Will Mancini

This phrase comes from Perry Noble's advice on "Four things I wish someone would have told me"

I love his passion for Church Unique- he simply blurts out-  "You're not normal.  If you were God would have left you alone. Quit trying to be who people want you to be.  Be who God called you to be."

Another reason I wanted to reference this statement is a great quote I am modifying for for churches that I read with regard to people and speaking.  In a new book entitled, Real Leaders Don't Do Powerpoint, Christopher Witt, writes "Don't be different just to be different. Stop, instead, trying to look and sound like everyone else.  Be yourself, and if that does not make you different, then something is seriously wrong. 

If you like the the article leader, you sign-up for 3-6 more e-mails that all come in the next month, totally clutter free, and ad free. We call this “Drill Down.”

In this Issue: What is strategic banning?

Thousands of churches and ministries across the country still invest heavily in traditional strategic planning practices. To what end? The result can be underwhelming at best and frustrating at worst. After the grueling hours and overpriced consultants have expired, the leader is left standing with 150-page notebook that works better as boat anchor than an organizational rudder.

Strategic banning – It’s time to shut down traditional approaches to strategic planning and start something new.

To learn more about the fallacies of strategic planning and uncover the pathway to better visioning, subscribe to this issue’s Drill Down.

Great leaders create the destiny and direction for their companies that motivates their team to pursue. Powerful visions galvanize groups and take them to new places and heights.

• FedEx had a vision for overnight, guaranteed next morning package delivery.
• Dominoes had a vision to deliver quality, hot pizza to your door in 30 minutes or less or it’s free.
• Coke had a vision to have a refreshing beverage within the reach of every person around the world.
• Microsoft had a vision to create beneficial software that would compel people to have a computer on every desk at work, home or school.
• M.D. Anderson has a vision to make cancer history.
• Disney had a vision to put a smile on the face of every guest and to make families smile.

Your vision is your MVP … Most Valuable Property. Realize that your vision has a cascading effect on everything else in your organization. Cloudy visions foster blurred and confusing priorities, employees, and disappointing results. Sharp visions foster clarity and powerful momentum.

Are you spending enough time creating and implementing your vision?

I just saw this article entitled Brevity in Church Solutions Magazine by my friend Bob Adams. After some recent meetings with church leaders I was reminded that this simple wisdom can easily be overlooked:

“When it comes to effective communication, small beats large; short beats long; and plain beats complex. Sometimes, visual beats them all.

The above quote, from Dr. Frank Lutz’s book, “Words that Work,” is an appropriate challenge for every leader. Good leaders communicate. They may use the written word, spoken word, or visuals instead of words, but good leaders communicate.

How are you doing in your communication? Are your words simple, to the point and memorable? Are your words consistent with your actions? Can the reader or listener visualize your intent?

Or, are no words at all the best path to take? We live in a society almost overwhelmed by the visual image – and we ask for more! Sometimes, a visual image is the best “word” we can use.

Communication – written, spoken or visual – is just a tool that you, as a leader, have at your disposal. But what a powerful tool. Communicate concisely with passion, purpose and persuasiveness, and you’ll be well on the path to becoming a great leader.”

• Legitimized the identity of the mega-church as it emerged
• Birthed an incredible number of relationships in a time of increased isolation
• Cross-pollinated ideas like no one else
• Provided opportunities for pastors to sit under the best leaders
• Made the national church smaller while making the local church more relevant and more missional

He included an eloquent and sincere reflection that “The bride of Christ is more beautiful because of Bob’s life.”

The night was to was particularly meaningful as Auxano prepares to work with LN in a new season of vision articulation and branding as the next chapter is written.  LN’s mission is to identify, connect and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact.