Big Is The New Small

I have been reading Steven Pressfield’s book the War of Art which is a great little read with some great quotes.  As I was reading back through some of my highlights; here is one of the many quotes that stuck out to me:

Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others.  If they speak at all, it is to offer encouragement.

Please re-read that quote again and allow it to marinate around in your head for just a bit.  Some of the best leaders that I’ve worked for encouraged 10 times more than they criticized.  If you’re confident and realized in your own life, there is no need to beat down others.  I don’t read this quote to say that we can’t find faults or shouldn’t offer constructive criticism…  I process it to say don’t be critical for critical sake.

I hope this is my life motto; to have enough confidence and be realized because of Christ in me, that I don’t have to be overly critical of others.  As leaders, we are responsible to see the best in people, to encourage them, to develop them and to believe in them.  You find me someone who is a great leader, athlete, educator, artist, pastor, musician… and I’ll you a great life coach along their journey, that was realized enough in their own lives to encourage that person to greatness.

Don’t Criticize… Be Realized!

Are You Realized or Do You Just Criticize?  Share your thoughts on this post or Pressfield’s quote.

Neutrality is defined as: the state of being neutral; refusal to take part in a war between other powers; the policy or status of a nation that does not participate in a war between other nations.  Often times “supposed leaders” will take the position of neutrality rather than taking the position of leadership.  Leadership could care less about neutrality and even thrives on the ability to engage in war with other parties, policies, people, practices, direction, rules… if the engagement can result in moving their team closer to the goal.

There is nothing weaker than a “supposed leader” that sits in a room and waits to see the direction that the wind is blowing before they make a decision.  A true leader must have a mind of their own and not simply take the position of neutrality because it’s comfortable, feels good or won’t hurt anyone’s feelings.   Neutrality and insecurity are kissing cousins; they go hand-in-hand “Hi my name is name is Bob and I want to be a leader, but deep down I’m insecure; so instead of embracing leadership, I settle for neutrality.”

A leader should always be wise, discerning and take all things into consideration when making decisions; however they should never make decisions for the sake of being a neutralist.  All of us have either worked for or around a neutralist, or maybe we’re the nuetralist ourselves.  Neutrality Is Not Leadership, because leadership requires movement, engagement, action, war… and neutrality is simply the state of being neutral.

Remember: Your car doesn’t move while in neutral.  Neutrality embraces status quo, while leadership yearns to grow! 

Have you worked for or around a nuetralist?  Are you a struggling neutralist?  Share your thoughts on Neutrality vs. Leadership!

You’re A Minister whether you like it or not! Share your thoughts on this video or your weekend at church!

This Little Big Blog BigIsTheNewSmall.com is a simple place where we can share random thoughts together.  I like to write about and talk about these things: Life, Jesus, Leadership, Family, Social Media, Controversial Stuff, Challenging Things, Twitter, Sports, Books, Conferences, Church Diversity, Ask Questions, Random Stuff, Shoot Video Blogs…

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Scott

Need a Quickie?  Okay, here is a 5 step leadership quickshop: 

1. If you loose your cool or your temper; you will loose respect.
2. Don’t be afraid to empower others and give some leadership away.
3. You can’t give a rip about what people think; stay focused.
4. If you micromanage, you are insecure and you need to get a life.
5. Be bold, don’t compromise, stay true to who you are and people will follow!
6. Bonus: Always maintain a high degree of integrity… No Integrity = No Leader!

What are your thoughts or experiences with any of theses leadership principles?  Again, share your thoughts or share your own quickies!  BigIsTheNewSmall

I’m going to get straight to the point and ask this oh so important question; the question is “Does A Person’s Look Matter?”  As I’m typing this post, I asked that question out loud and my 10 year old son decided to answer the question.  His response was “What do you mean, is it like when I have a friend that kinda looks like a nerd, but he’s actually cool and doesn’t look like he acts?”  EXACTLY!

This is a question that many people don’t want to publicly ask; however we are going to tackle this question from the perspective a person’s look affecting their potential for success.  Does a person’s look affect their potential for success in a partiucular role?  I know this may seem like a shallow discussion; but I’ve experienced the realness of this question while being on the interviewer side of interview panels over the last 16 years.  

