Grow Your Leadership Here!!

'Always keep your heart twice the size of your brain.'
'If you want to waste your day, spend it chasing notoriety.'
'Procrastination doubles the price of everything.'
'I would rather be in a room of leaders than be the only leader in the room.'
'If the idea was accomplished by one person then it wasn't a big enough idea.'

The Language of Influence and Personal Power - Scott Hagan (2018)


I met Scott Hagan long before he was writing books and the President of a University.  In the 30 years we've known each other, we've spent a relative handful of days together and most of our contact has been by email or social media, but he has been a leading influence in my life.  Scott is a proven leader, innovator and team builder.  I appreciate his wisdom, integrity, character and credibility.  His leadership instincts and insights have inspired and resourced me over and over again. Scott's purposeful growth as a leader inspires me!  He is always stretching and strengthening his gifts and skillset.  

At about the same time as we were looking for a speaker for our annual Prayer Breakfast, Scott released his latest book.  I sent him a quick note congratulating him and on a whim asked if he might be available to speak at our breakfast.  He responded with... 'I always knew this day would come! I'd love to be there!'  I am over the top excited about having him and Karen with us!

The bad news is that the Prayer Breakfast is sold out and has been for a couple of weeks.  The good news is that we've added a Leadership Dinner next Monday (March 4) night to accommodate people who can't get to the breakfast.  You'll enjoy a great meal, meet interesting people, hear Scott and have a chance to purchase his book before you leave. (He might even sign it for you!)

We've got a limited number of spots left for dinner and ticket sales close on Wednesday!  I really want you to meet Scott and hear his heart.  You'll be a better leader for it!  Hope to see you there!

Rethinking Your Impact

I'm scheduled to speak at an event this weekend on 'Having an Impact'.  It all seemed pretty straightforward as I began to write down some key concepts in my journal.  If having an impact is all about focus, clarity, passion and intent then people who live with these qualities change their world or maybe even THE WORLD if they think, live, care deep enough. (How much easier can a talk prep be?)

My pen paused as I pondered some other options... I've lived life and worked with people long enough to know that people who have no focus, no clarity, no passion and no apparent intent have an impact as well.  The image of an unkempt yard or garden comes to mind as an example. The impact is obvious, it's just the impact of neglect, apathy and disengagement. Replace yard or garden with life and family and the fruit of dysfunctional homes and relationships coming from the same approach is obvious for all to see.

I smiled at my apparent enlightenment and then my pen paused again as I realized that I had missed the option most taken.  Abdicating is a more popular choice than option A or B.  The king of all abdicators was King Edward VIII who chose to give up the throne of England to marry Wallace Simpson.  Edward told everyone who would listen that he was marrying for love but in reality, he was unwilling to fulfill the obligations that came with being king.  Fortunately, his brother had the kind of character that inspired an empire through the Second World War and lives on through today through Queen Elizabeth.  Abdications don’t generally end this well!

Abdication means to fail to fulfill or undertake a responsibility.  More clearly it means that we willfully choose to give someone else the opportunity to have what rightfully belongs to us.  'I'd rather not get involved' is code for 'I choose to abdicate'.   Abdicating our opportunity for influence and impact means that we intentionally let people who don't share our values, foundations, perspectives and objectives use their impact on our behalf.  Life is too short, too important and too fragile to entrust someone else with what has been entrusted to you.

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We shape our world through influence.  Our influence is measured in impact.  The scope and nature of your impact is entirely up to you!  Live towards the impact you want to have!

PS.  I got my journal (travellers notebook) for Christmas.  I'm finding that writing things down helps with my thought processes (because I can't just backspace to make it go away) and is helping me become a better writer as well.  Plus, this one is made by a friend who lives in Merrit, BC.  Don is a master saddle builder and leather craftsman.  He didn't ask me to do this for him, but I'd encourage you to check out his site to see his work.

The Speech Goes On and We Were There!

The show must go on” said by one reporter on Twitter when officially learning that the 58cm of snow that fell in the capital since Sunday was not enough to keep the Speech from the Throne from happening today!  It may have shut down schools (for a 2nd straight day) and prompted CFB Esquimalt to tell it’s 5,000 employees to stay home, but the opening of the spring session, minus some of the usual outdoor pomp & circumstance, forged ahead.  The big advantage for me, the “snow day” meant my wife Christine, who teaches grade 3, she was able to join me and my colleague, Tim, for the proceedings.

