Resolved – A rare quality of leaders

Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized with tags , , , on August 11, 2012 by johncbain

Image

Have you every been described as resolved or resolute?  It is a term that we just don’t hear often anymore.  To be resolved is to firmly determined to do something.  Another definition is admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.  When I read those definitions, it stirs something in me as a leader and reminds me that this is a quality we all as leaders must possess, develop and inspire in others.

My favorite quote on resolve is from Edward Gibbon, “A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.”.  It speaks to the source of where our resolve as a leader has to come from.  Your personal will, firm determination and unwavering spirit comes from you heart.  In my years of leading, I have come to believe that resolve is something that is deeply etched in the heart of each and every one of us.  The problem is that life chips away at it.  With each and every set back we experience, with the constant barrage of negativity in our world and with our own head trash speaking to our heart, our resolve is weakened.  Maybe you feel that way today.

Here a a few things that I have found help me to restore my resolve, and I hope that they may help you as a leader also.

Shed the Slime

Negativity is like being covered with a thick coat of slime that slows you down and suffocates you.  If your slimed, your resolve will be diminished.  It may be a time to shed the slime.  Take time to focus on what you are allowing to influence your life.  Look at what your reading, who you are surrounding yourself with, what your watching, what your listening to, and where you are letting your mind wander to…then change it.  Read something that is inspiring, hang with people who will lift you up and encourage you, turn off the television, play some music that stirs your heart, and control the thoughts that you let take your mind captive.

Find Purpose

It is so easy to loose focus of the bigger reason of why you do what you do.  As a leader, we must always remember our purpose.  You are making an impact on people’s lives.  Whatever you do has meaning.  If you still find yourself not finding motivation in your current purpose, take up a cause.  The world needs people who are passionate about making a difference.  You might also consider just taking a day off and investing it in volunteering for a charity that you align with.

Make a Choice

At the end of the day, resolve is a choice that each of us have.  We can either demonstrate dogged determination and an unwavering dedication to making a difference as a leader or not.  It really is a personal choice at the root of it.  Be encouraged today and choose to be resolved in all that you do as a leader.  Carpe Diem!

Leave a comment »

Restless

Posted in Leadership with tags , on July 11, 2012 by johncbain

Image

Is there ever a time to be restless, and it be a good thing?  One of the greatest lessons that I have learned in leadership is that the time for a leader to be the most restless is when things are at their best.  Seems counter intuitive at first…give it some thought.

When all is well and everything is clicking, this is a time where you are at the highest risk of complacency.  I was on a great leadership team that used the analogy that high water covers dangers lying just beneath the surface.  Another risk and reason to be restless when things are going great is that many organizations begin to take less risks and become inwardly focused.  They loose the edge that brought them success in the first place.

How can we as leaders stay restless?  Here are a few thoughts.

  • Always have a vision that compels the organization forward.  If you ever get to the place where you have enough resources to accomplish your vision, your vision just isn’t big and bold enough.
  • Introduce a little “stretch” into the equation.  Give yourself and your team a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal).  Take an intentional risk.
  • Force yourself as a leader to spend some time in the details.  Root out edges that are being missed that could result in much larger challenges in the future.
  • Lastly, reflect on all the things that you are thankful for.  This helps keep us humble as leaders.  Take it a step further, stretch yourself to go the extra mile in thanking those who are responsible for your current success.

If your organization is blessed with success right now, get restless!

Leave a comment »

BETRAYED

Posted in Learning on November 18, 2011 by johncbain

Everyone of us has dealt with a betrayal in our career.  It may be the person that took the credit for your work, the peer that advances unethically, the leader who doesn’t follow through on commitments, or the individual that launched an all out attack on you, undermining everything you did.  If you haven’t experienced some level of betrayal while working, then you may be dealing with another challenge…never allowing yourself to be trusting or vulnerable.

During the course of my career, I have experienced different types and levels of betrayal.  Here are some things that God has taught me during these times.

