The 19 Project: An Update
2 great things have happened this week…
Firstly, my book ’19’ will be released on the 27th October. This is a book for leaders of all ages but very much to those beginning on their leadership journey. I was 19 when I was given my first introduction to leadership, becoming the leader of the local church youth group.
Now, 28 years later, I am still leading in local church, and I am passing on what I have learned along the way. Things I know any young leader will need to learn so they can still be leading in 25 years time.
Secondly, the website The 19 Project is live. Very much coming from the premise of the book and my desire to help resource and raise the next generation of young leaders, my hope is the site will become a hub of useful articles, free resource and eventually offer access to live Q&A’s, training material, connection with other leaders, and much more.
You can join The 19 Project and help to shape it for the future. It’s free. When you do this, you will be able to download a free chapter of the book, pre-order it at a discounted rate and take a quick survey to provide some initial feedback on the site.
Thanks for the support along the way. Not sure what is going to happen with this site but why not come over to The 19 Project now and stay in touch with all that is happening over there. You can find me on Facebook too. Click on the links below…
50 Things That Every Leader Should Consider
- Knowing the ‘why’?
- Understanding success
- Learning from failure
- Getting out of your comfort zone
- Becoming magnificent & not being ordinary
- Advanced decision making
- Making great decisions
- Building the right reputation
- Learning to speak well
- Having respect
- Being truthful
- Communicating effectively
- Learn how to get your point across
- Difference between good and great
- Integrity
- Setting higher standards
- Changing things
- Increasing your capacity
- Lifting your game
- Understanding the relationship matrix
- Building the right relationships
- Being disciplined
- Investing in yourself
- Keeping the BIG picture in mind
- The power of a goal and doing them right
- Better time management
- Your attitude
- Having a spirit of excellence
- Using your initiative
- Having some determination
- Finishing well
- An eye on the detail
- Taking responsibility
- Taking risks
- Pioneering
- Listening well
- Knowing how to be assertive
- Confrontation
- Handling the criticism
- Knowing your purpose
- Developing others
- Always serving
- Adding Value
- Developing your ability to see
- Understanding the power of ability
- Building a team
- Dealing with the overwhelm
- Stopping the procrastination
- Mentoring and being mentored
- Always learning
The Apprentice Rule
I was reminded about this recently from a number of different sources ~ who is my apprentice? Who am I investing my life in to, pouring my life in, spending time with so that they can learn from me. Not just words, books or articles but through experience and opportunity to.
When we write our story too often we want to be the protagonist, the main character, the hero. Instead we should place ourselves in the role of the guide, the one that this character looks for, the one to learn from, the one who can help make sense and bring order from the chaos.
Play this role. Find someone who can be the hero, the one who has the potential to go beyond your own achievements, that certain individual who just needs the right voice, challenge and encouragement to help see that potential fulfilled.
So question yourself. Who is my apprentice? Who is the learner in my world? Then ask yourself, when was the last time you purposefully sat with them and spoke any words of wisdom to them? When was the last time you included them?
If we all did this for one we would soon have a sea of champions, not just willing but ready and able to bring the change, the dream, the vision, their adventure to fruition. What a privilege to help make this happen.
Who are you doing this for? Who did/does this for you?
Leaders Should Lead
Well that’s obvious. Yet in my experience not something that always happens.
People like the title that leadership affords. They don’t always like the responsibility. However, if we want others to follow then we must first lead, and then model the behaviour, the culture, and the lifestyle we desire to see in others, in our teams, in our business in our church or in our ministries.
Leaders should lead all the time. It’s not something that can be dipped in and out of. You either are a leader or you are not. Leaders don’t get a day off and that can be tough. Leaders lead 24/7 so be ready for what that means.
Leaders should lead with integrity. The Apostle Paul used the phrase ‘above reproach’. It’s a conscious decision to be the same person, living by those high standards, regardless of events. It’s the discipline to be that person which then sets certain leaders apart from others.
Leaders should lead with purpose. Sometimes you just know what’s right, other times it can be a little less clear. Lead with purpose, not for popularity. Clear vision creates purpose which helps in knowing what it is right to do and what is not.
Leaders should lead even though others won’t always like it. If you are willing, then be a leader who leads. It’s easy to be the one who takes the shot, more challenging to be the one who is aimed at. That’s part of leading. Not everyone likes how you lead.
Are you ready for the adventure? Get ready. Get excited. The rewards for being a leader who leads far outweigh the challenges along the way. The only thing you have to choose is to be that kind of leader.
7 Things Leaders Have to Think About
This reads simpler than it actually is.
1. What the preferred future looks like
2. The detail of that preferred future
3. The strategy required to move towards that preferred future
4. The leaders who will own the strategy that moves us towards that preferred future
5. The teams that the leaders will grow who can work together with the strategy that moves us toward the preferred future
6. The resources that those leaders require to give their teams, equipping them so they are more capable of achieving the strategy that can move us towards the preferred future
7. Are we on track in all that we are doing in respect of the preferred future we have seen?
Would you agree? Or would you change the things you think leaders have to think about?
6 Things Every Capable Leader Should Do
1. Own their mistakes
2. Lead by example
3. Finish what they start
4. Get some accountability
5. Become consistent
6. Display a commitment to the cause
This list came from our discussions tonight with the Xcel Future Leaders. What would you add?
5 Tips for Being a Great Mentor
It seems a long time ago since I was a employed as a Learning Mentor in a local school. My role was to meet with students who had a high academic ability but for different reasons were not performing at that level. My mentoring role was very specific – help them get back on track.
It was a challenge. How to re-engage disinterested students? It was about finding that one thing that would create a spark, which could ignite a desire to improve. It was also about helping them work out their own plan for their future, to definitely not be just another teacher telling them what.
Good leaders learn the skill of being a mentor, a coach, an accountability partner. We often find ourselves as the person who keeps an individual moving forward, giving them a friendly or not so friendly kick up the butt when needed. We are that person who asks the critical questions, someone who has a strong desire to bring out the best in them.
Here a 5 things to remember before you put yourself forward as a mentor:
You are a role model. It’s not just about when you sit down and chat with them. All of your life will speak to them. Be careful to not reduce your impact by acting in a contrary way to how you are encouraging them to live.
You need to be able to listen well. It can be difficult to not just give them the answers but a good mentor/coach has to learn to enjoy awkward silences, giving time for thought and for them to work out the solution for themselves.
You need to have a genuine concern for them. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care [John Maxwell]. You cannot fake this for long. If you are not genuine, people will see straight through you.
You need to be able to help them see the future. It’s not about your plan for their future. Good mentors lay out the options and let those they are mentoring find take the path best for them.
You must be able to ask them the difficult questions. A good mentor knows when to back off and say nothing, yet at the right time they also know when to confront. It’s not the easiest role to undertake but the rewards can be quite incredible.
Who could you mentor? How could you invest in another person, helping them to discover the best version of themselves?