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

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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Has Your Web Site Got Attention Deficit?

By E. Brown

The two boys slowly crept up toward the mouth of the ancient cave, unaware of the danger that lurked within….

Have I got your attention?

Authors Thomas Davenport and John Beck of the Accenture Institute for Strategic Change say the economy of the future will be one based on attention. Acquiring, maintaining, and managing attention will be key to the business paradigm of the future.

This certainly has interesting implications on how we might strategize business for the years ahead. Yet today, capturing the eyes of Web surfers and then keeping them is a goal no one with a Web site will refute. We, as content developers and sellers, need to be the most concerned about this because we have businesses to grow and bottom lines to keep.

What are ways by which we can hold the long-term attention of our online visitors and customers? Davenport and Beck suggest some of the following Attention Structures that promote “stickiness”…

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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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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