Mistakes Happen

Wow did we blow it!
Wow did I blow it!

We all fall into certain personality types.  I tend to want things in order, well thought out and anticipate any potential problems and have plans in place for every scenario that could take place.  As a leader I need to make sure that I am casting a vision of those plans to my teams.  So what do I do when somehow a mistake takes place?  Did I fail to plan?  Did I get caught by surprise?  Was it something beyond my control?

I choose to take my failures and dissect them like a CSI agent.  I think failure creates a great classroom of learning.  But just being in the classroom is not enough.  I have to be a good student in the room and really want to learn.

THE PROBLEM - Recently a visitor to my department had a poor experience and poor reception.

THE CAUSE - No one was able to help resolve their concerns, no one was present to answer their questions.  No one valued their presence.

THE IMMEDIATE RESULTS - In the end, they left frustrated and not sure if they would ever return.

THE CHANGE - As the department head it is my responsibility to respond quickly.  I need to gain an understanding of the situation and take appropriate action.

THE RESPONSE - My guest did not deserve the experience they received.  It is certain that they formed a mental report card in which a failing grade has been assigned.  It's time for me to try and earn some extra credit and get a passing grade.  There is something here for my team and I to learn!

Some leaders may choose to identify blame or cast off the problem to another person (in my case, a volunteer.)  Leadership takes the courage to face challenges head-on and great leadership must possess a sincere desire to improve their level of service and excellent leadership learns to respond appropriately with sound judgement.

It's easy for any organization to advertise that all guest will have an excellent experience.  But if the organization oversells and under-delivers the end user can feel betrayed.  Utopia is a rare place and elusive to all.  How then do we respond when an eventual breakdown occurs.  Even Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, must have a daily onslaught of guests that may voice their opinion when something went wrong.  How do they prepare and plan for this - guest relations.  Empowered representatives that can be empathetic and take appropriate action should be part of the plan.  If they can convey a personal touch with a sincere apology where it's due, there is hope that the guest's opinion can be turned around.  How refreshing is it when an organization accepts responsibility if it failed to deliver what it mission statement said it would do, and then goes many steps further to try and gain back the trust of respect of its guest?

In my situation, I took full responsibility for the failure of my team members and myself.  I offered a sincere apology and statements of empathy.  I asked for another chance to make a great first impression and extended a personal opportunity to meet with my guest face-to-face to try and earn their respect.

It does not end there.  I need to make sure that we, as a team, share our experience and buy-into a revised plan so that the problem does not recur.  Follow-up and team meetings are scheduled.

Failure does not define us, but failure is a classroom that we must learn in if we want to move ahead in leadership.

Military

Most people are not aware that some people who serve to protect our freedoms in the U.S. military are not citizens of the United States. I was one such example. Serving in the flight school that trained flight crew for the B52 Stratofortress Bomber and KC135 Tanker. Those were some very exciting times!

During my first 3 years in the USAF I was a citizen of The United Kingdom. During my last year I did become a U.S. citizen.

Along these lines I'm so grateful that I did not have to meet certain conditions before I could join the family of God. I did not have to change before 'signing up' to be a Christian. Although I eventually left the military, I will always be a veteran. I have no plans to leave the family of God, and I signed-up for life - I will always be a Christian!

What Are The Results Of Prayer

How long do pastors pray daily:
America - 22-39 min
Japan - 44 min
Korea - 90 min
China - 120 min

It's not surprising that the growth rate of churches in each of these countries is directly proportional to the amount of time pastors are spending in prayer.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Pray-ers

1. Effective pray-ers have their hearts in order.
2. Effective pray-ers have their houses in order.
3. Effective pray-ers are persistent.
4. Effective pray-ers maintain an eternal perspective.
5. Effective pray-ers have an expectancy that results in boldness.
6. Effective pray-ers pray according to the will of God.
7. Effective pray-ers recognize the seasons of the soul.

Social Media Update

Sitting with a consultant team learning how to harness power of social media. This prompted me to check my blog site....sorely embarrassed.

