Ron Edmondson

MARCH 18, 2012

I have to be honest. I was a reluctant empty-nester. Cheryl and I love our boys and them being at home was one of our greatest joys in life. Walking in the door and being handed a football to throw or a soccer ball to kick was often the best part of my day. We were intentional as parents and in our marriage, however, so now we are reaping the reward of that intentionality.

Learning-by-Doing 61

Learning-by-Doing Planning Organization 61

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 23, 2012

I was talking with a pastor recently who has been betrayed by someone in his church. He told him a secret in confidence and soon learned the friend had shared it with another…who shared it with another…who shared it with another…and you know the rest of this story. I was empathetic, but thought to myself, “ Welcome to the world of Christian leadership” If you’ve been in leadership very long, you know what it feels like to be betrayed.

Learning-by-Doing 61

Learning-by-Doing Reputation Leadership Examples 61

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 20, 2012

Be very careful with progress. Progress can be a fun ride, but it can also get you into trouble. If you’re not ready for the demands of progress, stay away from it. Here are 7 reasons to avoid progress: It will stretch you – You will be going in areas you’ve never been before. It invites change – Progress loves to stir interest in something new.

Energy 61

Energy System Organization Leadership 61

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 16, 2012

The only way I know of to avoid criticism as a leader…. Is to fail to do anything worth criticizing. Many do that…. Here are 7 ways: They make excuses for their shortcomings. They dodge the bullets by hiding behind others. They pass the blame and never own a mistake. They keep things safe and stop taking risks. They stifle their dreams and the dreams of others.

Information 61

Information Leadership How To 61

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 8, 2012

I met with a young man in our church recently. I love his heart. I baptized him a few months ago and have taken a personal interest in him. I see such kindness in him, that I asked him to serve in our children’s ministry. He was delighted. After we talked about the opportunity, he said he filled out a card asking to serve in our preschool ministry a year ago and never heard anything.

System 59

System Examples Environment Organization 59

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 5, 2012

I’ve heard many well-meaning, potentially great leaders who never achieve all they could, because their fears and doubts keep them from making hard decisions. Let me tell you from experience: You’ll never be 100% certain about a leadership decision. Okay, maybe “never” is too far a stretch, but it’s at least 99% certain you’ll never be 100% certain.

Resistance 59

Resistance Goal Leadership How To 59

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 4, 2012

I love the story in Judges 6 where God called Gideon to save the Israelites from the land of Midian. Gideon was the weakest of his clan from the weakest clan, yet God chose to use him for a powerful leadership role for God’s people. You might read the story again HERE. Consider a small part of Gideon’s conversation with angel of the Lord: (I’ve embellished the story a bit to illustrate the way I view the story.

Power 59

Power Leadership 59

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 13, 2012

The longer I’m in leadership, the more I realize I don’t always know fully the real health of my team or organization. At least as much as others do. I want to know, but often, because of my position, I’m shielded from some issues. I’ve learned, right or wrong, agree or disagree, that some would rather complain behind a leader’s back than tell him or her how they feel.

Open-book 58

Open-book Newsletter Construction Learning-by-Doing 58

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 3, 2012

I’ve met with numerous young leaders recently who want the opportunity to “make it on their own” I’ve seen it in my own two sons. They want to get their first job without the help of others. They want to stand on their own merits. They want to attain a level of accomplishment without the help of their parents, their parent’s friends, or any connection they didn’t make personally.

Advice 58

Advice Course Goal Skills 58

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 2, 2012

I am frequently asked, “How can I grow as a leader?” I suspect what they really want to know is how to expand their influence. Since leadership is influence, expanding it would grow them as a leader. Makes sense, don’t you think? I think the best leaders expand their influence and leadership potential by continuing to learn and grow in experience.

Leadership 58

Leadership Influence Conference Blog 58

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 6, 2012

One of the most frequent criticisms I receive from young leaders about their organizations is that they aren’t given adequate responsibly or authority. They are handed a set of tasks to complete, but they don’t feel they have a part in creating the big picture for the organization. Since most of the young leaders I talk to are in ministry, this means it’s happening in the church too.

Delegation 58

Delegation Advice Organization Succession 58

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 7, 2012

I deal with dozens of pastors and ministers each month through my blog and consulting ministry. It seems to me that many are drowning in their ministry, are in unhealthy church cultures, and many are wondering if God will ever use them again. I know from my recent blog reader survey that nearly 60% of my readership is in some form of professional ministry, so I thought I’d do a survey on the health of pastors and ministers who read my blog (and others I can get to take the survey).

Survey 57

Survey Blog Consultative 57

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 10, 2012

You see things you don’t agree with all the time: The service at the restaurant was poor… The way someone lives their life bothers you… The leadership in a community isn’t what you’d hope for…. The pastor says something you didn’t agree with… The next door neighbor gets on your nerves…again… When do you criticize and when do you let it go?

Mentor 57

Mentor Blog How To Leadership 57

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 17, 2012

I am frequently interviewed by students who are in leadership classes. Occasionally, I feel the questions may be of interest to others. Recently, a Christian student in Ohio asked me these questions: What makes a good leader? The ability to attract people to follow and the vision, discipline, and wisdom to take them somewhere. Good leaders are willing to sacrifice of themselves to help people accomplish something of value, which they may not be willing or know how to do on their own.

