Great leaders are great communicators! Leaders desiring to influence people are committed to the art of effective communication. People follow leaders who clearly articulate vision, passion and goals. Rarely do people line up behind someone who is directionless or non-communicative. Covid 19 has presented new challenges for those of us in leadership who put a premium on communication. It is…
As a veteran leader, I have watched my share of Christian Leaders exit places of responsibility over the years. There were some who made unwise decisions necessitating a change. But for far too many, I observed another heartbreaking phenomenon. If I had to put it into words, I would say it like this: Often good leaders don’t leave organizations/churches that…
One of the first rules of communication is understanding your audience. Unfortunately, we have all heard sermons, speeches or lectures that were off topic - or missed their target audience by a decade. Being conscientious in the preparation of our content is vital, but it is also imperative we understand the people we intend to address. Over the years I…
I was only twenty-one years old as I stood reading a copy of the letter my mentor had written. Addressed to a key supporter of our international ministry, it was someone whom he wanted me to visit. Reading the last line, I said to my wife, “I’m not going on this trip. I’m afraid I cannot live up to the…
Serve in business or ministry long enough and the odds are high you will experience the good, bad and ugly of leadership teams. If you have been blessed to be part of an organized, highly proficient, united team, count yourself among the fortunate. Too many have experienced the dark side of leadership teams: the kind that are disjointed and unproductive.…
The average tenure for teachers of the eighth-grade boys Sunday School class was two to four months. I don’t think the boys actually conspired together, contriving evil plots for the teacher’s demise. They did however possess a ‘pack instinct’ when they smelled the fresh blood of a rookie. I learned this information after I agreed to take the class. I…
The ability of a leader to clearly communicate message is vital. As Gilbert Amelio said, “If a leader can't get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn't even matter.” Leaders usually fail to clearly communicate message for one of two reasons: They are out of touch with their constituency, so they…
Great communicators make profound concepts simple and simple ones profound. They are students of their audience. This allows them to predict and answer questions in the audience minds during the presentation. Don’t let that thought be too intimidating because it is a learned ability. Every student ministry leader can be an effective communicator if they are willing to spend time…
Arriving at the Orlando Airport for my 7 pm speaking engagement, I checked my phone for a reply to my request for details. Neither of my emails to the 20-something coordinator had resulted in a reply. On the tram from the satellite terminal to baggage claim I tried the cell number again, but there was no answer. In my frustration…
Understanding your audience is one of the first rules of communication. Yet we have all endured off-topic sermons or lectures which missed their target audience by a decade or two. It is vital we be conscientious in the research and preparation of our content. However, understanding the people to whom we intend to deliver the content is imperative as well.…