Leading From Behind

Leading From Behind. Some might call it leading with balance. Some might call it leading in safety. Some might call it reactionary leadership.

I call it following.

Question: What do you call Leading From Behind?  Share your thoughts below in comments.

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me @Bigcloudmusic on Twitter if you find me interesting.)

No Matter Where You Are...

Myself and my family have undergone some changes recently.

After 10 years of living in the Washington, DC area, we moved to Northwest Florida. I went from being the Executive Pastor of a 3000+ member church, to Co-Pastor of a church running just under 100.

I went from making a salary that allowed us to live and raise three children in the DC area, to working a 'tent-making' job at an insurance agency, making 40% of our household needs and watching our savings diminish each month.

But I love my life!

You see, my geography and culture may have changed, but my desire and potential to influence it haven't. I still greet each person I meet with a smile and a desire to lead them. I continue to go out of my way to inspire and influence. I still believe that one can affect people, anywhere.

And so I am developing relationships at Starbucks and State Farm, at Winn-Dixie and Walmart.

I am developing a team of leaders, pouring into them, and expecting them to pour into others.

I am doing everything I can to help others fulfill their destinies.

Why? Because I believe that is my destiny.

Question: What can you offer me that will help me to continue to be an influence to those around me? Share your thoughts below in comments.

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me @Bigcloudmusic on Twitter if you find me interesting.)

1+1= Much More!

A couple of evenings ago, my wife and I took a short walk from our house to the shore of the "sound" (body of water running along the Florida panhandle separating the mainland from the island). There we sat in a couple of chairs in the sand at the water's edge, and watched the sun go down.

There was a fog/mist coming in from the Gulf of Mexico, and combined with the ever-changing colors of a Florida sunset, we had a 45 minute "piece of paradise".

We spent the time talking, being thankful, and sharing dreams. We also pointed out to each other things various we observed: She noticed the Purple Martins nesting in their house; I noticed the cloud patterns in the sky.

We ended the evening with a long walk, holding hands and talking some more. It was a glorious evening!

Later, as I was reflecting on our time, I was struck with this thought: As we sat and noticed things, what my wife saw was different from what I saw. But as we shared our observations with the other, together we saw much more than we would have seen alone.

That's the way it is with relationships: Together, people tend so see much more then they would see by themselves. Husbands & wives, friends, work teams, artistic collaborations.

I encourage you to value those you interact with. Allow them to see what you don't see, to observe what you might miss, to add to your vision. I promise, you'll see much more!

Question: When have you seen much more by collaborating with another? Share your thoughts below in comments.

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me @Bigcloudmusic on Twitter if you find me interesting.

The Best vs. The Next

I recently had a conversation (spirited exchange) with a colleague on the subject of which musicians to use in our church's band. He said we ought to use the same "A" players every week. I countered with the idea that we should have rotating teams using a combination of the "A" players, and younger "B" players.

I understand his rationale: always have the very best in the most prominent place. But I am also driven to investing into, and giving opportunity to developing musicians. By exposing the "B" players to the "A" players, they gain valuable experience and mentoring.

Plus, the musician pool is larger, giving opportunity for players to be involved in other ministries. And, the likelihood for burnout because of overuse is lessened.

I'm sure there are many opinions on this. Have you got one?

Question: What are your thoughts on using developing musicians alongside of seasoned ones? Share your thoughts below in comments.

(If you like this post, please re-post it or Twittter it to your followers. Follow me @Bigcloudmusic on Twitter if you find me interesting.