JodyEarley.com

"Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about..."

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:38:00 -0500

“Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.”

- Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple

Love this video from Levi’s. Filled with the message of...

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:47:00 -0500

Love this video from Levi’s. Filled with the message of rebuilding and starting over.

8 Tips for Managing Your Time

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:36:12 -0500

I came across this article online via @CatalystLeader and it had some real practical tips on managing your time. Below is the bullet point version, but I encourage you to check out the full article here. It will be worth you “time” (pun intended).

Evaluate your time.
Set daily goals.
Design your own to-do list.
Group similar tasks.
Break down daunting tasks.
Make meetings matter.
Take breaks.
Allow for unexpected interruptions.

Clocks from Diamantini & Domeniconi.

"Are you doing work worth doing, or are you just doing your job?"

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:14:58 -0500

“Are you doing work worth doing, or are you just doing your job?”

- Seth Godin

Free Stuff For Churches

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:24:15 -0500

Recently churches and ministries have been making their resources available for others to download. Here’s a short list of some different websites were you can get some videos, artwork, teaching and other free stuff.

If you know of more sites that are worth checking out be sure and leave a link in the comments section.

Brainstorming Basics: Part 2

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:14:32 -0500

Here are five more tips on effective brainstorming. Be sure and check out Part 1 to get the first five.

Pick a number. Not only do you want to have the right people, but you want to have the right amount of people. To many people and no one can get a word in, to few people and you’re not able to create synergy. There is no magic number, but I find 4-6 people work best. Although you can start with as few as two.
Stay positive. Negativity kills creativity. If someone throws out an idea you consider to be “bad” then learn to respond in a positive way. Learn how to navigate around those ideas and keep rolling. Not every idea will be a keeper, but sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ideas.
Don’t take it personal. If someone doesn’t like your idea or it doesn’t get used don’t take it personal. It’s okay to stand up for what you believe in, but ultimately the decision should be what is best for the organization. It’s important to keep in mind that the objective for the meeting is about finding the best solution.
Quantity of ideas will lead to quality of ideas. Don’t stay quiet because you think your idea isn’t the best. Ideas are a numbers game. The more ideas you get out there in the open the greater your chances one will stick. Don’t forget, sometimes “bad” ideas inspire “good” ones.
Assign tasks at the end of the meeting. Before the meeting ends it is important to put legs to your ideas. Who’s going to make those calls or do the research? Not everyone will leave with an assignment, but someone should. Even if that someone is you.

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

Brainstorming Basics: Part 1

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:08:00 -0500

I enjoy the creative process of collaborating with others to produce ideas and ways of solving problems. Here are five things that I have found helpful when it comes to brainstorming.

Research the topic before you begin. Come inspired. Arrive with a full brain and leave with an empty one. If you are facilitating this meeting then give the team a heads up so they can begin to cultivate ideas before the meeting even starts.
Have an agenda and stay on point. Make the most of the time you have and try to stay focused. Come prepared knowing what your going to discuss and in what order. Start with the most important items and go from there. Contrary to popular opinion, organization breeds creativity.
Have the right people in the room. Invite those most knowledgeable about the topic at hand. Although, you don’t want to just have intelligent people they also need to be able to articulate their ideas.
Have a facilitator. You need someone to direct the ship. The point of brainstorming is to provide solutions not just useless ideas. It’s easy to get off course that’s why you need someone holding the map.
Assign someone to take notes. You don’t want to forget those amazing ideas. It’s best to use someone that doesn’t have to worry about contributing as much to the meeting and avoid using your stronger players.

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

This was originally posted on Sep 19th, 2009.

Important Vs. Urgent

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:56:00 -0500

Our lives are full of deadlines. We all have urgent items that are knocking at the front door, things that demand our attention. Granted, a lot of these urgent items need and should be given attention, but not at the expense of what is important. There will always be a tension between what demands our time and what needs our time. The trick is giving our attention to what is important regardless of the tangible urgency because what is important is not always urgent. Here are a few examples of Important Vs. Urgent:

Leading Vs. Doing

People Vs. Tasks

Planning Vs. Working

Volunteer Rap

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:09:14 -0500

Check out this video from Kensington Church. I think it is a fun way to show appreciation to volunteers. I know I greatly appreciate all of our volunteers at People’s Church.

Volunteer Rap from Kensington on Vimeo.

How to Fuel Creativity

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:00:00 -0500

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative. In other words inspiration is the fuel for creativity.

If you feel you lack creativity or creative ideas then all you need is a little inspiration. There is nothing new under the sun. Every idea is inspired from another idea, you have to find your inspiration. So what inspires you? It may be a book, spending time in solitude, music, or people watching. Like begets like, so if you are wanting to write a good book then read a good book or if you are wanting to paint a work of art then go to a local art gallery. Don’t feel like your idea has to be completely original. Your idea just has to be yours. Be inspired and then add your finger print. Learn from those that have come before you and stand on their shoulders. Inspiration fuels creativity, so go get inspired.

This is repost from 9 months ago. To see the original post click here.

Edit Your Life

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:43:00 -0500

Posted by Jody Earley: Follow Jody on Twitter

In this video Nike president and CEO Mark Parker tells about the advice that Steve Jobs gave him shortly after the release of the Nike+ product line. It’s a simple bit of wisdom that any leader can relate to: “Get rid of the crappy stuff.”

