Are you feeling comfortable? Comfort is one of those things I cherish, not just in my home, but in everything I do. When I speak of care in work and team settings it always starts with ‘comfort’. If people are not comfortable, they will not share openly or function well, because there is always the … Continue reading The 5 Dysfunctions of Your Team
Do you have a ‘BE’ list?
I developed a 'be' list a number of years ago. I realized how often I would reference expectations to my volunteers but did not have anything for them to go to throughout the year. An easy to remember, functional list of items we could all agree on and remind each other of in the moment. … Continue reading Do you have a ‘BE’ list?
How quickly do you make decisions?
Do you ever wish decisions took longer and had more people involved? Most people would say no to both. Just an educated guess. Decision making in groups, particularly groups like the church, can be very difficult. The more people involved and unclear lines of authority can make for a complicated and tiring process. Just think … Continue reading How quickly do you make decisions?
Do you make room for an enemy?
How many enemies do you have? I know, I know, we are not supposed to call anyone an enemy. And I realize for many of you it is difficult to admit out loud that some people may even get the title. But we all know who they are in our circles. It does not mean … Continue reading Do you make room for an enemy?
Authority and Responsibility work well together
A few years ago I posted about the idea of 'power and authority', shortly after Donald Trump became president: https://leadfreely.ca/2017/01/10/who-has-power-over-you/ That was an unfortunate time in world history, one which many people are trying to forget. There was plenty of conversations about the idea of holding power, having power, taking power, and also having authority. … Continue reading Authority and Responsibility work well together
Upside down pyramid leaders
Every once in awhile I like to give a shout out to a good podcast episode. Pyramid icons created by smalllikeart - Flaticon On a semi-regular basis I listen to the leadership podcast by Andy Stanley. His focus is fairly clear on purpose and servant leadership and is applauded regularly for his ability to put … Continue reading Upside down pyramid leaders
3 questions for the road ahead
As I write this I feel the warm embrace of the sun outside my kitchen window, and I feel a sense of calm. It still amazes me how responsive we are to our surroundings, whether it be reactions from friends, a completed agenda, or just a good cup of coffee in the midst of the … Continue reading 3 questions for the road ahead
Care…Might feel a bit like love
Do you feel loved in your setting? I know, I know, we try not to use words like ‘love’ in our social settings, especially when it relates to work. But I beg you to try and find a better all-encompassing term for what we expect of others, and others expect of us inversely, in situations … Continue reading Care…Might feel a bit like love
What brings you joy?
How do you define joy in your life? How does it define you? I remember writing this words in a post almost exactly 2 years ago, reflecting on the years of growth prior. You can click on the quote to get to the original post: "When you can claim resiliency. When you do not know … Continue reading What brings you joy?
Collaboration is a Team Effort
Not always, but often.Collaboration can be a good excuse for people to do less work, hide inadequacies, and demand more of others, and receive the same level of credit or honour as the rest of the group.It can also be a source of frustration for those with creativity and multiple abilities, mixed with a leadership … Continue reading Collaboration is a Team Effort
Responding from the right place
I have been easily agitated on social media lately. I know it is happening to you too. It happens when we get caught up in the polarization vortex. You know how it works: We see people emphatically present opinions.We either agree/disagree and act subjectively.Sides form. Opinion wins. Voices get louder.Suddenly, you can't sleep thinking about … Continue reading Responding from the right place
Working through tough answers
Did you ask yourself the 3 tough questions I asked earlier? Or do you prefer your current trajectory? We often choose the current trajectory because it is the one we are on. Not because we have actively chosen it. We may have struggled to achieve at one time, maybe overcame a crisis, and now we … Continue reading Working through tough answers
Lead Freely 