“Have We Met Before? I think I’ve heard about you. Oh….you are that person they warned me about.”

Character is who you are when you are by yourself. These wise words have often been close counsel to me. I recall them when traveling alone for business or pleasure. They help me to keep perspective and accountability to my God, my spouse, my family. I found that in reading Proverbs 22:1 that my character is directly tied to the value of my relationship to God. This scripture says ‘A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.’

Have you ever bought a car and wished you could know for certain if it is mechanically sound. Sure the paint looks good, the tires are new, but what about the parts you can’t see? It could be soaking in a new coat of wax, received a super detail job, but if it doesn’t move you more than a few feet down the road, its real character only existed on the surface. It hid its flaws, it tried to dazzle you. Once paralyzed with your eyes on its beauty, you dropped your guard and assumed everything under the hood must surely be as great as the exterior. Before you know it…..this cars value is not as high as you thought.

I’d like to relate that illustration to you in another way. Have you ever had several well-intentioned people tray and help you form an opinion about someone you have yet to meet? They are sharing with you their interpretation of this person’s reputation. I know all of us have met people that have extraordinary reputations of the highest quality. We admire & respect them. On the other hand, you may have had the unfortunate opportunity to deal with an individual that has a ‘less-than-desirable’ reputation. While we may not always be able to stop people for trying to help us form opinions about others you are in control of your reputation. Sometimes our ears itch to learn what others opinions are about us. Are they speaking favorable of us, are they casting you in the best light possible?

Whatever people may say, we should always strive to be above reproach when it comes to our dealings with others. I encourage you to approach a brother when there seems to be an offense, speak a kind word that will turn away wrath, let folks speak well of you as they watch you deal with difficulties in ministry. I figure you can dig a trench and fight battles so you can feel a sense of justification or you can take Proverbs 22:1 to heart and realize that your real favor should come from God. Your desire to gain favor in the eyes of others should be more valuable than silver or gold. But beware in trying to earn the favor of others. Avoid being like the car I mentioned earlier. A big Bible, attractive wardrobe and using the latest buzz words are surface characters only and your ministry won’t go more than a mile before breaking down. What’s deep down inside of you? What drives you to success? Will others say it’s your strong devotion as a true servant to God. Will your character truly reflect Christ so others can no longer see you? Are you willing to be decrease so the He may increase? Now that’s what I call character!

Lastly, take time to get to know someone before you determine their reputation. I have several friendships that would have never been created if I acted on the opinions of others and avoided a person that was thought to have a poor reputation. This type of attitude would have literally kept Jesus from talking to the Samaratin woman at the well.

Jedi Ministry

I remember seeing in a Star Wars movie how Yoda was trying to teach young Luke Skywalker to 'use the force' as he did battle with a floating orb while bindfolded

Our walk with God can be a lot like this. We can't see the step ahead, but God asks us to step out anyway, step in faith

Today is going to be like a snowy day. Unable to see more than one step but needing to press onward.

Growing up along the east coast we had blizzards. Once, while in kindergarten I remember the bus dropping me off in the middle of a blinding snow storm. It was a long walk down a dirt road to our farm house and I was certain I would be eaten by a yedi & never seen again. What a relief when I saw my mom standing defiant against the storm waiting for me. She opened her jacket to shelter me from the pelting ice and we walked. I was quickly feeling frozen and pleading that I could not go on. Mom said just take another step and you'll make it. Eventually I ended up with hot chocolate, a warm blanket, slippers & a toasty fire This was mom at her finest to help me forget my 'near death' ordeal. Remember, I was just in K.

Wow..God is just like this illustration:
1) God knew the storm was coming
2) He runs into the storm to meet us
3) He stood defiant of the storm
4) He comforts us during the storm
5) He encourages us through the storm
6) He delivers us out of the storm and leads us to a place of rest & peace

I don't like being in a blizzard but I know I'm never alone. We're gonna make it to heaven one step at a time. Looking back, I know in the moment of that wintery walk it caused me discomfort. My mom passed away many years ago but the memory of this storm has often brought me great comfort and fond memories.