Leading Thoughts-Learning to Ask For Help

I was talking to a friend recently who is second in command at a publicly traded billion-dollar company. He was telling me about an important project he was responsible for, and how at one point he became completely overwhelmed. It had gotten complicated, he said, and he wasn't sure what to do next.

"I went into my office, shut the door, and stared at the information in front of me." He told me. "I didn't know what to do, so I just let the wave of panic and anxiety wash over me."

Being in a leadership position does not necessarily mean that we will have all the answers, nor does it mean that we have suddenly acquired magical all-knowing super-powers.

Click here to read the rest of the article from Building Church Leaders.

Leading Thoughts-"Leadership By Looking in the Mirror"

I recently spoke at a place where I had not been in years. Many of the same people from years ago were still there. I noticed something disturbing about these people: they had really gotten old! I was stunned by their obvious aging while I marveled at my own youthful appearance.

Yeah, right.
One honest look in the mirror and I could see that the years had taken a toll on me—just like my aging friends. My self-awareness had two elements in it: honesty and a willingness to look in the mirror.

Click here to read the rest of Thom Ranier's essay at Church Central Leadership Community

Leading Thoughts-30 Overlooked Acts of Leadership Courage

We often think of leaders as exhibiting big acts of courage – overcoming huge obstacles and saving lives, metaphorically and literally. Yet I’m amazed and humbled at the courageous things leaders do that we don’t think of as brave. The small courageous things that we overlook every day are the stuff that make up the character of great leaders.

You exhibit leadership courage daily in a lot of unnoticed ways like these when you:

Speak up when you know you’ll be judged harshly.
Shut up and let others have their say even if you think you are right.
Give critical feedback to someone in power when you know it might have unfavorable consequences.
Receive critical feedback from others with grace.
Develop others without fear even when you know they may become smarter than you are.

Click here to read the rest of the post from Leading Blog

Leading Thoughts-5 Leadership Lessons from Tim Tebow

Tebomania has captured the nation in recent weeks. Here is a look at the leadership Tebow demonstrated during one of Denver's comeback wins that sets a positive example on or off the football field.
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow has been everywhere lately. Tebow has crossed into American pop-culture this year because of his improbable win streak and public displays of his Christian faith. He wore a microphone during last Sunday’s game vs. Chicago; you can find excerpts from his game-time audio feed here.

I’m not a Bronco’s fan, but was amazed at how Tebow talked to his team, and even to his opponents.

Here are five lessons from Tim Tebow that business leaders can apply in their own environments.

Click here to read the rest of the essay from Forbes.com