Big Is The New Small

It’s always fun to read leadership quotes and hear the varying opinions on the definition of a great leader.  It’s one of those concepts, in which everyone seems to have an opinion about.  If you go to webster and see how they define these two words separately, here is what you get:

• Leader- A Person or thing that leads
• Great- Notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding:

If you combine the two you get something like: Great Leader- A noteable person or thing that is remarkle, exceptional or outstanding at leading.  Although that is a “definition of a great leader” it doesn’t necessarilly communicate my definition or your definition of a great leader.

If I were to ask you to give me a definition of a great leader, we could come up with some amazing quotes, thoughts and definitions.  Instead of asking for a definition, I am wanting you the BigIsTheNewSmall thinkers to define a great leader in one word.  Just like there is power in a quote, there is power in one word.  These words will be unique to you, how you think, who you are, what you’ve expereiced…

The Rules: Define a “Great Leader” in one word.  (You can use the same word that someone else used)

I’ll go fist…  Everyone please join in and who knows, you may see these words pop up in another post or somewhere else at a later date. 

BigIsTheNewSmall: Think Big… Think Small!

I wanted to capture a big snapshot of the Things Twitterers Like About Twitter; so I sent out a simple tweet:  Help w/ a blog post. Answer question in 140 or less “What do you like about Twitter?” your @replies  will be my post! thx RT

The Tribe Has Spoken and the bottom line according to Twitterers is:  Twitter is about connectedness: connecting people to one another, connecting people to products/services, connecting people to information, connecting people to celebrities, connecting connecting connecting.  Below are the 55 Things Twitterers Like About Twitter; I went first and my wife went second.  #FistBump to all my Tweeps that responded! 

 @ScottWilliams  Simple yet powerful way to share, market, connect, influence, learn from, minister to, pray for & {Fist Bump} people from around the globe.

@LaKendria  What I like about twitter? When u say you’re down the street from our home & 2 sec. prior u tweet u just left the office…LOL

@CasualFridays  I love that Twitter is an immediate broadcast tool to a permission-based audience, which = powerful communications.

@lilibeth  @replies keeps u connected with peeps u don’t necessarily get to see everyday

@timjchambers  It’s not just that twitter connects u with people, but It can be a major source of info. U can learn so much from tweets.

@mandeewidrick  Twitter has allowed me to meet great folks from my area. Whether business connections or new friends, I love every bit of it.

@joshinthe818  The ability to network w/ leaders I might never otherwise meet.

@iluvblackwomen  What do you like about Twitter? –> I am able to meet & communicate w/my blck community that i may have never ever met in RL

@brewerma  it is just fun to easily connect with lots of people you’d otherwise never meet.

@scottinnj  I like Twitter because I can tweet a verse from Psalms & it fits perfectly! Love doing that throughout the day.

@aaronbyrnes  It is a social networking hub.

@BPirtThat I’m able to stay connected w/my friends frm miles away. No need to play catch up! I just check my updates and I know whats up!

@jaycaruso  Connections. I’ve connected with some really great people that I didn’t know before.

@VoteMikeJones  allows me to connect with people I never would have been able to without Twitter

@jasonshafer  it makes my circle of influence bigger while exposing myself to greater influences. and it’s fun connecting w/ new people.

@GreatBigStuff  I like that everyone seems to have such BIG personalities

@dness I like Twitter to connect with people who are engaged in thinking and broadening their horizons to consider other views.

@Ellis_n_Thomas  i love twitter’s simplicity the most

@urGrandaddy  Free advertising, easy way to link you to the world, easy way to talk to your favorite celebrities.

@jimmywilliams  So many connections! I never would have thought you could build relationships this way, but it works!

@Tastelikecrazy  Instant feedback and the ability to drain my brain of its many, many thoughts.

@iambendavis  I think your #fistbump is awesome!

@darrencurrin  I like the instant connectivity Twitter gives me as well as the ability to communicate ideas to others in just a few seconds.

@mandymckeown  I like the networking side (follow ppl I’ve never met and learn from them) AND staying connected with ppl who are far away!

