Big Is The New Small

I am always reading something, thinking about reading something, just beginning to read something… and sometimes it’s several books simultaneously.  Here are the 4 books that are currently On My Desk Or In My Bag:

1. The Principle Of The Path: Andy Stanley
2. How The Mighty Fall: Jim Collins
3. The War Of Art:  Steven Pressfield
4. Axiom:  Bill Hybels

I usually read my Bible on my iPhone or YouVersion; however lately I have been reading the physical book.  That sounds kinda crazy… first it was the printing press, now look what the world has come to. 

Have you read or plan on reading any of the above books?  What books are On Your Desk or In Your Bag?

Leadership is an art and it’s an art that anyone can learn for the most part.  Just because someone learns an art doesn’t mean they will be good or effective.  Just think about all of the painters, musicians, communicators, or artists of any sort; although they have learned an art very few get through the threshold of simply being an artist, to being an effective artist.  That same statement is true for the art of leadership… there are many leaders who never become effective leaders.

Here are 6 Steps To Become An Effective Leader: 

1. Recognize- Recognize that leadership is a gift, an art, a craft… that has to be continually developed.  Seek out and be willing to learn from effective leaders who have developed this craft we call leadership.
2. Realize- Realize the fact that although leadership is a craft, it is not rocket science.  STOP MAKING IT SO DIFFICULT.  I repeat, unless you are a leader at NASA, your leadership role is not rocket science; chill-out and quit making things so hard on yourself and others.  BTW- If you are a leader at NASA or a rocket scientist, you should probably be asking the tough question: “Is what we do still necessary or relevant?”
3. Remember- Remember The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!”  Most leaders’ barley remember the bronze rule, let alone The Golden Rule.  As a leader it’s important to care about your people, to love your people, to care about their interests, care about their success… to treat them how you would want and expect someone to treat you.  Remember in order to become an effective leader you have to understand that “Relationships Matter!”
4. Replicate- Replicate what works and don’t force things that don’t work.  Don’t try to be a replicate of another leader or simply replicate what you have read in a book, but rather replicate the effective “What Works” concept into who you are and what you do!
5. Resurrect- Resurrect a dying team member; an effective leader has the ability to take a dying team member on the verge of being fired and help resurrect them into a story that begins with this sentence… “There was a time when so and so team member was on the verge of being fired and so and so leader believed in them… Wow, Look at how successful they are now!”
6. Reinvent- Reinvent the way leadership is carried out!  Break the box, find a new way, figure out what works for you, don’t be scared to be different, reinvent what might has been seen as irrefutable.  Reinvent out of hunger, creativity, thinking, believing, seeking etc.; don’t reinvent for the sake of reinventing!  ”Don’t reinvent the wheel” applies to those who reinvent for the sake of reinventing!

Have you seen any of these steps carried out?  Share your thoughts on these steps or what it means to be an Effective Leader!

Should kids play with guns? Why or Why Not? Share your thoughts…

If you have some complaints about my stance… feel free to visit my website idon’tcare.com

Since #FollowFriday is dying a slow death and can barely make the Trending topics anymore, I thought I would capture the essence of what makes people follow others on Twitter.  I sent out a tweet asking this simple question:   What makes you want to follow someone on twitter? Your @replies will be a blogpost! Ready, Set, Go!

The Tribe Had Spoken and the bottom line according to Twitterers is:  People want to follow Tweeps that are interesting, like minded, provide useful information, good content, authentic, tweet about God, responsive, real, humorous, interesting profile…  The overwhelming response is that people want to follow interesting people!  Check out these 70 Reasons People Follow You On Twitter! Remember, your overall best bet to get followers is not to follow some get rich follower scheme; instead reciprocate and interesting in some shape, form or fashion!

