Friday Finds - Bad Habits, Millennial Leaders, & Social Media Mistakes
Last week I was in Austin, TX on a retreat with the leadership team of Vanderbloemen (pictured above). Does your leadership team take a yearly retreat together? It is such a valuable time of refocusing, refreshing, and planning for the future. I urge all churches to include this in their yearly budget.
Here are some articles to help you be a better leader this week:
Five Common Habits That Can Kill Your Career by Stephanie Vozza via Fast Company
As Stephanie Vozza accurately points out, it's much easier to spot faults in others than in ourselves. But, both as believers and as church leaders, we have a higher responsibility to honestly examine ourselves and work on our bad habits. We owe it to our churches and the people we lead. If you want a long-tenured, healthy path in ministry, read this.
How To Spot Leadership Potential in Millennials by William Vanderbloemen via Forbes
If your church staff doesn't already have millennial leaders on it, it will soon. More than half our leadership team here at Vanderbloemen is comprised of millennials. This generation has so much to offer; however, not every millennial is a born leader. Read my friend and colleague William's insights about how to identify leadership characteristics in the millennials you lead, mentor, or interview.
Dr. Rainer hits the nail on the head when he writes, "Social media is not the place to vent or to wage petty battles. The consequences are simply too great." In this day and age, nothing you post on the internet is temporary or inconsequential. In our work at Vanderbloemen, we always check out candidates' social media presence, and smart churches do the same. How many candidates are missing out on a job because of what they unthinkingly post on their social media? The consequences are too great. Be discerning.
Obedience Vs. Inquiry by Seth Godin via SethGodin.com
Seth Godin is full of unconventional, pithy, cut-through-the-noise leadership wisdom. Do you foster a workplace culture of "follow the rules," or is your team a safe space for questions, improvement, and initiative? I've seen too many church staffs being led with an iron fist or a high-control mentality. Open your hand, delegate, and allow your staff to take ownership and ask questions. Your church will thrive because of it.
What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.
P.S. I'm excited to speak at the Thrive Conference in California next week on Mar 23. If you're in California and attending, make sure to come by and say hi! Or you can register here.