Leadership Tips

Precedent is the small vine growing through the seam of concrete that eventually breaks the slab. Precedent is the small root that eventually grows to fill and close off the drainpipe, causing sewage to back up into the house creating a smelly mess and damage. Precedent refers to decisions or exceptions made to policies that can set a pattern for future behavior, potentially affecting organization...

Contentment is NOT the same thing as complacency Complacency is the acceptance of the status quo at a level that relinquishes any personal options for change; like a piece of driftwood floating on the ocean. Complacent people have become fully assimilated by the culture and their circumstances. They stand for nothing, and accomplish little. In this episode learn 7 ways to avoid complacency in your...

Poor time management is the downfall of many a leader. The ability to understand the difference between the important and everything else can be challenging. Couple that with the pressure of the urgent and you will often find an individual who is literally swamped with work, but accomplishing little. For more Leadership information check out https://upchurch-consulting.com

If Sabotage is setting into place forces, usually concealed, which lead to destruction, then self-sabotage is the setting into place forces, which lead to our own failure. Self-sabotage is usually unconscious. It occurs when I behave in a way that undermines, or totally blocks, my ability to reach my goals. For more leadership tips check out https://toolstolead.com

At the end of the book of Judges in the Bible we find this statement: “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” The understanding being that without a King to provide a common standard, the people tended to default to their own perception of right. The implication, however, is that doing what was right, as defined by each individual, wasn’t nec...

Here is a shock: not everything is all about YOU. I know that this may come as a surprise. You may feel as if you are the center of the universe, but it simply is not true. Every indication is that the context of LIFE has everything to do with RELATIONSHIPS, and relationships, by definition, includes others. If there is one life lesson you simply MUST get, it is this fact: All of life can be reduc...

I like to be treated with respect. I’m sure you feel the same way. When we are treated with respect it resonates within us and bolsters our sense of self and builds self-confidence. When we aren’t treated with respect the opposite occurs. Our self-confidence is shaken and a subtle voice whispers to us that we aren’t worthy of being respected. The reality is that every individual, by virtue of bein...

Social media is used for all kinds of horrific purposes and contribute to all kinds of problems in our society. But social media also provides an opportunity to connect and bring light on society’s problems and foster solutions that make our world better. As Christians, I think that staying involved in social media is important to redeem it and make it into the kind of tool that will allow the mes...

Everyone deserves to be respected and treated like we would treat ourselves. But when someone proves untrustworthy, be careful about continuing to trust, even if they promise that they have changed . For more leadership resources check out https://toolstolead.com

If you are in any position of leadership, at some point you will find yourself being responsible for leading a change initiative. It might be something small within a department, or for the entire organization. Change management is a normal part of leadership, but it can be far more complicated than it appears on the surface. There are four keys to leading an effective change initiative. For more...

It may seem obvious, but you cannot really be a great leader until you have learned how to be a great follower. Unfortunately, most would prefer to skip the follower step and go straight to leadership. While that is understandable, those who do somehow make that leap put themselves and their organizations at a deficit. For more leadership resources check out https://toolstolead.com

One of the easiest and most practiced habits is to be critical. Being critical seems to be as natural to most of us as breathing. We may disguise it as sarcasm, but the truth is much harsher. It is easy to find fault with situations, organizations, and especially people; the way they drive, the way they talk, the clothes they wear, how slow they move, their age, how much hair they have (or don’t h...

The fear of public speaking has often been touted as one of the greatest fears that most people have. The thought of standing in front of a group of people, be it 3 or 4 in a small group or hundreds in an auditorium, and making a speech has a paralyzing effect for most. The ability to speak in public, however, is a crucial skill. Crucial in the sense that those who can overcome their fear and lear...

Being present in the moment is one of the characteristics of level five leaders. The question is: what does it mean to be “present in the moment.” I’m glad you asked. For more leadership resources check out https://toolstolead.com

You know how on an airplane trip the flight attendant goes over the safety instructions before the flight begins? One of the instructions is to take care of your own oxygen mask before trying to help others. The point is that if you do not get oxygen yourself, you will be unable to help others, i.e., you cannot help anyone if you are passed out from lack of oxygen. I think this is sound advice for...

Expressed appreciation is a crucial part of being truly human, fully human, emotionally intelligent and self-aware. So, the question is, how human are you? For more resources check out https:toolstolead.com and click on Resources Also, check out my ecourse: Emotional Intelligence for Leaders at https:toolstolead.thinkific.com

Administrative resolve is the willingness of leadership to make hard decisions and then stick with them when the going gets tough. Administrative Resolve is quite possibly the most important aspect of effective leadership because it demonstrates the character of the leader and their ability to follow through. For more resources check out https://toolstolead.com and click on the Resources tab

Sometimes you will hear people say “I’m doing my best” or “I tried my hardest.” Perhaps you have said these words yourself. If you are genuinely self-aware then that statement might be true, although if you were genuinely self-aware you wouldn’t make such a statement in the first place. Check out my web page at https://upchurch-consulting.com Check out my blog and resources at https://toolstolead....

Being a leader in the truest sense of the word means that eventually you will have to hold someone accountable. Holding people accountable usually means confronting them with the difference between their actual behavior and the behavior expected by the job. While this is rarely anyone’s favorite part of the job, it comes with the title. Check out the services offered by Upchurch Consulting at http...

John Maxwell, a well-known leadership guru, says that “Leadership is influence and influence is leadership, nothing more and nothing less.” What I know is that influence is the currency of achievement. For more check out my website: toolstolead.com

I sincerely believe that the uppermost thought in our mind as we approach any task, position, or responsibility should be “How can I add value.” I think this applies to every part of life.

Benjamin Franklin said, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” Proverbs 22:1 states, “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.” We all have a reputation. These two statements merely reinforce that fact and the importance of being aware of your personal reputation in the various areas of you...

Personal reflection is the path toward becoming fully self aware and able to have good self-management, core factors in emotional intelligence. There is no time like the present, why not start today?

If you had to reduce leadership to one word, what would it be? I have heard many different answers to that question, some of the most popular are: influence, innovation, domination, manipulation, persuasion, problem-solver, integrity, character, visionary, communicator, etc. For me, I would have to say that leadership, in one word, is initiative.

Multitasking is commonly understood as attempting to do two or more things at the same time. For example, watching television while reading a book or playing a video game, or listening to a lecture while also checking your text message. A LOT of people swear that when they do this they are able to concentrate better, learn more, and are more productive. However, studies have shown that when you at...