Creator Magazine Online > Monday Morning Email > MME 2008 > March 2008

March 10, 2008

Leadership Tools
Hugh Ballou

LEADERSHIP TOOLS...
...Is divided into four sections:

Foundations
Relationships
Systems
Balance

These four topic areas contain all the skills a leader needs to be successful. It is important to continue to expand the skills in each of these areas. Since it is the beginning of a new year, this is a great opportunity for taking inventory of your skill set and determine the new skills needed or which of the skill areas need to be improved.

FOUNDATIONS
The Parts of Powerful Goals Spelled Out
First "Specific" Then " Measurable"
Hugh Ballou

We are also afraid to write down and commit to specific goals because we might fall a little short. So, if you say you want to have 100 singers in a specific choir by a certain date and you end up with 95, have you failed? More importantly, are you a failure? NO! The guiding principle here is that you have achieved success. Maybe you have increased the choir significantly with quality voices and willing volunteers who will assist in other ways. You have achieved your goal of increasing the choir’s numbers and bringing energy and quality to the group.

It is what happens to you and your team as a result of your goal that is most important – not the exact result of each goal! You could certainly bring in lots of bodies to join the choir who can’t carry a tune or have rotten attitudes. This is not the result you desire. While you may want to improve the musical quality of the choir and the number of people is related, but is not the final issue.

Focus on the key factors when setting your goals. What is most important? Who will be affected? What benefit will the group receive? What relationships will be built or strengthened? What difference will you make in the lives of the people you lead?

Let’s go through the key factors that make a worthy goal:

S=Specific
Specificity for goals is crucial. Set your sight on a specific target or targets. You won’t know if you succeed unless you define what success looks like.

Here are some examples that illustrate vague and specific goals:

Vague: To increase the size of the Sanctuary Choir.
Specific: To build energy in the Sanctuary Choir by increasing the membership by 10% to 100 members who will add quality and harmony to the mutual ministry of the ensemble. Completion date: December 1, 2006 (1 year of elapsed time).

Vague: To increase the number of volunteers in music ministry.
Specific: To build efficiency in administrative parts of the music ministry by inviting and empowering 10 new members in ministry to participate in an area of their passion, interest, and skill. Completion date: January 30, 2007 (2 years of elapsed time).

Vague: To inventory and catalogue the sheet music library.
Specific: To design and implement a system for cataloging the sheet music library, which will provide identification on the file boxes to match the computer records. Completion date: May 30, 2007 (1½ years of elapsed time).

Do you get the idea? I have given examples of several goal principles – specific, timed, measurable, and realistic. The missing element is accountability.
Specificity is not only in the attainable quantity, but also in the type of result. What is the benefit for this goal? Spell it out.

M=Measurable

How much is enough? What is the “critical mass” or “critical amount?” Unfortunately we must measure some things in an environment where the most important accomplishments are not measurable – person, faith, growth, salvation, sanctification, relationship with God, etc. We count numbers, but the things that matter the most cannot be counted.

So, why do we set measurable goals? These numbers are validation for achievement. These achievements set up the successes we cannot measure. The programs we produce and the music we offer are not the final blessing. However, these are the tools God uses to guide us on our faith journey. After all, if we just sat around waiting for God to move us, we would not be faithful to scripture. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Know what the end looks like. Visualize the result. Begin immediately to work toward your goal. Do not wait until you are fully ready. If you wait to be ready, then you will never get started. The quantifiable result is a motivating and clarifying factor. If you have taken time to fully think through each goal and its benefit, then you will know when you arrive. Make it measurable so there is no doubt when you arrive. By the way, the timing of reaching goals is not an accurate science. It is purely a guess. Therefore, you might get to your result long before you planned to get there. If that happens, then make new goals and keep on striving for excellence!

Bonus Free Live Training:
The Leadership Styles of Jesus!

You can join Dr. John Savage tomorrow night, March 11, at 8:00 EST for a free leadership training event on setting powerful goals. Go to http://www.leadershipteleseminar.com to register.

Hugh Ballou is founder of SynerVision International, Inc., a facilitation, consulting and training practice in Blacksburg, VA. For many years, Hugh has been working with leaders in businesses, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, and community groups, leading project teams to find consensus, even with very difficult decisions. Before his full-time work as facilitator, consultant and executive coach, he served as Director of Worship Ministries, staff strategist and facilitator in churches of up to 12,000 members.
In addition to managing project teams as a neutral facilitator, Hugh is also skilled in leading workshops, retreats and seminars on planning, reorganization, and goal setting. Hugh has served in leadership roles as a business owner and chamber of commerce president, as a church musician, worship planner and worship leader in various church settings. Organizations in conflict and those desiring to move effectiveness to the next level are candidates for Hugh’s services. In his major work with many diverse types of organizations, Hugh teaches teams how to build competencies and accountabilities into group process through reaching consensus. Hugh’s passion is to make a difference in people’s lives by teaching relational strategies resulting in a community of teamwork with unity of purpose. His web site is Synervision International, Inc. Effective Transformational Leaders build great teams. More information on Transformational Leadership at Leaders Transform.
RELATIONSHIPS

How to Enjoy Work as Much as Play
Cheri Hill

If you took the goals out of basketball, what would you have? Ten guys running up and down the floor just dribbling the ball – as we seem to do in business sometimes, but without a ball.

