolutionary in your organizational thinking. But, isn’t God’s way revolutionary? Jesus was revolutionary in the way He dealt with people and priorities. He was on His Father’s agenda and had clear direction. He gathered a diverse, talented group and set expectations. Finally, He trained and provided the resources to get the job done. As a result Christ not only influenced 12 men, but also generations to come. Our calling is not to compete with the popular sites on the Web. We never will be able to compete with them. Our calling is to lead people to Christ and influence their lives.

Community & Team Work

By E. Brown

I like these pieces from Rory Noland’s book, The Heart of the Artist. They speak to the things I am interested in: creativity, teams and team work, community, and learning. These particular points are from the chapter, The Artist in Community.

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The Motivator: Lessons for Leaders

By E. Brown

Listed here are a series of statements that we have found resourceful when thinking about leadership. These statements apply to managers and leaders in churches and other nonprofit organizations.

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Be Careful What You Say

As a leader, any little thing you say and how you say it comes under scrutiny. Your words can impact like a gentle whisper or like a roaring lion. If you are in any kind of leadership role take heed to what former professor Gene Jennings had to say.

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Top 3 Nonprofit No-no’s

By E. Brown

In our interacting with many Nonprofit organizations, we have noticed certain tendencies and assumptions regarding their online brand and outreach. Here are listed the three most common issues we have observed.

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Is Your Content Going Global?

By E. Brown

“Going Global” can be the Midas touch or death touch of any organization. Understanding the unique aspects of language and culture is time consuming to say the least. In an effort to “get to market” quickly, many companies and non-profits overlook (and sometimes hop over) the requirements for a successful launch into other countries.

For those leveraging the Web, content is a primary source for positioning in the global market. Translating the content is a must and good translation is tantamount to establishing a successful worldwide brand.

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