To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Christian

Beautiful Chaos! Part 3

blog_712171_2766195_1439864114For those of you following this closely, THANK YOU for sticking with me!  Sunday’s are designed to be focused on the spiritual side of living a LIFE OF EXCELLENCE. I don’t know about you, but my story of “beautiful chaos” always (and I do mean always) ends up with God being square in the center.  Even though I am 47 years old, I feel like I am being constantly reminded to “be still and listen”- I have never been good at quieting my soul. Can anyone identify with that?

I know in my soul that God is leading and I am simply a character He is using to help elevate and improve our world.  I know that by enduring some tough situations, He refines me and I am better able to be the person I am designed to be.  To be a better listener, more empathetic, a better friend, and more equipped.  They say He uses our tests to create our testimony. That’s proven true.  It is much easier to walk through a situation with someone who has been there before!

As we wrap up the week, I hope this small message will remind you that no matter how messy and chaotic our lives can be, He is still there, speaking to us and creating beauty in the most unexpected ways. He chooses us and you my friend are QUITE BEAUTIFUL!

Praying for you and yours to have an amazing week!

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Diversity. Why It’s Important In Our Communities!

blog_709678_2763045_1439250945“If we can change our mindset from “Hey, our goal is simply to put the best person in the job” to “Hey, our goal is simply to put the best team in place,” we will have accomplished a great deal on improving company performance. And we will have accomplished a great deal on increasing opportunity and diversity.”

– Sallie Krawcheck, Chair of Ellevate Network, Former President of Global Wealth & Investment Management, a division of Bank of America. (In other words… IMPRESSIVE BACKGROUND)

TEAMWORK is dependent on DIVERSITY.  Think about it, it’s easy to grasp in sports teams, right?  We can’t have 5 point guards on the court, a field of strikers on the soccer field, or a bunch of defensive lineman on the gridiron.   It simply doesn’t work. We need speed, agility, size, intimidation, and a multitude of other skills.  As every good coach knows, in order to truly succeed we need a team driven toward a unified goal of success.

Today, look at your roster, do your community “teams” (think church, non-profit work, playdates for your children, etc…) represent a diverse group that will ultimately make you  or your family/friend group stronger and better?  If not, take the step today to consider a plan to grow your diversity in the process,increase the likelihood you will make the IMPACT God desired for you!  

Today is short, because honestly, this isn’t difficult. It’s simple and we need to embrace it and ensure it happens where it depends on us!  I leave you today with a great quote from the famous coach Vince Lombardi, who frankly couldn’t have said it better.

“INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO A GROUP EFFORT – THAT IS WHAT MAKES A TEAM WORK, A COMPANY WORK, A SOCIETY WORK, A CIVILIZATION WORK.”

Diversity Makes Us All Better!

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET TO PUT THE BEST TEAM IN PLACE!blog_709670_2763031_1439250228
“If we can change our mindset from “Hey, our goal is simply to put the best person in the job” to “Hey, our goal is simply to put the best team in place,” we will have accomplished a great deal on improving company performance. And we will have accomplished a great deal on increasing opportunity and diversity.”

– Sallie Krawcheck, Chair of Ellevate Network, Former President of Global Wealth & Investment Management, a division of Bank of America. (In other words… IMPRESSIVE BACKGROUND)

This is a topic near and dear to my heart!  I know first hand that Sallie is right! No matter if you are talking intelligence, social ability, income, or race, we all tend to run to the part of the room where folks look and act like ourselves. Science shows that humans are not the only creatures that do this. It’s pretty much every species! If you think about it, no one has probably seen a roly poly hangin’ with a group of ants. It doesn’t happen naturally my friends!

The clear problem with that is it doesn’t allow for the push and pull needed to grow and to make us our best. Spending time with folks from all walks of life is what gives us a more clear point of view in order to optimize our thinking and be our best selves. Things always appear different when you stand back a few feet.

God gave us humans the amazing capabilities to THINK!  So, while the roly polys and the ants likely won’t change, we can, and have a CHOICE and PRIVILEGE to do just that.  I am providing a terrific link below that sums up nicely the top 10 positive RESULTS we can expect from making this a part of our everyday mindset!   This is a work focused list but make no mistake about it, this is true in our personal lives, communities, and homes! We need to make DIVERSITY a priority!  Later this week I will focus on DIVERSITY as a priority outside of the workplace so stay tuned!

