I have had lots of conversations recently about how difficult life is. Not in the facetious kind of way, but in all seriousness. Growing up has its share of aches and pains. Add in the pressures of society, leadership in the work place, and the strife to be like Jesus, and that’s a huge load. Our life is hard! And living well can be painful. We are navigating awkward situations, which demand our immediate attention, that have unforeseen consequences. Sometimes life is just the opposite of fun. It is hard. Life is difficult and stressful, and yet uniquely gorgeous. It can be so simple...

It is no secret that “Collaboration is King.”  Although I am personally all for collaboration, there are guidelines and ways to do it more effectively.  Collaboration is a tool in which we need to learn how to use effectively because just as author Morten Hansen describes in his book Collaboration, “Bad collaboration is much worse than no collaboration.”   I am not an expert at collaboration by any means, but feel as if I have been privileged to be part of numerous projects that have lent itself to collaboration.  In my experience...

I left my office job last year to squad lead for the World Race. It was pretty sudden, but fortunately a very competent man took my place.   While I was on the Race I was pretty serious about two things: Developing leaders Discipling the guys. I didn’t have time to waste, so it was difficult for me to invest in everyone.   Fortunately, the first month had everyone together in Guatemala. That made it easy!   I made it a point to get one-on-one time with one guy in particular. We’ll call him Juan (because I really don’t know who’s going to read...

Before you read this, I challenge you to put your phone down, close your inbox, and just read. Whoever said multitasking is more productive obviously doesn't know the power of focusing and finding balance. It's evident in every aspect of our lives, from our cell phones to our work loads to everything we try to do in our "free time." Sit down at any table in restaurant and watch at relationships deteriorate because those at the table are actually in a whole other world keeping up with their online social profiles. Look at all the self-help books that give us 10...

In the ELP we are working on "Happy Days Project."  The goal is raise the overall happiness level in the organization through each person.   Sound fun right?  Well it is!   We have some very innovative ideas that we are working on.  I thought it would be wise to find out what actually makes people happy.  Here is some insight from Happy a documentary I saw on Netflix.   What everyone says makes you happy BUT is FALSE: Extrinsic goals :: Things outside of yourself you obtain. Money – wealth  Image –...

 Trust is a powerful thing. With it, we’ll do anything for a person. Without it, a simple question will be looked upon with doubt. This is especially true in leadership.   Recently, a study was released stating that trust in business leaders is as low as 18 percent and that governments have a dismal 13 percent trust rating. (via cnbc)   You can make all sorts of assumptions about why businesses and governments are failing, but it would be quite unwise to think trust doesn’t have a major impact in that. Trust breeds trust, and when that mutual trusts sprouts...