Note:  This post is almost a year old and still seems to resonate.  I think Follow Friday may be making a comeback since this post was written. 5-21-01

1. @ScottWilliams  I follow all types of tweeps; however I prefer those who are real, interesting, enlightening, inspiring, humorous & those who @reply & folow me!
2. @dustytakle  Some people are just entertaining
3. @vinceparker  I like to follow people who have interesting tweets.
4. @LifeChurchNW  I you are a staff member of the NW Oklahoma City Campus of LifeChurch.tv
5. @StephyBarlow   The tweeter must have challenging or humorous tweets. Love deep thinking and a good laugh!
6. @msfbpuddin  if their tweets are retweetable or I know them and so I can’t ignore them…
7. @StefLeppard  I follow on Twitter ppl I know, who have similar interests, ppl or orgs who want to make world or community better…
8. @chuckdennie  a positive approach to life, lessons on leadeship, and people who don’t take themselves too seriously get a follow from me
9. @rebeccagood  what @chuckdennie said. if you aint got nothing inteesting to say, you don’t get a follow from me.
10. @find_ch  a fun bio is my first hook (people, BIO!) then an occupation or hobby I like + plus good/fun tweets w/out doing 50 a min 24/7
11. @mnphysicist  engaging folks, RT’s, interesting tweets, links, & bio = follow. no follow if get rich quick, porn, spam, or fake expert
12. @coffeechicka  content of their timeline..how oftn they post.I dnt exclude them if they dnt tweet bout #jesus, but dnt tolerate profanity.
13. @rogerbain  What makes me what to follow someone on twitter? People who tweet significant or applicable info. get followed.
14. @Kimmlee   If they have something interesting, entertaining, or inspirational to say then I’ll follow them.
15. @marjae  If we have common interests, live in a nearby geographic vicinity, or I feel they can teach me something I want to learn
16. @MarjyMeechan  Interesting tweets, interesting website and interaction with followers, some kind of avatar and no promises of followers.
17. @speli  I follow those that engage in kind interaction with interesting information and those in fields where I would like to be.
18. @doglvr4evr  relevance to me/my life, inspiration, knowledge, exchange opinions
19. @aldrineperez  Either they’re a celebrity or a frequent blogger.
20. @DakmansGiggidy  for you brother wisdom!
21. @awaketoday  Nice avatar+fun bio+ONE interesting tweet = follow
22. @Rick_Smith  If they are actually saying something! (most people on twitter aren’t saying anything!) oh yah, and your not a SEO “expert”
23. @DannyBDaniels  I look for encouragers on Twitter.
24. @jimbotts People who remind me that Jesus is King, and help me fulfill His mission better!
25. @joshchapman content, content, content
26. @nadia_alexis I follow interesting people. What matters most to me is if I can learn from them or hold conversations with them on Twitter.
27. @Andrew_Martin  do I know them, r they friends, I’m not much for following coaches, marketing etc, it’s a tool to connect with friends
28. @Poetwriter  People who are interesting and one step beyond the normal feed. People who stand out with clarity.
29. @QualityFrog  Interesting discussion w others I know leads me to follow. (Too bad twitter no longer shows @replies to those I don’t follow)
30. @MissSaraMarie  I’m a little late but I follow people because they are funny, smart, savvy and give me something to think about.
31. @kylepanter I follow ppl I know & those I want 2 get 2 know. I also follow a few pro golfers 2 learn from the best.
32. @marvinlwilliams  I like to follow ppl who add value to my life and ministry, ppl who r thinkers, ppl who are funny, and ppl who r transparent.
33. @faceitgc I want to follow ppl that give me tips & resources as well as enlarge my online influence
34. @cedarcreek_  I follow those who aren’t afraid to expose their human side. Quotations I can get from a bot. Solutions ++, Complaints-
35. @offgridworship   It’s easy to unfollow, so I give peeps who follow me a chance unless they are obviously just promoting a product or service.