A person’s look mattering does not always correlate to attractiveness or beauty, but rather a particular type of  look.  Is this person hip, old, relevant, youthful, attractive… do they match our brand our image etc.  These questions are unfortunately or fortunately very real!  Kansas University Football Coach Marc Mangino (shown in above photo) has experienced the answer to this question first hand.  There is generally more discussion about his weight, then there is about his success or the fact that he can flat out coach.

I am going to list several scenarios pertaining to that question and would like for you just to read along and answer the questions in your head.  Begin every scenario with the following question: 

Does A Person’s Look Matter?

• If they are a Senior Pastor, Worship Pastor or Youth Pastor?
• If they are a News Anchor?
• If they are a Head Coach?
• If they are a Receptionist?
• If they are a CEO?
• Fill in the blank…

Does A Person’s Look Matter?  Should it?  Chime In!

Share any memorable moments or you thoughts on how quick time passes us by! Cherish your moments!

There is something about the word potential that is intriguing; it’s one of those words that has the potential to have a neutral, negative or positive meaning.  Let’s look at the definition of potential:

Potential-  Possible, as opposed to actual; capable of being or becoming; a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.

We use potential to acknowledge that someone or something has the capability of becoming excellent.  We also use potential to recognize that someone or something is far away from reaching the mark and actually may never hit the mark.  Realizing our potential is a very important aspect of our lives.  I was talking to my oldest son one day about potential and this quote just hit me “Potential not realized, is just Potential!”

My buddy Troy Gramling over at Flamingo Road Church consistently shares the purpose of their ministry, which is: “Partnering with people to reach their God-potential as they: connect with God, become like Christ, and influence their world.”  Now that’s the potential that we need to realize… Our God-Potential! 

My personal mission is to strive daily to help others to realize their potential and realizing mine along the way!  Don’t leave this earth have people remember you as the person who had Potential.  Realize Your Potential!

Sincerely,

Potential…

Do you have POTENTIAL or do you just have potential?  Are you helping other people reach their potential?

I spent a number of years in the prison system and the majority of those years were spent as serving as a warden.  During my tenure working with inmates, families and correctional officers, I learned many great life lessons.  One lesson that I learned was “Put Some Water On It.”  This was a commonly used phrase in prison and the short and skinny of what “Put Some Water On It” means is as follows: When an individual is using the bathroom; specifically the Number 2 other inmates will yell or politely say “Put Some Water On It.” 

Generally inmates share a toilet in a small 8×10 cell, or the bathroom is located in a common area and “Putting Some Water On It” refers to flushing the toilet during a bile movement.  Not only flushing but specifically flushing after each plop.  I know that’s (TMI) too much information and (TG) too graphic; however I want you to get the picture.  Putting some water on it will ensure that the number 2 doesn’t stink up an entire area; in other words inmates don’t want to smell others’ stinky poop if they can avoid it. 

Many times we have to smell others stinky poop: Bitterness, Jealousy, Gossiping, Envy, Addictions, Pride, Insecurities, Anger, Lying… and it would be great If we could politely yell “Put Some Water On It!”  It gets old having to deal with other’s stinky poop; especially when all they have to do is flush.  Stop gossiping, stop lying, confess your addictions, humble yourself, get some accountability for your porn problem, get over your insecurities, stop wanting what other people have, get control of your debt… and “Put Some Water On It.”

I am all about helping people with their problem areas; because we all have them.  Sometimes people (me, you, and others) need to just “Put Some Water On It,” flush the stinky poop and stop letting it just sit in the toilet. 

Do you find yourself facing people and their situations and want to say “Put Some Water On It.”   Are there areas of your life in which you need to “Put Some Water On It?”  Honestly, do you just get sick and tired of stinky poop lingering in the toilet? 

Watch the video and share your thoughts on panhandlers and homeless people on the side of the road. Do you generally help (money, food, hygiene items etc.)? What thoughts go through your mind when you pull up to the intersection? What are your thoughts regarding Kevin’s perspective?

Note: It’s a little windy, but it helps with the ambiance!