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/news/2012/07/12/11900/the-top-10-economic-facts-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/

And Here’s What Went Down.

blog_709281_2762514_1439151037Happy Sunday everyone!  This one will be short, as it is our families “MOVE IN” WEEKEND for the first son to go off to COLLEGE…  A lot of emotional and physical energy invested…I’m sure in some way, shape or form each of you reading this understand that feeling!

Here are some random thoughts to wrap up the week!  The theme this week for the blog has been “What if we were having this much fun?” In no particular order this is what I’m thinking right now.

  1. I should have given some thought to that theme this week. Seriously, sending your child off to college is not particularly fun and as much as I want to “drum” up some enthusiasm, it’s simply not happening folks.  Ever been there?
  2. Okay, having said that, the overall move couldn’t have been easier. Lots of young men eager to help and Tucker even let me make his bed (my mom heart liked that a lot) I love it when a community comes together and that is what happened.
  3. On that note, there were a host of other anxious parents, and some dedicated university staff that are committed to ensuring the success of our students.  I want to point that out.  What a tremendous blessing it is that we have educators that have literally put their entire life on task for this purpose.  THANK GOD FOR THESE BRAVE SOULS!  We are all in this together is the bottom line….
  4. FINALLY, HE WILL DEFINITELY EXPERIENCE THIS WEEK’S THEME… OVER AND OVER AGAIN … COLLEGE is made for FUN!  For today, remember those moments when you were young, and try to REINVENT them this week. My favorite was the annual Lamda Chi WATERMELON FEST… Wonder if there is an “adult” version of that I could drum up?

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK EVERYONE!  For those sending their kids off to school, take a DEEP BREATH and WALK RIGHT INTO IT!  MAKE A DECISION TO RELISH IN THE JOY OF THIS NEW STAGE, be it Kindergarten, Middle School, Senior Year or the one and only first day of COLLEGE! 

The Capabilities of Wonder Woman

What blog_682074_2730034_1435426377are your greatest capabilities?  What DOES that even mean?  What do you bring to the table? Do you you know what your personal value proposition is?

I know my number one – Culture Building.  Yours may be financial genius or being an operational master, or even being the Wonder Woman of customer service.  Whatever it is, how can you use your God given capability to improve our world?
What one idea can you start today that would point in the direction of maximizing that skill?

For me, I need to reach out to others today and offer encouragement so that our project can gain some ground and those involved will continue to engage well.  

Live Life to Fullest and then some.

I know, I know, I have talked about graduation once, and this blog is not REALLY about graduation, but since I have three graduates, I guess I may include the thought one more time just to be even… Thanks for obliging me! 🙂

Graduation is such a great time.  It feels like a New Year, a new opportunity to relaunch, to go after the next adventure –  Graduation is FUN and EXCITING and possibly scary!

I have the great privilege of being the mom to three boys that bring so much joy to me that I can’t even believe how good God is!  The funny thing about graduation are the comments that folks make… mostly some version of the comment, “it goes so fast.” –  but I have a different view.

One of my life goals is to always be intentional about whatever I’m doing – The role of parent, makes this even more important.  The future of our country and families rely on it!

Our family attends an amazing camp in Texas called Pine Cove.  I highly recommend your family attends or even your student if you have kids under age 18 – It is simply life changing. Pine Cove was responsible for me becoming super aware of how important it was to sit down and really focus on character development of my own boys. It showed me how I want my family life to truly be – It led me asking, “What story did I want for my boys?”

For me, it was to be men of excellence. Men who were obedient to God and lived out their life’s great adventure in a meaningful way.  In order to achieve this things had to happen, Travel to experience the world, build a spirit of community, and embrace diversity and the power in that – This takes a concentrated effort to build the plan – Much like we do in business.

So, each of the last 13 years (The first 5 were a blur…) that was the goal for my boys and I – To engage FULLY in what life had to offer and work toward the goals. It didn’t go fast – Each year was FULL, AMAZING, and an ADVENTURE.  The good with the bad helps us grow and learn. It has been AWESOME and I can’t wait for the next chapter.

