Here is a great post called:

Two Type of Thinkers

Over the years, I have noticed that there are two kinds of thinking. One kind leads to success, joy, and fulfillment. The other leads to failure, fear, and discontent. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV).

My friend, Robert Smith, is a great example of the first. He is one of the most generous people I know. He always greets me with a big smile, a hug, and an encouraging word. I always leave his presence energized, feeling great about being me.

And I have noticed that he is like this with everyone. He treats employees, vendors, booking agents, publishers, and everyone else as if they were his best customers. He routinely invests in their success. It comes back to him in a thousand ways.

Robert is my best example of an abundance thinker.

One of my former clients, Charlie (not his real name), is just the opposite. He exhibits a hoarding mentality. He never picks up the check, even if he asks you to lunch. He constantly complains—about everything. I haven’t seen him in years, but when I did, I always left his presence drained and diminished.

It turns out that he, too, was like this with everyone. His employees—and even family members—rolled their eyes when you mentioned his name. They lived in constant fear that their livelihood and well-being were at risk. Interestingly, the success he craved seemed to elude him.

Charlie is my best example of a scarcity thinker.

The question is this: Which type of thinker are you? Maybe it’s time to do some honest self-evaluation. Better yet, ask those closest to you.

As I was running this morning, I noted eight characteristics of abundance thinkers:

1. They believe there is always more where that came from.
2. They are happy to share their knowledge, contacts, and compassion with others.
3. They default to trust and build rapport easily.
4. They welcome competition, believing it makes the pie bigger and them better.
5. They ask themselves, How can I give more than is expected?
6. They are optimistic about the future, believing the best is yet to come.
7. They think big, embracing risk.
8. They are thankful and confident.

I also noted eight characteristics of scarcity thinkers:

1. They believe there will never be enough.
2. They are stingy with their knowledge, contacts, and compassion.
3. They default to suspicion and find it difficult to build rapport.
4. They resent competition, believing it makes the pie smaller and them weaker.
5. They ask themselves, How can I get by with less than is expected?
6. They are pessimistic about the future, believing that tough times are ahead.
7. They think small, avoiding risk.
8. They are entitled and fearful.

The truth is that, for most of us, we are not either / or. We are a little of both. I certainly want to grow as an abundance thinker. Reviewing these characteristics has given me some clarity. How about you?

Question: How do you see these two ways of thinking impacting your world?

Here’s a fantastic new video with Dr. Cloud and Steven Furtick about the importance of Necessary Endings .

It is so important for leaders to recognize when a season is coming to an end and God is asking you to move forward. A healthy transition takes intentionality and a choice to let go of the past. It means choosing to move forward and onward. It also takes courage and commitment, knowing that God always moves us onto greater hope and impact.

Is there a season that you know is coming to an end for you in your leadership?

What courageous steps do you need to take in order to advance in a healthy way?

Here’s a fantastic post about the topic by Jeremie Kubicek called:

One Word that Leaders Need to Speak About More

Strategy? Nope.
Focus? Not it.
How about Success? Try again.

The word is the root word for all things good and yet there is very little discussion or teaching on the subject in today’s 24/7 world.

It’s a word that makes leaders great and keeps them grounded and confident…

It’s HUMILITY.

Humility is the root virtue of all virtues. Many leaders today dismiss the true significance of the word. To most, humility means weak or to be a doormat but humility is neither. It is the key to security, hope and confidence.

I believe humility is the most underutilized word in the leadership vernacular today.

Perhaps the best way to understand humility is to look at the relationship between the word humble and the antonym, pride. Pride is the root word for all things bad. Pride makes men and women do the most insane things all for the sake of protecting, hiding, or propping up.

You can watch humility and pride play themselves out daily in our daily news mediums. Have you ever watched a news report of a famous person making the dumbest mistake and saying to yourself, “how could they do that?” or “what were they thinking?”

To be humble is to have a conscious and use it. To understand our shortcomings and be comfortable in our limitations and defects knowing that what we give is for the best for others.

Pride is having an over-high opinion of yourself. Maybe even an exaggerated or egotistical self-esteem. Arrogance is a great synonym for the word as pride makes people over delight in their achievements.

Humility is rarely spoken by leaders because we are too busy focusing on our achievements. Modesty is not valued in our society as much as it should be. Yet, everyone of us appreciates the strong, bold leader that doesn’t think too highly of themselves. We all want the leader who lifts everyone else up around them.

Let’s make the decision today to be the change.

Let’s boldly lift Humility to the heights where it should be in our leadership culture and language.

Let’s lead by example and live it out so that others will do the same.

We had over 425 women present for a day of inspiration, leadership development and networking.

The overwhelming response was that the women felt they were no longer alone on their leadership journey.

