Lead by Example

It is not everyday you come across someone who sees a need and acts selflessly to meet it.  But when it does happen, I think it’s a good reminder for the rest of us that we humans are all in this thing called life together.  One class of people are no different than the other.  When someone falls, we help them get back up.  When someone is in need, those of us who are able and fortunate enough should offer a helping hand.  Not to show the world we can, but because it’s the right thing to do.  Just wanted to share this link with everyone as you start your day.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445110,00.html

Leading Twitter Communities

By now, we have all heard of the Revolutionary New Tool that is Connecting People all over the World at a rate quicker than many of it’s predecessors.  This website is Twitter.

People from all walks of life are now easily able to keep up with or “Follow” what is going on in the lives of their Friends, Co-Workers, Business Partners, Heroes, or Idols by simply reading their own Homepage.

Even the News Media is starting to take notice of this phenomenal new service.  CBS News recently did a piece on Twitter where they discussed how the Current Political Candidates are using Twitter as an Effective Tool in their Campaign Strategy.  So how can Twitter benefit those of us in the Business World?

Twitter is all about Openness, Communication, & Putting Yourself Or Your Business ‘Out There’ For All To See.  Openness and Honesty not only about the person you are, but also receiving and accepting the other people around you.  But it doesn’t end there, for where there is no Communication there is no Community.

Community is created when people of like minds come together and build one another up for the Common Good.  The old method of trying to get ahead of the people around you and stepping on whoever it takes to get there is no longer the most effective path.  We as human beings should have the desire deep down inside of us to create and add value to the people we come in contact with so that we can assist them along the path to success.  That is where Our True Success is found.

That brings us to the final aspect of Twitter – Putting Yourself Or Your Business ‘Out There’ For All To See.  When you interact with the people you come in contact with on a daily basis, you usually don’t hit them up  about your product or service everytime you speak.  Actually, you probably mention your work to these people very rarely.  If they don’t already know what you do for a living and they ask, you usually give them a informative but brief overview.  Because of the shift in today’s culture, nine times out of ten, you won’t “Sell” someone through a Sales Pitch.  Tim Sanders in his book “Love is the Killer App” says “The traditional self-focused selling approach is no longer effective because today’s new buyers are unwilling to follow you.  They don’t want to be ‘Sold.’  They want to make educated buying decisions.  To make a sale, you must join them on their buying path.”  To join them on their buying path, you must know the path they are on currently.  To know the path they are on currently, you must be in Community with them.

To be effective in Today’s Culture, you must prove to the people in your Community that you are Trustworthy.  There must be no hidden agenda.  You must be able to demonstrate that they are not just a stepping stone to get to your next goal, but an actually person who you care about investing in.

Twitter is a great tool that when used effectively can set you on the path to building a community that believes in and trusts you.  I’d like to share with you a report on some of the other secrets of Successful Social Marketing.  This report can be found at http://www.SocialMarketingSense.com.  This report goes into a few little known secrets of how you can be more effective at getting traffic to your site and ultimately build and add value to the relationships you form.
http://www.SocialMarketingSense.com

Manipulation, no breathing

ma•nip•u•late |məˈnipyəˌlāt|

verb [ trans. ]

1. handle or control (a tool, mechanism, etc.), typically in a skillful manner : he manipulated the dials of the set.• alter, edit, or move (text or data) on a computer.• examine or treat (a part of the body) by feeling or moving it with the hand : a system of healing based on manipulating the ligaments of the spine.

2. control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously : the masses were deceived and manipulated by a tiny group.• alter (data) or present (statistics) so as to mislead.

Have you ever found yourself knowing someone who was good at manipulating people or situations? Maybe they like to make up lies about a person or situation. Maybe it’s a co-worker or boss who sees it is much easier to get what they want and advance quicker if they bend the truth a little or slightly influence someone in a direction they’ve decided is right.  Maybe it’s a potential relationship and you’re tired of waiting for Mr. or Mrs. Right to come along, so you settle for who is Mr. or Mrs. Right Now.  You take control and manipulate someone into potentially liking what they see of you on the outside only to deceive them in the end because you aren’t who they thought you were.  

I feel like my life has encompassed all of these aspects at some point or another.  I Have lied; I Have manipulated people, situations, and family; I have been dishonest about my intentions.  And it’s only in the last 6 months that I’ve really started realizing the gravity of my actions.  Every Single Time I try to selfishly control or manipulate a person or situation, it backfires on me.  Every Time.  

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 says ”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (emphasis is mine)  

What is the take away from this verse?  What can I learn?  Is simple ambition a bad thing?  Not in any way.  Selfish Ambition is when I try to achieve or accomplish something without first considering others around me.  Do I really know the best way?  Am I being true to both myself and others about my intentions?  Or am I just being selfish by trying to do things the way I want.  That’s what I’ve been trying to chew on and digest over the last couple months.  Am I manipulating relationships, aspects of my work, my family, and other areas I’m unaware of for my own benefit?  

Why is it so hard to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in everything we do? If we would just breathe in the fullness and greatness of God and give him the chance to blow our minds, he’ll prove that he DOES know best in EVERYTHING.  All it takes is that first step. Relinquishing control of our lives.  Unfortunately, that first step is usually the hardest.  

 

P.S.  Connect Rome’s next meeting is August 24th.  We’d love to see you there!  If you’re curious about how the Buy a little more program went, check out Josh’s blog.

Visionary Leadership

I am a part of a church plant movement that is launching here in Rome Georgia in January of 2009 called Connect Rome.  Our mission and vision is to create opportunities where it is simple for people to connect to God and each other.  Josh Roberts is our lead pastor.  

I just finished reading an Article at Motivation-tools.com about Visionary Leadership.  One good part I’ll share is the definition of Visionary Leadership vs. Standard Leadership.  

Below are the definitions taken from the website. 

Visionary Leadership increases efficiency by moving decision-making responsibility to the frontline. Efficiency is achieved with limited supervision. To make frontline responsibility effective, leadership must give workers opportunity to develop quality decision-making skills and learn to trust them. Wal-Mart stores use visionary leadership.

Standard leadership assumes employees to be robots and do as they are told. This is based on man’s natural instinct that only leadership is capable of making quality decisions. This is known as command-and-control leadership. Low efficiency is caused by the disconnect between management and the frontline. Management is busy dealing with problems that affect them while ignoring problems that affect the frontline. Front line problems are only dealt with when they explode into a major problem. K-Mart stores use standard leadership.

We have all been a part of an organization that falls under the Standard Leadership umbrella.  It is easy to get worn out or burned out quickly when you are not allowed the freedom to lead in the areas you excel. I tend to think that is the reason why Visionary Leadership has gained so much ground in the last few years. People in leadership positions are starting to catch on to the fact that they can be more efficient in leading their organization by stepping back and allowing the leaders they have raised up to actually lead. 

One thing we hope to do and do well at Connect Rome is to constantly be developing new Visionary Leaders who can be making decisions for the kingdom right on the frontline.  From our Children’s Ministry, our Sunday Morning Programming Team, our Creative Teams, or even our Parking Teams, we hope to raise up men and women who are keenly aware that they are able to and capable of leading people effectively for the kingdom.

Keep a steady eye out on the Connect Rome website.  It is pretty plain right now, but it should develop a new look in the next month or two and it will be jammed packed with all the information you’ll need about who we are, our vision, where we’ll be meeting and when, etc.  You can also check back HERE at my blog or Josh Roberts’ Blog to stay updated.

Andy Stanley

I learn so much from this man, it’s insane.