  1. Be careful not to misinterpret.  Many times what may seem like a betrayal may not be.  Always seek to understand first.  Acknowledge that what may seem like betrayal could actually be God’s hand moving on your behalf in the form of either protection or affirmation to make a change.
  2. Acknowledge brokeness.  We ourselves are broken by sin.  We live in a broken world with broken people who think broken thoughts that take broken actions.  When we focus on the reality of our own sins, the sins of others become less dramatic.  This is what Jesus taught when he said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye’, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?”
  3. Forgive.  Choosing to forgive is a release.  It releases you from trying to pass judgement on the other person to allowing God to judge.  It releases you from bitterness.  Bitterness will destroy you and your potential.  I heard it said that bitterness is like you drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
  4. Instead of asking, “Why me?”, ask “What now?”.  Use the situation as a catapult into a deeper relationship with God.  What does God want to do in your and through you as a result of this situation?  What now does God want to teach you?  I have found that these times of challenge open my eyes to more and more of God’s truths for my life.
  5. Move forward boldly.  Just like when we are driving, we only need to look in the rear-view mirror periodically for perspective and to avoid danger.  If you spend all your time in the rear-view, you’re going to crash or miss the path God has for you.  Fix your eyes forward using this experience to grow closer towards the person that God wants you to be.  Take comfort in knowing that God is bigger than your betrayal, and that he can take what is a negative situation and use it for good.

Leave a comment »

The Fab Five of Customer Experience

Posted in Customer Experience on May 14, 2011 by johncbain

As I have transitioned into a new leadership role with two different organizations, it has become more and more apparent that we can never underestimate the positive momentum of an exceptional customer experience or the absolutely draining and distracting effect of missing the mark with customers.

I didn’t come up with this, but it was taught to me many years ago, and I firmly believe that it is the basis for creating an experience for customers that will have them talking positively about your organization and referring you to others.  This is exactly where I am starting with my new teams as we get extremely focused on delivering a memorable experience when they choose our organization.

Here are the fab five “have to’s” of customer experience:

  • Show up on time
  • Finish what you start
  • Do what you say
  • Say please and thank you
  • Under-promise and over deliver
They are so simple, but so often missed.  If you are struggling with customer service, then you may have to go back to basics…they will always consistently deliver.  If you aren’t struggling with customer service, then you need to be sure that you’re continuing to make it the top priority…it can slip quickly.

Leave a comment »

Situation…Setback

Posted in Set Backs on February 1, 2011 by johncbain

You thought that person who gave their word was going to come through for you but they didn’t.  The promotion was yours and it went to someone else.  It was down to you and one other candidate for the job opportunity you had been working for weeks, and you were second in line.  Maybe, your marriage didn’t make it or the diagnosis came back with the results you prayed it wouldn’t.

We all continually face setbacks.  I wanted to share three P’s to dealing with a setback that have hit home with me with a hope that they will give you encouragement and perspective.

3 P’s for Dealing with Setbacks
Providence – There is a big God who holds the universe in the palm of his hand who loves you unconditionally.  He is large and in charge!  God wants you to take him up on his promises to you.  Want to find out what his promises are?  I would encourage you to pick up the best selling book of all time…the Bible!  It packed cover to cover with God’s promises and examples of his amazing providence.  I love this verse when thinking about his providence.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Provision – “For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” – Luke 12:23-25  The bottom line is that God will provide for you when you believe that he can and will.  This peace has helped many to avoid bad decisions made out of difficult circumstances.
Protection – We should all realize that what we may perceive as a setback could be God’s protection or a refining process.  God is still at work even in the unanswered prayers.  We all can take comfort in knowing that the opportunities that we move forward in and the ones that disappear are God guiding our steps.  The verse in Revelations 3:7 helps me keep this in perspective,  “This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David.  What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.”  Additionally, it always refreshes me to know that “since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” – Romans 5:1-5

If you have recently experienced situation…setback, then my hope for you is that you will embrace and be inspired to boldly move forward know the three P’s.

Leave a comment »

Temporarily Displaced

Posted in Displaced, Potential on January 18, 2011 by johncbain

Many people that I know, including myself, have become temporarily displaced…forced to make changes in our careers due to things often times outside of our control.  While challenging, I have found this to be a tremendous time of personal growth and thought that I would share some of my insights.

  • Life is comprised of seasons with transitions between seasons.  If you have become temporarily displaced, don’t loose perspective that it is temporary.  There is another season to be shaped during the transition time.

  • Transition times are a unique opportunity to re-purpose, redefine and reengage. Challenge yourself to not be confined or defined by your previous experiences.  If God has been calling you to something and you have been running from it, now may be the time to launch out into your God-given dreams and potential.