As usual, Nancy Beach was filled with wisdom, wit and tools on leadership development.

Her heart for women in leadership is evident to all. Everyone enjoyed her personal applications and the practical tools that she provided during the sessions. Thank you Nancy!

Here are a few testimonials from our guests:

• This event was exceptional, from start to finish. The women of RHCC who served in various roles were friendly, helpful and gracious. They exemplified Christian excellence and integrity and love. I admire the way everything was organized and carried out.

• Nancy gives a great perspective on a very large topic. It gave me some ‘to do’s’ for sure-especially determining where my ‘sweet spot’ is and how to best use my energy. Most importantly to love who God has made me and to use all He’s given me to serve Him!! What a blessing!!!!

• This has allowed me to think differently in terms of what leadership means.

• I was one of the younger members of the attendees, and I was very touched and empowered from the sessions (especially the last one). As a young leader, it really opened my eyes and helped me realize that we play an important role in the church – to help build a solid foundation in faith amongst the younger generations at our church. It would be great to target this conference to leaders in their 20s.

A big thank you goes out to the incredible volunteers Richmond Hill Christian Community Church.

They served the guests with excellence and hearts of humility. There was an overwhelming response of  “well done” felt by each guest. We felt special, loved and honored. THANK YOU!

Here it is:
Nancy Lee, (insert your name) God did not make a mistake when he made you. When the gifts were handed out in heaven, the angels didn’t say, “Woops! That’s a girl baby – we can’t give her the gift of leadership!” Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts just as he desired. Every gift you have, Nancy (insert your name) came from the hand of a loving Father who crafted you in your mother’s womb. He delights in who you are becoming. You are not an accident, or any less female just because you love to lead and are smart and full of dreams and goals. Those dreams come from your Creator, along with your instincts to lead and your passion to make a difference. There is nothing wrong with you.

Just because you don’t see women leading skillfully in your church does not mean that this is how God intends it to be. And be sure of this – you will be asked to answer one day for what you do with the gifts you are given, for how you steward your one and only life. You must not think you can get off easy by excusing yourself because you are female. You are gifted to lead.

So hang on girl, because you are on the brink of a great adventure, one you can’t possibly imagine right now. The path won’t be easy, and sometimes you will feel scared and lonely and wonder if it’s worth it. But God will never leave you alone – he has a plan to give you a future and a hope. So trust him, and never stop paying attention to the quiet voice he put inside you. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride!

Click here to download a copy of the Suggested Resources that Nancy  recommends for further study.

Thank you for joining us at Gifted to Lead in Richmond Hill, ON.

We value your feedback, and would appreciate your participation in a short, online survey.

Click here to begin the survey.

Please submit your feedback by Monday, June 27.

Many thanks from the team at The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada

So it is with leadership.

Here’s what I think are some key components to a solid leadership foundation:

Get the right plan

Meet with the Master Builder of your life. Talk about His dreams and design for you as a leader. Discover the design and commit to the building process.

There are no short cuts.

Great builders use great precision and planning, the right skills and supplies to create a quality product. It’s good to remember that it may take a while before the plan becomes solid and clear. This is not wasted time, but a necessary investment.

Know how you are created. Ask God to reveal your unique design and purpose to you.

Who are you as a leader?

Who is God calling you to be?

What is your foundational calling, your values, goals? Keep to this. Don’t mix in anything extra.

Dig out the land

Do what it takes.  Spend the time with God, the Kind Excavator.

Sometimes there are big “rocks” that God needs to clear from your heart. Don’t be afraid of that removal process. Invest the energy and effort it takes to get the land of your heart cleared free from obstacles and debris so that it is ready for God to lay the foundation for your leadership future. Healthy leaders spend time to grow in their emotional intelligence and pursue excellence from the inside out.

Set the footings and forms in place

It is impossible to form a foundation without these. Otherwise the cement has no shape, no purpose. It would just be blobs of hard rock.

What are the support structures you need in place to pour a really good foundation for you as a leader?

Create healthy habits by surrounding yourself with good counsel as the Master Builder sets these forms in place. It’s being accountable to His plan for your life.

How can you learn from other leadership lessons?

What are “must have” support structures for you as you establish this life-long foundation?

Prepare for greatness.

Pour the cement and let it set

It’s important to get the ingredients right. We need the right amount of concrete (solid word, truth, purpose, and determination), the right amount of water (word, spiritual formation, and soul care), the right mixing tools (training, skills, etc.)  And of course, timing is everything! Leadership isn’t learned in a day, it’s a commitment to life-long learning. God’s timing is perfect. Often we are in a rush to graduate to a new stage of leadership, when He knows that we would be more solid if we let ourselves “sit a while” in the current stage.

Wherever you are in your leadership process and development – be encouraged.