One thing I do know, it take us being intentional, and knowing that GOD WILL SHOW UP.  

Sparklers, Picnics, & Independence! GO USA!

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I LOVE THIS WEEK!  Today starts the long weekend for many and I hope everyone loves this opportunity as much as I do… that we get to celebrate our nation’s Independence.

A little background for those of you who, like me, didn’t listen well in history 101… In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress… declaring Independence from Great Britain.

Here’s also an excerpt from Wikipedia I thought was especially cool and worth sharing…

John Adams one of the 5 “drafters” wrote this to his wife the night before the signing:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It out to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, for this time forward forever more.”

Seriously, how cool is that- At 47 I have never read that- So, thanks John Adams and Wikipedia!  I absolutely loved reading this- Here’s why:

  1. He claimed it a FESTIVAL!  Who doesn’t love a grand celebration. Celebrations UNIFY us with others around a common cause and give us great JOY.
  2. He includes God = Our country was  based on strong guiding principles and this is so needed today.
  3. He defined the FESTIVAL activities- I especially love bonfires and ILLUMINATIONS!

As you and your friends and family CELEBRATE AMERICA this week, I am praying BOLDLY that as a country we will get out the SPARKLERS and ILLUMINATE OUR SKIES, have some crazy good BBQ-be it an amazing burger or some KC STYLE RIBS, and TOGETHER UNIFY AROUND AMERICA and GIVE GLORY TO GOD for our GREAT COUNTRY!

Interrupted – Having or Getting Perspective

blog_682064_2730031_1435426442Perspective. Everyone should go out and “get it” if they don’t have “it”.  I was not exposed to anything like this until recently.  If you are young and have the opportunity, expose yourself to the world early in life.  It will make the biggest difference in your perspective.

You don’t have to go on a glamorous safari or a Disney tour to get a perspective – Get involved in your neighborhood, see the way others live, work alongside them, understand their education system, their healthcare, and their hearts.  It’s never too late to get a perspective. Do it now.  It will change you.
blog_682064_2730032_1435426443I assure you that you will be blessed and that your life will be interrupted. My hope is that you will be as seriously interrupted as I have been and downright troubled at times.  I hope that you will be forced to truly consider how your life is meant to support others and that you are challenged with what God’s plan is for your life. My hope is that you will take action.  

The Brilliant Minds of an Artist, a Corporate Leader turned Entrepreneur, and a Millennial.

I love hearing the stories of everyday people.  Today I would like to highlight a few remarkable folks that remind me of why it is so valuable in life to savor the moments.  These moments are easy to gloss over, but if we listen, we will improve our lives and add true joy.

An Artist – Phil Epp www.philepp.com
This guy is seriously cool.  A homegrown Kansas boy from Newton Kansas who started to paint on his farm as a creative outlet.  He is down to earth as you might expect, and when you pull into his long winding driveway, you realize he’s truly “everybody’s favorite uncle.”

Although some of his contemporary work is hauntingly cool, Phil’s paintings primarily depict a version of the breathtaking Kansas sky and serene farmland shots. Two favorites of mine include an old fashioned train box car and a large gathering tent under a falling night sky. They both illicit thoughts that stray in many directions.

I love people like Phil. He is kind, gentle and his contribution to society is downright remarkable.  His kindred spirit demonstrates that he truly cares deeply about his work. If you are in Kansas City, I recommend you take in his work is at the Overland Park Convention Center and the Leopold Gallery in Brookside.

A Corporate Guy turned Entrepreneur – Mike Miller – www.beforte.com
Mike is a brilliant mind, a solid Christian, an amazing family man and husband, and a great contributor to the community.

Mike and I met this morning so that I could extract some of his BRILLIANT “mind” and learn.  Have you ever left a meeting feeling energized and refreshed?  You wonder why did that happen when so many times you just feel drained.

Mike left a corporate career and has transitioned into an entrepreneur who is using the gifts God gave him to “spread his brilliance.”  Honestly, Mike doesn’t care about his brilliance, he cares deeply about youspreading YOUR BRILLIANCE.  That my friend is his gift and why I left ENERGIZED.  We need more Mikes.

