It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
In this New Year I'm going to continue to explore some leadership quotes that might challenge us, inspire us or remind us of different aspects of the leadership journey. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
You can find past posts on my website HERE.
Enjoy!
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
“If you can't state your position in eight words, you don't have a position." Seth Godin
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I'm exploring Seth Godin quotes this month, and there are some great ones, in fact I'm challenged to just pick a few, but this one has challenged me in the past, and again today as I think about it.
Godin sometimes pushes an extreme view, but in this case, I'm encouraged by it.
The challenge is to simplify our messaging so that people can remember it.
Many times I rely on the the power and plethora of words to make a point or to sustain an argument. Instead, I need to simply state my point and then be quiet.
That's the issue isn't it? Being quiet. When I talk, I'm working out my position, I'm trying to defend my position, I'm reminding myself and others about my position. I have learned to talk so much that I forget to listen.
Have you ever tried to articulate your position, a vision, a mission in just 8 words? Try it.
DEEPER STILL:
In 2006 I identified a personal vision statement around my work and influence that I continue to live with. It drives decisions I make and helps me to define what I do and don't do. It's funny that it's 8 words long:
"Positioning Leaders and Organizations for Greater Kingdom Impact."
It's simple in that it doesn't define all that I do, but it does create some guidelines on how I choose to invest my time, treasure, influence and efforts.
One of my favorite ministry leadership books of all times talks about this with these thoughts: (I'll reference the book below)
"Squeeze your message, squash it, whittle away at it, until it's one sentence - one thought - which communicates the very essence of your mission."
It's a "message you can live with month after month after month, in everything you say, everything you do, everything you print and mail."
The premise is the same as Godin: Keep It Simple.
I remember the day Bruce had me light a match and then tell him about our organization before the match burned my fingers. It was difficult, and I failed many times to articulate and present a fine-tuned message, but that experience helped me to move towards creating a message that was simpler.
Think about a position you have, a vision or message you communicate regularly or a purpose statement you use. How can you rework it to fit the 8-word challenge by Godin?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Find out more about Seth Godin HERE.
Read Seth's Blog Post from yesterday. A great illustration of a short and simple challenge that causes us to think. I really resonated with this thought.
This book, The 7 Deadly Diseases of Ministry Marketing is a staple on my shelf. I've re-read it, taught it and used it for years and it's as valid today as it was in 1998 when it was first published!
I enjoyed watching this series on Netflix called Quarterback. They do a deep dive into 3 quarterbacks from the 2022 NFL Season and journey with them through the year.
I rediscovered this soundtrack from a 1991film based in Ireland. Really good music! The Commitments on Apple.