If you took the goals out of football, hockey or soccer what would be the point of playing the game? Everything we do in our recreational pursuits is absolutely and totally goal directed and in fact, if you took the goals out of any sport, you would remove the most significant aspect of these entire pursuits - goal setting and goal-striving.

We have a strong innate desire to want to do things faster, better, higher, shorter, longer - and of course, to win.

Goals are the motivating force in athletics. And in sports, goals are more clearly defined than in business. Goals are the main reason people will pay for the privilege of working harder than they will work when they are paid.

When we walk onto any course, field or court, we know where we have to put ourselves and what our performance has to be to score. We must have that same challenge, that same opportunity, that same desire and motivation when we walk into the office each and every morning.

As leaders we have to create the environment that allows people to enjoy their work as much as play. In my next column, I will lay out the ten steps you can apply in the workplace, so you can produce motivation similar to that found in recreation.
Cheri S. Hill, President and CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer!) of Sage International, Inc. is co-author of Incorporate & Grow Rich!; creator of the educational series: After the “Inc.” Dries…®; and host of the highly acclaimed, SageAdvisers® Teleseminar Series. She is a much sought after public speaker due to her wonderful ability to simplify the intricate aspects of incorporating. For over 15 years, Cheri has taught thousands of entrepreneurs, sole-proprietors, investors and professionals how to properly structure their business and personal assets to safely grow, protect and leverage their hard-earned wealth. In 2005 she earned her designation as a Certified Estate Planner (CEP). She is a founding member and past President of the Nevada Registered Agent Association, currently serving on the Board of Directors. Her memberships include The National Speakers Association, Toastmasters International, eWomen Network and the Asset Protection Society. She serves as faculty for CEO Space and is a certified NxLeveL Instructor for the Nevada Small Business Development Center.
More information is available on Cheri’s web site: Sage International, Inc.
SYSTEMS
A LOOK IN THE MIRROR!
FINANCIAL SUCCESS FROM THE INSIDE OUT, part 2
(The second and third of the four A's)
Angie Hollerich
Acceptance: Can you take a close look at yourself and take ownership of what you see? It is hard to accept the fact that you often sabotage yourself because you cannot look at yourself with that much honesty. When you start accepting, you can start changing your direction. People often want the easiest solution and are not willing to work hard at the new course they need to take. Psychologically, you may need assistance to redirect your current lifestyle. People often benefit greatly from outside help. A quality support system can dramatically alter your spending habits and help you to break out of your self-defeating, financially insecure lifestyle. However, a lasting change ultimately depends on you. The key to achieving personal control is to acquire an absolute acceptance of your ability to succeed.

Assessment: Okay, so you’ve become aware, and you have accepted what you found. Assessing your findings allows you to determine the solution best suited to your needs. Let’s look at how realistic you are in your approach to a financially secure lifestyle. Do you have a tendency to approach your finances unrealistically, thinking that it will be easy to change the bad habits you’ve acquired over the years? Your old habits have influenced how you structured your lifestyle as it relates to your money. Once you have begun to recognize your old spending habits, you can begin to look closely at developing new habits when determining spending choices. It is likely that you have had these bad habits with very little conscious awareness because you probably learned some of them from your parents (take a look at the awareness section--family can play a large part in your financial habits).

Once you’re committed to change, watch yourself. Observe and discover the principal characteristics of your lifestyle as it relates to your finances. Watch other people. Observe and discover the characteristics of others you respect who have a sound financial lifestyle. Create a supportive environment. Get family and professional support. Decide whether or not to include the people around you in your financial security plan.

Ask yourself these questions:
How quickly do you spend your money? Do you spend everything you make without consideration for future needs? Are you spending because you are bored or unhappy? Is it a habit because as a child you never had spending money, or always had spending money?
Do you save a certain percentage of what you make?
Do you use spending money for emotional comfort? Are you always thinking about things that you want to buy?
How often do you go shopping?
Do you have a budget and stick to it? Do you make a shopping list for the grocery store and stick to it? Do you avoid impulse buying?
Do you think about the purchases you’re about to make and whether you need them or not?
When you spend for emotional comfort, what do you tend to buy and why?
Can you spend moderately?
Do you ask yourself, do I really need to buy this?
How often do you review your budget?
Do you regularly make excuses for not considering how you spend your money?
Do you find activities you enjoy to replace your urge to shop?
Are you “afraid” to say “I can’t afford that” for fear of what others may think?
Do you make a plan to monitor your spending?

After you acknowledge the reality of your financial habits, your desire to spend, and the habits supporting that desire, you can express the willingness to confront your “secret” desire to spend and acknowledge responsibility for that desire. By doing that, you will see the positive effect it will have on your overall financial goals. Allow yourself the genuine desire to change, do not just wishfully think about it. Be honest enough with yourself to admit that not changing is a far more painful and difficult way to live than actively choosing to live your life as a financially secure person. Use your accurate assessment deliberately and enthusiastically as a form of internal strength with which to make the choice to have a smart financial lifestyle, and be willing to do what is necessary to continue doing the right thing for the rest of your life.

Come back next month to read the last installment: Action

Angie Hollerich: trainer, motivational speaker, author of:
The Weight and Wealth Factors
Money Made $imple
Money Made $impler
Money Made $implest
A $imple Truth About Money
Grab the Brass Ring of Financial Security Workbook
The Wellness Path
Mission Possible
More about Angie at Brass Ring Productions
Angie works with company owners and association executives who understand the value of educating their employees and members in the area of financial success, strategic communication and professional development to increase retention, productivity and attitude.
Training in corporations and presenting at conferences, Angie’s down-to-earth style immediately engages her audiences and totally energizes them with her fun, interactive presentations and programs.
Angie has taken her life experiences, “good and bad”, and developed thought-provoking programs that allow the participant to recognize their ability to overcome any obstacles they may face. From strategic communication skills, to financial security, Angie will provide the tools for individuals take charge of their lives. Angie is available for a one time or series of training needs, using her material or the material of the corporation.
BALANCE
Come, When You're Lost
Esther Burroughs

Come When You’re Lost

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling for and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling O sinner come home.

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 9:10

I loved keeping the twins after play school when they were little. They loved’ hide and seek’ They could barely count, but Milligan would hide her eyes and begin counting 2,4,7, 10 I’m coming.

In the meantime, Walker would hide in our kitchen desk nook. He would pull out the chair, crawl in and pull the chair back in place.

Milligan would barley get in the kitchen doorway till Walker would yell, “I’m right here Milligan” disclosing his hiding place. She would squeal with delight as she pulled him out of the cubbyhole.

I loved watching this game, because the process would be repeated and Milligan would hide in the very same place and disclose her hiding place as Walker came into the kitchen. And he would squeal.

Have you ever been lost? Believe me, it's, awful. I know. It is not just on road- ways on which we find ourselves lost. On life- ways as well, in relationships, family, community, and work...we can find our selves lost because of anger, wounded-ness, and pain.

Jane says, when we can locate the source of our pain, we begin to find ourselves. And when we find ourselves, we will always find God, because he promised never to leave us or forsake us.

“Anytime our meaning comes from anything or anyone other than God, we’ve pulled up our stakes and packed out tents and left home. We’ve become runaways, lost from God. But he will find us and allow us to be part of the seeking and finding of others.” Jane Rubietta Duet 31:8

So like my twins...there is no place to hide, because he is a finding and seeking God who squeals with delight when he finds us...it’s his promise. Proverbs 8:17 Jeremiah 29:13

Esther Burroughs is founder of Esther Burroughs Ministries: Treasures of the Heart, and is the beloved author of Engraved by Grace, Splash the Living Water, Treasures of a Grandmother’s Heart, A Garden Path to Mentoring and Empowered. She has addressed tens of thousands of women from small group retreats to arena events, and understands the thirst of today’s Christian woman for intimacy with God. Esther previously served with the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) promoting strategies of evangelism for women. She travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada speaking to women’s groups. Esther and Bob, her husband of 47 years, reside in South Carolina. They have two adult children and five grandchildren. Web site: Esther Burroughs Miinistries

Extra Bonus for Our Readers - An Online Commuity for Singers!

Share your stories with singers around the world. Learn about events that are designed for singers. Ask questions about musical issues related to singing. Help design the first online community just for singers. Sign up and help Beta Test the new community site for singers at The Singer Link

Conclusion

Arrive at your place of comfort utilizing the best of what you can learn from others. Build your foundation, maintain your relationships, utilize effective systems and keep a healthy balance in your life. Begin today. There's not an arrival point. It's simple a journey.

Grace and Peace to you in your duty and delight as a Christian leader this year.

Hugh Ballou
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