36. @eddie_stephens  and following those who I just like staying connected with…everyones generally interesting if they can keep it to 140 char
37. @offgridworship  It’s easier to tell you why I don’t follow. They are following a bunch of people & have like 1 update-a link to a website.
38. @lisacolondelay  I follow creative, interesting, people of all stripes. usually enjoy a good attitude more. The more brains, the better.
39. @eddie_stephens  I enjoy following those who inspire, help me think outside the lines, r occasionally random, and r real minus hype
40. @CowboyJoey  ppl that I cn connect w/! R they just talking or do they have something 2 say! Also lk ppl who follow back. Sports stuf 2
41. @shellyinGB   I know them irl, or a celeb I want 2 follow, or I’ve connected w/them thru online community or they seem interesting
42. @iChilly  sexy profile pic (of course)! hmmm, well, maybe not. I follow people that have a point. I follow people who talk about God
43. @derrickhenslee  like to follow people I’ve connected with or share similar challenges with. I also like people that challenge my thinking.
44. @chriswhill  I like following peeps with common interests. There’s just something about a common bond.
45. @Ninapilar  Mutual interest in varied issues = instant access to news I want to hear instead of limited info provided via mass media
46. @1ANDONLYHEATHER  people that share your intrests, people you think are funny, or that you know…
47. @Johnwsnyder  authenticity and originality.
48. @melindadanielle  I know them personally, or have some common interest with them.. like church or sound or something
49. @michaelharrison  I follow those who inspire me & r passionate about serving others n Jesus’ name. Encouragers r rare. Being real is so needed
50. @mushymishy  > I follow those who share the same interest w/ mine and those posting helpful links about blogging and web design.
51. @sojourner5  I follow people who have something in common with me, or have interesting or funny things to say + people I know.
52. @adawk  I follow people with similiar interest, people who are near my locale, people who tweet thought provoking ideas
53. @kenmillerjr  …to keep up-to-date with thoughts, opinions or what my friends are doing.
54. @steveharrison  like 2 follow those I know, who I have commonality with, encouragers, & those who r real!!
55. @kenmillerjr  …with that I would have never been able to connect without Twitter. That is just one reason. Another one is the ability…
56. @pamfidler  I find those I follow most R inspiring, encourageing, enlightening, & tru compassionate friends or those who wld lk 2 B.
57. @cGt2099  I check ratio of followers vs following. If they have more followers, they usually have something interesting to say
58. @kenmillerjr  Interesting and relevant posts to what I do and things I enjoy. It is also great meeting new people that I can communicate…
59. @steveb7  I only follow someone inspiring, interesting, or really funny.
60. @joshbuckner  Thoughtful tweets and authenticity!
61. @jdunham  I follow people who expand my knowledge and my mind. Not narcissistic tweets about navel gazing.
62. @boobtubious  People that are funny and/or informative.
63. @ThisisMo  If someone I respect is following them, then I will. I figure great leaders listen to other great leaders, so I eavesdrop
64. @gidgey  frequent and interesting, uplifting posts
65. @tcrobinson  Similar interests, whether religion, sports, politics, music, books, and so on…
66. @bill_todd  solid content, Komedy Gold, helpful links, interesting people. I follow most who follow me.
67. @mikedmerrill  Share valuable content, engage and RT your content, Positivity, full profile
68. @alexsantxo  one who disseminates good content and one who is willing to engage every now & then. Humour is great also.
69. @rickwhite   informs me, inspires me, or encourages me.
70. @dodegaard   how they challenge my own thinking. Others because they make me laugh like I need at least once everyday. Enriches life.