God, the Master Builder and Planner are with you, constructing a magnificent masterpiece.

Over the years it has become increasingly apparent how blessed I am as a woman to live in Canada.  In many nations around the world, women live a very fragile existence, deep in poverty, illiteracy, oppression, and abuse.  In Canada, I have every opportunity for education, health care, a choice of career and whom to marry, the ability to travel across the city, the country, or around the world.  I am so grateful to have had a choice to follow God’s call and become part of Gospel for Asia (GFA), a ministry that is helping change lives.

I first heard about GFA through a speaker at a church in Calgary in 2001.  It was there I received a book called Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan that truly transformed my heart and thinking toward the Great Commission, as shared in Mark 16:15:  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Immediately after reading the book I sponsored a national missionary in India.  To my surprise my missionary was a beautiful young woman named Sabita.  I began to learn how effective it is to have women reaching women in a culture where men and women do not socialize outside of their own families.  Over the course of the next year, I realized the Lord was calling me to serve Him at this very ministry, Gospel for Asia.  Eight years later, I am humbled and blessed each day to know that I am helping reach millions of the most unreached people in our generation.  The staff at GFA are continually learning together and studying God’s word, reading books that help us to grow in our leadership roles and in our walk with the Lord.  The Lord has called me to oversee the areas of Finance, Ministry Partners, and the Prayer Ministry for Canada.

At Gospel for Asia, we are committed to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with millions of lost souls throughout Asia who have still not heard His name even once.  We are also fully dedicated to improving the lives of impoverished people through Compassion Services, Bridge of Hope, Literacy Programs, Medical Care, and Women’s Fellowships.

Click here to learn more about our Women’s Ministry
Click here to order a free copy of Revolution in World Mission

His post is called:

Having an Affect versus Making an Impact

As a leader you have the opportunity to influence the trajectory of those around you (family, work, community, etc.). You can influence them in two directions either positively or negatively.

Let’s first start by understanding two keys words:
1. Affect – to affect someone is to do something that changes the way they think, work or live.
2. Impact – to impact someone is to mark them or alter their trajectory because of something deeper.

For instance, we are affected by a thunderstorm due to electrical surges or temporary power outages. We are impacted forever if that thunderstorm produces a tornado that destroys homes or property.

Each of us affects others in our lives everyday. Some for the good and some for the bad.

But far fewer truly make an impact.

People who affect us are forgotten. People who impact us are memorable.

We can choose to:
• Positively affect those around us through random acts of kindness or
• Negatively affect those around us through annoying behavior.

Or we can…
• Positively impact others by going above and beyond what they expect or
• Negatively impact others by domineering behavior.

As leaders, let’s choose to not only make a positive affect but raise the game and invest in making a positive impact as well. Let’s be intentional and alter the trajectory of others in a positive way for their long term benefit.

To be memorable is a gift of a good legacy and it all starts with a choice… a conscious choice that each of us needs to make.

This is a great challenge from Jeremie. Our choices are extremely powerful and demand us being really conscious about them. As leaders, we want to be memorable. We want our influence to be memorable and one that will inspire others to also choose a life of impact.

What is one choice you can make today to positively increase your level of impact?

Jerrell Jobe, a teaching pastor at Palm Valley Community Church, understands the challenge that comes from leading with a healthy soul. He recently shared with the participants in The LIFT Project course that he is facilitating:

This week I’ve been thinking that leadership, particularly leadership in ministry, is like a pond filled by two streams. One stream is the managerial side of things – logistics, vision, people, organization, administration, planning, forecasting, etc. The other stream is the substance and quality of the leader’s soul.

In order for life to thrive in the pond, it has to be fed by two healthy streams – how we deal with people and logistics AND the state of our souls. If either of these are tainted, toxic, or even merely stall – the whole pond suffers… Both are essential. And, the tension of both must be managed.

Jeff, a participant in the course responded with this:

The past months…actually years have felt like a merry-go-round for me. This class is helping me to shift the emphasis once again to live out of a full bucket.

Do you resonate with Jeff? This feeling of an empty bucket, riding on a merry-go-round, or just waiting for the next opportunity to breathe is not so un-common among church leaders and volunteers.

In this particular season, the demands may not decrease. However, your personal vitality can increase. Take just a few minutes today to look at what’s feeding your pond. How healthy are the streams flowing into it? Do you see anything that is stalled, toxic, or just a bit tainted?

Before giving anything else from your bucket, make a deposit to fill it up. Deposit by deposit, your leadership pond will grow healthier.

She’s a singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, speaker and itinerant evangelist with an incredible life story. Be sure to check out her blog at Adventures With Wendy

Wendy will receive 2 complimentary registrations to our Gifted to Lead Symposium that is coming up in just 15 days from now!

Congratulations!