LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don't need to escape from." Seth Godin

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I heard Seth Godin speak at a conference years ago, and I was drawn to the way he communicates really complex ideas in a simple and practical way. I've followed his blog and his books for years, and this month I want to share a couple of his quotes that will just make you think a little bit!

Godin says what others sometimes aren't willing to say. He cuts to the simple truth and pushes people to examine themselves.

This quote above is a perfect illustration of his style.

He drops these words, then he lets us wrestle with them and determine what they might mean to each of us personally.

There's nothing wrong with vacation, that's not the point.

The question he's causing me to ask myself is if I'm content with the life I am living currently. Do I need to constantly find ways to escape from that and if so, why?

I just returned a few weeks ago from a week away. It was a week of rest, reading, enjoying time with Gina and friends, and true replenishment. I wasn't running from my life, I was running towards rest.

What questions are stirred up in you when you read Godin's quote?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“Without courage we will simply accumulate a collection of good ideas and regrets." Andy Stanley

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This is the last quote from Andy Stanley we'll share as we finish the month of July. I shared this earlier in the month, but Andy continues to challenge me in my leadership, in my faith and in my pursuit of God's call on my life. His books continue to bring value to my life and leadership, and he's one of the authors I continually return to for inspiration and truth.

When I think about the quote above, I can picture Stanley saying this because he has a way of saying it like it is.

He's reminding us of the power of courage in our lives, and speaking to those of us who at times get stuck.

Courage can be defined in many ways. Look at these definitions:

• "The ability to do something that frightens one"

• "Strength in the face of pain or grief"

• "To give support, confidence, or hope to someone"

• "Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty"

Which one makes the most sense to you? What does courage look like in your life?

What is it that keeps you from responding with COURAGE?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“Giving up something now for something better later is not a sacrifice. It is an investment." Andy Stanley

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

We're continuing to look at some quotes from Andy Stanley this month.

Every once in a while, after hearing a message from multiple people for years, you hear it again, and you actually listen to it and think about it.

That's this quote for me.

I've always heard people talk about learning to say NO.

Jim Burns, a lifelong mentor in my life, taught me that message early on.

Steve Jobs, Ted Engstrom, John Maxwell, Ghandi, Warren Buffett, Stephen Covey, and many other leaders I've followed over the years have all spoken about the importance of saying NO to the wrong things, and YES to the right things.

Stanley's words around this common theme add another layer to our "NO's" by defining it as an "investment" rather than a "sacrifice".

I really like this idea.

Saying NO to things that I want to do is a discipline. I only have a given amount of time, and everyday I have to make really difficult choices.

When I fix my eyes on the long-term, on the results of the decisions I'm making today, it gives me courage and clarity to make the decisions I really need to make.

Think of ONE THING you said NO too that was an "investment in the future" decision? How do you feel about that decision?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“Leaders who refuse to listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing helpful to say." Andy Stanley

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

We're looking at some quotes from Andy Stanley this month. There is a lot of content because I've followed Stanley as a Pastor as well as a Leadership Expert. Some of his podcasts and interviews with leaders over the years have really helped me in my growth and development as a leader.

This quote is profound in that it's a harsh reminder to all of us to value the thoughts and ideas of those around us.

There's a balancing act that takes place when you're in the leadership seat. We're taught to be ready to make the tough decisions, we're challenged to trust our instincts and we're applauded when we take a risk that pays off.

A leader has to be willing to manage the "weight" of those decisions, whether they lead to success or failure.

What we don't talk about as much is how important it is for leaders to hear from those around them. We need feedback, input, honest evaluation, perspective, concerns, a look at blind spots and all kinds of information that help us make the best decision possible.

I've learned that a team makes me a better leader, and to Stanley's point, if I don't listen to them, they'll go someplace where they can be heard.

I've seen really good people leave an organization because they weren't being heard, or valued, or given an opportunity to contribute.

What have you done in your leadership to ensure that those around you are being heard?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“You won't be a leader worth following if you don't lead yourself well." Andy Stanley

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I've been a "follower" of Andy Stanley for years, reading his books, listening to his sermons and podcasts, and learning from him from afar. He continues to challenge me and teach me, so we'll spend some time this month looking at a few of the things he has said over the years.

If you've ever heard him speak, you know that he speaks very fast, so often I miss some great stuff from him. We'll slow it down and look at 4 quotes from him this month.

Be sure to check some of the materials of his I reference below. He has some great resources and tools that are available.

The quote above is something that Stanley speaks about often, and it's something I've been challenged by him in my own leadership and life.

I don't know Andy Stanley personally, but from the things others say about him, from his books and his focus on personal leadership and his ability to "last" in leadership, I believe this is something that not only does he teach, but he models in his own life as well.

What does "leading yourself well" look like in your life? What is the first thing you think about?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“A culture is strong when people work with each other, for each other. A culture is weak when people work against each other, for themselves." Simon Sinek

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This is the last quote from Simon Sinek we'll explore this month. He has some great work, and I encourage you to check out his resources.

I love this thoughts above because it is smothered in truth and many of us experience on a regular basis the negative side of culture.

The word COLLABORATION comes to mind. This word means simply, "the action of working with someone to produce or create something."

A healthy culture COLLABORATES for the benefit of each other. A weak culture can't COLLABORATE because everyone is working on their own, for themselves.

Think of a time when collaboration played a significant role in the success of something you did. What was it? How did that make you feel?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“We are not victims of our situation. We are the architects of it." Simon Sinek

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

We're looking at some quotes from Simon Sinek this month.

The above quote comes from Sineks book, "Leaders Eat Last".

Do you ever assume the "victim" position? That position tends to blame others for everything in life that isn't right and it keeps us STUCK.

This quote challenges us to:

• Take personal responsibility for our lives and live empowered.

• Have a mindset and attitude that reflects our positive control.

• Action. To not sit on the sidelines, but to act on what we want to see.

I also believe that sometimes tough things happen in our lives for the purpose of shaping us, molding us, and teaching us something. In no way can we avoid bad things, but our response to those things is what shapes us.

When was the last time you pulled the VICTIM CARD when something didn't go your way? How did that work out for you?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

“Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion." Simon Sinek

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

We're looking at some quotes from Simon Sinek this month.

Looking at the quote above, there are a couple of things that stand out:

First, not all work creates stress, but the idea that we're putting our time towards something that isn't important to us can "become" stress inducing...I would agree.

Second, passion is a driver for all of us, and the connection between stress and passion is clearly drawn back to what we value and care most about.

Sometimes I choose a quote simply because I want to think about it a little more, and that's the case here. I'm thinking about times in my life where I've felt that level of stress that is induced because I don't value the thing that I'm doing, and I'm also thinking about times in my life where I'm working hard and loving every minute of it.

Think about that in your life. I'll share 2 personal illustrations below, but can you identify a "STRESS" time and a "PASSION" time?