The H3 Leader Podcast

Some people are really into puzzles. And then there are those that just want to torture themselves. Like…the puzzles that are nothing but repeated geometric shapes where every piece looks like the next. Another challenging method involves assembling a puzzle without the box lid as a reference. There is a point in puzzle assembly where we hit a tipping point - where the image starts to take shape a...

We begin with a few relatively minor, even silly, examples of mistakes. But…they’re real. And they represent countless other situations and setbacks in our lives that can, if not navigated well, leave a mark. They can leave scars. If not received and processed with wisdom, insight, and careful consideration, our missteps and mistakes can impact us – and the people around us – for the rest of our l...

What's the "trick" (or "secret" or "hack" or pick your clickbait term of choice)? What's the inside scoop on... ...cutting your project implementation timelines by 30%+? ...reducing costly mistakes by 50%+? ...cutting your losses with confidence before losing even more time and money? ...moving forward on a cutting-edge initiative with bold conviction? ...unde...

Leaders, particularly ones that have been on the journey for a tick, have all walked the lonely road. To do so is seemingly inevitable, especially in the early years. But take heart, my friends. You don't have to run this race alone any more, no matter where you are on your journey. The focus in our Central IL Convene effort happens to be on leaders at the helm of their organization. But there...

It was a case of mistaken identity! After a wonderful extended lunch, he was all in. The conversation: lively. Our connection and alignment: apparent. The energy: high. He even said the words, "I'm in! What's next?" It was going so well... ...until I started talking about membership fees. He couldn't believe it - that I would charge fees to join a business leader Bible study?...

How would you describe your experience with a magnificent sunset, or an incredible mountain vista, or hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim? Some things are impossible to adequately put into words. You can try, but the message is clear. You really have to experience these things for yourself. You had to be there. In today's brief snippet, The Ag View Pitch podcast host Shay Foulk appreciates...

A couple months ago Shay Foulk over at The Ag View Pitch podcast asked me right out of the gate, "How did you get into this?" (By "this" he was referring to my role in facilitating peer groups for Christian business owners and executive leaders through the Convene platform.) It's always fun to reflect back on how I believe God has orchestrated life leading up to this amazin...

It's kinda crazy when I think about it! In the course of our work here in Central IL, our Convene Team has brought fifteen (15!) national circuit guest speakers to the Greater Peoria Area's shores of the Illinois river. Wowzer. As I begin sharing snippets of a recent podcast with Convene member Shay Foulk , I thought I'd start with one that focuses in on this value prop... ...because n...

There is a basic survival tool that is available to virtually everyone in the world, and a scary large percentage of adults ignore it completely. It is as if we have gotten to a point where we believe survival is a basic right that we don't have to work for. As if we have taken life itself for granted. It seems so, anyway, because this basic survival tool remains on the proverbial shelf, never...

Um... Let's be real. Ain't nobody got all their ducks in a row. Every one of us has chinks in our armor. And as much as I believe in the things I talk and write about on this platform, let's be clear. I don't have it all figured out. And even the stuff that I do kinda have figured out? Well, let's just say I've not perfected my execution. I've yet to stick all my landin...

There is more to the team celebration than meets the eye. Though it can be awkward, and not everyone celebrates in the same way or with the same level of enthusiasm... Taking the time to celebrate wins, transitions, great ideas, consistent track records, and more can go a long way toward building health into the culture. Celebrating in community - when done in an authentic, considerate way - build...

There is incredible power in simplicity... Yesterday, it was the (very) basic three steps that ensure greater efficiency in strategic movement. Today, it's the (very) basic elements of a team's united efforts toward success as an organization. In an organizational environment, how in the world do we get all our ducks in a row? How do we get everyone rowing in the same direction? How do we...

It is a super-simple illustration, but one we must understand if we are to be at all efficient on our quest to the next big thing. If one is simply meandering - with no purpose other than be-ing - no worries. Enjoy the walk. But if efficiency is needed (as it absolutely is in most cases), three key understandings are imperative: 1. Where are we now? (Our "Here") 2. Where are we going? (O...

How often should a leader "check under the hood" (self-reflect, re-orient, tune up)? It's a great question - and one of my favorite segments from this conversation with my good friend  Andy Thornton  (CEO - Greater Peoria YMCA). Are you a daily driver? Then you're probably good with a daily dashboard scan and a quarterly oil change. While changing the oil, take a look around. If...

It's really a time allocation issue as much as anything else... We only have so many hours in the day to convert into productive influence. Are you and I willing to "rob Peter to pay Paul" by stealing from our highest impact arena? Just another way to look at the concept of developing our strengths. If the tire is flat, fix it. But maybe that car wash can wait for a more opportune ti...

Who we are and how we show up to lead is more dynamic than we may care to admit. Yes, we were wired with certain personalities and proclivities. No doubt. We have an infrastructure that is relatively consistent. But we also have a more fluid, circumstantially sensitive layer to our being that deserves attention and awareness. Because it effects how we "show up". It effects our "pres...

My first exposure to this concept came from Marcus Buckingham's "Now, Discover Your Strengths" over 20 years ago. I was fascinated by his "Trombone Player Wanted" videos that came alongside the book. Today, Patrick Lencioni is sweeping the development world by helping people to better understand the power of working in their "Genius". Same song. Different tune. Th...

Just in case anyone wants to see the entire conversation in context. Stay tuned for daily shorts pulled from this block of wisdom, baby! (Huge thanks to Andy Thornton, Kim Martin, and I've Decided for not only having me as a repeat guest, but also for allowing me to use the content at The H3 Leader!)

I believe there is "a force of nature" - similar to gravity - that is ever-present in our desire to move forward in this life. Be it in business, in life, or in faith, there is a force that feels like it's pulling us down. Holding us back. Keeping us from soaring with the eagles... Business is hard. Life is hard. Faith is hard. And integrating the three well is a whole 'nother le...

Transition periods are little more than change being dragged out over time. They are disruptive. They are disorienting. And they are inevitable. As leaders, we wish we could get on the other side of transitions quickly. Our eyes are on the prize - the future state we envisioned when we started. But quick transitions are often impossible within an organization (or in life, for that matter). There a...

A breeze is one thing. But wind? Nothin' but trouble in my book. It seems bent on destruction. Tough enough on its own, it can be down right nasty when combined with other elements - rain, sleet, snow, bodies of water, etc... But, there's no stopping it. The wind is going to blow, and some days it's going to blow very, very hard. As leaders, what are you and I doing to prepare for the...

Constantly running at 100% is a sure-fire path toward burnout. No bueno. A steady pace of forward momentum is the better way. You know, the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare and all that... Even so, there are seasons when productive intensity and acute progress is essential, and one of the tactics that can help us in those inevitable moments in our business, life, and/or faith journeys is....

Integration is a form of the word "integrity", which speaks to the essence of wholeness. One of our core emphases at The H3 Leader is "the integration of business, life, and faith" - to bring increased wholeness and integrity into the lives of our clients. But, this process cannot be done in a vacuum. In order to do it well, one other key ingredient has to be included: integrat...

It is one of the biggest challenges we face in the frantic world of production and leadership - no matter what we may produce or whom we may lead! How do we not do things that we THINK need to be done and make more room for things we KNOW need to be done? Some of us are better than others, for sure. But, we likely all need a reminder once in a while. There may also be times when we need a less-bia...

A bit of a ramble today as I attempt a return to recording "Today's Reps" episodes... The core message? To survive, to sustain, to finish, it is practically imperative that we keep our eye on the prize. What "prize", what "fruit", what "reward" is on the other side of the difficult journey you are on right now? Is it enough to keep you going? If not, may...