  • Take time for reflection and evaluation.  Today is the day for you to embrace your calling.  I found three incredible resources that helped me gain focus and clarity on what the next season of life for me would look like:  Chazown – Craig Groeschel, Wild Goose Chase – Mark Batterson, and Sun Stand Still – Steven Furtick

  • This quote form St. Ignatius of Loyola has been a driving principle for me during this transition – “Pray as if it all depends upon God, for it does.  But work as if it all depends upon us, for it does.”

  • Believe.  If you are a follower of Christ, then you have the same power that raised Jesus from the grave available to you.  God will provide, and he will use this transition to shape you more and more into the person he wants you to be.

For those who this hits home directly with, the temporarily displace, I am praying for you today.  Hang in there!

3 Comments »

>The Always Learning Leader

Posted in Learning on January 8, 2011 by johncbain

>Over the course of my life, I have been exposed to some exceptional leaders both directly or indirectly.  It has been a blessing to be able to work for, work with, lead and learn from a vast variety of leaders directly.  I am so thankful that there is also incredible access to learn from leaders indirectly today through books, blogs, podcasts, articles, seminars and so on.  In my experience, there is a commonality that has shown itself in all great leaders…they are all consummate learners.

One of my most memorable exposures to a always learning leader was spending time with Don Soderquist, the retired Senior Vice Chairman and C.O.O. of Walmart.  Don epitomized having a rigorous thirst for right knowledge.  He shared with me stories of how he and Sam Walton would spend hours learning from their direct competition and from market leaders in other business segments.  Additionally, I found Don to be a wealth of knowledge on leadership from a broad spectrum of other great leaders.  The most striking thing was his absolute humility in recognizing that God was always teaching him something about himself and how he could become more like Christ.  The time I spent with Don significantly changed my approach to leadership.    

The thing to realize as a leader is that you will never arrive.  Leadership is a journey that unfolds, not a destination that is reached.  As leaders, we ALWAYS need to be LEARNING.  Each leader has to find their own unique style of learning and be intentional about taking time to develop personally.  Below are the ways that I work to be always learning, some may work for you, others won’t…the important thing is to find your stride and LEARN!

  • Spending quiet time, alone with God.  There is nothing that can replace prayer and the learning that comes through the direction of the Holy Spirit.  For me, this has to be the first thing I do each morning for it to have my best.
  • Engaging the Bible.  We are a part of God’s amazing story.  The Bible has us written into it.  I have yet to find a time in my life where the Bible didn’t teach me more and more about who I am and whose I am.
  • Reading books.  At times, I’ll read one book at a time and really dissect the content.  There are other times where I may have three to fours books going at once with more of an overview approach.
  • Spend time with people.  You can learn something from everyone you meet.  The key here is to be a good listener.  I love learning from others and applying to my life.
  • Reading blogs.  There are several blogs that I follow and read daily.  I love the quick hit appeal of good blogs.
  • Listening to podcasts.  These are great for drive time.  
  • Meeting with mentors.  Having great mentors is irreplaceable.  I work to meet with mentors at least once a month.
  • Attending seminars.  It is usually the case that seminars fall when you can’t afford to go either financially or from a time perspective, but seminars can be a way to get access to leaders directly that you would otherwise not have.  I’ve never attended a seminar and not come out with at least one to two improvement items.

Leave a comment »

>Seize the Day

Posted in Uncategorized on December 27, 2010 by johncbain

>The other day my oldest son rode his bike for the first time without training wheels.  It was an awesome picture of teaching going into practice.  We had talked about how each day is precious and how we aren’t guaranteed another. Carson decided that he wasn’t going to let another day pas without conquering that challenge.  After a few crashes, some tears, lots of encouragement and a little persuasion, it happened.  I can’t explain to you the joy and freedom that he experienced at the moment he turned around and realized he was riding by himself.

How many of us need to approach today as if it is the last day we’re going to use the training wheels?

The fact of the matter is that we only get one opportunity at today, and we need to make it count.  I love this quote from Kim Lyons, “Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have so spend it wisely.”  Each day is another opportunity to make a positive impact in this world with lasting implication.

Think of the people that you can make a positive impact with today.  Is it your wife, your kids, a co-worker, a friend, the person ringing up your groceries, or the neighbor you never talk to?  Make it a point to share a kind word, pray with them, do a random act of kindness, take time to listen when you don’t have the time, or just share a smile.  It is the simple things that can make a tremendous difference.

