Big Is The New Small

South Carolina Governor admits to an affair!  Let’s call it what it is, “It’s not an affair… It’s Adultery and It’s Sin!”  The Governor did make a few of good statements in his press conference: ”There are moral absolutes, God’s law is there to protect you from yourself and there are consequences if you breech those laws.”

I just blogged about this a week ago in a post entitled: “Pastors, Players, Pimps… Stop Cheating!”

Gentlemen, Men, Fathers, Leaders… This Adultery Madness Has Got To Stop!  That’s all I have to say!

If you have something to say, feel free to share your thoughts!

I’ll Go First!

Twitter is not…:

There are so many things that Twitter Is… and even more things that Twitter Is Not! Share your thoughts on any of these 7 Things Twitter Is Not and add some additional things to the Twitter Is Not list.

Twitter is a place to re-tweet stuff that you like… If you liked this post please re-tweet! Thx

I remember early on in my career as a young leader receiving some valuable advice form my leadership mentor in corrections.  I was an ambitious 25 years old Warden and my mentor and I sat in my office while he told me this:  “Scott your biggest challenge is that you are always three or so steps ahead of your staff and you will need to learn to balance your aggressive visionary spirit with being patient at the same time.” 

It took me some time to reflect on whether or not his statement was a compliment; however whether or not it was a compliment really didn’t matter.  The reality was that his statement was spot-on true.  I had to learn to stay a few steps ahead of my team in thought, while at the same time being patient with them and allowing them learn from their mistakes.

I was always the young dreamer that was thinking, planning, evaluating and ready to charge the hill.  I Had To Re-Evaluate My Leadership Style; from that meeting forward I began to learn the art of knowing where  we needed to be as an organization, arranging the right people in the right places and being patient with my staff.  This allowed both of us to grow and develop as leaders.  It’s a great Paradoxical Leadership philosophy: Leading Ahead While Being Patient.  Below are three ways to Lead Ahead While Being Patient and be a Paradoxical Leader.

• Always know where your team members are personally, spiritually & developmentally (Stay 3 steps ahead of them)
• Know the areas where your team members will struggle, fumble & need improvement (Be patient and let them struggle)
• Evaluate, Re-evaluate, Evaluate, Re-evaluate, Make Tough Decisions & Grow (Lead ahead, be patient and adjust accordingly) 

Does this make any sense to you?  It does to me, maybe that’s because I’m just 3 or so steps ahead of you…  Don’t worry, I’ll be patient!

Share your thoughts on the need to re-evaluate leadership styles!  What has been your experience with Paradoxical Leadership?

This short video challenges our standard view about Fathers Day.  Please share your thoughts and add any additional perspectives. A Different Look At Fathers Day: think big… Think Small!

If you search the TwitterWorld you will find Tweeps with a plethora of different Twitter @names; many which are totally unrelated to the Twitterer’s real name.  No matter whether your Twitter account is a business account, personal account or brand account; you should definitely use your Real-Name, Real-Business Name or Real-Brand Name as your Twitter @Name. 

Below are the 10 Reasons Why You Should Use Your Real-Name As Tour Twitter @Name: 

1. It will be simple and easy to locate you in the “Find People” search tool on Twitter Homepage; Remember KISS Keep It Simple Stupid.
2. Similar to the dot.com boom, you don’t want to miss the squatters right to your entitled property, I mean your entitled Twitter name.
3. You don’t want to be like a friend of mine whose name was secured by a pornstar w/ the same name.
4. As Twitter becomes totally mainstream and a household name; you want to make sure your Real-Name is part of the Twousehold.
5. No one really understands your attemptedly cool names like: @mrbigshotguru  @livingforchangetoday  @johniscool  @itweetabunch  @MrsMrsexymama…
6. If someone is trying to follow your business’ Tweets and you have some obscure name, you’ll miss an opportunity to have a virally connected customer.
7. It’s easier for people to retweet you, mention you and make reference to connecting with you.
8. You don’t want to find yourself saying coulda, shoulda, woulda… but I never dida!
9. The President of The United States @BarackObama  uses his Real-Name!
10. It’s practical and it just makes good Twense!

The bottom line is that you are missing out on a great opportunity to stay ahead of the Twurve by securing your Real-Name, Real-Business Name or Real-Brand Name.  If your Twitter Username is already taken, try securing your name with an underscore between your first and last name, or some combination of your real name or brand name. 