Unlike some provinces in Canada, the Speech from the Throne in BC is quite formal, complete with an invite-only reception following the speech from BC’s lieutenant governor.  I always enjoy this reception because it gives me the opportunity to re-connect with many of BC’s MLA’s, mostly from the government side, who are all back in town and eager to get rolling.  Together, Christine and I were able to have many meaningful conversations with members and staff alike.  

As a chaplain, TRUST is the currency most highly valued – and now in my third year, the level of trust I have gained with MLA’s and the staff is producing a good return, today this was evident.  Although the room was loud and the conversations short, it was very easy to offer quick words of encouragement that were received with heartfelt appreciation.  It didn’t matter if was the newly hired intern, the catering staff member or the well-tenured politician with significant responsibilities: when you’re thanked and told you’re doing a great job it fills your tank.  

There will be many more opportunities over the coming months to have longer visits and more in-depth conversations, but if today was any indication, this spring session is going to be the best one yet!   

The Surest Sign of Spring - Politicians Are Gathering!

A sure sign of spring is the return of politicians to Legislatures across the country.  In my mind, no one does Throne Speech day better than BC!   There's the Military Marching Band, The Colour Parade and the Inspection of the Troops but the highlight is the 15 gun salute to honour the Lieutenant Governor that quite literally shakes the building.  (If you're familiar with the BC Legislature, the thought of the building vibrating for any reason is legitimate cause for concern.)  

As impressive as the military band, the colour parade and the inspection of the troops is, no Throne Speech is complete without a strong showing by protestors.  I'm partial to the Raging Grannies, but my all time favourite was the young man dressed as a jester who ran out from the crowd and began to 'lead' the parade with his own march style.  The real entertainment value happened when he failed to realize that the band turned right while he proceeded straight ahead.  It was at least 50M until he realized no one was following him!  There's nothing quite like leading a parade when no one else is following!

The BC Legislature resumes this Tuesday.  Ontario follows one week later.  Saskatchewan follows in early March.  These are significant opportunities for Leading Influence to serve, strengthen and encourage political leaders.  

Would you pray for us as we do?  Pray that we would find open doors and opportunities to serve, encourage and bless our leaders in meaningful ways.   Pray that we would have wisdom, discernment and insight as we listen, speak and interact with members this week.  

Speaking of praying, are you a part of our daily prayer networks?  The stories of members impacted by the daily prayers of our networks are many.  You can join any of our prayer networks just by clicking on the name of the network below or by searching it on FaceBook.

PrayBC PrayAB PraySK PrayMB PrayON

Finally, pray for those we serve.  We have prayer networks in every province from BC to Ontario.  We'd love to have you praying along with us that God would bless and help our leaders to do their jobs well.  

What Does the Groundhog Say?

It might be true, it might be fake news or it might be wishful thinking but the groundhogs have spoken! 80% of Canadian groundhogs predict an early spring! (Shubenacadie Sam, get with the program!!) This much I know for sure… after 4 days of experiencing the polar vortex in Toronto, I'm all for an early end to winter!

Winter is part of our Canadian identity. We fuss about it, but it's part of what makes us who we are. Without winter there would be no hockey, no curling, no snow sports, no snowmen/women or - let me try again, no snow persons.   Without winter there would be no 'Roll Up the Rim'… imagine for a moment how cruel a Canadian Winter would be without 'Roll Up the Rim'!

Winter, particularly a very cold winter, makes us resilient. We learn to cope, to survive, to innovate and to overcome. (It strikes me that McGyver may be a Canadian! Who else would know how to start a car in a blizzard with a paper clip, some bubble gum and 30 cms of twine?) #canadianscandoanything

Adversity is an amazing gift when properly received. God uses it to refine us, define us and transform us. I can't say that I've enjoyed the most difficult seasons of my life, but I can say that I see God's redemptive and transforming work in my life because of those seasons. He gives us grace, peace and strength at the same time that we embrace the season that He sends us.

What does the groundhog say? It doesn't matter! Winter (this one and the one you are personally living through) will end at just the right time.


In the meantime, Shubenacadie Sam, I'm watching you!