@amystats  I like having an ongoing conversation with friends all day long. What can I say? I’m a girl that likes to talk:)

 @ResaPieces  I’m a Twitter Fan because I can express my thoughts and showcase my sometimes vivid experiences.                   

@kelleyhartnett  What I like about Twitter: Access to smart, next-level people who challenge me to be better…professionally and personally.

@mawill  I like Twitter because I can follow people in graphics/ministry. Typically they have awesome ideas, links, and insight.

@sp4rky  its simply amazing.

@mission2be  I am not labeled as rude for butting into a conversation!

@Kimmlee  I like connecting with all sorts of people from around the world.

@CreativeStu  It keeps me connected, allows me to meet new ppl, interact w/ folks outside my normal circle & expand my scope of influence

@mysskay  quick responses, real time access to information/current events and easy networking; also trending topics are helpful

@IslandTeam  It gets to the nuts of the topic and leaves room for a link to explain the rest The mass’ decide what’s good 140 is plenty C?

@russkle  The transitive property of Twitter. I follow people who are cool, thus I feel cool, and others think that I’m cool.

@RomanceLady  I like Twitter for meeting new people and learning about the amazing variety of hobbies and businesses people are involved in

@OutreachMojo  Twitter instantaneously connects me to a world of people I never would have otherwise had the privilege to meet.

@sarnaa  It’s simplicity, the challenge of 140 characters, and the speed & ease of connecting.

@weskriesel  instantaneous connection to sources of expertise & other points of view, insightful responses from caring & invested people

@KateMarie22  reading quotes, thoughts, Bible verses, that bring perspective throughout my day

@andyworcester  I can stalk celebrities now

@Johnwsnyder  The combination of meeting new people, instant messaging, information gathering and overall learning

@InternetGiftGuy  Gr8 idea @ScottWilliams& w/o Twitter I wouldn’t have known about it or u. Exposure to so many perspectives is what I love most #fistbump

@JasonCurlee  Connections

@kevinbussey  connect w/ people I would never have been exposed to

@avtoolman  I like the ease or the challenge of the simple or the pithy post.

@CollinEarl  the ability to network and meet new people. I’ve made some friends on this thing and friends are always good!

@AmandaSims  I like connecting with people and experiences I may have never otherwise encountered.

@EmmysMom  I love seeing what’s on the minds and hearts of people I do and don’t know at any given moment.

@mheerema  augmented relationships with people I would never know otherwise.

@AndreaMonique  The ability to network w people I wouldnt otherwise have the oppurtunity to. They get to learn about me in their own time.

@Coriantura  Immediate, and mostly well-intentioned, answers.

@lspearmanii  ability to convey thoughts in a concise manner and to keep abreast with what is going on real time from thought leaders

@TINAinTULSA  Twitter is like reading headlines of friends’/virtual friends’ lives. Can read on if entices, but still get idea w/ headline.

@MarcMillan  I looove the fact the other people can learn about my leadership, thoughts and insight. Also people know more about me w/out hangin wit me

What do you like about Twitter?  Share your thoughts in general or thoughts on any of these 55 things?  Let’s Keep the list going… Share what you like about Twitter in 140 characters or less!

Get Your Priorities Straight!

1. Get your priorities straight with God.
2. Get your priorities straight with your spouse.
3. Get your priorities straight with your family.
4. Get your priorities straight with your job, your time, your leadership…
5. Get your priorities straight in that area or those areas that just popped into your head.

Decide how you would like each of these areas to look, embrace the cost and the loss… and go make it happen.  Don’t wait until tomorrow, get on the straight road today and Get Your Priorities Straight!

I need to get my priorities straight… Do You?  Share your thoughts? 

I am so sick and tired of hearing about people having affairs; especially those who have been entrusted with a leadership role.  It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about the President, Politicians, Teachers, Pastors, Coaches…  These individuals who have been blessed with the responsibility of leadership influence; should hold that influence tightly, lightly and responsibly all at the same time.

I’m not going to get into the details of the recent pastor who has fallen into this selfish cheating trap, because his name really doesn’t matter.  He is just one of many whom have fallen and one who happened to have a social media influence; therefore instantly his story was spread like a viral wildfire.  I have some blogging friends who have blogged about it and you can read their perspectives here, here , here and here.

