Upwards Forward

Oct 18, 2021, by Forbes YEC Finding, hiring, and compensating the right people is paramount and commonly a challenge. Hiring outside help is one solution. It is a solution I’ve utilized and provide today. 3.4M fewer U.S.A. citizens are working today compared to February of 2020. (U.S. Chamber, 8/22). This Forbes article reminds me of…

Marcel Schwantes, Inc. Contributing Editor and Founder, Leadership from the Core, shares five mistakes entrepreneur’s can’t afford to make from Mari Tautimes book, #KeepGoing: From 15-Year-Old Mom to Successful CEO and Entrepreneur (article): Being an entrepreneur versus having the entrepreneurial spirit Wearing too many hats Complicating the business plan Hiring the wrong people Ineffective marketing…

Harvard Business Review Excerpt, February 5, 2019 As a leader, you want the people in your organization to trust you. And with good reason. In our coaching with leaders, we often see that trust is a leading indicator of whether others evaluate them positively or negatively. But how to create that trust, or perhaps more…

Waging Peace

April 1 leaders and professionals in Reno, NV gathered to share a meal and to positively impact the world. We know that as we improve, we positively boost our spheres of influence, which in turn boosts our world. We had a forum on two subjects: success and posture. We used this chess match as our…

What if business leaders gathered to discuss the pressing issues of today and to develop? Their lives would improve, their organizations would improve, and so would their communities. And so we gather in Reno, NV, April 1 at noon to do just this. Register to attend in-person HERE. Download the invite memo HERE.

“Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Mark 12:30 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 To believe is to be strong. To hope is to be strong. To walk with The only true God is to be strong. To not waiver is to be strong.…

“Everybody can be great because everyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love,” Martin Luther King Jr. Dates in the life of MLK1929 Jan. 15: Michael…

Four years and two days ago I almost died from being hit by a car. I fell hard, literally. Among some of my injuries were a traumatic brain injury along with PTSD. My team at Symmetry Financial Group is reading The Happiness Advantage by Achor. Principle #4 is Falling Up and it home as a…

Every second, penny, and skill is a resource for worship.

Studies show that how you navigate this window of time will determine how quickly new staff members bring value to their new roles in the short term and add value to your team and organization in the long term.

Money Matters is a resource for people who desire to havesuccess in their personal finances and to bring glory to God.God defines financial success as operating as a trustworthysteward who glorifies Him with all that is provided – time,talent, and treasure (Luke 16:10). The benefits of this successare riches, honor, and life on earth and…

Jesus displayed a righteous anger when he “cleaned house” in the temple of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:12-17). Unrighteous trade had permeated hearts and the space of worship, physically and the soul. What would He do today in our ministries, our dwelling places, and about our hearts? How are we and our neighbors responding to matters of…

Hirsch and Catchim provide an insightful and challenging work in The Permanent Revolution. It explores the five-fold spiritual gifts given in The Bible, Ephesians 4. The authors communicate that the community of faith has commonly had a difficult time knowing how to respond, or what to do, with apostles-like and prophetic-like people. This is a…

A wildfire recently descended upon my city. High winds, dry desert-scape, and steep mountains made it highly unpredictable, quick-moving, and difficult to attend to. The aftermath are destroyed structures and a ravaged mountainside. Things here will never be exactly the same. The world today has many events like COVID-19 and racism that are acting like…

“Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true.” — Bodhi in Point Break, 1991. Just ask Blackberry, Kmart, or a church that closed its doors how “waiting” is going for them. Uncertainty and rapid culture change must stimulate our leadership towards robust planning, action, and flexibility. These must be driven by…

Big Vision Builds Big Generosity Vision is all about God’s heart, purposes, and our unique involvement within. We must know what our churches are called too. And all of our leaders must know what, and how to share these things. Vision is contagious and energizing. Jay Stearley Intentional Discipleship Glorifies God Church leaders are responsible…

