Sharpening Your Leadership Sword, pt 2

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On Tuesday, I posted about finding ways to develop your leadership daily and weekly. Today, I’m going to look at something that’s a bit of a long range view: conferences.

Now, to be fair, I’m not a well traveled and varied conference goer. What I do have, however, is my own experience.

There is a conference I go to almost every year hosted by the Baptist General Convention of Texas called Texas Conclave. In relative terms, this is a smaller conference (hundreds, not thousands) that features main room sessions, breakouts, and an exhibit hall.

A few years ago I came to the realization my greatest takeaways from Conclave are usually the relationships–connecting with friends who have moved away, catching up with buddies from college, and meeting new guys who are doing things right in their context.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the main room teaching, and walk away with encouragement and inspiration following most of the breakout sessions I attend, but for me, the value of Conclave is in the relationships.

I have also been able to attend Willow Creek’s Global Leadership Summit a few times in recent years. I go to a satellite site that is attended by a relatively small number, so I get excellent teaching and lots of relational time.

Are you sensing a theme? I’m fueled by relationships. I love hearing what other people are doing and learning from their passion and heart. I enjoy connecting with friends. This, perhaps more than any conference, is worth it’s weight in gold.

So, how do you sharpen your sword? Know yourself. Find what excites you, and embrace it. Provide yourself with opportunities to build on what motivates you, and watch your leadership grow.

Check It Out: Training with a Purpose

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I’ve been blogging now for 8 months. That’s a lot of posts. But the posts I got the most feedback on were from my “Lessons from the Farm” series where I reflected on leadership learnings I’ve gleaned from my time growing up working on my dad’s farm.

Today’s Check It Out is the first post from that series, and one that I needed reminding of this week: Training with a purpose. Click here to check it out.

Sharpening Your Leadership Sword

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How do you sharpen your leadership sword?

Obviously, the most efficient way you do so is by reading this incredible blog. But other than that, what have you built into your daily and weekly rhythm to help you expand your leadership ability?

I’ve talked around this subject before, but perhaps you learn by reading, or by listening to podcasts (I share some of my favorite podcasts in this series of posts).

Here are a few thoughts I have about how to build into your rhythm a sense of leadership development:

  1. Books – nothing says “grow in leadership” like a book that promises to grow your leadership. A strong student can find a leadership book geared for any walk of life and apply the principles to their own context and experience in some way. Find a good book this week!
  2. Blogs – Again, if you’re reading this blog, you’re already at the head of the class. Well, maybe not, but if you’ve stuck with me this long, thank you. I do remember, actually, a blog I ran across years ago in my ministry that was my first read every day when I walked into the office, and something that regularly challenged me where I needed challenges, grew me where I needed growth, and seemed to always offer encouragement at just the right moment. Find something along these lines that encourages you.
  3. Podcasts – See this series of posts to see the podcasts that I make regular parts of my day or week. I’m an auditory learner and processor, so listening to conversations help me stay sharp.
  4. Table fellowship – Now, this may sound extra corny and church-y, but I love spending time around the table with other ministers who love God and love people, and are striving to equip those around them to do the same. There is something unique about including people into your life who are every day experiencing the same but different situations.

The bottom line is if you are serious in growing in your leadership, you have to be serious about learning. However you learn best, embrace it. Don’t be comfortable, but don’t guilt yourself into apathy, either. Always be willing to learn, and your leadership will continually expand.

Podcast Week: Quick Hits

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To wrap up Podcast week, I’m going to rapid fire a few of my favorite listens:

5 Leadership Questions is a strong podcast that deals with church leadership specifically.

Up First is an NPR podcast I’ve started listening to each morning. It covers about 3 major news stories each day, and has helped me feel somewhat like an adult.

Pardon the Interruption is an ESPN show that requires a taste for arguments and yelling. I’m a big fan of Tony Kornheiser, so I listen occasionally.

Finally, the podcast that gives me an opportunity to unplug and unwind: the Tony Kornheiser Podcast. This has been a mainstay in my rotation for the last 7 years or so. It’s good, a little snarky, and pretty informative on sports, politics, movies, and a lot more.

That’s it for now. I probably have close to 30 podcasts in my queue, so I’m usually able to find one that fits my mood. But for now, the ones I’ve shared this week are my current go to shows. Hope you enjoy!

Podcast Week: StoryBrand

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Today I’m going to continue sharing a podcast that is on my regular rotation.

But first, a little perspective.

I don’t listen only to ministry related or sermon based podcasts. I like to have a variety of podcasts ready, depending on what area I’d like to hone.

As i mentioned Tuesday, I don’t read regularly, so having a variety of genres is my nod to someone who carries four books at one time, never knowing which will appeal in the moment.

Yesterday, my genre was leadership, and specifically church leadership. There are others that fall under that category, but today’s does not.

The StoryBrand podcast is a no-frills marketing podcast. Donald Miller is blunt, but also does a good job of engaging and inspiring the listener to grow. There is so much that can be learned, so give it a listen:

The StoryBrand Podcast

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