The Ripple Effect of Environmentalism

By E. Brown

Where does environmentalism start? Does it start with current initiatives around the world, in North America, in Alaska? No. It starts in each of us — one person at a time.

Tri Robinson, in his book, Saving God’s Green Earth, discusses how change has historically happened as a ripple effect. It typically starts in one individual and then ripples outward. Tri notes there are seven ripples of environmental transformation that impact our lives:

The first ripple impacts our hearts – What is the environmental condition of your heart? Our inner motivations affect our actions. Are we motivated by a cause bigger than ourselves or by anger? If by anger, it is doomed to fail for the consequences are only short term.

The second ripple impacts our minds – What is polluting your mind? The heart impacts the mind as the ripple spreads outward. Are you controlled by anger, jealousy, resentment, or bitterness? Don’t let your mind be polluted.

The third ripple impacts our bodies – What is polluting your body? If you want to be a steward of the earth, you first need to be a steward of your body. The ripple spreads out and your mind controls your actions. How can you steward the world when you cannot begin with yourself?

The fourth ripple impacts our homes – What is polluting my home, my family, my children, and my marriage? There are very practical and moral applications here.

The fifth ripple impacts the church – What is the condition of the church? The spiritual institutions of our time have veered off course. They used to impact communities and culture, taking the lead in societal issues. The ripple continues to spread.

The sixth ripple impacts our communities and neighborhoods – What is the environmental condition of your community? Again, there are practical and societal applications here. Practical = clean litter off the streets or plant a flower garden . Societal = Host community social events or visit neighbors.

The seventh ripple impacts our planet – Now we begin to see the bigger picture, one that includes making a difference throughout the entire world.

Related
- Environmental Stewardship

We Need To Focus On The Good Stuff

By E. Brown

After hearing an interview with author, Mike Robbins, I agree — we need to focus more on the good stuff. Life is too short.

It is funny, I was talking about this very same thing last night with a group of friends. We are trained from a young age to find the things that are wrong…

“You mispelled that one word” (forget the fact that the 14 others words were spelled correctly)

“You burned the biscuits” (this was the first time they had made biscuits)

“You always leave the toilet seat up” (when you’ve lived on your own for 10+ years, some habits are hard to break)

And, the list goes on. Sound familiar? It is easier to find fault than to find appreciation.

Another by-product of this is that most people do not know how to accept praise and appreciation. You have seen it before, or maybe experienced it first-hand.

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The Reciprocity Principle

By E. Brown

Did you know you cannot out-give? If you give to someone, they will almost always want to give more back. This is the Principle of Reciprocity.

When you look out for your friends and co-workers, they will want to return the favor. Giving is infectious.

The only drawback is the motivation for giving. If you give out of selfish ambition, then guess what? You may get something back, but it will never be what you hoped or as much as you hoped for.  And, when you do not get anything back, you only done harm to yourself because you are the one left feeling hacked-off.

Don’t give to get.

When you give, not expecting a return, the  reciprocal giving is that much sweeter. And, when you give, not expecting a return, your feelings will not have been hurt if you receive nothing in return.

Take a look around your “world”, your social network, your clients, your friends and family — who can you give to?

Have fun!

How Leadership Styles Affect Productivity

By E. Brown

There are 4 primary leadership styles, many of which you can find within most businesses or organizations around the world. These styles are: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative.

Each of the leadership styles have impact on reforming and/or creating company culture. There are short-term and long-term effects for each style. For instance, the authoritative style may produce great results in a short amount of time. However, excessive use of authority will decrease productivity in the long-term. People either get fed up and leave or fall into a malaise of hum-drum repetitive tasks without creativity and innovation.

All the while, a participative style will be unproductive in the short-term. But, the longer this style of leading, the more productive a company can become.

Many leaders never make it to a point of high productivity.

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Leadership Styles: When to Use Them

By E. Brown

In the previous article I discussed the 4 leadership types: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative. I discussed the unique traits of each one and some of the pros/cons. Finally, I covered the fact that there was no “One Style” that fit all — no silver bullets — and that a good leader recognized when to use one style over another.

A question that is often asked is, “When? When do I use one style over another?” In this article I’ll provide some tools for you to better understand when to use the dictatorial style over the consultative style, or the participative style over the authoritative style.

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Leadership Styles: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, Participative

By E. Brown

One of the first leadership books a friend recommended I read was by Myron Rush. He was kind enough to let me read his copy. After I returned the book I searched for a personal copy. I finally found a used one on an obscure Web site that an acquaintance directed me to.

While thumbing through it the other day I was reminded of differing approaches to management. Here is an excerpt and list that I am sure you can relate to.

Leadership Styles

Definitions and descriptions of leaderships styles range from the very simple to the very complex. Leadership styles can be identified by how authority is used, how a leader relates to others, employees minds and muscles are used, and how a leader communicates.

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The 10 Commandments For Leadership

By Don Boykin (Originally titled, What I Wish I Had Known Before I Got Into Management)

Leaders don’t start out as leaders. For example, we started out as writers, then someone put us in a leadership position. The inclination is to drift back to what we know (i.e. writing). What often gets missed here is the connection we should make with those whom we lead and work. Everyone is looking for someone to follow.

10 Commandments

1. It is always about people and relationships.
We tend to focus on the work, rather than the people. Don’t do it! We have to keep our eyes on the people.

2. It’s more about being than doing.
Dr. Henry Blackaby says that leadership development is synonymous with personal growth. The best thing a leader can do for their organization is to grow personally.

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Online Training: Retention is Everyones Issue

Outside of the corporate and university eLearning models user retention often runs amuck. It is common to experience as much as 20-50% attrition writes David P. Diaz. In some cases I have witnessed as much as 30-70% for those organizations that do not attempt to stem the flow of abandonment.

Considered the most significant barriers to online learning are:

1. Technical problems
2. Cost of and access to the Internet
3. Time and support for studies
4. Personal motivation
5. Technical skills
6. Academic skills
7. Social interactions
8. Administrative/instructor issues

From Keith Tyler-Smith’s Abstract – Early Attrition among First Time eLearners: A Review of Factors that
Contribute to Drop-out, Withdrawal and Non-completion Rates of Adult
Learners undertaking eLearning Programmes

Some favorable strategies I have given to companies in need have been the following…

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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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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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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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Serving Life-Changing Causes

Every day nonprofit enterprises work to impact lives in every corner of the world. Theirs is a labor of passion – a mission that demands completion – a duty that reaches beyond the flesh and touches the spirit. But these worthy organizations often face greater challenges then any profit motivated concern. Their every decision impacts the effectiveness of their mission! Each choice builds or begins to decay the opportunity for their future impact.

Sometimes nonprofit leaders need outside help; solid strategic input from qualified, objective guides who, through detached observation, can help them see all the aspects of planning and its impact on their vision. Wisdom from an expert team that will collaborate to offer innovative understanding and support for leadership choices. What is needed is a source for comprehensive solutions that is offered from a 360 degree perspective; strategic vision sharing, prudent planning, and efficient implementation that offers continuous innovation and a tangible difference.

360 Visioneering (360V) provides leaders with that solution. We are dedicated to understanding our client organization’s mission and serving it with creativity, innovation, impact, and efficiency. The visioneers of 360V bring to the team more than 50 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience. They have worked with many causes that serve both the United States and the world. 360V strengths are in the strategic disciplines that helps guide our clients towards the “true North” of their mission.

Before mission is vision – Before vision is passion
Before passion – A holy call – A divine discontent