My kind of cooking involves heavy tools. Give me a chainsaw, axe, and wood splitter and I’m ready to cook. My good friend Joel Smith suggested I try a trash can turkey. A quick search of the internet and I found all I needed to know… this method involved a metal trash can, sledge hammer, shovel, and wooden stake. Immediately hooked, I convinced my mother (convinced is way...
There a few phrases I use almost like mantras with my daughters. One I find using more and more is “lower your expectations without lowering your standards.” It’s a phrase born in a desperate discussion with my oldest when one of her friends had been caught drinking. The choices were to break-up with her friend or lower her expectations and maintain an influence. The message is...
I have to ask….Why? As a father of two teenage daughters I frequently hear their friends and them state somthing akin to “I just want to do something to be famous..” I cringe every time I hear it because they envision a life of glitz, glamour, and glory….I see a life of discontent, decadence, and diversions. Jesus was arguably the most famous person to live; almost 2000...
Arrogant [Eloquent] lips are unsuited to a fool how much worse lying lips to a ruler! Proverbs 17:5-7 (NIV) Truthfulness is an elusive habit for leaders. We are assaulted daily by situations that beg for lies, half-truths, misinformation, deception, and withholding. These situations arise at work from difficult communication, positions of disadvantage to us, and fear of retribution. Within our...
It’s usually a truck or sometimes an older car. The inside of the vehicles are decorated with a mixture of ironic photographs and/or action figures. The drivers are the same mixture of common individuality, sporting spotty facial hair, trendy clothing (or sloppy), and a forced expression of interest. And I’m supposed to be good with placing one of my prized possessions into their...
Go APE for your teamates [bosses, peers, subordinates]: A – Acknowledgement. Make a big deal out of everything your teammates do good. They love acknowledgement. Show excitement, say their name, acknowledge even when you are the one who rightfully should be acknowledged. P – Praise. You want to attack your teammates. Don’t just say nice things, attack, make a big deal about...
My daughter attended an elite basketball camp this past summer. Last night she let me have a peek into her notes binder. I was impressed with the level of time and instruction given to training leadership to these athlete. The implication is they will be called on to influence their teammates and fans. The three aspects of leadership taught on day one: 1. Doing extra. If you want to be a...
1. My daughters may not date until they’re married. So unless you are my son-in-law there is no need to read further. 2. Double dating is fine, just get with my wife and set a date when the four of us can go out. 3. If you pull into my driveway and honk you’d better be delivering a package, because you’re sure not picking anything up. NOTE: If you weave while you’re trying to get away there...