Over the past few years, I’ve heard the phrase “courageous leadership” used to describe the trait of those leaders who are making a difference today. Unfortunately, we also know many who are in leadership positions where that courage is not apparent. Indeed, they demonstrate leadership that is fearful. These leaders are harmful to organizations because they have unique ways to hinder others from making vital contributions. They can appear busy, but most often their work is busyness. All of us are subject to moments of fear in our various leadership roles. Can we overcome those moments? Better yet, are there Read the full article…

Every organization has seasons where different leadership styles are more effective. There are times where the organizational culture resists change significantly. An aggressive change leader can become alienated or fired quickly. Indeed the entire organization may implode if change is pushed too quickly. These are times when leadership by incrementalism (what I have coined as “eating the elephant”) is in order. On the opposite end of the spectrum is leadership by urgency. The leader recognizes that the organization may not survive the years ahead unless dramatic changes are made. There is really no option to move slowly. There is growing Read the full article…

by Chuck Lawless As a teacher, consultant, and preacher, I talk to groups for a living. In fact, I’ve been a student of public speaking for more than 30 years. I’ve learned by studying in the classroom and by simply listening to others. Too often, I’ve learned the hard way by making my own mistakes. On a positive note, I have seen that it’s possible to exercise leadership from the public platform. A well-timed, well-delivered address can rally the troops, strengthen the team, and compel them toward excellence. On the other hand, I’ve seen (and exhibited at times, I’m sure) Read the full article…

For some leaders, apologies seem to come reluctantly if they come at all. Perhaps a mea culpa seems like an indication of weakness. Perhaps the leader’s ego is too fragile to admit that he or she is wrong. Perhaps some leaders really don’t believe they are ever wrong. There are certain facts upon which most of us can agree. First, all people make mistakes, including leaders. Second, some of those mistakes will rise to the level of needing an apology. Third, a sincere apology is usually received well. Here are some miscellaneous notes I have gathered as I have observed Read the full article…

UPDATE: Listen to the podcast episode about this post. On my blog last Wednesday, I looked at seemingly ordinary people who had become good or great leaders despite limitations of intellect or circumstances. Here is how I introduced that blog: I recently compiled a list of good leaders (a few I would characterize as great leaders) who, by most definitions, are common, ordinary people. They were at the middle of their classes in grades. They really did not and do not have charismatic personalities. They had no family or demographic advantages. And none of them, to my knowledge, were outstanding Read the full article…

UPDATE: Listen to the podcast episode about this post. The literature on leadership can be discouraging. After reading multiple case studies, theories, and biographies, one can be left with the impression that good leadership is next to impossible. It is limited to those who have the attributes of Superman without the aversion to kryptonite. I recently compiled a list of good leaders (a few I would characterize as great leaders) who, by most definitions, are common, ordinary people. They were at the middle of their classes in grades. They really did not and do not have charismatic personalities. They had Read the full article…

by Chuck Lawless My father was a volunteer fireman when I was a boy, and I have vivid memories of his responding to emergencies when the signal sounded. On several Halloweens I dressed as a fireman. In a somewhat odd scene, our family sometimes shared lunch at the scene of a “practice” fire when the fire department burned down dilapidated buildings. Following in my dad’s firefighting boots, I became a volunteer firefighter in my late 40s. Little did I realize how much I would learn about church leadership by serving with that team of first responders. Here are just a Read the full article…

On January 1, 2011 roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers retired. From that point for the next nineteen years, approximately 10,000 persons of that large generation will retire every day. That massive shift from employment to post-employment is a sociological phenomenon that our nation has never known. The Nature of the Retirement Preparation For the past few years there has been an inundation of publications preparing Boomers for their inevitable retirement date. Most of the literature has focused on financial preparation: getting your 401(k) ready; saving at a sufficient pace; paying down debt; and working with retirement calculators. Some of the other Read the full article…