Share your thoughts on any of these Reasons and add additional to the list!  RT

#FistBump to all my Tweeps that responded and Thx 4 Following Me!

Are you having fun yet? Share Your Thoughts!

Believe it or not, your Twitter profile has more of an impact on determining your overall Twitter presence and whether or not someone wants to connect with you than you may think.  Here are 6 Ways To Make Your Twitter Profile Work:

1. Your Bio.-Make sure your Bio. is complete and speaks to your personality.  Remember there are many ways to say the same thing; state your bio. in your unique way.   It can be a one-liner, a joke, details, hashtags, traditional…  make it you and make it work.   No Bio. = #FAIL!
2. Your Pic.-  Make sure that your profile pic. is a real picture of you or your brand’s logo.  The pic. should be a tight shot, preferably a head-shot; no full-lengths or far-away shots..  Don’t waste your time with the Avatars; you are too unique to have some computer generated version of you.  Your profile pic. is one of the most important aspects of your profile, Tweeps need to know who you are before they listen to what you say.   If you are using your brand or logo, make sure it’s scalable to make sense for a Twitter profile pic. N0 Profile Pic. = #Fail
3. Your Background- Make sure that your background reflects your personality.  You can have a custom background created or there are plenty of free backgrounds out there…  if you don’t believe me just Google, Free Twitter Backgrounds.  Having a great twitter background doesn’t mean that it has to be really busy or custom; you can utilize the standard Twitter backgrounds simply put together a color scheme that is uniquely you.  Standard Twitter Background and Colors = #Fail
4. Your Location- Make sure that you either use your iPhone location or real City, State, County or Area Code.  It’s great to know what area of the world that tweeps are representin’.  If it’s a brand without a specific location or multiple locations, you can use a catchy saying that reflects those locations.  No Location or Silly Location = #Fail
5. Your Web- Use either a custom twitter landing page, your website or blog, facebook page or leave it blank if you don’t have one.  This is a great opportunity for people to connect with you at another level; however make sure that your blog is current.  The Web is the only part of your profile that may be appropriate to leave blank.  Linking a blog that hasn’t been updated in months = #Fail.
6. Your Tweets- Make sure that you are saying something; in other-words tweet Something and tweet something of your own.  Don’t have extended periods of not tweeting, all @replies or all re-tweets.   No tweets + all @Replies + Re-Tweets Only = #Fail

Share your thoughts on these 6 Ways or add additionals to the list!

I’M NOT PERFECT…

I’m not a perfect parent; but I do a darn good job of loving and leading my children.

I’m not a perfect pastor; but I learn, lead, read, dream, counsel and attempt to make a positive impact on my team, my flock and my community.

I’m not a perfect social media guy; but I do a great job of keepin’ it real, sharing what’s on my heart, letting people into my world, inspiring people, sharing positive tidbits and making people ask why.

I’m not a perfect husband; but I always try to honor, respect and appreciate my wife for who she is and who she can be. I love her and she loves me.

The bottom line is that I’m not perfect and neither are you; but that doesn’t stop us from trying, learning,  leading, sharing, growing, doing a darn good job and even doing a great jobs at the little things of life.

Just because I’m Not Perfect… doesn’t mean that I’m Not Great!  

~I Am Scott; however In Christ, I Am Great!~

Do you have a popular portable food spot like this in your area?  If So, where is it located and what are they famous for? Share any of your experiences with Suburbs Meeting The Hood!  

Have you ever been to BoBo’s?

Funny Story: The handwritten sign read “Wings and Things.”   One of the guys with us asked the guy at the counter “Are wings and thighs the only things that you serve?” The guy responded “Wings and Things Man… Wings and Things… Not Thighs!” LOL BTW- Things = Fries and a Fried Biscuit!

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.  Instead of defining what a great leader, we are going to define a Poor Leader.  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
• Poor- Deficient or lacking in something specified, lacking in skill, ability, or training, deficient in desirable ingredients, qualities

If you combine the two you get something like: Poor Leader- A person in a leadership role that lacks the necessary skill, ability, and overall qualties to effectively lead.  Although that is a “definition of a poor leader” it doesn’t necessarilly communicate my definition or your definition of a poor leader.

If I were to ask you to give me a definition of a poor 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 poor leader in one word.  We did this same exercises with Great Leader, not long ago.  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 experienced…

The Rules: Define a “Poor Leader” in one word.  (You can use the same word that someone else used)  You can’t use your boss or anyone else’s name!

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!