kevinwestlive.com

Shorten the Gap

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Challenges are good....why?

Cause challenges force us to shorten gaps in our leadership.

I have come to find that gaps exist in my leadership.
Trust, Communication,Evaluation...even Vision gaps. There is always a point in our leadership that what we lead goes from Ideas to Processes. When that happens is when gaps begin to form in our leadership. The Idea, the reason we are leading what we are leading in the first place takes a backseat to the processes that make the Idea happen....why?
Because people complain about the processes, the team manages the processes, we have meetings about the processes, it gets our time and attention. So we don't have time for challenges because challenges force us to come up with Solutions..ie New Ideas.....Ding!

In the past I have complained about challenges but not any more, because every problem I have to solve reinforces a vision that needs attention. Remember that the next time you have a challenge...perhaps you need to seek out a challenge.

Hey, nobody said this would be easy! Whoop! Kev

Flatten The Org Chart!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:54:00 +0000

One of the challenges I face as a leader is that of scale. I cannot do everything that needs to be done! I cannot hire everyone I need to accomplish everything that's on my heart to do. The truth is that it's real easy to start making excuses about why things can't and don't get done. As I put together an org chart I put my name in the boxes of all the positions and stare at it and cry out to God about how this is going to wreck me...da...da...da....

Tension...to much to do.....not enough human energy to do it!

Solution...ask, trust and lead.

Hustle is the code word for Hard Work. Spending time and energy meeting people and building teams to replace your name in the org chart...one by one. You never stop Hustling... you never stop asking. If you have two of the same position you create a box for their name...bottom line is you stay after the human energy part...it never ends...Never!

Trust is the key to taking the lines between the boxes and shortening them. flattening your org chart values the team in a big way because your saying I trust you and your judgment, when that happens the communication structure changes from a seek and ask deal on your end to a self reporting and problem solving relationship. Trust will help you discover high capacity volunteers faster than anything else because of that relationship!.... and it tightens the execution side of your ministry objectives.

Hustle,(asking) and Trusting takes a high level of leading on your part. it grows a key skill of listening and valuing leaders in such a way that they on their own evaluate themselves and embrace accountability and feedback. Your impact becomes personal and you find that you org chart begins to look like a messy piece of art!
Lines are short and impact is strong inside and outside the org chart.

Hey no one said this would be easy! Whoop! Kev

The Hard Way

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Usually there are a number of approaches to accomplishing a goal, no matter how you shake down the processes the bottom line is that there is a Way and a Hard Way. Truth be told I have been told to just find a way....to just get it done....and I bought into that thinking, that assumption. You know.."I did what you asked" "isn't that good enough?".

NO!

Leadership that prevails goes way beyond the influence of the Leader. It's about leading through people, leaning on their influence and shaping their assumptions about "The Way" they approach the goal.

When you lead "The Hard Way" you....

Trust at a higher level.

Build relationships of candor and clarity.

Understand that you will have less control

Communicate clearly and often.

The Win...

Problems are solved better with collaboration.

Trust Breeds Confidence and a culture of trust grows.

Accountability is shared and accepted.

Communication is no longer the whipping boy.

Apprenticeship rises in value.

Bottom Line: Leadership the "Hard Way" is the Invisible when it comes to accomplishing a goal that leaves a legacy and makes a difference.

Whoop! Kev

Caffeinated Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Recently I discovered the joys of Coffee and the rush of the "magic juice". Hold that thought.

I have always heard the phrase "Speed of the Leader, Speed of the Team" and thought I understood it.....until I was asked to lead the Louisville Campus of NPCC.

See, I was a pretty busy guy, if you asked me if I was working hard I would tell you yes and at times even felt overwhelmed by the prospects of things to come in the area I lead. But there was a disconnect, something that I was doing that I really didn't understand. I was operating on a false sense of urgency.....basically I was telling myself how busy I was and honestly really believing it.

It's funny no matter what environment we are in we always gravitate towards comfort and predictability, but in order to continue to grow as a leader and as an organization we need to be intentional about strategic discomfort and proportionate uncertainty.

That My friends is the Caffeine of Leadership! Managing discomfort and uncertainty will cause you to lead in ways you never thought possible and produces personal growth way beyond the kind that false urgency produces.

Ask yourself this question.....Is there any discomfort in my leadership right now? Am I being stretched as a leader? Is there any uncertainty that I am managing right now? Am I playing it too safe?

Now Here's the Kicker.....Am I lying to myself about how busy I am, creating a false sense of urgency? Am I believing it?

Bottom Line: You can handle way more than you think and you ability to grow as a leader hinges on your willingness to be uncomfortable and uncertain!
It's you choice, It's your growth.

Now, let's have a cup of Coffee.

Kidstuf Launches Soon!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:15:00 +0000

That's Right, Kidstuf Kicks off September 6th with two times 10:10 and 12:10. Chock full of Fun and if you don't watch out you may learn something too.Come out and experience....I don't want to give it all away....lets just say...Something Old, Something New and Bubba Joe will..uh..do something weird...but all in all it's going to be a great season. In case you haven't seen it check out the new promo have fun with it and we will see you soon...at Kidstuf!

Kidstuf 2009 Promo from NewPointe Community Church on Vimeo.

The Invisible Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:47:00 +0000

I read this the other day on Seth Godin's Blog. It's a tribute to the cumulative effect that Invisibles have in organizations. So many things are overlooked when it comes to success and nurturing momentum, often organizations lose ground because they fail to see all the influences involved and focus on the visible things. A good word for those questioning conventional wisdom. Whoop! Kev

Won by a walk

I was just informed by the resident baseball fan that the Mets won a game by a walk. By a walk!

Of course, in a 4 to 3 baseball game, you don't win by a walk. You win because before the walk, you scored three runs, and you win because before the walk you limited the other side to three runs. The walk was merely the last event.

The last event has huge impact for organizations. When a non-profit fundraiser brings home a million dollar donation, there's a lot of celebration and the fundraiser (deservedly) gets a lot of credit. But what about the person who started the group thirty years ago? Or the firm that named it or the volunteers that staff it or the heroic work one employee did in Rwanda? What about the CFO who has never missed a quarter in turning in tax returns or the admin who makes that donor feel so welcome every time she stops by?

Marketers take a lot of credit, because marketing is near the end of the game. Part of my mission is to move the work marketers do closer to the beginning of the game. Not because there's more glory there, but because there's more leverage. If you build the right thing in the first place, you're more likely to get a walk at the end.

HUGE! K

Packed!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Man!, Do we serve an Amazing God or what!!! Yesterday was Easter at the Pointe and it Rocked!! Over 4300 people came and worshiped together and heard stories of life change and experience an opportunity to know Jesus Personally. Dwight delivered the Goods and our incredible volunteers and core people served well and created room for a lot of people who bumped into Jesus yesterday.....some for the very first time. I cried when I watched that video and realized that those stories were the result of God working through countless people. People who set aside their agendas, preferences and focus to serve, make room and contribute to a mission that is outwardly focused! That my friends is Jesus with skin on! I am so proud and thankful to be a part of a group of like minded people committed to reach people by making Jesus famous in our community!
I tip my hat to all of you!!!!! God Is Up To Something! Whoop! Kev

Props from Bubba

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Recently, John had a post on his blog about playing Bubba and pumped me up in the process. I just want to say thanks to John for the kind words, but I will say this, Bubba is a freak!, and has a unique comic genius. Many think that I reel him in but the truth is he does it himself! Now that is hard my friend, props to you Bubba! The world will never be the same. Here's the post check it out.

It’s been a while since Bubba Joe appeared in KidStuf. Well…he was back Sunday—in full Bubba force. Man, it was wild. Honestly, I love doing Bubba Joe—it’s always fun being on stage in KidStuf but last Sunday TOTALLY ROCKED! Man, it was a blast! Here are a few pics:

Now, I think it’s important for me to point this out: I have people come up to me all the time and tell me how hilarious they think Bubba is. I’m honored and flattered, HOWEVER, this must be added: Bubba would not be nearly as funny if it weren’t for his straight-man, Kevin West. Really, Kevin is amazing as a straight-man. Strong. He offsets Bubba Joe perfectly. He told me Sunday that it’s so hard for him not to laugh sometimes (because, truthfully, he doesn’t always know what Bubba’s going to say). But Kevin always nails it.

So here’s to you, Mr. Bubba Joe Straight-Man. You’re a real man of genius.

Leading In Beta

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:36:00 +0000

Somewhere between ineffectiveness and infatuation is a "Leadership Trap". As leaders we are coached to be learners so we read, discuss, plan, process, adapt and network and we find ourselves stuck short of application. Truth is it's easier to live in beta, to talk the game and forget to play the game. Somewhere deep inside of us is this desire to succeed without experiencing failure...ie...Gain without the Pain. Sometimes it's best to stop reading and do something, balancing the world of words with the gift of experience. Bottom line, credible leadership is directly connected to your ability to balance the world of beta with the world of trial and error...in other words from my bud, Big Black....Got to "Do Work"!

In search for dolphin leather

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Recently I have met with a number of Churches working through the process of implementing a prevailing Family Ministry. I often hear about the obstacles and the overwhelming feeling of leaders wondering if what they are trying to do is impossible, when I read this post from Seth Godin it rocked my world and I hope it rocks yours...Whoop! Kev

There's a story in the bible with very specific instructions for building an ark. Included in the instructions is a call for using tanned dolphin leather. Regardless of your feelings about the historical accuracy of the story, it's an interesting question: why create an impossible mission like that? Why encourage people who might travel 100 miles over their entire lifetime to undertake a quest to find, capture, kill, skin and eventually tan a dolphin?

My friend Adam had an interesting take on this. He told me that the acquisition of the leather is irrelevant. It was the quest that mattered. Having a community-based quest means that there's less room for whining, for infighting and for dissolution. Having a mission not only points everyone in the same direction, it also creates motion. And motion in any direction is often better than no motion at all.

All around you, people are telling you two things:
1. whatever you want, forget it, it's impossible, and
2. sit still, preserve resources, lay low.

And yet, the people who are succeeding, creating change and (not coincidentally) are happier aren't listening to either of these pieces of advice. Instead, they're on the search for dolphin leather.

Frank Sinatra had it wrong. Your dream shouldn't be impossible, but it sure helps if it's improbable. Don't choose your dreams based on what is certain to happen, choose them based on what's likely to cause the change you want to occur around you.

KEEP FIGHTING....HEY NOBODY SAID THIS WOULD BE EASY! Kev

the last 30 days

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:11:00 +0000

It's been an interesting month....let's see where do I start. I have made many trips home as my mother is battling congestive heart failure, two weeks in the hospital and another two in the nursing home, the goal is to get her home so she can be there, I think she will do better there than others think.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I have switched from a Mac to a PC...Bottom Line in order to be able to be a better team player and become more proficient with Microsoft Stuff it's a must and I will use a Mac on the personal side of things, But let me say this this PC stuff isn't so bad.
Right Now I'm experiencing probably the loneliest times I have ever had spiritually. This has just been a time of constant discomfort and challenge...it's pretty hard to describe but I'm finding myself looking deeper inward and I'm more aware of my need For God's Grace.
I'm also growing as a guy who is learning every day how to be a better leader, I recently had a breakthrough of sorts when it comes to time management and ministry focus. (some blogs to come on that)
Lastly I'm still running, I will run a half marathon this summer and have been training for that, I'm looking forward to smashing my 5K PRs from last year!

Whoop! Kev

I'm Baaack!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Hey Blog World, it's been a crazy month and a lot has happened. So much that Blogging has had to take a back seat, but I just wanted to do a quick post to say that I'm officially back! Whoop! Kev

What's Yours?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:33:00 +0000

In Church World we have a singular focus each week. It's the experience that we provide for people that attend our church week in and week out, we focus relentlessly on recruiting and training volunteers to impact children and families so they will feel valued and cared for. That would result in a return visit and continue to be impacted by Christ in our services.
In all that, we base success on the element of accomplishing each weeks objectives... be it, engaging music, fun classrooms, faithful leaders and the ability to quickly and efficiently deal with challenges or problems as they come up.
We go home on Sunday afternoon and blow a sigh of relief and jump right back into next weeks deal never asking the question...what experience matters most?
There is an experience that's overlooked that is huge in the scope of the big picture...an invisible of epic proportions....the question is....

What is the experience that we have for our Leaders?

In other words what type of experience do we create for our leaders that, 1) Challenge them to grow and feel the excitement when they realize they are growing...and
2) Encourage them so much that what they are experiencing in their leadership is causing them to share it with others building in them the confidence to apprentice.

I'm on this right now...understanding that all experiences are important but not all experiences are equal. Some require more time and attention and I believe the latter is one that gets severely overlooked. More to come, I got a Plan!!!

So what's yours?

The Win!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:51:00 +0000

This is a shout out to all the NewPointe Teams who roll up their sleeves each week to create environments that lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
You Guys Rock! Check out this e mail I got yesterday and know that you all are getting it done!

Hello ~ I wanted to share something with you all, whether you are the head pastor, a greeter, or the audio guy…everything you do for this church matters so much in the big picture I wanted to thank all of you for all your hard work! My husband, Brian, and I are both lifetime church goers, but your church made us feel very different.

We have two beautiful daughters, Alannah, age 6, and Mallory, age 3. Neither of them have really enjoyed going to church. They would much rather stay home Sunday mornings and read or play together. I cannot even begin to tell you their responses after one Sunday at NewPointe! Alannah is a little shy, and does not really enjoy sitting at a Sunday school table listening to a story all morning (at our previous church). She absolutely LOVES Velocity and KidStuf! I know this is all new to her, but this is different…she wants to go to church now! She wants to see what she's going to learn next! We had to go to our previous church the Sunday after our first Sunday at NewPointe for me to teach the 5 year old class, and she was very sad she couldn't go to NewPointe.

Mallory is a very energetic funny little girl. Yet, for some reason, she always fought going to her class at church. Brian & I were both hesitant to put her in the Reign Forest the first Sunday we attended, but wanted to give it a shot. Most Sundays we end up being called into her class after 15 minutes because she’s crying for us or note even leaving because she's clinging to us so hard. We knew when we didn’t see our code during our first time at NewPointe that this was going to be different. When we picked her up after the 9am service, she couldn’t stop telling us about everything she did and saw! The purple & pink puppet birds were by far her favorite!

We weren’t even in KidStuf before she asked if she can go there again! Then we went to KidStuf. Well, I can’t even tell you how much both of the girls enjoyed that! The singing and dancing along with a true life lesson that Alannah understood was fantastic! After only three Sundays at NewPointe, Alannah has talked more about praying for her friends and forgiving the kids at school that hurt her feelings than ever before! We pray with our kids every day, and I make a point to sit down with Alannah after school to talk every day…but she wasn’t getting backed up at church before, not like Velocity & KidStuf help her. Now, well I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say it all seems to make sense to her…like it just clicked. I want to say thank you to everyone involved in Velocity and KidStuf for this! It has made a giant difference for us!

Mallory used to come out of Sunday school talking about what snack they had…the Sundays that we went to NewPointe, she has come out of the Reign Forest telling us about how God loves her so much! Now that’s quite a change in conversation for our 3 year old! She loves the puppet shows and the magnets she has gotten…which always go on our fridge. Thank you to the entire Reign Forest crew…it has really been great for Mallory!

At our previous church, the kids sat in with the parents for the first half, then they went out to their classes. Brian & I have really enjoyed the worship at NewPointe for many reasons. One, cause we can actually participate since the kids are already in their classes; and two, because it is so gripping and awesome! We love the drums and the loud music…it is wonderful…and just plain fun to be there! As for the service, we both can understand Dwight so clearly. We love how it is brought about in a way that we can use what we heard the next week at work and at home. Also, I think the table, chair, and no-tie-wearing helps us feel that we are on the same page, and not 20 behind!

Brian & I are a goofy, love to have fun, very in-love couple…but I have to tell you, we have gotten closer in the last month in surprising ways. One of the services we attended was focused on marriages, weather we have a contract or a covenant…and Brian & I came home that day and talked for 2 hours that day! It was fabulous for our relationship! Honestly, we never really talked about what we heard at church before we attended your church. Dwight, you speak in a way that gets through to us…and we remember what you say (longer than just a day or two). All three services that we’ve been to have been eye opening and have really impacted our family and marriage in a positive way. Thank you for all the preparation and dedication it takes to produce such a great service! You really do a great job at getting thru to us and truly helping us with real life situations!!!!!!

To summarize, we came to your church because of an ad in The Bargain Hunter, loved it so much that we came back twice, and we are planning to attend more! The changes that our family has gone thru in the last month are amazing! And we have NewPointe to thank for it! The conversations with our kids has changed, the relationship between Brian & I has gotten more intimate and open, the environment in our home has changed, the music we play has changed, the way we talk to the girls has changed, and I am very excited to see what other changes are coming!

So I wanted to say thank you to everyone who makes NewPointe run like a well-oiled machine! From the happy smiling greeters to the nice security guys who helped us find the girls classes...WE LOVE IT! Thank you!!

WHOOP!! Kev

Getting My Poop in a Group!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:31:00 +0000

Wow, since the ball dropped and kicked off the New Year I have been in a state of semi organized chaos! Much different than this time last year when I felt like I had hit the ground running. I don't know if anyone else has those moments of being overwhelmed and a little crispy around the edges...well for me that has been my Modus Operandi for the last 5 weeks. So I started looking for a system or a solution that might help. I came across the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. Very helpful and insightful and has helped me to get some things in order so I can get back to blogging a little more often. With that stated look for some serious additions to the blog in the coming weeks. A podcast and other initiatives will Take Verve to a "Hole Nutha Level"!!! Whoop! Kev

Get out of there!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:10:00 +0000

As leaders we are often faced with times that we must problem solve and innovate. The challenge is that innovation comes from out of nowhere, seriously, the ideas that cause innovation seem ridiculous and go against conventional wisdom.
So how do you get yourself into a creative idea mode that breathes life into innovation? First is to get out of there!
where?
Where ever you are!...Get Out!
Ridiculous Ideas come from places that you would never think that an idea may originate...some of my stomping grounds are hardware stores like Home Depot, Specialty Stores like the Apple Store or the Container Store, Restaurants like 5 Guys, Moe's Southwest grill, Chipotle, Bookstores like Borders,, Coffee Shops...Starbucks..come on!....Museums like the Rock n Roll hall of fame, Driving, reading magazines that are of a focused sort like Mac addict or Wired....or experiencing venues like House of Blues or that of Professional Sports.
AND...write it down, dude drop some cash on a moleskine and keep your ideas logged. It's crazy how two completely unrelated Ideas combine to make something incredible!
Know this...
Light bulbs weren't discovered by studying candles...think about it. Walk around more, Ponder things and take in the amazing world of ideas, hey it will get you out of the office and if you don't watch out you might just become innovative!

Hey no one said it would be easy! Whoop! Kev

Krispy Kreme Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Not a better way to kick off a new year of Running than competing in the Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh North Carolina on the campus NC State University. The Mission: to Run two miles, eat a dozen Krispy Kreme Donuts, then run another two miles, all in one hour! Needless to say when I read about this race it inspired me on a number of levels...(Glucose levels)...just the challenge alone....whether I make it or not I know this, I will have One Unbelievable Sugar High! Whoop! Kev

Reading List 1st Quarter 09

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:34:00 +0000

Tribes by Seth Godin
The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham
Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Idea Spotting by Sam Harrison
The Back Of The Napkin by Dan Roam
Brokenness,Surrender,Holiness by Nancy DeMoss
What's Your Red Rubber Ball? by Kevin Carrol
The Bible by God

Looks like some good stuff here!!

Whoop! Kev

Christmas Eve Opener

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Enjoy!

Michigan Is Ranked......What?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Dude not since 06 has the Michigan Wolverines been ranked in the top 25...whoooop! Now I'm not saying that Michigan basketball "is all that", but what I have seen so far this season is a good group of kids willing to listen and take the court full on. It has actually been fun to watch and it feels good to be able to chime in on the basketball side of things again. I love solid defense as a cornerstone of a basketball team and I see this here. So I say to the Big Ten gang watch out cause......"whatcha going to do when the Blue gets you?" Whoop! Kev

Christmas Eve at The Pointe

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Christmas at NewPointe was incredible! Music of off the hook and I loved Danny's original song...the lights set the mood for the night and offered the ability to change artistic gears in seamless fashion....Epic! Dwight shared a crystal clear Gospel Message to over 4000 in attendance. John Bunn and team did a great job of planning and execution. The Reign Forest rocked and took care of at least 125 kids...Great job to Faye and the team! Mad Props to the parking guys that stood out in the Monsoon to direct traffic. Host team and Security...gang this was a total team effort to create an engaging environment for the thousands of people who came, many who came and bumped into Jesus for the first time. And Best of all we all walked away with the understanding that "I'm the reason for the season." Isn't that so true and aren't we so blessed?!!!
I'm Looking forward to 09 I know that God is up to something good in your life and in mine! Whoop! Kev

Christmas Kidstuf Style

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:11:00 +0000

Last week in Kidstuf we kicked off a new virtue....Generosity. Now Bubba made his typical unusual appearance and entertained everyone with a different version of win Bubba's Bucks....But this was the special Christmas/Generosity show. What that means is instead of winning a whole dollar from Bubba Joe, you had the chance to win a portion of the cash that Bubba Found in his couch that day... which Bubba thought was about 129 dollars but was actually 75 dollars.....so three lucky contestants that day won 25 dollars each to give away as they seem fit.
From that I have the privilege to share this story with you and take the opportunity to thank this family for being Generous and taking the time to be the Church and Impact lives on a day other than Sunday!! WHOOP!!!

In case you run into Bubba Joe, can you give him a message for us? We wanted him to know HOW our family "gave" the $25 we won at Kidz Stuff. We thought hard about who could really use this money. Someone we know was laid off from their job so we decided to add to the $25 & anonymously donate it to them. We got them a gas gift card for $25, a give certificate to Aldi's Foods for $25, a gift card to Wal-Mart for $25, and filled a small laundry basket from the Dollar Tree with Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Shampoo, bathroom cleaner, laundry soap, and some other misc. things for them. We put all the gift cards into a Christmas card & we are planning on dropping the package this week.

They may not know who it's from.....but they will know that someone cares during the Christmas season.

We knew we wanted to do something for a local family this year and with the help from Kidz Stuff, our family was able to make it happen.

Thanks Bubba,

Now that's the virtue of Generosity!!! Thanks you guys!!!! Whoop! Kev

Leveraging your Influence

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:13:00 +0000

I often talk with Student and Children's Ministry leaders that feel like they have little or no influence in an organization. Most of the time they wonder if anyone really cares about what they do and in reality only see themselves as a cog in a machine designed to keep the next generation entertained and out of sight.
I used to feel that same way until one day as I was reading the book "the Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell and as I was marinating in a concept that Malcolm called the Power of Connectors. I was blown away. It all had to do with simple math and an attitude that any leader can make an impact in an organization than just settling for the status quo of their influence.
The Idea and execution of leveraging my connectedness became paramount and it has also become my mission to challenge leaders both on the professional and volunteer levels to do the same.
So what does this look like?
Say, you work or volunteer in a church that has approx 250 in attendance. Typically a Children's or Student ministry has about 20% of that population. So let's say that you have 50 kids, that means that there should be approx 100 parents and add to that a volunteer base of 30 leaders that may rotate or serve under you in some capacity. Your influence quotient is 180/250! I would say your potential to leverage your influence is very high.
The question is what are you doing to leverage it? What are you doing to impact beyond the weekend so that parents and volunteers are connecting with your leadership...I mean in a way that's beyond your monthly youth newsletter.
How are you building your relational base with parents and the Volunteers in your ministry?
If you are a volunteer leader what are you doing to push the impact that you make inside a classroom or small group to outside the walls of the church?
If you work this principle I guarantee that you will be challenged big time...but the payoff is huge and not in the way that you think.
This is not about you being discovered, it's about you being developed and when that happens you will have true influence. Seriously it's not about being popular or getting your way...that's a by product of you leading well...it's about leading in such away that lives are forever impacted and is the result of leading the RIGHT WAY.
Now, this is Butt Kicking Hard Work...and the key is knowing that influence is impacted by understanding two things...
One is that everyone has the potential to have it and...
Two not everyone is willing to pay the price to get it...but if you are willing...the payoff can be huge on all levels

Hey no one said this would be easy! Whoop! Kev

I have been Elf-ed????

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:58:00 +0000

I was surfing and came across this on Outside the Bunn, Pretty Funny John!!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Turkey Trotting

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin West) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 22:32:00 +0000

Today I ran in my very first Turkey Trot. It was a blast! between 1500 and 2000 people drove into Canton early this morning for an 8:30am start. So for me a 6:30am wake up and on the road by 7 get there by 7:45 register and warm up and boom. My time was 37:00 which was kind of slow but fun anyway, dude there were people running in shorts and t-shirts and it was 29 degrees at race time....not me...but the turkey costume one guy wore looked pretty cool. Either way I had a great time all for a good cause and a funky T-shirt. Whoop! Kev