Savvy servants are leaders who are serving well. They know the secret to influence is measured by how well they serve others. Savvy servants recognize that their influence is all about a cause much greater than themselves. They understand they are given the privilege to influence for a purpose. Savvy servants know that leadership is all about empowering people, serving them well, and leading with intentionality, honor, humility and hope. They are dignified in their role because they recognize that if not for people their savvy servant leadership would cease to exist. The savvy servant today knows that the best question for leadership is not so much, “What makes a great leader?” Frankly, thousands of books have been written on the topic. Savvy servants already know that there are many types of leaders, personality types, characteristics, competencies, and leadership styles. The better question for savvy servants is, “How well is Continue Reading…

  One of the highlights of my job is the wonderful privilege of people telling me their stories. I love listening. I find it a great honor and a joy that I get access to the hearts of people through their stories. I get to lead people on a journey, to make sense of their life experiences, encouraging them and giving them hope for their future. I am reminded of the words once spoken by the prophet Jeremiah. He said, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ~Jer. 29:11-13  God desires good things for our lives. He created us to Continue Reading…

I am passionate about empowering people to live lives they love. One of the questions I like to ask people is, Who is encouraging you to understand your unique giftedness and calling?Think about it for a moment. Who has encouraged you in your life in what God is calling you to? Who has stood by your side and inspired you to grab hold of the high calling of God? Then challenged you to live it out?   A survey conducted by the Barna Group entitled, “Current Vision of the American Dream,” sheds light on this topic. In this survey of over a thousand Americans, 77 percent stated they wanted to have a clear purpose for living and 75 percent said they wanted a close relationship with God.   People were created and designed by God to live meaningful and significant lives. Each of us desires to live a life that Continue Reading…

The last couple of months have been a great time of reflecting. I ended 2011 believing that I needed to take some time out. The year had been a good one. I launched one of my sons, I launched a new book, got to work with some amazing people doing workshops, speaking, and in private practice. All in all, I was pleased with what I was doing and where I am headed.   At the same time, as I was contemplating the upcoming year, I wanted to make sure that my schedule was lining up with what was really important to me. One thing I have come to realize is that even when we believe we are doing really good things, sometimes the really good things are not the best use of our time.   The more important question for leaders might not be: Is this a good thing for Continue Reading…

I often think about leaders in the Bible. Deborah is one of the leaders I really admire. Her leadership exemplifies many qualities that I believe we can learn from today. The fact that Deborah was a woman and a known leader in the Bible makes me want to know her even more.   I think if I were living during the time of the Judges, I would have wanted to spend time with Deborah. Perhaps I would have sought her out and asked her to mentor me. I think because I am drawn to the intersection of faith, leadership and psychology, Deborah in many ways represents an ideal leader.   As the biblical narrative goes, Deborah helped lead the Israelites against the Canaanites, who had been oppressing the Israelites for twenty years. Inspired by God, Deborah aided Barak, a male military leader to lead the armies of Israel to Mount Continue Reading…

Think of how you feel when you see someone laughing. I know it makes me feel good. Laughter has an infectious quality. I feel less stressed just thinking about laughing. Laughter helps to reduce stress, set the tone, and impact people’s dispositions. I believe God may have given people a means to help deal with stressful times and trying circumstances by the simple remedy of laughter. The Bible certainly gives evidence of God enjoying humor. King David writes,   He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. ~Psalm 2:4   In the Proverbs it is written,   Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.  ~Prov. 31:25   Laughter is a gift for our enjoyment. I cannot help but think that God created laughter on this earth for His amusement, too. In the Book of Genesis, it is written   God has made me Continue Reading…

What is the pulse of your marriage?   Marriages today are being taxed, stretched, and in far too many cases unraveling. Investing wisely in your marriage may be the best leadership decision you make today.   If you think about your leadership, you know that in order to have success or influence, you must spend both quality and quantity time. The same holds true for marriage. Leaders spend a lot of time with their teams engaging them about maximizing influence, sustainability, and success. Yet, how often do we engage our spouses with similar intent?   Marriage can be challenging to keep alive and strong over the course of a lifetime for any couple, let alone leaders. Anyone married for any significant length of time can attest to the fact that thriving marriages take a lot of time and energy. My husband and I have been married for 21 years and Continue Reading…

  “Get up and go on board.”   I can still hear these words ringing in my ears. Spoken from the coast guard captain during the crisis that ensued after the cruise ship capsized off the coast of Tuscany.   Many across the world have heard the riveting conversation between Capt. Francesso Schettino, commander of the grounded Costa Concordia, and Capt. Gregoria De Falco of the Italian coast guard in Livorno. Deeply moving, I think it strikes a cord with most of us. It speaks volumes about the difference between courageous leadership and cowardice leadership in the midst of crisis.   Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the courageous leader in this crisis is obvious. What lessons emerge from the midst of this crisis? What can we learn from looking at two men, wearing different captain hats, about leadership amidst crisis?   Here are 6 points to consider about courageous Continue Reading…

A week ago I launched my firstborn son. He is now in college. I am so excited for him. Anyone launching children or who has ever done so knows what an important life transition this is for your family. Every major decision I have made over the last 18 years has been influenced by my role as a mother. I am grateful this has been one of my core values; I have no regrets about the choices I have made.   In many ways it can be extremely challenging for leaders to remain faithful to their core values and the people in their lives who matter most.  Getting caught up in the cares and responsibilities of your organization is not hard to do, especially in today’s competitive and economically challenging times.   When was the last time you took inventory of your influence in your family? It’s easy to lose Continue Reading…

Let 2012 be the year that you embrace the calling of God for your life.   Think about it for a moment. What can be more fulfilling, promising, and rewarding?   What if people decided to delve wholeheartedly into what God created them for? If we all made a choice to step into the courage of God, would it make a difference? Would the world be a better place? I believe so. What if this becomes our primary focus for 2012?   Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.  ~Catherine of Siena   I believe we could ignite a wild fire for more of His radiance to be seen on earth.   What if we fast forward our lives for a moment and contemplate what standing before God would mean to us. Would we want to tell Him, “I used everything you Continue Reading…