Honestly this selfish cheating mess is probably one of the most frustrating/irritating areas to counsel people through; especially when they just don’t get the impact of their selfish actions.  Not only do they not realize the impact, but they would have probably continued if they hadn’t got caught.  This tragedy can also be one of the most rewarding areas to celebrate/praise on the other side and through legitimate restoration.

I know people may say Scott you are naive and it can happen to anybody… but I say this with all the humility I can muster up “IT DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN TO ANYBODY!”  I read through 1 Corinthians 6 again today and I don’t care what version I read, The Message, New Century, NIV… they all communicated the same thing.  Run, Flee, Your Body Is A Temple, You Were Bought By God For a Price…  As Christ Followers and especially as Christian Leaders; we don’t get to pick and choose how we act.  We are held to a higher standard and if we can really do all things through Christ who gives us strength; I have to believe that “all things” encompasses honoring our covenant vows before God and to your spouse.

None of us are perfect, we all sin, we all fall short, we all know right from wrong and I would argue that even a non-believer understands that they are not supposed to cheat on their spouse.  Either we are serious about this journey of a growing relationship with Christ or we are not…  I could go on and on but I digress. 

To My Wife:  I love you, honor you and honor our commitment before God!

Pastors or anyone else who is cheating, flirting or going down that road needs to: stop, flee and run because ultimately Satan is Playing you like a drum and Pimpin’ you like a ho!

Share Your Thoughts!

I pulled up to the stoplight as usual and there he was… that he that I’m referring to was the panhandler!  There is a different panhandler at this intersection every morning; however it was something about this panhandler that took me to school.  In other-words this panhandler began to pan out some really valuable leadership/life lessons. 

 Here are 10 Leadership Lessons From a Panhandler that I learned during a 2 minute stoplight: (He’s not the one pictured in this post)

1. You never get a second chance to make a first impression (Why should I give to you right now)  Make your first impressions count.
2. Your message needs to be clear and concise (Hungry, Broke, Homeless…)  Cast a clear vision, have a clear direction.
3. Respect your clients (Don’t be over bearing)  Know, respect, and appreciate your customers and followers.
4. Persistence Pays (Don’t be to proud to beg and ask… and beg and ask)  If you don’t succeed at first, get a bigger hammer.
5. Make eye contact (When you look someone in the eyes, you might just see their heart)  Non-verbal communication is verbal.
6. Location and Timing (Location and timing are critical, good intersection and during a stoplight)  Know when to hold em’, when to…
7. People follow those with a following (Once one person gives, so will others)  The best way to get people to follow, is to get people to follow.
8. Be Genuine (People can read a phony from a mile away… or even a stoplight away)  Truly care about what your people & the mission.
9. Dress for Success (Look the part, dress the part… attire/look does matter)  The appearance of success is the on-ramp to success.
10. Be Appreciative and Thank God (“Hungry anything will help, God Bless”)  You have what you have because God allowed you to!  Thank God!

Share your thoughts on this post?  What Leadership Lessons have you learned from unlikely places?

There are many reasons that leaders fail; however I thought I would condense the list to 4 memorable reasons in the acronym FAIL.  Here are the 4 Reasons Leaders FAIL:

1. Fake-  A leader who try’s to be someone they are not instead of simply being themselves has a difficult time succeeding, at some point it just catches up to them.  This also applies to the leader that has a different face, different persona, different tone, different everything… when certain people are around.  In other-words when the big boss comes around they put their fake-face on.  Not to say a leader might not make some adjustments when company comes around; however the super-fake-face comes from insecurity of how they act normally.  Remember: Don’t be fake, be yourself… “Do You! It’s A Statement… Not A Question!”  Fake Leaders Fail!
2. Attitude-  One of the primary reasons that a leader fails is because of a poor, negative or a no-can-do attitude.  If a leader thinks he can fly and has a positive can-do attitude; even though they may not be able to fly they will come darn close.  The reason why attitude is important is because that leader’s attitude will rub off on their team members and their followers.  Remember: “Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.” ~Julius in Remember The Titans
3. Integrity-  If a leader doesn’t exhibit a high degree of integrity they will fail.  The integrity issues will either catch up to them (what’s done in the dark, will come to light) or those that follow them won’t respect them.  If team members or followers don’t respect the a leader, it puts the leader in the place of pushing a snowball up hill… it’s a difficult task.  These integrity issues run the gamete: profanity, lying, cheating, stealing, affairs, flirting, yelling, substance abuse, pride-filled decisions etc.  I have worked with many high capacity leaders in both the secular world and ministry that have failed because they allowed their integrity to get off track.  Remember:  Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching. 
4. Lacking-  Although I believe that everyone has potential for some degree of leadership in them; the bottom line is that some leaders fail because they are either: a.) Not the leader they think they are, or b.) Promoted above their leadership capacity/leadership role has outgrown them, or c.)  Not a visionary, or d.) Not a leader at all!   They are lacking what it takes!  Remember: Just because someone has an office, role, title or responsibility doesn’t mean they are a leader.  Leadership is an art, a skill, a craft, a gift… and it must be developed!

Share your thoughts on these 4 Reasons Leaders Fail and add any additional reasons to the list!

THE BIRDS AND THE BE’S

1. Be Real- Be yourself, don’t try to act like some fake guru or millionaire.  If you want to talk about your day, share links, talk about your family, your whereabouts, be funny, be silly, get engaged in the dialogue…  whatever it is just Be Real.  If people want to follow you great; if they want to remove you, that’s fine also, that’s the beauty of Twitter.  “Do You!  It’s A Statement… Not A Question.”
2. Be Revealed- Share a real picture of yourself as your profile pic and not some weird avatar or some models pic that you swiped off the Internet.  If you have a catchy, professional, branded logo… they can be used as well.  Reveal yourself!
3. Be Responsive- If someone is @replying or DM’ing you with something that requires a response, take a few moments at some point in your day to respond.  Remember all DM’s and @replies don’t require a response; don’t get caught up in the unnecessary back-and-forth 2-way conversation.
4. Be Respectful- Don’t use twitter as a vehicle to have arguments, spew expletives, disrespect other Twitterers… and take some of those extra, extra long 2-way conversations to DM.  Only follow those that you want to follow; understand that you can respectfully choose not to follow those that follow you.  Give credit to others, show some RT love. (you can start be Re-tweeting this post)
5. Be Relevant-  Have an understanding of the Twitter culture… In other-words: learn the difference between an @reply  and a DM,  learn the processes and the systems, familiarize yourself with some of the many Twitter Tools & Apps.  Make Twitter relevant to you, your business, your purpose, your vision, your desire, your need…  

Share your thoughts on any of the Birds & The Be’s of Twitter!  Do you have any additional thoughts to add?  If you’re real cool you can add some additional Be’s that begin with Re’s.   ie. Be Renegade, Be Relational

I’m encouraging each and every person who is reading this post to pimp their Twitter.  In other-words, if you have a Twitter account or even multiple accounts, post a coment and let the BlogWorld know about it.  You can share anything you would like about yourself, your tweets, your world, your details etc. or you can simply say something like follow me I’m @scottwilliams. 

You can pimp as many Twitter names as you want; so go ahead and pimp your Pastor’s Twitter, your friends Twitter, your Twitter, Tweeps you like, funny Tweeps, unique Tweeps…“The BlogWorld/Tworld Is Yours!”  Let me start of by pimpin’ my Twitter @scottwilliams.  If you are not following me you should, if you are following me and I’m not following you let me know.

Everyone reading should check out and follow the Tweeps that are being pimped; who knows you might find some new favorite Tweeps to follow!  All you have to do is put the twitter @name  and BigIsTheNewSmall.com will automatically link the Twitter account.

Get Your Pimp On and Re-Tweet This!  BigIsTheNewSmall is Big Pimpin’

All of the LifeChurch.tv Campus Pastors and Central Team Leaders are in town this week for a couple days of fun, fellowship, strategic planning and iron sharpen iron time.  We played dodge-ball and had dinner together last night; today we will be meeting all-day at my campus.