A Millennial – Jacob Wayman – www.jacobwayman.com
I love Millennials, especially Jacob.  I hired Jacob as an intern for FREE when I was the CEO of Kansas City Internal Medicine.  Jacob gets it now and he definitely got it then (when he accepted a job that paid zero in cash, but led to an endless supply of guidance and inspiration.)

Often in life you have to put in “sweat equity”- which means you have to put in the time, the energy, and sometimes the tears to learn and learn well. Those periods in our lives prepare us for WORK THAT IS MEANINGFUL and fulfilling.

The time spent investing our minds and hours into learning is time well spent.  The younger generation that “gets this” will be the ones who RISE TO THE TOP. I am confident Jacob will. You should follow him onLinkedIn!

Linchpin – a blog book review

blog_682050_2730026_1432573688ARE YOU INDISPENSABLE?
Seth Godin, starts with this as a subtitle. PERFECT PLAY SETH!  I will often do these book reviews because I like to read.    When I read I check mark, underline, and dog-ear the corners of really great concepts… I figured, why not share a bit of this with my readers.  After all, more of my friends would not look at me strangely when I ask them if they would read a book if I gave them one…

So here you go, ENJOY and if you like what you read, go out to Amazon or your local book store and grabthis read –  it is truly a gem.

Random thoughts/extracts/comments and in no particular order:

  1. “You are a Genius” – Seth started with this, I like to think God created us all to be a genius at something!
  2. “I couldn’t have written this book ten years ago, our economy wanted you to fit it, it paid you well to fit in, and it took care of you if you fit in.  Now, like it or not, the world wants something different from you.”  How true is this… we all have to be shaken out of a routine and into new ways of thinking and delivering results to stand out.
  3.  “Stop asking what’s in it for you and start giving gifts that change people.  Then and only then, will you have achieved your potential.”
  4.  “Becoming a LINCHPIN is a stepwise process, a path in which you develop the attributes that make you INDESPINSABLE.”  “Linchpins are the essential building blocks of tomorrow’s high value organizations.”   I like that thought! In my home life, community and workplace!
  5. “We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care.”
  6. “Indispensable businesses race to the top instead.”   On Trader Joe’s…. But Trader Joe’s keeps growing, because the combination of engaged employees, cutting-edge products, and fun brings people back.”
  7. “The web has made kicking ass easier to achieve, and mediocrity harder to sustain. Mediocrity now howls in protest.”    Mediocrity to me is annoying.  Why do it!
  8. “Create something worth talking about.”
  9. “You can see the marketplace as being limited, a zero-sum game”…. Or you can see it as unlimited.  A place where talent creates growth and market increases in space.
  10. “The new American Dream…the one that markets around the world are embracing as fast as they can, is this: Be remarkable, Be Generous, Create Art, Make Judgement calls, CONNECT people and ideas.”
  11. “The competitive advantage the marketplace demands is someone more human, connected and mature.”
  12. “In the space of two generations, we created a consumer culture. There wasn’t one, and then there was…”
  13. “The distinction between cogs and LINCHPINS is largely one of ATTITUDE, not learning.”
  14. What they should teach in school:  “Only two things:
    1.)   Solve interesting problems.  2.)  Lead.”
  15. “An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity and boldness to challenge the status quo.”
  16. “The combination of passion and art is what makes someone a LINCHPIN.”
  17. “The ultimate gift you can give, the one that will repay you today and tomorrow and heal our world, is that gift.  The gift of CONNECTION, of ART OF LOVE OF DIGNITY.”
  18. “Real artists ship” is the entire focus of the chapter titled RESISTANCE- This chapter is awesome- It is all about getting something done and out the door…i.e. SHIPPING.    This chapter is worth the entire book-
  19. “The LINCHPIN is able to invent a future, fall in love with it, live in it, and then abandon it on a moment’s notice.”
  20. The SEVEN ABILITIES OF A LINCHPIN:
    1) Providing a unique interface between members of an org.
    2) Delivering UNIQUE creativity
    3) Managing a situation or organization of great complexity
    4) Leading customers
    5) Inspiring Staff
    6) Providing deep domain knowledge
    7) Possessing a unique talent