Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast

As we face the beginning of 2022, we are staring at irrelevance in all 8 streams of Influence in every society and nation on the planet. That is a huge statement to be making. However, if we simply focus on the current trends over the last 20 months, it is not hard to see irrelevance in all major streams of influence within every society. Allow me to mention these 8 streams of influence: Government, Business, Education, Faith, Healthcare, Media, Arts, & Sports. It seems that every stream of influence is pushing a moral/cultural agenda that no one is buying. We have lost common-sense because or wokeness and political correctness. Left is right and down is up! That said, this is not the worst thing to be focusing our attention. What could be worse you ask? I do not see a concern that is sufficient for transformation and rehabilitation to occur. Currently, we are not even concerned at all about selling what the public is not buying. We are not concerned about being relevant! So, allow me to personalize this Podcast by asking a piercing question – Are you relevant in your community & industry? Are you hanging with people that have a bigger vision? Is the room that you are in stretching you or suppressing you? I want to give you 4 questions that will challenge your thinking about the people that you are currently allowing to influence your life. The People Influencing Your Life Today………… Are They Grounded?– As you consider who these influencers are in your life are they solid? Do they have their feet on the ground? Are they flighty? Are they leading with integrity? Just remember that you can only grow based upon the foundation that has been dug and poured. Small-minded thinking, dreaming, acting, and influencing will not build lasting significance. Are They Growing?–  Growth is not automatic! Intentionality is required.Aging is automatic – Growth is optional!Do your current influencers have a dream of being an Infinite-Minded Leader? In other words they are more interested in developing people who will take the dream far beyond your life-span. Trophies do not matter – Legacy is what matters! If these influencers do not have this type of mindset, you may be allowing and idol instead of a mentor to influence you. Are They Grateful?– If the individuals that are influencing your life act without gratefulness – find somebody new to influence your life. You cannot go through life with an ungrateful attitude! Gratefulness celebrates “WE” and not “me.” Grateful leaders will hold you accountable for an attitude of gratefulness. Are They Generous?– Generous Leaders are not worried about if your success goes beyond theirs. They embrace this types of wins in other people. If those who are your influencers teach raw competitiveness and winning at all cost, remember this; A competitive spirit will always cause you to shortchange someone. In such turbulent times we need Transformational Influencers that will impact others so they can impact their sphere of influence. We need these types of leaders to influence our speech, thought patterns, and actions in such a way that we become a positive transformational person for others. The 8 streams of influence in every society is in desperate need of transformational leadership. WHY? Relevance is at stake! Without Relevance the 8 streams of influence are at great risk in holding our community together. LINKS Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes –SUBSCRIBE [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shepherds-advantage-leadership/id966183507?mt=2] Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now onStitcher–SUBSCRIBE [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=84131&refid=stpr] FREE GIFT– “Servant Leadership Questions [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2945(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page Executive Coaching Service [http://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?gnt_landingpage=executive-coaching-2]– Private message me for details on this customizable service Birkman Assessment [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2834(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)] Leadershift [https://www.amazon.com/Leadershift-Essential-Changes-Leader-Embrace/dp/0718098501/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580569326&sr=8-1-spell]by John Maxwell Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com Music: “Gratitude Mood” byDavid Arivett [http://songsofdavid.com/]. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

A CRISIS ON THE HORIZON YES we have moved from 3-n-10 to 2-n-5 pastors are giving serious consideration of leaving the ministry completely. This is a vocational exodus! When you consider there are approximately 350,000 protestant churches in America  with 38% considering leaving, this will become a crisis of spiritual leadership within our nation. This is 133,000 Pastors considering their departure today. To give a perspective on this number consider there are approximately 35,000 McDonalds in America. The possibility of spiritual leadership loss in American is greater than the iconic McDonalds fast food chain. Let’s examine some of the underlying points of data and discussion. •We must reach back to 9/11 to see demographics at this level where people are considering leaving their current career. •Understand, this is not a FAITH EXIT. It is however a career exit•Bi-vocational ministry has real potential for the future. There are huge pressures being exerted on pastor’s families and futures. This could be a beginning of significant changes in shaping what church looks like and how it will be conducted in the future. •Currently, Pastoral Ministry is VERY HARD work with only ½ or less return for such incredible effort being exerted. Hard work with ½ return creates frustration. •Pastors that are under the age of 45 have a 46% likelihood of quitting. Pastors over the age of 45 are 36% more likely to quit the ministry. •When it comes to “Well-Being” there are six categories:Relational, Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Vocational, and Financial well-being. One-third of all ministers stated they were below average to poor in these six essentials of Well-Being. •Only one-n-three pastors say they are healthy in terms of Well-Being matrix. •Healthy Pastors are defined as those who selected “Excellent” or “Good” as their response to the Well-Being matrix. •Overall, the Pastors that are contemplating quitting are less healthy in all the well-being categories compared to Pastors who not contemplating quitting. •We need to be careful about allowing correlation to be a means to causation. •The warning bells started sounding in the 2017 State of the Pastors study. •After 18 months of the pandemic, along with congregational divisions, financial strain an alarming number of pastors are seriously leaving the vocational ministry for other pursuits in life. David Kinnaman, President of Barna Research states that now more than ever, the church needs resilient leaders who are humble, agile, rooted in prayer and those who are committed to being healthy as an essential aspect of effective leadership. LINKS Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes –SUBSCRIBE [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shepherds-advantage-leadership/id966183507?mt=2] Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now onStitcher–SUBSCRIBE [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=84131&refid=stpr] FREE GIFT– “Servant Leadership Questions [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2945(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page Executive Coaching Service [http://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?gnt_landingpage=executive-coaching-2]– Private message me for details on this customizable service Birkman Assessment [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2834(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)] Leadershift [https://www.amazon.com/Leadershift-Essential-Changes-Leader-Embrace/dp/0718098501/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580569326&sr=8-1-spell]by John Maxwell Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com Music: “Gratitude Mood” byDavid Arivett [http://songsofdavid.com/]. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

