Kristie's August Maxwell Review

I am enjoying this book even though it is teaching me that my thoughts on leadership are wrong.
So here are some of the highlights that ‘pricked’ at my heart and mind:

Ch. 2 Charisma
One of the thoughts that John Maxwell brought out was to “put a ‘10’ on every person’s head”. I have to admit that there are times I fail to do this-not that I think I am better than them; but when someone has disappointed me (or with teenagers if they seem to be a ‘troublemaker’) I have drawn back from reaching out to and encouraging that person. So I have really worked on putting a 10 on each of the teens since I feel called to this ministry. They have to know that I value and love them and that I care about how their life is going.

Ch.3 Commitment
I really liked this chapter. We have to remember always that even if no one else sees what we do or hears what we say or think; that God sees, hears, and knows are thoughts. Mr. Maxwell's qualities on commitment were excellent 1) it starts in the heart, 2) it is tested by action, 3) it opens the door to achievement. Our actions will always speak louder than our words, and so many are watching.

Ch. 4 Communication
This area has always been a problem area for me. I have always lacked the self confidence to speak in front of others and I realize that it probably also has something to do with not being able to communicate and share my heart with others. When I try to share my heart I get emotional and seem to ramble. So this is definitely an area where I need to improve; and my goal for this quarter is also geared to improving relational and communication skills.

Ch. 5 Competence
I had no idea that Benjamin Franklin was so industrious. This chapter has caused me to reflect on my attitude - has it been ‘this is good enough’ or has it been ‘to do my best and to see each task as an opportunity to learn and grow’? I need to show up every day (or at every youth event) ready to give my very best. Regardless of how I feel or how my day has been; or what difficult task I may have before me. I must look for ways to keep learning, growing and improving; I cannot afford to ever think ‘I have arrived‘ or that my effort was ‘good enough‘.

It is amazing to me how these qualities intertwine with each other. For instance if I am comfortable just being good enough then have I forgotten that God knows my heart and thoughts. In other words my competence reflects my commitment. And also if I don't offer each student my best then do I truly value them. So again my competence and commitment reflect my charisma. And then to be able to communicate to each of them that I value them.

Josh's 3rd Qtr Goal

My 3rd Qtr goal is to be a better leader.

I know that is pretty broad but I'll break it down a bit in my action steps.

Action Steps
1. I will focus more on making eye contact at home, work, and with the kids on Wednesdays.
-This has been a struggle for me for a long time. I think I have struggled with this since I was a little kid.

2. I will begin again the task of praying that I have opportunity to share Christ's love on a daily basis

3. I will avoid blame shifting and take responsibility for my actions or lack thereof. This happens mostly at home with those I love the most.

4. I will followthrough with setting up and starting the process of budgeting. (Taylor helped me setup some software). This is important for me as a leader because finances continue to side-track me from the things that are important to me as a leader.

Alexis 3 month goal

My 3 month goal is to be more organized in my life!

#1 I will utilize a binder for my music on Sunday morning.
#2 I have a storage tray at my work in which I will organize my papers alphabetically.
#3 I will plan a game or fun activity for Wednesday nights when I am leading.
#4 I will go through my pile of bills at home and throw away all the past paper work.
#5 I will write 10 ways that utilizing these organizing techniques has benefited my life.


Alexis

Eric's July Post- Maxwell

I am interested in this book and how John Maxwell tells us what it takes to have the qualities of a leader. To improve those areas through self reflection and making those steps to improve in those areas and living it out. I really liked the comment "real character is being bigger on the inside" because it's the one area that God sees in us.

Alexis -Book Review Chap 1- July

I really enjoyed reading the 1st chapter of this book. Character is a vital point to leadership. I have observed leaders in my past who had the talk but when they were tested failed to have the actions and character to back up their knowledge. As I have grown in my walk with Christ I have been tested many times to be Christ like and utilize the knowledge of God's Word. There have been times that I have failed, where I missed it, but it came down to my heart's attitude and character. Even though I messed up I was able to show character. I began to realize that a leader is not perfect but a leader is one who can show Christ's ultimate power through one's life and that is true character when you allow Christ to be the Focus Point and not your self. Whenever I worship I find that my heart is truly to keep Christ at the center. I do try to apply the talent that He has blessed me with but if I focus too hard and my playing and not on Him my focus becomes on my own power rather than God's power working through me. So I challenge you all to not worry about perfection but realize when we allow the Holy Spirit to be our focus, true character will shine through!


Alexis 1st book Review chap 1 July

Annette - can't help myself

I am LOVING this book!  I read Chapter 2: Charisma and I just HAVE to blog about it now.  John Maxwell is seriously an anointed author on leadership.  In reading that chapter, I realize that I used to be really focused on being charismatic - and making people feel like they are so special.  I've gotten jaded over the last few years!!!  I was heart broken reading this as I realized that.  It made me really examine what has happened.  And it's basically that people have rejected my encouragement, or they just used me to get a boost.  Somewhere I decided that I wasn't going to be "taken" anymore.  I have to change that!  God made me to be an encourager.  What people do with it is their business with God. 

It is so encouraging that he says you can develop these qualities.  I think a lot of people have copped out on leadership because they say "I'm just not a leader".  We ALL have the potential to lead - but we have to decide to allow God to cultivate these qualities in our lives.  And I think the "Bringing it home" sections are SO good!  Practical ways to work on these qualities. 

John Maxwell is awesome.  I follow him on Twitter now - and yet another example of his impeccable leadership, he followed me right back!!  John Maxwell will see my tweets!  I gotta step up my game.  :o)

Josh's John Maxwell 1st post

I can see that this book will be a good one for myself already because I had some character convictions already. Nothing earth shattering but things I most certainly need to address that add stress to me and in-turn add stress to those I love, care about, and minister to. If it doesn't add stress to those I just mentioned it certainly decreases my effectiveness in ministering to them and inhibits the amount of overflow. One thing that has stuck with me from Pastor Jeff's leadership training was the addage "If your output exceeds your input then your upkeep will be your downfall". Very true in any situation, not just spiritually. I can see I will have some heavy self-examination to do. I'm sure a lot of this has to do with us having 2 very young kids and myelf having a very demanding position at work, on top of lots of ministry but regardless of where the pressures are coming from I need to address them now. As he states in the first chapter, "Unaddressed cracks in character only get deeper and more destructive with time."