The View from Seven Feet

I am always amazed at how God chooses to communicate His message.  A few months ago, I was at a chapel service at my daughters’ school.  A fellow student of theirs, 9 year old Gracyn, a sweet girl whom I had coached in basketball, blew my socks off by performing an original song that she had written and composed.  I was seriously moved, both by the power of the song, and by the depth with which a child can experience God.  When her father Kris, a friend of mine, posted that performance on one of his business sites, I thought I would link to it for you to enjoy.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  And remember, God can use you no matter your age or stage in life.

Last night we hosted  2 boys from Nepal at our home.  Deepesh and Suresh are part of the Children of the World Choir, which was performing at my daughters school.  The choir, which consisted of 13 boys and girls from Uganda, Nepal, and Guatamala, are on an 11 month tour of US cities raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic in Africa.  All the choir members live in Christian run group homes and orphanages in their home countries.  All of them have lost one or both of their parents at young ages, and were placed in the Christian group homes by other relatives.  I have a new appreciation for those who “care for the least of these” in the forgotten places of the world. 

We did our best during our sleepover to help these two 10-year old boys have a great experience with our family.  We ate pizza (which they covered in the hottest hot sauce that we had), rode bikes, roller bladed, and splashed around in our hot tub.  And, interestingly, when we settled in to watch a movie before bed, they chose Disney’s High School Musical.  And these boys, from a tiny town in the Himalaya mountains, new all the words and sang out the songs!!  I guess High School Musical actually is a world wide phenomenon.

I believe one of the most effective ways to improve in anything is to surround yourself with those who are better at it than yourself.  As our church has sought to present the timeless truths of the Bible in a manner that is both creative and easily understood by the culture that so desperately needs it, I have really enjjoyed reading the blogs of leaders who are doing this very thing effectively.  I have been digging Mark Batterson’s blog lately and encourage you to check it out if you have a heart to see Christ made known to those who don’t already know Him.  I was at a conference where Mark spoke about 6 months ago and was struck by his simple and “real” approach to leading church and preaching the Gospel.

On a recent trip to Disney, I was carrying my young niece around on my shoulders so she could have a better view of the park.  If mine is “the view from 7 feet”, hers was “the view from 8 feet”.  It became pretty clear to me that the ice cream bar that she was “wearing” could not stand up to the hot Florida sun.  The next big drip from her mouth landed right on my head!

You know, when you commit to “lifting” somebody up, to helping them live a little higher, to boosting them to the next level, you need to be willing to get a little messy.  Because ultimately leadership puts you in 3 different postitions that can expose you to a few “drips”.  First of all, leadership and lifting others involves you being close.  The most impact is made on those to whom we are the closest.  As you take the time to know others and be known, you are bound to be exposed to their messes.  But avoid the temptation to lead from afar and you will be able to experience people’s victories in a whole new way!

Secondly, leadership involves being willing to stoop low to push another high.  My niece didn’t jump, fly, or climb up onto my shoulders.  I bent down and lifted her up, ice cream and all.  I am so glad that the Jesus I serve did not just sit in the cleanliness of heaven and call to me to “rise up”.   Instead, e came down low, to where I was, and picked me up.  The leaders who have most impacted me personally, were willing to push me up from below rather than pull me up from the top.

Third, a leader knows that when it is hot, someone they have lifted may melt a little.  If we empower and trust in others, they may not always hold up like we think they should.  Choose and lift wisely, train well, but understand that anything worth doing is worth doing wrong.  As you build others for long term health, you may take a few short term drips. 

Despite the messes that sometimes happen, invest in people and lead them by being with them.  You can always put on a hat on the really hot days.

 There is nothing like the sunshine of summertime to bring about one of manhoods greatest pleasure’s…GRILLING OUT.  Now I am not much of a cook in the kitchen, but I might be the undisputed “Grill King of Orlando”.

There is something about being in your best lane that makes life enjoyable for folks.  A few years ago, I tried to make pancakes for my wife…a breakfast in bed kind of thing to let her know how special she is.  The outside of the pancakes were burnt and the inside was raw.  Worst of all, I made a complete and total mess of the kitchen.  Rather than relaxing and blessing her, I made a bigger mess for her.

Interestingly, I never mis-grill a burger.  I don’t even need to watch it, I just set a timer because I know it so well.

The average American worker spends 80% of his work day NOT operating in his or her primary area of giftedness.  The best way to be effective, contrary to once held popular opinion, is not to fix all of your weaknesses, but to work mostly in your strengths.  What about your weak areas?  Delegate.  When I run the grill, the food is great, the mess is contained, I am fulfilled, and my family is blessed.  When my wife runs the kitchen, the food is great, the mess is contained, she is fulfilled, and the family is blessed.

Switch our roles, and she might burn all the hair off her head, while I would miss out on one of my favorite joys.  We already know what happens when I run the kitchen.  Be afraid…be very afraid.

As a leader, spend the majority of your time doing what only you can do.  Work in your strength at least 80% of the time.  What about all the other stuff that needs to be done?  Who knows, it might be just what fulfills another team member because it is their area of giftedness.

This little picture is on 6 different stickers on my boat as a warning about falling overboard. I gotta admit, the picture of this stick man flying through the air cracks me up. We can learn a few lessons from boating, because when leaders aren’t paying attention to those that they lead, people can go flying overboard.

I learned as a professional counselor, that change is one of the hardest and scariest things for most people. As leaders, it is important the we lead our organizations through necessary periods of change and growth with this in mind.

The reason my boat has six different sticker of people flying overboard- despite being only a 21 foot long boat- is because there are lots of ways to get tossed when something is in motion. The driver has to be certain that he checks a few things before beginning quick and daring manuevers. For starters, make sure that everybody is firmly in the boat before you hit the gas. Too often leaders begin the charge without making sure that people understood that rapid movement was about to occur. Even though you know when you are about to “hit it”, make sure that as many people are on board as possible before taking off.

Also, make sure people are seated. When somebody is standing or walking around in the boat is not the time to make a sudden speed or direction change. Don’t make major organizational directional changes when people are busy moving about doing things. Give plenty of advanced warning, so people can wrap up what they are doing and prepare for the course change.

Most casualties of people falling overboard can be averted by doing two simple things. First, look around and make sure folks, especially those that are not right next to you in the middle, are prepared for what is coming. Just because you are ready and expect a change, doesn’t mean they do. Second, communicate well. Go the extra mile to let people know what change is ahead and how to best prepare for it. Let people know when they can expect the change to begin. Just because you know the plan, don’t expect that others would as well. Tell them, answer there questions/ concerns, and tell them again.

Hope this helps somebody out there.