Archive for May, 2009

May29

Backstage Leadership Contest

By: Greg

We have a new speaker lined up for the program. On Monday at 12, the speaker will be revealed. Those that guess correctly will be entered into a drawing to win either:

Tony Morgan’s book Killing Cockroaches
Mark Batterson’s book In a Pit with Lion on a Snowy Day
3 Free Chick-fil-A sandwiches
$10 iTunes card

(All of these are great to consume. Trust me. I’ve had them all!)

Here’s how you enter.

email your answer to info@backstageleadership.org
retweet : get free copy of @tonymorganlive or @markbatterson book today. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/nuxbqq

Here’s the clue:

you should know the answer in 60 seconds and this person likes their steak whale done.

One winner will be announced after announcement on Monday. Winner will be randomly selected from all correct answers submitted.

What is Backstage Leadership? Read here or visit the website here:

Apply online here.

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May21

I love the saying that a good leader answers good questions but a great leader asks great questions. This is what Backstage Leadership is all about. Its about learning to ask the best questions. Its about learning what questions great leaders ask. Backstage Leadership is your opportunity to ask questions to great leaders like Chuck Colson and Dan Cathy. Apply today at www.backstageleadership.org

What is a great question?

Who would you want to ask?

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May20

We need better leadership and marriages!

By: Greg

Ashley Madison [dot] com. I saw someone mention this website today and I thought it was a joke. Not only is it for real, but over 3.2 MILLION people are using it! This is an anonymous dating site for married people to have an affair. The tag line for the site is “Life is short, have an affair.” They have an “Affair Guarantee” !

I’m not sure where to begin with the list of everything that is wrong with this site and on a deeper level, this mentality. Here are a few thoughts.

1. Life is short, true, but life also has purpose and meaning beyond short term happiness. Reading the comments of “users” of this site that talk about how they finally met the person of their dreams is pretty funny that they could convince themselves that the ends justifies the means. It is pure pragmatism. How could you ever be certain that your “dream-mate” is not using the site still? How in the world could you have trust in that relationship?

2. If you have to do something and be “anonymous” then that should be a good sign you are doing something wrong. That sense of right and wrong comes from your Creator, might want to listen to that one. If you know deep down inside that it is wrong and you still move forward, then that is foolishness.

3. Paul warned us that the Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. This is the proof in the pudding. When we make money our king, we will ultimately be miserable. Once again the ends of money does not justify the means of adultery. There is no other reason someone would have started this site AND advertised on shows like Oprah, Dr. Phil and The View if money were not the purpose.

4. I feel sorry for those that always want the easy and surface happiness. It stinks for these people that don’t realize that it takes work for something to be meaningful. Always wanting the easiest, quickest, trouble-free way of happiness creates a culture of wimps. When the going gets tough, just leave, has become the new motto. This mentality has poured over into every area of life. We wonder why people cheat on their taxes, lie to shareholders, and why students cheat on exams. Its because we’ve taught them that the ends justifies the means and that short term happiness is better now matter what the long term effects are. The problems our economy is facing is directly from this mentality. This is a moral problem and its affecting every area of our culture today.

5. This is another proof that outside of a Biblical worldview, you cannot teach ethics. When truth is relative you there is no foundation for truth.

6. My heart hurts for our culture and society. I hurt for the future generations that grow up seeing this as acceptable. I hurt for the children that suffer through a divorce.

We need better leadership: in the home, in the office, in the church, in our cities, in our media and in our government. We need more William Wilberforce’s to rise up against the immorality that plagues our culture. We need healthy marriages to shine as a light into the dark world.

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May19

Backstage Leadership via Mike Foster

By: Greg

Here is the post that Mike put on his blog about Backstage Leadership. I need to hire that guy to come write for our marketing department. I could not have said that any better, not even close. What’s cool is that Mike is coming into this excited to teach but maybe even more excited to learn. That is the sign of a good leader.

Posted by Mike Foster:

One of the things I love to do is connect with other leaders. Not only do I enjoy helping them think through different issues but I also learn so much from them. I truly believe connecting with other leaders is probably one of the greatest investments you can make in your future.

That is why I was excited to be invited to be a part of Backstage Leadership. It is a new opportunity to connect with great leaders and innovators throughout the year. It includes monthly speakers, group interaction, offline learning, a private lunch at Catalyst, coaching and cell groups.

Some of the speakers include Chuck Colson, Mark Batterson, Gabe Lyons, Dan Cathy(Chik-Fil-A) Carlos Whittaker, and good friend Brad Lomenick.

Right now they have an early bird special and some scholarships for church planters. Get all the details here. Or you can email info@backstageleadership.org.

