Friday Finds - Teachability, Emotional Intelligence, & Scary Interview Questions
What a week! I stayed up way too late on Tuesday night watching the election results. The "peaceful transition of power" is by far the most amazing thing to watch every four years--regardless of who wins. It was definitely an interesting election season, but I'm still convinced that what you and I do every day, and how we treat each other, contributes more to a better tomorrow than anything a politician can do.
So for starters, make an effort to be a better leader. Here are some articles to help:
5 Ways It's Visible That Someone Is Teachable by Kevin Lloyd via LeadBravely.Org
Teachability is one of those vital, irreplaceable soft-skills, but you don't hear too much about it. In my friend Kevin Lloyd's post, he describes how we can spot teachability in others, which is especially important for leaders who do a lot of hiring for their team. Teachability takes a measure of humility, and it's absolutely necessary in a great team. As Kevin says, "The most teachable leaders prove to be the more impactful leaders." Keep reading!
5 Things to Consider Before You Fire a Staff Member by Paul Alexander
Firing someone will always be difficult. As Paul Alexander points out, it's especially difficult for church staff members, because they're not just losing their job; they're usually losing their place of worship & spiritual support as well. There are a lot of considerations and processes to go through before pulling the trigger, and rightly so - it's not a decision to be taken lightly. Read this article for some important thoughts you must realize before firing someone.
I'm all for "hacks" and super practical, hands-on advice. Carey Nieuwhof strikes gold (and some nerves) in this spot-on article. As he so wisely points out, "Insecure leaders are usually too afraid to hear the answers that will make them healthy." If we're to be healthy leaders, we need to pay attention to insights like this and work to improve our emotional intelligence. The health of your team depends on it.
The 11 Scariest Interview Questions Ever by William Vanderbloemen via Forbes
Now time for a little humor. What are some of the oddest questions you've been asked in a job interview? Interviewing effectively is both a science and an art, and it's easy to scare off your candidates by the types of questions you ask. Read this fun article from my friend William to know 11 questions NOT to ask in interviews.
What are you reading this week? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.