Leadership 55

Leadership Mentor Leadership Styles Advice 55

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 26, 2012

I hear people who want to do away with meetings… There are even books talking about the death of meetings… I know people who say meetings waste their time… I’ve been at meetings that waste my time… I say, however… DON’T KILL MEETINGS! Make meetings better! You may have to make the meetings more entertaining.

Books 55

Books Leadership How To 55

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 11, 2012

I command you…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. As I read the Scripture, I see little room for the follower of Christ to be afraid (except for the fear of God). Perplexed; yes. Confused; sometimes. Overwhelmed; often. Angry; when necessary. Distressed; possibly.

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55

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 12, 2012

I was working with a church recently that has a leadership issue, which is causing harm to the church. One of the staff members is extremely popular with the people in the church, but he is considered a lousy team player by the rest of the staff. He’s lazy, divisive, and disrespectful to the senior pastor. The pastor and key leadership realize a change needs to occur.

Follow-up 55

Follow-up Leadership Team Process 55

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 22, 2012

Since beginning Grace Community Church I have personally led a small group study, many times meeting in our home. Cheryl and I have loved each of our groups. Some of our best friends in life have come from these groups. I hear from pastors who don’t want to lead a group or feel that they shouldn’t, but from my experience, I think it is best when a pastor does.

Commitment 54

Commitment Course Process Team 54

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 7, 2012

I’m 48 years old. I’m just old enough to have wisdom about a few things I should and shouldn’t do, but not yet old enough to always follow my own wisdom. Recently I observed a characteristic in me that I hope is not permanent. We recently moved to a downtown condo. I wrote about why we did that HERE. The condo sits on a hill, overlooking the river district of our community.

Follow-up 53

Follow-up Commitment Planning Innovation 53

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 25, 2012

I was sitting in a restaurant at the Atlanta airport. The people around me were laughing, joking, story telling. Obviously, they had a layover like I had and decided to grab a bite to eat. In addition to filling their bellies with food, they found a way to make it fun. They appeared to have a great time talking about March Madness, politics and life.

Bond 51

Bond Politics 51

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 9, 2012

I like history and think we can and should learn from it…. But…. I want my best energy focused on where I’m going, not where I’ve been…. On things I can change, not on things I can’t…. Towards issues of faith, more than issues that have been forgiven…. On the tree I’m planting more than the one that fell…. Building new dreams more than dwelling on regrets… What about you?

Energy 50

Energy Planning 50

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 28, 2012

I watched it happen when I was in manufacturing. When decisions which affect the assembly line are made in the boardroom they seldom work and are always resented. The quality of work diminishes and production stalls. I watched it happen when I was in sales. When procedures are handed down as edicts, without including the input of salespeople, morale is damaged, which ultimately has a negative impact on sales.

Resistance 47

Resistance Morale Consultative Quality 47

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 20, 2012

What am I trying to say? Are you listening? Related posts: Pictures of our Vacation to the Northwest USA. Outdoor Baptism Pictures. The Christmas Story in Pictures. Vacation Pictures from the Southwest USA.

Leadership 45

Leadership Planning 45

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 24, 2012

It’s been a few months since I did a Saturday night prayer chain. I posted the following statement on Twitter and Facebook and instantly heard from some who need prayer. God is at work in ways you cannot imagine. God is doing things you can’t conceive. #TrustHim. God is at work. Are the circumstances of your life saying otherwise today. Perhaps you need to share your burdens with others.

How To 41

How To 41

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 12, 2012

Pride comes before the fall from Gcomchurch Sermons on Vimeo. Related posts: The Trust of a Widow: A Sermon. The Affirmation of God: Living Your True Identity. Disecting Galatians 5: What Does it Mean to Be Free? Galatians 6: You Reap What You Sow.

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Ron Edmondson

MARCH 31, 2012

Do you agree? Related posts: Belk Stores Lose $213 Million (They Told Us). 2 Ways to Ensure You Always Agree with the Senior Leader. Purpose Driver Life Purpose 4 (Additional questions). One Principle of Leadership Leaders Must Understand.

Leadership 38

Leadership 38

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 13, 2012

What do the following people have in common? Perry Noble. Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. Casey Graham. Clayton King. Joseph Sangl. Mike Madding. ALL are tremendous church leaders who have seen their vision become FULLY FUNDED! AND, the great news is that ALL of these great men will be speaking LIVE at the Funded And Free Church Leader Conference in Charlotte, NC on Thursday, April 19, 2012!

Conference 33

Conference Finance Operations Project 33

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 19, 2012

Years ago I was working in retail. I was in college, but serving as an area manager for a large department store. I was responsible for ordering the basic items in my department, making sure we were always in stock with regular sellers. One of those items was a collar extender. I don’t know that those are even used anymore, and I never used one to start with, but basically it was a metal button extender that allowed a man to wear a shirt as a man grew larger, by making the neck bigger.

Management 83

Management Retail Policies Leadership 83

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 21, 2012

I talk to pastors frequently who find themselves in a difficult situation. Many times they know the right thing to do, but they can’t bring themselves to do it. Often, the advice I give is simply received with a reply such as, “I know it’s probably the right thing to do, but it seems like it would be easier just to __” I understand.

Leadership 82

Leadership Process Efficiency Energy 82