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of life, organizations, and leadership. Some can only fight for their very existence (our hearts and prayers go out to you). Others are hunkered down trying to maintain. A third group is exploring and adapting to this new environment–they are tracking and reading sign. “The earth is a manuscript, being…

Inspiring. Motivating. Helpful. Excerpt from: Aljazeera News In the Chamberi district in Madrid, more than 70 people have joined the Red de Cuidados (Care Network). “It was initiated by some young people in the neighborhood,” says Domingo, who is in charge of coordinating the requests received over the phone. “But right now there is a…

Ministries around the globe are instituting creative ways to thrive during this unprecedented time. Here are ten examples: Live-streaming daily devotionals and encouragement Continuing small groups gatherings using video meeting platforms Being coordinators of helping people in need Making digital giving easier and more prevalent Transferring energy into relationships versus production Developing and commissioning lay…

  SERMON and SLIDES

I’ll be releasing my newest book on March 15, 2020, Bloom: Growing Money, People, and Ministry. It will help ministries and non-profits to: Increase resources Connect people Build a plan Save time Unify leadership Bloom will be available first through Lulu.com, followed by Amazon.com. If you need help or simply wish to explore boosting your organization,…

The resolute, focussed, and confident never flinch. Are you? Do you? [Example at 2:22]

Tony Wagner on Creating Innovators from Lee Carlton

A Salute to and Appreciation of a Great Man “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” “All labor that…

Live Your Vision. Or not. People commonly ask me how I do what I do – work with many churches, pastor, participate in international ministry, write, adventure, spend time with family, and more. Being focussed on Christ, surrendered and available to Him and His Kingdom is first. Then disciplines come into play, like decreasing interruptions.…

15 ways to improve your financial position, make a difference on earth, and ways to reap the rewards. Food & Drink Purchase four less prepared coffees at a coffee shop = $10/mo. Eat at a restaurant four fewer times = $30/mo. Drink water instead of juice or soda five days a week = $10/mo. Eat…

“Happy Smashiversary,” my beautiful wife greeted me yesterday. It was a rough time being broken in almost every way not being able to carry my daughter up the stairs, nor to complete a full sentence (accident recount). It took six months to somewhat comprehend how messed up I was. Three years to-the-day later I celebrated…

There are paramount callings and unique callings. Do you know what they are? Does your life reflect what matters most?

One of ten people returned to say thank you (Luke 17:11-19). Why would…or wouldn’t you? Here are slides from my sermon today at Outlook Christian Church.

Meetings are important. They are opportunities to boost success. Yet oftentimes they are dreaded and can feel like a waste of time. So make a change and make them count. Before sharing two ways to transform meetings, answer these questions about yours: What grade would you give your meetings and why? What is your team…

“This is ridiculous,” Mark exclaimed as he stormed away from his boss. “Things change around here all the time!” Sharla took note and knew Mark would not succeed unless she helped him. Even then, it would be up to Mark to change himself or not. Life is full of change. Work is full of change.…

You have a one-of-a-kind DNA. And so does the organization you work with. Do you know it? Embrace it? Leverage it? Keep it healthy? How about your team? (Discovery Worksheet).

// Recorded June 2, 2019 // Passage: Colossians 4:17-18 (ESV) “And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” What do you need to fulfill? What have you received? What will people remember about you? Are you a blessing or…

Has God changed . . . His attributes, call, or the gospel? Never! Then why is the following happening in Protestant churches in the U.S. and what does it mean for us as pastors? (Source: LifeWay Research, April 2019.) 6 in 10 are plateaued or declining in attendance. Almost half (46 percent) say their giving decreased or stayed the same from…

Meet Tyler . . . a.k.a. “Supervisor of Stoke!” Do you and your team make people feel important . . . even to the point of removing peoples’ skis for them?

I can’t remember exactly when I first saw this, but I was in middle school. The puzzle stumped me for the longest time because I put invisible restraints on the solution; I was unable to “think outside the box.” Can you? Does your team?  