Don’t worry about what your followers will think about the change, believe me they will totally appreciate it.  Remember you can always change your Twitter screen-name.  For instance, there are 110 Scott Williams out there in the TwitterWorld, but only one @ScottWilliams  and that would be me. Unfortunately, I’m ScottWilliams.tv on Facebook, missed getting ScottWilliams by 10 seconds.

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect Follower$… go secure/change your name now; while you’re at it secure your kids name as well, I did! 

Do you have your Real-Name as your Twitter @Name? Why or Why Not?  Share any reasons that you would like to add to the list; as well as your thoughts on the 10 Reasons above!

Here is a quick thought video that I shot and originally I was outside, and that’s why I referenced it being windy.  Share your thoughts about why some mighty pastors, businesses, leaders, influencers, sports teams… fall and why some mighty leaders, influencers and Chick-fil-A’s of the world seem to stay on top. 

BigIsTheNewSmall~ Think big… Think SMALL

Sometimes we have to realize that It’s Not Enough! 

• It’s Not Enough to say that you want to be a good parent… Be one!
• It’s Not Enough to not be alone with someone of the opposite sex… Capture sinful thoughts!
• It’s Not Enough to be a ministry leader… Feel the weight and responsibility of your calling!
• It’s Not Enough to be a leader… Make more leaders!
• It’s Not Enough to not use profanity around certain people… Don’t curse at all!
• It’s Not Enough to say you don’t have a problem w/ female pastors… Let em’ lead & Let em’ preach!
• It’s Not Enough to say that you want to be a difference maker… Make a difference!
• It’s Not Enough to say that you love your spouse… Put their needs above yours!
• It’s Not Enough to be a copy-cat… Be an original!
• It’s Not Enough to say “I’ve Seen Enough, Had & Done Enough”… See More, Want More & Do More!

It’s Not Enough!  Think big… Think Small!

There is nothing better than being a father… I mean does it get any better than raising, teaching and developing mini you’s.  I have two son’s (Wesley 10) and (Jayden 6) with two very active schedules.  My boys generally play sports or are involved in some kind of camp almost year around.  My wife and I are always attending a practice or game between both of their schedules.

One of the things that I have noticed about both of my boys, is the fact that they seem to perform different when I’m around.  It doesn’t matter  whether we are talking about practices, games, karate, school events, school plays etc.; when I come around things seem to change.  They try a little harder, they look to the sidelines or in the stands for approval, they look for dad to give them that big thumbs up, high-five, smile or #FistBump.  They understand that no matter how good or bad they perform, daddy is still going to have some encouragement for them; however that doesn’t stop them from trying their best please their daddy.

I began to think about how this concept applies to our Heavenly Father.  No matter what we do God is in the stands watching, He is cheering us on when we’re performing and encouraging us when we are not.  Maybe we should take a play out of my boys and I’m sure your children’s playbook.  We must learn to truly appreciate the fact that the Creator of Heaven and Earth is always in the stands and on the sidelines of this serious game we call ”life” and He desires to give his children a thumbs up, high-five or #FistBump for a job well done.  If we hit a foul ball we know God is still there to give us some encouragement; however that’s no excuse to not to put our faith into action and give it our all.

Just like my boys act a little different when their Father is watching; those of us who are Christ followers must recognize that God is always in the stands watching us and cheering us on at all times. 

God Is Watching… We need to act like it!

How different would the world, our lives and our daily game be if we truly acted like God is watching at all times?  Share your thoughts on this post!

Twitter has many benefits and can be an effective tool for a long list of things.  One of the important benefits of Twitter is that it can make you a better Communicator.  This list below illustrates 7 Ways Twitter Can Improve Your Communication Skills:

1. You  learn to keep you communication pithy.  All communication has to be short, to the point and effective all at the same time.
2. You have to think before you tweet, similar to the need to think before you speak.
3. You have the opportunity to be a student of both effective and ineffective communication; there are millions of Tweeps that fall into both categories.
4. You have to learn the art of crafting your message specifically for your audience. What does your audience want to hear from you?  What makes them listen?
5. You have to find your voice and your style.  Are your tweets random, informational, educational, inspirational…   Effective communicators are authentic, real and have no problem being themselves.  Be Yourself!
6. You learn to embrace the fact that just because you talk doesn’t mean people will listen, developing your audience and creating a tribe is a craft.
7. You have to learn that there are times when you need to communicate alot and there are times when it’s simply OK to say nothing at all.

Do any of these resonate with you?  Share any additional ways that Twitter can improve your Communication Skills?