I get the opportunity to share with everyone “How To Create A Healthy Team Culture.”  In preparing for my talk and discussion, I got my team involved.  One thing I asked them to do was answer or comment on this question:   “What is the one piece of advice that you would give to a campus pastor for creating a Healthy Team culture?”  I have compiled their thoughts as written by them into this “13 Ways” list.  You can substitute your organizations name in place of LifeChurch.tv or Campus. 13 Ways To Create A Healthy Staff Culture

1.       I love that we have a flexible environment so I know if I need to get something done I don’t have to come in & explain myself…I just do it!  I think that allows us the margin to do what we need to do and makes us willing to do whatever it takes to get what we need to get done for work done.

2.       To be truly intentional about your relationships with the team.  To reach out and care and know who your team is and what is going on in their lives outside of work. Not that fake I’m your boss routine crap of how are you doing.

3.       Lead by example!!!  In every situation be like that of Christ; so that you won’t cause someone else stumble by your actions!!! 

4.       Fostering an open and non-judgmental work environment, where people feel free to express their thoughts and feelings, empowers your staff to not only enjoy work but to look forward to coming back each day.

5.       Know your team members strengths. Lifechurch went to extreme lengths to hire the right person for that position on your team. The tools have been provided for you to rapidly learn their strengths and personality. Be a student of these strengths and attributes to understand how they contribute to the greater good and purpose of the Campus.

6.       Productivity happens where there is flexibility.

7.       Care about your team members as people, not just as employees. We can tell the difference. Care about what’s going on in their lives, encourage their interests outside of Lifechurch, etc. WHY? I care even more about what I do for LifeChurch if I feel like I am cared about for more than what I bring to LifeChurch.

8.       “Stop controlling, and start releasing your staff.  Realize that God has placed kingdom dreams within your people, and your leadership responsibility is to release what God has placed in your people.”

9.       Your position doesn’t ensure that I will trust.  My trust must be earned.

10.   Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you can’t learn from those you lead.

11.   Have open communication with everyone. If there is an issue with a team member, we ALL talk about it. WHY? When we’re all talking about it candidly, it prevents us from talking behind each other’s backs. It also allows the person with the “issue” to talk about it. When we know where they’re coming from and we know they are working on it, it prevents further frustration. Whether it’s an attitude problem or an issue of meeting deadlines, we all talk about it and encourage each other to grow.

12.   Take the time to be genuinely interested in the lives of your staff. They will want to work for you, if they know they aren’t just another number.

13.   Create a fun environment. WHY? It’s hard to get stressed out about anything because I laugh so much every day. You can work really hard and have a really good time. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Bonus: Minimize Meetings!!!

Share your thoughts on, or experience with any of these 13?  Do you have any additional to add?

I have been dropping my two son’s Jayden (6yo) and Wesley (10yo) off at Basketball Camp this week.  I always give them the same pep talk before every sporting event or game and each talk ends with me asking them one simple question.  The question I always ask is ”Son, what are the two things that you can control?” and they respond “Attitude and Effort!”  That’s Right… Now Go Get em’!

This got me to thinking about leadership and the 2 Things That Leaders Can Control.  Leaders can control their Attitude and their Effort.

1. Attitude-  A leader’s attitude is one of the most important factors when evaluating the health of a team.  If a leader has a “Can-Do” attitude, that attitude will generally rub off on those that follow.  If a leader has a crappy/negative attitude, then you can expect to have a bunch of crappy/negative employees.  Leaders have a choice every single day as to how their attitude will be and that choice will inevitably affect their team…  So if you’re a leader, Choose Wisely!   Quote: I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.
2. Effort-  The bottom line is that you get out what you put in.  The amount of effort that a leader spends dreaming, thinking, plotting, planning, directing, planning, training, developing, believing, thinking, trying, utting forth effort directly impact the results.  This doesn’t mean do all the work and burn the midnight-oil, it means if you want to be a successful leader you have got to put some effort into having a successful team and put forth the effort in all areas to be successful. Quote: We are responsible for the effort, not the outcome.

NBA coaching legend Pat Riley says it best, as he sums up the two of these principles in one great quote: Great effort springs naturally from great attitude.~Pat Riley

How have you seen these two things negative or positively impact a leaders success?  Overall Thoughts?