I had a friend recently ask me what is the most difficult part about starting all the various projects, businesses, and organizations over the past few years. It was a really great question and the conversation that flowed from it was terrific. I’m going to share some of the thoughts over a few posts.
Filling out your weaknesses.
In the infant stages of an idea, most of the people you are working with and sharing your ideas with are people like you. They think like you. They have similar gifts as you. Their strengths and abilities align closely with yours. So, when you share your ideas, they’re going to love them. If you are a big picture person, they’ll see the big picture too. If you are a details person, they’ll see all the little steps with you. This in itself is not a problem. The problems start when you start working.
As soon as you start working, you realize that there are some gapping holes in your plan. For me, this happens with details. I live at 40,000 feet. I love the big picture, the vision casting, the ideating and all that goes with it. I love to paint a picture of a completed idea. The difficulties for me come up with details, systems, and processes. I need help getting from the starting line to the finish line that I’ve painted for everyone. I’ve learned that a brilliant idea without a plan for the details is just an idea.
To overcome this difficulty in starting, the key is to find people that don’t think like you. Find people with different strengths, talents, and gifts. Don’t surround yourself with people who will love every idea you throw out. Find someone who disagrees and who will say no when you say go. Fill out your weaknesses and you will be off to a great start.

Many people are waiting around for the magic call.

This call could open all the right doors.

This call would give them their dream job.

This call could fix all their problems.

This call would be unbelievable.

I’ve waited on this call. I’ve prayed for this call. I’ve dreamed about it and been looking for it. Then one day, it hit me.

What would I do if they came calling? Would I be ready? Could I perform the job they’d ask me to do? Could I speak on the topics they’d want me to speak on? If they called, would I be ready for that opportunity?

I knew the answer. It was no, I wasn’t ready. I wouldn’t be able to do the job. I couldn’t speak on those topics. I was not ready for the call.

So, I got busy. I wanted to be ready. I surveyed where I was and where I wanted to get to. Then I put a plan together and started working. Then something funny happened…whey “they” called, I was more confident that I could do the job, give the talk, and perform at the level that was expected.

If they’re not calling, maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe you’ve bought yourself some more time.

Make a plan. Get to work. Then, when they call, you’ll be ready.

If you are human–which most of you are–then you know that life can be tough. There are trials, pains, deaths, set backs, struggles, and so on and so on. Everyone gets them. Everyone faces them. Everyone deals with them. The sad thing is that not everyone has someone to go through them with.

During those times, it’s so easy to doubt God. Read more »

I had a meeting with a great mentor and influencer in my life this past week. He dropped a wisdom bomb on me and I thought I’d pass it along. Here’s what I learned:

The right vision will allow you to say No. A vision that is too broad allows far too many Yes’ to be effective. By saying No, you are giving your vision more clarity, focus and eventually  you’ll see greater results.

This does not mean that you can not have a huge vision. This just means you need a focused vision.

What can you say no to? What ideas are automatically cast aside because they don’t fit into your vision? What opportunities do you turn down because they don’t align with your vision.

If you can’t say No, it might be time to take another look at your vision.

Wow! It’s been an unbelievable first year of Backstage Leadership. WOOT!  I can not believe that it’s already come and gone. I am so proud of our team, all our participants and the work that was accomplished. I am grateful for the great leaders that worked with us too.  All in all, it has blown past my original expectations. But, this is only the beginning. As we look to next year and the future leaders we will impact, I’m taking a few moments to celebrate what God has done.

When Joshua took the Israelites into the Promised Land, they crossed over the Jordan, took out some near by armies and then….they celebrated.  Joshua built a memorial so that when people saw the memorial they would remember what took place and then celebrate.

Be sure that in your pursuit of your vision that you stop and celebrate. Take time to remember where you were and where you are. What does celebrating do for you, your vision and your team?

1. Celebrating allows you to remind people of the vision.  Bill Hybles says that vision leaks.  If this is true (and I think it is) then every excuse you can get to recast the vision is welcomed.  What’s a better way to cast vision than by partying?
2. Celebrating is a way to come back to the team. Many times visionary leaders and entrepreneurs spend so much time in the future that the forget the people behind them.  Celebrating is a way for you to hit the pause button and encourage those that helped you achieve the vision.
3. Celebrating shows your team that you appreciate what they have done.  By constantly looking to “what’s next” you risk saying that “what we’ve done” is not important.  Most people do not live in the future like you do.
4. Celebrating is a way to worship.  Celebrate by giving thanks to what God has done. Appreciate all the doors He opened. Give thanks for the prayers He answered and for the grace he extended.

What do you need to celebrate today with your team?

Just finished up a great interview with Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen and founder of Behance. His book came out last Thursday and I plowed through it to get ready for the interview. I have so many action items in my head right now I can’t think straight. The interview will be up for the May edition of the Backstage Leadership podcast.

In the mean time, if you are an idea person, entrepreneur, artist, photographer, writer, designer, or want to be any of those things, then do yourself a favor a pick up a copy of Scott’s book today.  So you know, I have no incentive to say that other than I really think the book and it’s principles could help you.

Here are a few sound bites:

Value the role of the skeptic.

Ideas in isolation usually die

Sharing your ideas will help you accomplish more as your community will hold you accountable.

Here’s to changing the world!

Next week I’m doing an interview for the Backstage Leadership podcast with Scott Belsky. I am very excited. Scott is the founder of Behance and the 99% Conference and author of soon to be released book Making Ideas Happen.  Behance is passionate about organizing the creative world and helping people execute on their ideas and get them out the door.

If you are an idea person, a creative person, or want to be, then you do not want to miss this opportunity. Scott spent over 6 years researching and interviewing hundreds of creatives across industries for the content of his book. Here’s your chance to ask Scott some questions. Post them in the comments and I’ll get to them in the interview. Remember as Scott says, it’s not about ideas, it’s about making ideas happen.

This interview will be up on the Backstage Leadership podcast later in the Spring.

Post your questions now.