I don’t know of a more important topic under the umbrella of leadership than team alignment. When your team understands and pursues the same goal while adhering to the same rules of engagement, you have alignment. When you’re aligned, your odds of success dramatically increase. I bought a 1965 Mustang in 1979. It was a fixer for sure. Among many other problems, the front end was out of alignment. As a result, it wore the tires, got horrible gas mileage, and shook like crazy at certain speeds. Bottom-line, the car could not go very fast and was dangerous. That’s what

It might sound crazy but I write out one specific mission every year. Like you, I have multiple personal goals swarming around in my heart, so it’s not easy. And yes, I do accomplish many good things every year. However, with lots of goal setting, thought, and prayer, I’m usually able to identify the one thing I must accomplish. The one feat that would make it a successful year. Here’s the bonus. On the way to accomplishing your chief aim, you most likely will achieve much more. That’s how it works. Here’s my mission and personal goals for 2023 while

You want to be a person of character and you want a life well-lived. You can have both if you practice commitment. Commitment is a clear understanding of YES. To truly say YES to something or someone, you are saying “no” to many others. YES means YES. It is not a “hope so” or a “maybe” or “until it becomes difficult”. A YES is a decision to give your whole self. When you say YES you build inner strength and definition to your life. When you say YES you become a person of commitment. Committing creates direction and freedom.  But

…some will depart from the faith… through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. 1 Timothy 4.1-2 Life & Leadership Lesson: Honesty and accuracy are twins. Together, they build trust and the opportunity to evaluate, adjust, and grow. Unfortunately, we experience the opposite much of the time. A person shades the truth for a variety of reasons. They do it again and again. On the foundation of insecurity, a person markets falsehood as truth in order to improve their position in a given situation.  Sooner or later, the truth finds its way to the surface. In the light of

Life & Leadership Lesson: If you’re married or plan to marry, this relationship is central to your life. Next to your walk with God, it is the most important relationship. More than your kids, parents, siblings, or friends. Your marriage is your first priority. To be first, it must be central. A central priority penetrates and influences all other relationships and concerns of life. If you build a strong marriage, it will overflow into the rest of your life. Make no mistake. I love my kids. I’m an engaging grandfather. I’m interested in and desire to be more involved in

Whenever I hear the term “hands-on leadership”, I think of DIY (do it yourself). DIY projects turn out poorly for most of us. Certain things don’t look that difficult. How hard can it be? The question is really a statement of ignorance, isn’t it?  So, we jump in and the rest is history. Even if it turns out pretty good, it took you longer and cost more than you thought. There are two motivating factors for the DIY project. Either you really like working with your hands or you are disgusted over the price of hiring a professional. A professional