What is the “crappy stuff” you need to get rid of in your life? What are the “edits” you need to make in your ministry or organization?

Developing Leaders: Part 2

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:27:21 -0500

The following is an excerpt from my Pastor’s blog:

“Don’t confuse micromanaging with developing leaders. Many leaders get confused about this. You are not micromanaging when you are developing somebody. There is a season when you need and must know the details until you develop trust and the developing leader proves they can deliver high quality results consistently. Once the leader has proven him/herself, you need to turn them loose to lead and to lead strong without knowing all of the details. Don’t frustrate a proven leader by making them tell you the details. That’s micromanaging…”

To view the original post in its entirety click here to visit herbertcooper.com.

Theology of A 5 Year Old #2

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:04:55 -0500

My Daughter Gracie: Sometimes I think Mommy is like God because she's really awesome.

Do Less For More

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:21:20 -0500

A constant tension in my life is to “do less for more”. In other words to try and focus on the most important things in life, the things that bring the most value to myself and others. This doesn’t mean that I have less to do it just means that I spend more time on what is most important. Here are a few things I do to try and carry out this principle:

1. Prioritize. To do what is important I first have to determine what is important.

2. Delegate. There are certain things I need to be doing and certain things I shouldn’t be doing. I try to delegate the things I shouldn’t be doing.

3. Pause. It helps me to take breaks to identify if I am doing “more for less” or doing “less for more”. Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective

4. Listen. One of the best things to have is the voice of others helping you to stay on track with what is most important. No man is an island.

What are some things that you do to help stay focused on what’s most important?

Theology of A 5 Year Old

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:41:24 -0500

My Daughter Gracie: Jesus loves everybody even the bad people. He just wants them to be good.

Developing Leaders: Part 1

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:22:32 -0500

The following is an excerpt from my Pastor’s blog:

“One of the mistakes many leaders make is they let go of knowing the details too soon. When you are dealing with a developing leader, you need to let them prove themselves first by getting some wins before you totally turn them loose. As you develop leaders, you have to have the wisdom to know when you can let go of knowing details. If you let go of knowing too soon with a developing leader, you will be blindsided, and you’re not doing your job well because things are always falling through the cracks. This kills so many leaders because they don’t develop people, they just hand out assignments and think a developing leader will produce results.”

On Thursday I will have the conclusion of this post.

To view the original post in its entirety click here to visit herbertcooper.com.

12 Office Solutions

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:00:00 -0500

The following is a list of items that I gave my assistant when she first started working with me. These are few things that I have found helpful in keeping our department running efficiently during our day to day operations.

1. Be solution minded. With every problem give 3 or 4 possible solutions. With every question submit multiple choice answers.

2. Use proper lines of communication. No drive-by meetings. Schedule a time to talk or send me questions using the multiple choice format. When you call someone ask, “Is this a good time to talk”.

3. Communicate clearly and directly. Be tactful, direct, and to the point. Stay on point.

4. Lead through volunteers. Do the 20% that only you can do. Delegate effectively - this includes follow up.

5. Keep workspace and facilities clean and clutter free. Includes hallways and open areas. Organize desk before leaving at the end of the day.

6. Be considerate of other departments. We are not in competition with other departments. Be a team player. Ask permission before using equipment, volunteers, facilities, etc.

7. Give feedback in private. Never correct a volunteer or co-worker in front of someone else. The right thing at the wrong time will produce unwanted results.

8. Under promise and over deliver. Do not promise performance unless you can deliver.

9. Apply the “no surprise rule”. Keep me in the loop; let me know what you are doing

10. Be a good steward. Find the best price and manage resources well (volunteers, money, supplies, etc.).

11. Never miss a deadline. If it looks like you are going to be late, negotiate and change the deadline. If you can not change it, get help.

12. Do not assume. Do not guess or assume if you do not know something.

"Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective"

Wed, 12 May 2010 21:38:04 -0500

“Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective”

- Mark Batterson

Everyone's A Coach

Tue, 11 May 2010 00:14:06 -0500

In the book Everyone’s a Coach by Ken Blanchard and Don Shula, there is an acronym that helps us think about how we’re doing as leaders.

C stands for Conviction-Driven: Do people understand what your values are and where you’re going? Because leadership is about going somewhere. Lead with conviction.

O stands for Overlearning: There’s no such thing as teaching a good thing too much. You want to prepare your people so much that they really know their responsibilities and they can make something good happen.

A stands for Audible-Ready: Don’t get stuck with a plan if for some reason it’s not working. Let people bring their brains to work; let your kids use their brains, too. Be open to the thoughts of others. Be ready to change your mind if a new and better idea comes along.

C stands for Consistency: This isn’t about behaving in the same way all the time; it’s about behaving the same way in similar circumstances. Be consistent. Praise progress and cheer people on when they’re doing well. If there’s a problem, you can redirect them and get them back to their goals.

H stands for Honesty-Based: This one is all about walking your values. Act with integrity at all times.

Questions to ask yourself:

Are you leading with conviction?
Are you really trying to always do our best?
Are you adaptable and innovative and ready to change?
Are you consistent in your behavior and are you walking your talk?

An empty church converted into a home. Caption please.

Fri, 07 May 2010 19:55:00 -0500

An empty church converted into a home. Caption please.