Leave a comment »

>Some Thoughts on Hiring

Posted in Hiring on December 19, 2010 by johncbain

>Over the years, I have had the incredible opportunity to recruit, interview and hire some very talented people.  There is nothing more exhilarating than finding the right person for the role you are trying to fill.  Here are some thoughts on hiring.

  1. Hire the best.  Second best will cost you too much.  It doesn’t matter if you are filling a janitorial position or a CEO position, the best is what you have to strive for.  In my experience, second best will always be a disappointment and will leave you and your organization short of achieving your goals.
  2. Resumes can be deceiving.  I’ve seen some remarkable resumes that just didn’t line up with the individual during the interview process.  The best predictor of future performance is past successes.  Don’t let the resume get you starry eyed.  Make sure to use behavioral based interviewing to uncover if this person has what it takes.
  3. Don’t just hire for the current position.  Never allow yourself to be forced into a hiring decision.  Always make sure that you hire a person that can not only fill the current position but one to two positions above the current one.  This is the only way to build capacity into your organization for growth.
  4. Open your options to other markets and industries.  Some of my most successful hires didn’t have any experience in the specific industry that I was hiring them into.  Again, look for the talents, gifts, competencies, and, most importantly, the character traits you want for the role.  If the person has all those, they will more than likely pick up the industry specific knowledge quickly.
  5. Hire for character.  Character is defined as who you are when no one is looking.  Those who have demonstrated and are demonstrating character will demonstrate it in the future.  For me, character is the differentiator because it is what will drive decision making and the culture of your organization.  I’ll take someone less qualified but with high character and aptitude all day long.

Leave a comment »

>Life – Road Construction, Detours and Getting Lost

Posted in Change on December 10, 2010 by johncbain

>How many of you love your GPS?  Isn’t great to know where you are at all times, where you are going, the path to get there and exactly how long it is going to take?  I believe that we often think that life is sort of like GPS.

Most of us believe that we have life under control, all mapped out.  We take comfort in things that we believe give us security…our career, finances, marriage, and so on.  Most of us also have a pretty clear idea of where we are going, what things we want to accomplish, the goals we have in life.  And some of us even have a plan on how we are going to accomplish those things and when they will be achieved, but what happens when life comes apart?  You loose your job unexpectedly, your retirement account gets wiped out, or the divorce papers arrive in the mail.

Here is the thing about structuring our life like GPS.  We live in a broken world and we are broken people. Difficult times are going to come.  The other side of this is a life that is on cruise control.  It could be possible that we are living a life that is just way too small, not ever realizing the adventure that God has for you that only you can do.  You see if you already know where you are, where you are going, the path to take and how long it is going to take then where does God fit in?

The thing that I am learning to appreciate and embrace in my life are the times of road construction, detours and getting lost.  These used to freak me out, make me angry and cause me to make bad decisions.  My relationship with Jesus has realigned my perspective and response to change.  It is so clear that these are the times that God develops me exponentially.  Below are some insights that I have gained along that way that I hope will be helpful to you no matter where in life you are.

Road Construction
Sometimes the direction of our life just needs to be torn up and repaved. When we get stuck in ruts, it is time to fix the ruts.  When we keep hitting the same pothole, it is time to remove the pothole.  And when we want to go a new direction, sometimes we have to abandon the old road and make a new highway.  The beautiful thing about this is through a relationship with Jesus we don’t have to do this alone.  He is there with us helping draw up the plans, fund the renovations, supervise the job and cheer you on along the way.

Detours
I have found that even when we are walking completely in the path that God has destined for us there are times when he needs to take us on detours.  For me, this is a way for him to disorientate me in order to re-orientate me back in him fully.  I found that if I travel too long without detours, that I start to believe that is all about me and my abilities versus God working through me.  It is in the detours when I find out new truths about how God designed me and most importantly about how to draw closer to my creator.

Getting Lost
You know you’re really not lost if you don’t know where you are going.  There are times when I believe God allows me to be lost.  These are the times when I just may not be feeling his presence.  That certainly doesn’t mean he isn’t there.  The best advice that I have learned for when I feel lost is that if you don’t feel it, faith it.  Dive into reading the Bible and you will hear his voice and direction.  The times of feeling lost only draw me closer and closer to God, helping me to embrace my true and complete dependence in him.

The most important belief that I have as it relates to changes in your life is to enjoy the journey no matter if you are under construction, in a detour or feel lost.  Drink deeply in what you are learning, how God is using you and the simple pleasures in life that God wants you to experience and appreciate!

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries