we like you too written on white brick wall

#TuesdayT – Popularity

December 4, 2018

The truth: Leaders shouldn’t strive to be popular. Legends became legends by sacrificing popularity for the sake of doing what was right. Who was the most unpopular President of all-time? Gallup might list several modern Presidents, but what about Abraham Lincoln? How many other Presidents saw half the country secede from the Union? Martin Luther […]

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Lead Yourself First

December 3, 2018

A buddy of mine recently told me about his experience at Marine Officer Candidate School.  “The drill instructor would get on us if we tried to help other officer candidates carry their gear.  We had to lead ourselves first.” What would change in your life if you led yourself first? Would you spend your time […]

open bible

#TheoThursday – Tithing

November 29, 2018

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it” (Malachi 3:10). For the […]

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#TuesdayT- Setting Goals

November 27, 2018

Most people fail to set goals because they don’t begin the goal-setting process early enough. Here is a way to avoid that: 1. Open up a blank note on your iPhone. If you don’t have an iPhone, a sheet of paper will do fine. 2. Think about themes: Faith, Marriage, Family, Work, Health. Begin scribbling […]

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Connection

November 26, 2018

I recently read that Lyndon Johnson believed that it was better to give 5-minute speeches that allow for 15 minutes to connect with the audience afterward, rather than 15-minute speeches that only allow for 5 minutes to connect with the audience afterward.* This is a brilliant thought. Shaking hands, looking into people’s eyes, and making […]

thankful with fall ornamentation

Thanksgiving – The Power of Relationships

November 19, 2018

Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday of the year. There is so much to be thankful for: The freedom to Worship. Sarah. The kids. Our health. God’s provision.  Healthy sibling relationships in the midst of leading a business. A dad who still kicks my butt in golf, and offers unsolicited (and solicited!) business advice. The […]

#TheoThursday – Accountability

November 15, 2018

Earlier today I read 1 Corinthians 5:12: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?”* I write frequently about accountability.  Well, what is it? Accountability is both getting “all up in someone else’s business,” and allowing the same person to “get all up in […]

thank you card

#TuesdayT – Thank a Vet

November 13, 2018

I witnessed something beautiful Sunday at the Bears game. The Bears chose Retired United States Marine Corporal Kyle Carpenter (Medal of Honor Recipient) as their honorary captain, which meant that he walked with the other captains to midfield for the coin-flip. As Kyle left the field my friend elbowed me and said, “I flew cover […]

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#TheoThursday – Selfish Ambition

November 8, 2018

I recently studied Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia and came to Galatians 5:19-21 where he lists “the works of the flesh.” I’ve probably read the list 50 or more times in my life. So, I was stunned to find these two words staring me down: Selfish Ambition. Our society teaches us that we […]

leather book with benjamin franklin quote

Encouraging the Team

November 5, 2018

I write frequently about how leaders need to encourage their team.  So, instead of writing another post about encouraging the team, I thought I’d share a real-life example.  What follows is copy from an actual email I sent to our team. My goal in writing the email was twofold.  First, I wanted to use a […]