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May18

Backstage Leadership Speaker: Brad Lomenick

By: Greg

Brad Lomenick

BradHead_hires

This is Brad’s official bio:

Over the last 10 years, Brad has built a reputation as a key networker and convener of leaders in a variety of settings. He was involved in the growth of the nationally acclaimed Life@Work magazine, and currently serves as a VP of Giant Impact, a leadership development organization founded by John C. Maxwell, where he leads a number of initiatives including Catalyst, a movement of next generation leaders. Brad also spent several years as a Senior Partner in Cornerstone Group, a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations through strategic planning and executive leadership advising, and before that rode horses in Colorado for a few years. Brad currently lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

To me Brad is a quiet and great leader. For all of you that have been to a Catalyst event in the past few years, you know how awesome they are. And Brad is the man making it all happen. With Brad though, you don’t see him lobbying for stage time (even though he could), you don’t see him drawing attention to himself (even though it would be deserved), and you don’t see him taking credit for the success (he shares it with his team). My time with Brad is always enjoyable because he really lives out his leadership. He’s made himself available to me and he always shoots straight with me. He gets to hang out with the top leaders in the country, yet will talk start up strategy with 20 somethings trying to change the world! That is awesome. Also, he has to work with people like Lanny and Tripp and still has his sanity which shows his huge mental resolve! Thanks Brad!

Get the chance to go backstage and learn directly from Brad.

Apply today :www.backstageleadership.org

Brad’s Site: www.bradlomenick.com.

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May14

Backstage Leadership Speakers: Chuck Colson

By: Greg

Chuck Colson

His official bio (by the way, this is very condensed and humble, the complete one is a few pages long)

Chuck Colson is a popular and widely known author, speaker, and radio commentator. A former presidential aide to Richard Nixon and founder of the international ministry Prison Fellowship, he has written several books, including Born Again, Loving God, How Now Shall We Live? The Good Life and The Faith Given Once, for All—that have shaped Christian thinking on a variety of subjects. His radio broadcast BreakPoint airs daily to two million listeners. In 1993, Colson was awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion; the one million dollar prize—along with all speaking fees and book royalties—are donated to Prison Fellowship. In 2008, President Bush conferred on him the second highest civilian award of the U.S. government, the Presidential Citizen Medal for his humanitarian work with Prison Fellowship. He is a graduate of Brown University and George Washington Law School, receiving his juris doctor with honors. He served in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. He and his wife Patty have three children and five grandchildren.

To me Chuck has had a greater impact on my thinking and learning than anyone else. A bold statement no? I agree. And I stand by it. Chuck’s story is beyond amazing. There are few people that can say they’ve done it as long as Chuck has and done it well. He’s in his 70s now and still goes into prisons. He lives servant leadership. He donates all his speaking fees and book royalties to minister to prisoners. Add to that he has one of the most amazing brains on the planet and you’ve got someone that can teach us all a lot. His book How Now Shall We Live? changed my life in many ways. For the first time I saw how big the gospel was and what my duty was there after. It impacted me so much that I did a 13 month training with him called the Centurion program to learn more. In a few short conversations with him I knew I owed a lot to him. Listening to him do Q&A is an awesome experience. You will not want to miss this opportunity. Chuck is a brilliant, humble leader works harder than most people half his age. It is an honor and privilege to have him as one of our speakers.

You do not want to miss the chance to ask Chuck questions. He will blow your mind!

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May12

Backstage Leadership Speakers: Mike Foster

By: Greg

Mike Foster

This is Mike’s official bio:

Mike Foster is the Senior Creative Principal at PlainJoe Studios, a design firm specializing in strategic branding, interactive media, and environmental design. He leads a large team of creatives at the studio and works with a vast array of clients in both the for profit and non-profit arenas. The firm is a highly regarded creative think tank and has won numerous awards for their work with Infiniti and Nissan.

In addition to his work at Plain Joe, Mike provides leadership for Ethur which is a non-profit organization developing initiatives that promote social and cultural change. In 2002, Mike founded XXXchurch and lead the creative and marketing vision for the ministry until 2006. His work has appeared on CNN, FOX NEWS, The Daily Show, and in the New York Times. He is the co-author of Deadly Viper Character Assassins, which is being re-released in September, 2009. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Jennifer and his two children, Jackson and Taylor.

To me Mike is a friend and mentor who after just a few minutes of being around him, you know that he really loves people. He is honest and rarely holds much back. I’ve seen Mike speak at numerous events and watched him interact with the crowds. He always takes the time to be with people. For a guy that sold his Infinity to drive a decade old Camry so he could give more money to those in need, he’s got a lot to offer. If you have not read his book Deadly Viper Character Assassins, go get it today.

Get the chance to go backstage and learn directly from Mike.

Apply today :www.backstageleadership.org

Mike’s Site:http://www.deadlyviper.org/

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