My daughter’s birthday was on Saturday. Her mom made an incredible two-layer cake decorated with a wild animal scene – yummmm! Snow doesn’t taste nearly as good, especially this heap. Yet we can learn from both. Enjoy.

Between the AC/DC and Beastie Boys thumping out of the speakers, and the “Don’t go!” echo from the tram’s crowd, Jackson Hole, WY has STOKE! That is, extraordinary contagious positive passion. And you!? How about your workplace!? How about the places you frequent!? Sure, there’s something about over 4K feet of elevation drop with cliff…

Meetings can be arduous. And leader reviews can be vexatious. On the contrary, they can be something longed for and catalytic for obtaining next level success. Help people love their work Foster a contagious culture Obtain collective insights Expand reach Keep amazing people Harvard Business Review revealed this about why people remain at their jobs:…

Each year the Harvard Business Review ranks the top 100 best -performing CEO’s in the world (Article). The rankings are calculated by combining a financial ranking of companies in the S&P 1200 (weighted at 80%) and two ESG (environmental, social and governance) rankings (weighted at 10% each). 20 of the CEOs lead companies based outside their…

My father-in-law was an avid OHV Jeep driver. The terrain he drove held steep climbs and declines, smooth forests and bumpy boulder fields. He constantly adjusted the machine to conquer obstacles. Similarly, we too need to make ongoing adjustments in our leadership. Plateaus and dips in performance are excellent signals of when to make tweaks and…

1. How will you live for what matters most? 2. How will you help people around you thrive? 3. What changes in your life do you need to make to flourish in heart, soul, mind, and strength? 4. Who do you need to ask for coaching/mentoring? 5. What three life goals you will attain or…

Advent Credo It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss— This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life; It is not true that we must accept inhumanity…

Newly appointed U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach, Gregg Berhalter, spoke about leading in a situation where he does not see his people (players) every day – like leading multi-site churches. And how important culture is. Here is how Gregg plans on doing it: Consistent messaging – “players need reinforcement on what we want to…

A new calendar year provides an opportunistic and important time to lead splendiferously. The following are three powerful questions to ask yourself, followed by five ways to lead well into 2019. What would make 2019 a successful year? How will 2019 results be different than years prior? What personal rhythms will help you be the…

I had the opportunity to preach at Mountainside Community Church in Reno, NV this past Sunday. Preaching is the art of publicly communicating the heart and truth of God. Afterward, I was asked how I prepare. This is my process to prepare for a sermon, and can be adapted for any public speaking: Listening prayer:…

The holidays bring exceptional opportunity for churches and organizations. 29% more people attend church during the Christmas Season. (LifeWay Research and Covchurch, 2015) 34% of charitable giving is done during the last three months of the year. (Source: USA Today, 2014) Four out of 10 Americans (U.S.A) say that they would attend a church at…

It is rare that I speak with a leader who can clearly define the difference between vision and mission. It is rare that the same leader can then define where the uniqueness’ of their vision and mission are. This is a problem. Not knowing these will thwart success. How many times have you visited a…

Earlier this year, the Harvard Business Review (HBR) published the article, “Self-Awareness Can Help Leaders More Than an MBA Can.” It features a short case story of an executive who turned a company around financially, yet morale waned significantly. He was “crushed.” “How could they (employees) say these things about me? Don’t they understand how far…

Dave Milam, Design Strategist, with Visioneering Studios shares design tips. (Recorded: 9/6/18 at Smart Money, Seattle, WA.)

The following video was recorded at the Smart Money Workshop in Seattle, WA on September 6, 2018.

Despite “Jerry” and “Rod’s” memorable scene in Jerry McGuire, there is more to compensation than cash. Before listing additional components of compensation, here are a few benefits of getting compensation correct: Attract next level people Retain people Create a more positive work environment Model gratefulness and generosity Some employers choose to not compensate people correctly.…

Whatever you do, don’t dive into a capital campaign! Begin with the wound, not a band-aid. (Ouch. It hurts when you rip one off, doesn’t it?) There is a better way . . . the way of the Master. Live it. Talk about it. Be it. The Gospel. Be a follower and leader who resembles…

People connect to organizations for many more reasons than simply a product and location. Granted, these are large factors, but not the end-all. It is therefore important to consider what else contributes to connecting people long-term, build a system to accomplish this, and take action. Systems are intentional pathways and processes for connecting people. Here are…

Eric Franklin, Executive and Campus Pastor with CrossPoint Church.

Is your rest distractional and mind-numbing? Does your rest truly fill you up? Do you have rhythms of rest?

“There is a difference between tithing and generosity.” “It feels good to just be loved-on sometimes (by the church).” How will you create a culture of generosity in your context?

The Article from the Harvard Business Review, by Mike Kehoe (JANUARY 31, 2018), is quite insightful and worthy of consideration whether you are a boss, student, or employee. Move upwards. Move forward. [BEGIN ARTICLE] Working in online learning, I’ve found that every year around this time there’s a burst of sign-ups from workers seeking new skills. Perhaps…

We all have gifts and talents. Some . . . even degrees, fame, and stature. They amount to nothing unless we take action and heed the inner-man. Unless favor shines our way. Unless we live in purity of love. All the still . . . how are you stewarding and leveraging yours? Are your feet…

Champion golfer and commentator, Nick Faldo, made an analogy during the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open to golfers playing styles as being either pilots or artists. It was an interesting insight into not only golf but leadership and life as well. Pilots depend on numbers, rules, and gauges. Artists depend on feel, sight, and imagination. Staying with…

People that have stopped supporting your organization financially are sending you a message. The quicker you listen to the message the better off those people and your organization will be.   Do you know who these people are? Do you have a way to understand what message they’re trying to tell you? Are you ok…

Production Over Principle blog.

If you haven’t yet read the January edition of Fortune Magazine, I highly recommend it for employers and employees. The following are several highlights [Source: Ellen McGirt]: 1. Think of grit less as an antidote to a hard-knock life and more as an ongoing quest to master life complexity—an experience all of us share. When recognition of that complexity shapes hiring, it…

    A half-screwed light bulb shines no light. A bolt with no nut holds nothing long. A bike locked by one wheel is not safe. This person’s (photo) joy was smashed despite that everything that was needed for another bike ride was present. Here are five essential steps to ensure joy.  Take nothing for…

It is a common practice to treat finances only to survive. By survive, I mean to focus and address the short-term and urgent only. We often live or manage in this manner due to impulse, emotion, a lack of patience, and blind faith. the average household that’s carrying credit card debt has a balance of $15,654. 1 29%…

The family will never come back to your church. It wasn’t that the coffee or child check-in was poor. It wasn’t because you took an offering or that you spoke clear gospel truth. It wasn’t because you did not have a hip reclaimed pallet wood wall in every room. It was because they were treated…

By Jay Stearley Months before the Twin Towers fell on 9/9/11 in an act of hatred and evil, I stood on top of one of them. The view and experience were grand! Now new buildings and a memorial fill that landscape, yet lives are still gone and people hurt every day because of that horrific event.…

I sat heavy-hearted on a flight into Las Vegas, NV this morning. First, because my most treasured mountain range in the world is coming to life in the orange morning sun, and I am unable to climb them right now (my buddies exit the last N. leg of the SHR this week!). Second, because there…

Church Raising Money To Build Playground, by Kolo8 News Now [ http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Local-church-trying-to-raise-money-for-inner-city-playground-440627773.html ]

Much is currently being written, discussed, and experienced as it relates to the speed of culture change. Along with many of these cultural changes, are changes in the way people interact, learn, and exist. I do not think that the traditional classroom alone will teach us how to be innovative, or even keep up, let…