Napoleon Bonaparte stated that Leaders are dealers in hope. So how do we inspire those who need to inspire? Inspiration is more than words on a wall. We begin by reconnecting people around the purpose of the organization. PURPOSE is timeless! VISION is time balanced/seasonal! 2022 must be a year that we as leader embrace the true definition of leadership:Leadership is not being in charge, it is caring for those in your charge, While it is true that leaders spend exorbitant amounts of time to enact the latest and greatest strategy. The downside to always chasing the trends is the very people we need to become our torch bearers for this new vision are being ignored. The primary thought to keep from ignoring people is to make sure we are developing people around our purpose first! Visionary strategies have a limited shelf life. Significance is where the real excitement is at. Let’s focus upon the 4 Needs of Followers if we are to become the Inspirational Leaders for 2022. Trust– Trust is an outgrowth of honesty, integrity and being a believable leader! Nobody desires to follow dishonesty and fabrications of reality. People desire honesty now more than ever. It feels at times that we have become a nation of lies and manipulated news. As a nation we have become tired and frustrated. We are searching for honest leaders that lead with integrity. Followers are looking for a person that inspires and that we can aspire to become. Compassion– Coming out of the pandemic  we all are asking 3 very important questions: (1) Do you know me? (2) Can you help me? (3) Can I trust you? If the answer is yes then our need for emotional connection will be satisfied. Pre-pandemic there was a crisis of loneliness. We are more disconnected socially now than ever. Stability– As a leader in this pandemic world with its multiple agendas, we need to demonstrate Calm, Clarity, and Purpose in the face of chaos! As a leader, when you are stable, you are in position to inspire others, Communicate clearly, and to effect change in your orbit. Hope– Hope in this sense is not pie in the sky statements about I think – I feel. Rather it is more about declaring I see a way forward and I can see good times just ahead. LINKS Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes –SUBSCRIBE [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shepherds-advantage-leadership/id966183507?mt=2] Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now onStitcher–SUBSCRIBE [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=84131&refid=stpr] FREE GIFT– “Servant Leadership Questions [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2945(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page Executive Coaching Service [http://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?gnt_landingpage=executive-coaching-2]– Private message me for details on this customizable service Birkman Assessment [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2834(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)] Leadershift [https://www.amazon.com/Leadershift-Essential-Changes-Leader-Embrace/dp/0718098501/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580569326&sr=8-1-spell]by John Maxwell Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com Music: “Gratitude Mood” byDavid Arivett [http://songsofdavid.com/]. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

The Law of Legacy is about your Life Sentence.” When you figure this out, this will become you’re the north star for your life. You now have direction that determines the legacy that you will leave behind. All of the success that you have obtained up to this point will mean absolutely nothing if you do not leave something behind. A Leaders lasting value is measured by succession. Every person will leave a legacy. For some it will be positive for others it will be negative. The choice is yours right now! Intentionality is required to make a lasting legacy. Let’s exam 4 facets of establishing a lasting legacy. Declare It– Most people accept their lives instead of leading their lives and calling it fate! So many leaders are swept along by the currents of life and trends without ever checking to see if they are in the correct channel. By taking some time to reflect upon the legacy you desire to leave behind will give you the best possible chance to leave a legacy worth remembering. It will greatly improve your chance to make it a reality. Live It Out– In order for your legacy to actually happen in the future, it must begin right now today and it begins with you. You have to become the leader of yourself. Wisdom comes from experience. You cannot pass on knowledge and wisdom you do not have have. You must create now what you want others to sustain. Prepare Your Successor– Effective Leaders work to develop other leaders. The only time that you have to do that is now. Let’s face the truth – when you are no longer the leader, someone will take your spot. Why not groom someone to succeed you. The more a potential leader stays within your orbit the more they will learn and the more likely they will continue the legacy that has begun in you. Don’t Forget To Pass The Baton– The most important aspect of a relay race is the hand-off. This is the point that a runner hands the baton to the next runner. In a relay race you have the fastest runners – record setters in their own right. But if you do not pass off the baton effectively you will loose the race. If you pass the baton to early or hold on to it too long – a bad exchange will weaken or irrevocably damage your legacy Where are you in the process of Legacy building?•Developing your own skills and credibility as a leader•Attracting and influencing leaders•Selecting a successor•Developing and grooming a successor•Empowering and releasing a successor LINKS Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes –SUBSCRIBE [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shepherds-advantage-leadership/id966183507?mt=2] Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now onStitcher–SUBSCRIBE [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=84131&refid=stpr] FREE GIFT– “Servant Leadership Questions [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2945(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page Executive Coaching Service [http://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?gnt_landingpage=executive-coaching-2]– Private message me for details on this customizable service Birkman Assessment [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2834(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)] Leadershift [https://www.amazon.com/Leadershift-Essential-Changes-Leader-Embrace/dp/0718098501/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580569326&sr=8-1-spell]by John Maxwell Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com Music: “Gratitude Mood” byDavid Arivett [http://songsofdavid.com/]. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

[https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Values.gif-1.webp] [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Values.gif-1.webp]The Enron scandal of the early 2000’s awakened a great need for business ethics. What came out of that awakening was a realization there is no such thing as business ethics. There is only ethics!. So what is the foundation of ethics? Could it be that the Golden Rule is the foundation of all ethics? After all in all major religions of the world there is a narration that discusses treating others as you desired to be treated. The verbiage may be different, but the essence is the same. John Maxwell coined the statement that “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” However, do you know what two things are responsible for making leadership rise? The first iscompetence. No one wants to follow and incompetent leader. The second isvalues. Values defined is simply principles that guide our decisions and behaviors. When the value system is good, it only brings benefits and never harm to yourself or others. I want to give you 4 more Qualifiers that comprise Good Values Good Values Establish Trust– To thrive in this upside-down world, trust must be the foundation. A movement can only move at the speed of trust because of the inherent trust in the collaboration process. Consider these three facets of positive relationships. (1) Generosity – giving up resources for the whole, (2) Humility – giving up your won importance, position and power, & (3) Integrity – Truthfulness so that others can depend on your character. Think about these facets this way…… Generosityis the fuel for transformation. It is the opposite of selfishness. Proverbs declares;a generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Humilityis the spirit of transformation. It is the opposite of Pride. Proverbs stateswhen pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Integrityis the strength of transformation. It is the opposite of deceit. Again Proverbs statesthe integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Good Values Are Better Lived Than Spoken– Consider the following values statement of a famous corporation. Respect – we treat others like we want to be treated. Integrity – we work with our customers with openness, honesty, and sincerity. Communication – we have an obligation to communicate, talk and above all to listen. Excellence – we are satisfied with nothing less than our best. Who is this famous corporation – ENRON! Here is the truth of the matter;For leadership to be good and lasting, it must be preceded by good living. Good living comes from good values! If there is a disconnect between what you say is important and what you do, then teaching values is worthless. So is rhetoric. The actions you and I take is what gives us real credibility. Good Values Change Your World– The largest bank of Guatemala, Bantrab in 2014 began to take seriously the idea of good values can change your world. They used Transformation Tables (Discussion groups) to teach and advance good values to 2,792 employees. The impact was a 3% growth initially and they would go on to become one of the nations top 3% performers. This company model would expand to their clients and customers, impacting over 1500 clients/companies that is changing a nation. Good Values Make You More Valuable– Here is the truth of the matter; Organizations don’t transform, people do! Good values will help you gage your emotions, vision, attitude, speech, desires, and life direction. LINKS Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes –SUBSCRIBE [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shepherds-advantage-leadership/id966183507?mt=2] Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now onStitcher–SUBSCRIBE [http://stitcher.com/s?fid=84131&refid=stpr] FREE GIFT– “Servant Leadership Questions [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2945(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]” – Click on the icon at the bottom of the page Executive Coaching Service [http://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?gnt_landingpage=executive-coaching-2]– Private message me for details on this customizable service Birkman Assessment [https://shepherdsadvantageinc.com/?page_id=2834(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)] Leadershift [https://www.amazon.com/Leadershift-Essential-Changes-Leader-Embrace/dp/0718098501/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580569326&sr=8-1-spell]by John Maxwell Q&A – Contact me at ShepherdsAdvantage@gmail.com Music: “Gratitude Mood” byDavid Arivett [http://songsofdavid.com/]. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!