4,000 years apart, yet the pain of deception remains timeless. In this week’s blog, we delve into the heart-wrenching tale of stolen blessings and shattered trust. Learn the truth and deception from Genesis 27. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the remarkable power of love’s redemption.  I’ve been reading and meditating through the book of Genesis. I’ve probably read this text more than all the others (other than Proverbs). This morning, I journeyed back to the time when Rebekah and her son Jacob deceived their beloved Issac and Esau. Isaac, the aged husband, and father. Esau is the older twin brother of Jacob. There’s plenty of family dysfunction laying the foundation for this terrible event. There’s competition, jealousy, favoritism, greed, and deception – not the recipe for success. Mother and son literally stole what belonged to the other son. How it grieved the dying father and the swindled

The “Work-Life Balance” concept has gained widespread attention, but Jim thinks it’s a myth. To Jim, life is about pursuing significance, not just balance. This blog explores the perspective of those who embrace life’s imbalances, achieve greatness, and enjoy their journey, regardless of the pursuit of balance. Let’s debunk the myth of work-life balance together! There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 I’m sure there is a good reason for the phrase “Work-Life Balance” but I fail to see what the fuss is all about. Forgive me HR professionals or perhaps agree with what I am about to say. Whenever I hear someone say they’re looking for a job that provides a work-life balance, I have an instant reaction of confusion as if the person’s opening statement was “One plus one equals two”. Did they really need to say that? Who doesn’t want

As a leader, disappointment can be draining and discouraging. But fear not! Read this blog for some powerful insights into dealing with disappointment as leaders and making better hiring decisions. We all experience disappointment. It’s personal. It’s emotional. It drains you of energy and discourages your optimism. It is a force that can erode your dreams, even your values. Maybe it’s a goal not achieved or a hope not realized.  Maybe it was a promise unfulfilled. An agreement was broken. The typical over-promise and under-deliver pledge lived out before your eyes. Disappointment can cause you to pull back from relationships. To give less than your best. The truth is clear. Most disappointments are tangled up in your relationships. The familiar feeling can be summarized in the phrase, “He let me down”. Leaders experience disappointment too. Sitting in the leader’s chair is a very difficult reality to describe. It’s a constant,

In a world often obsessed with profits and gains, we explore a vital but rarely discussed aspect of leadership – generosity. In this blog, we delve into the profound impact of giving and discover how it can elevate your leadership to new heights. Get ready to embrace a leadership style that not only inspires others but also brings immeasurable fulfillment and purpose to your own life. Let’s uncover the extraordinary potential and importance of generosity in leadership together! An Overview of 1 Timothy 6 Generosity in Leadership I’m surprised how few leadership talks address the issues surrounding money. I’m not talking about how to make more money. Plenty of talk about that. I’m not talking about investing money. Plenty of talk about that. I’m not talking about spending money. Plenty of talk about that. I’m talking about being generous with money. Popular Studies Reveal Multiple Outcomes and Benefits of Generosity

Culture is the bedrock of any thriving organization, and its impact cannot be underestimated. In this blog post, we delve into an often-overlooked source of wisdom for building a powerful culture: values from the book of 1 Timothy 5. Prepare to be inspired as we explore three fundamental values that have withstood the test of time — honor, care, and protection. AN OVERVIEW OF 1 TIMOTHY 5 There’s a lot of effort, work, and talk about culture within organizations. Peter Drucker has been credited with the statement, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast, every day”.  I believe that. I am also amazed how Scripture emphasizes the same… dating almost 2000 years ago. Consider how the Apostle Paul was working to shape culture in the early church through the pastor’s leadership and three clear community values: honor, care, and protection. 1. Honor  “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to

In a world divided by differences, it’s time to break down the walls that separate us. Discover the key to unity and effective leadership; learn both sides of the argument. Read on to unlock the secrets of informed opinions and broaden your influence. Maybe I am wrong but it feels like our world is more divided than at any other time in my life. It seems the line that is being drawn between conservatives and liberals, religious and non-religious, one generation and the next, one nation and another, is more like the walls of Jericho than an imaginary line.  Jericho Archeologists have uncovered a couple of interesting facts about Jerico’s wall. It appears there were two walls. One was built on top of a retaining structure due to a steep embankment. This means the outer wall might have been over twenty feet high. The second wall, located on higher ground

Are you an achiever seeking greater success and fulfillment? Discover the game-changing approach that sets you apart from the rest. Say goodbye to never-ending to-do lists and embrace a strategy that brings clarity, focus, and purpose to your endeavors. For productivity wisdom for achievers, read on to unlock your true potential and achieve what truly matters. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise. Achievers are wired differently. Most of them use to-do lists. Lists are helpful if you’re going shopping and you don’t want to forget certain items. Nothing is helpful if you go grocery shopping when you’re hungry, list or no list. You’ll spend twice the money because everything looks so good!  Productivity Wisdom for Achievers Generally, I do not recommend to-do lists for achievers. Why? Achievers typically have a high response trait. What is a high response rate? On the positive side, people

