ARE:A Renewal Enterprise

Surviving Busy Seasons

It's been a busy month here at A.R.E. We've been on the road quite a bit, helping a number of our clients faciliate revisioning and retooling processes. We've been out working with several potential clients who are trying to sort out what they need exactly; in some ways, that's my favorite part of this work. It's fun to dream with people about what might be possible and watch as they work up the organizational energy to begin making it a reality.

Surviving Busy Seasons

It's been a busy month here at A.R.E. We've been on the road quite a bit, helping a number of our clients faciliate revisioning and retooling processes. We've been out working with several potential clients who are trying to sort out what they need exactly; in some ways, that's my favorite part of this work. It's fun to dream with people about what might be possible and watch as they work up the organizational energy to begin making it a reality.

People In Your Organization Want A Voice

20-somethings who are entering the workforce today have been shaped by their experiences on the web. Although there is a sort of competition around who can collect the most friends on My Space or Face Book, there is no hierarchy in the online universes. These young adults have grown up in an online environment where each voice is as important as every other. They expect to be heard and they expect to be taken seriously. Anybody who wants to recruit, hire, teach, market and sell to, or reach in any way - including those who are called to share a faith with them - needs to be aware of this reality and be prepared to enter into a relationship that is based on mutual respect. Participative decision making processes must be standard procedure for any business, school, or religious organization that hopes to include this new generation. But it might be helpful to note that it's not just emerging generations demanding mutual respect and an equal voice in decision-making processes these days. According to Jim Fitzgerald of the Associated Press, at least some members of the oldest generations are making exactly the same demands.

People In Your Organization Want A Voice

20-somethings who are entering the workforce today have been shaped by their experiences on the web. Although there is a sort of competition around who can collect the most friends on My Space or Face Book, there is no hierarchy in the online universes. These young adults have grown up in an online environment where each voice is as important as every other. They expect to be heard and they expect to be taken seriously. Anybody who wants to recruit, hire, teach, market and sell to, or reach in any way - including those who are called to share a faith with them - needs to be aware of this reality and be prepared to enter into a relationship that is based on mutual respect. Participative decision making processes must be standard procedure for any business, school, or religious organization that hopes to include this new generation. But it might be helpful to note that it's not just emerging generations demanding mutual respect and an equal voice in decision-making processes these days. According to Jim Fitzgerald of the Associated Press, at least some members of the oldest generations are making exactly the same demands.

Leadership By Stumbling Around

"Achieving success is often a matter of stumbling around: trying to find the answers and accepting the fact that there's no formula - other than being who you are, paying attention to your audience, and continuing to explore." - William Shatner (aka "Captain Kirk"), "Unique Vision," United, September 2007.

OK, so it's Captain Kirk. It's still good advice.

1. Accept that there is no formula.
2. Try to find answers.
3. Be who you are.
4. Pay attention to your audience.
5. Continue to explore.

Leadership by "stumbling around."

Apparently Mr. Shatner learned some things going where no one had gone before.

Leadership By Stumbling Around

"Achieving success is often a matter of stumbling around: trying to find the answers and accepting the fact that there's no formula - other than being who you are, paying attention to your audience, and continuing to explore." - William Shatner (aka "Captain Kirk"), "Unique Vision," United, September 2007.

OK, so it's Captain Kirk. It's still good advice.

1. Accept that there is no formula.
2. Try to find answers.
3. Be who you are.
4. Pay attention to your audience.
5. Continue to explore.

Leadership by "stumbling around."

Apparently Mr. Shatner learned some things going where no one had gone before.

One Model For Dealing With Criticism

One of the horrible surprises that awaits church leaders when they actually dare to lead people through change and into renewal is that not everybody is happy about it. In fact, as a change agent within an organization, it isn't a question of "if" you will be a target of criticism. It is only a question of "when?" Well, few people in the media today have had more experience dealing with public criticism and outright hostility than Bears quarterback, Rex Grossman. As a native of the Chicago-area who is thrilled to be living where I can actually HEAR the home crowd cheering when the Bears manage to outsmart and outplay their opponents, I have a sort of sweet spot for the embattled Grossman. And I believe there are a few things his performance, especially off the field, can teach us.

One Model For Dealing With Criticism

One of the horrible surprises that awaits church leaders when they actually dare to lead people through change and into renewal is that not everybody is happy about it. In fact, as a change agent within an organization, it isn't a question of "if" you will be a target of criticism. It is only a question of "when?" Well, few people in the media today have had more experience dealing with public criticism and outright hostility than Bears quarterback, Rex Grossman. As a native of the Chicago-area who is thrilled to be living where I can actually HEAR the home crowd cheering when the Bears manage to outsmart and outplay their opponents, I have a sort of sweet spot for the embattled Grossman. And I believe there are a few things his performance, especially off the field, can teach us.

Nobody Follows A Superhero

So, how honest can you be with people and still expect them to respect you? I got two pieces of advice from my advisor when I graduated from seminary in 1989. One of them was: You can't be friends with your parishioners and expect to also be their pastor. Translation: You can't be REAL with people because they won't respect you if they see who you REALLY are. I thought this was terrible advice then. I think so even more now. In fact, I'm prepared to argue that people won't respect, much less follow, you unless you ARE real with them. And today I present Penelope Trunk as exhibit A.

Nobody Follows A Superhero

So, how honest can you be with people and still expect them to respect you? I got two pieces of advice from my advisor when I graduated from seminary in 1989. One of them was: You can't be friends with your parishioners and expect to also be their pastor. Translation: You can't be REAL with people because they won't respect you if they see who you REALLY are. I thought this was terrible advice then. I think so even more now. In fact, I'm prepared to argue that people won't respect, much less follow, you unless you ARE real with them. And today I present Penelope Trunk as exhibit A.