Do you know the feeling when you hear a song that instantly transports you to another time and place? It’s like magic—music has the ability to evoke emotions, trigger memories, and shape our identity. In this blog post, we will delve into the power of music, exploring its nostalgic qualities, influence on friendships, and impact on faith and beliefs. The Power of Music: Nostalgia, Influence, and Faith You’ve heard the term, “That’s Music to My Ears”. It implies a happy response to good news. Nostalgia and reminiscing through music Whenever I listen to one of those surfing Beach Boys songs, I wanna throw on the board shorts, roll down the convertible top, and hit the beach even if it’s 40 degrees outside! When I listen to Classic Rock, I get this strange rush of rebellion and courage even though I don’t know what to do with it. When I listen

In life, we often come across individuals who inspire us with their remarkable qualities and positive outlook. One such person is Dale South, a truly interesting human being. Known for his unwavering positivity, encouragement, diligence, passion, loyalty, and gratitude, Dale South left a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him. In this article, we will delve into the exceptional qualities that made Dale South remarkable, and together, let’s learn how to be likable from his example. Some people have to work at it. Some don’t. If you’re one of those who have to work at it, look to someone you admire. Look to someone who has grown beyond their temperament into a truly interesting, likable human being. I know of someone like that. So let me use a few paragraphs to describe this person. Admirable and Likable Qualities He is positive. I cannot find anyone who

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed, uneasy, or restless during times of uncertainty? Well, you’re not alone. Anxiety has a way of creeping in when we least expect it, especially during seasons of uncertainty. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of anxiety, delve into its symptoms, examine the factors that influence its intensity, and discover effective coping strategies to navigate through these challenging times.    Just this past week, several executive conversations revealed an elevated sense of anxiety. As we dived below the surface of symptoms, we discovered what they all had in common. Uncertainty. Symptoms of Anxiety in Uncertain Times SYMPTOMS: difficulty sleeping, negative and defensive thinking, nervous energy, depression, a sense of threat and fear, aggressiveness, a lack of focus, and looking over the fence. Factors Influencing Anxiety During Seasons of Uncertainty I’ve experienced seasons and events of uncertainty multiple times in my life. Sometimes

,In a world where leaders often prioritize action over listening, we look into the profound impact that attentive listening can have on personal growth and professional success. Read today’s blog post on listening to learn and lead and unlock the wisdom that awaits within the depths of attentive ears and open hearts. “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” – Doug Larson. Leaders have a bias toward action. That’s a good thing until they stop listening and learning. Unfortunately, many have. When you are listening, it is impossible to do anything else. Listening requires the alignment of all of your faculties. Your body language, your ears, your eyes, your mind, your voice, a complete commitment. There’s so Much More to Listening You’re listening when you use your voice to gain more information, more understanding, more clarification. It’s a process of

Ever feel like you’re spinning in circles as a leader, juggling numerous commitments and drowning in overwhelm? It’s a common predicament faced by achievers. But here’s the good news: you have the power to break free from the cycle and reclaim control over your life. In this blog, we’ll unveil the secrets of how to clean up your life as a leader, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and remarkable growth. By answering three pivotal questions and making strategic changes, you’ll unlock newfound energy, focus, and productivity. So stay tuned as we guide you through the transformative process that will revolutionize your leadership journey. People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray. Proverbs 10:17, NLT Achievers get a lot of things done but they also find themselves over-committed and overwhelmed. Somehow you end up in the same place over and

In a world where customer service and professionalism seem to be on the decline, there are still those who prioritize unselfish service. Jim, a leadership consultant, shares his wife’s innate ability to serve others without expecting anything in return. In this short blog, we will explore how Jim believes that this kind of hospitality is not only rare but also essential for success in business. By examining the connection between unselfish service, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction, we will gain insights into how adopting this mindset can transform organizations and create a culture of excellence. So, let’s dive in and discover the power of unselfish service in today’s business landscape. “The rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.” Dale Carnegie The book by Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People was first published in 1936 and has sold over 30 million copies.

Learning is a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. Learning transforms you by constantly providing new perspectives and insights. The best way to deal with disappointment is to gain value out of it. You do that by squeezing learning from it. If you’ve lost something or someone, if you’ve failed, if you’ve encountered something unpleasant, what did you learn? Seriously. This is not fluff. It’s a legitimate question. We have observed and documented that failure and disappointment play a significant and positive role in the lives of overcomers and achievers. When you choose to learn from the not-so-pleasant events, you build muscle instead of flab. Flab comes from doing nothing with failures and mistakes. This is true for organizations as well. A healthy organization is not perfect, but it is a learning organization. What is a Learning Organization?  In a Learning Organization: Mistakes and failures are

Are you struggling to resist instant gratification and finding it difficult to achieve your long-term goals? The power of delayed gratification can help you overcome this obstacle. By putting first things first and embracing the benefits of delayed gratification, you can achieve success in all aspects of your life. In this blog, we will explore the concept of delayed gratification and its power to transform your life. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to a more fulfilling and successful life. Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27 There is wisdom, respect, and results to be gained by understanding and applying this ancient proverb. It’s a first things first principle and the power of delayed gratification. It’s a principle of stewardship, honor, and wise leadership. Do your planning… First, use your God-given ability to think and plan. Create your work in your mind