WARNING: This is a rambling post of me processing out loud.  Please read it as such & join the conversation with that perspective in mind.

Yesterday was International Women’s Day.

I kind of stumbled upon that information.  I wasn’t even aware the day existed.

According to Wikipedia “The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Women – End Hunger and Poverty.”

I appreciate the heart of acknowledging and honoring women, and the theme is an important one.

But I’ll be honest… I have trouble with these kinds of days.

I guess I’m trying to unpack why that makes me uncomfortable.  There are some good things that have come as a result of a day like this but on the flip side I feel like in some cases it turns into reverse discrimination.  Somehow it feels like it gives us a right to elevate ourselves over the opposite gender for a day.  That doesn’t seem like a journey towards equality and respect.  It feels like we’re trying to flip the tables.

Of course I am horribly concerned about the oppression of women in some parts of the world.  I guess my fear is that days like this give women like me an opportunity toward arrogance and pride rather than a passion to be fighting for the women who don’t have a voice.

What do you think?

Don’t get me wrong.  I know there is good that has come from this day.  I guess I just wish it was International Injustice Day or something like that.  I wish it was more about fighting the injustice than elevating a gender.

Tell us your stories… what are some good things that have happened as a result of International Women’s Day?

You need to be here with us this year!

Catalyst is still one of my favorite environments for leadership rejuvenation.

Here are all the details:

Catalyst Dallas Conference – May 9-11, 2012

3,500 young leaders will converge, including high-octane speakers, powerful worship, innovative programming, and an experience unlike any other.

Hear from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, John C Maxwell, Perry Noble, Judah Smith, Matt Chandler and Jud Wilhite, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like singer/songwriter Kirk Franklin, design expert Nancy Duarte, Global Humanitarian Rudy Rasmus, author and adventurer Bob Goff, inspiring adoptive mother of 13 Katie Davis, and Stuff Christians Like Jon Acuff, along with musical guests Israel Houghton and Gungor.

Plus, Catalyst Labs will feature some of my dear friends and innovative thought leaders like Michael Hyatt, Margaret Feinberg, Pete Wilson, Lysa TerKeurst, Jeanne Stevens and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst Dallas tickets end TODAY Thursday, March 8, so hurry up and register. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystdallas.com. You can use Rate Code FOB for an additional discount off your ticket price!!

Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!

Can’t wait to see you there… by the way, let me know in the comments if you’re gonna be there!

I am absolutely overwhelmed by this video…

… overwhelmed that this is real

… overwhelmed by the possibility that we could change the course of history

Odds are you’ve seen it, if not take the 30 minutes to watch it.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Remember my post When Leaders Fail?  This could be our moment!

Contentment is my One Word pursuit this year.

And as I journey towards contentment I repeatedly have to face my anxious heart.

Typically anxiety accompanies the weight of responsibility I feel.  And usually I’m feeling so responsible because I’ve begun to try to control it all instead of remembering it’s all God’s.  It’s not mine.  I’m just a steward.

What I’m really responsible for is to be faithful.  I’m not responsible for the outcomes.  I’m responsible for being faithful to my part.

I must repeatedly remind myself to live with open hands gently holding the things that God has given me to steward.  Not giving into the urge to clutch them with a death grip and assume all control, nor to throw up my hands in exasperation or indifference.  Open hands that are sensitive to be guided by God’s direction for my life.

Contentment is an unusual place where responsibility meets restfulness.  Responsibility for our part, but resting in His.

May I not be anxious, just faithful.

When do you feel the most discontent?  When do you feel the most content?

Sunday afternoons include a lot of golf around our house.  While my husband is watching the tournament of the week, I’m usually doing a little work, plugging away at some writing or tidying up the house.  It’s funny how much of the sport I pick up subconsciously.

Mid-way through the last round of the Honda Classic yesterday, I said to my husband “that guy is kind of the new golden child” isn’t he?  I was referring to Rory McIlroy.  What I didn’t even realize was that he was playing for the win and ultimately the rank of #1 golfer in the world.  (Sorry to those of you who are avid fans and are chiding me for pointing out the obvious.)

All of that at the age of 22.

I love it when the young kids win.  I love their energy and youthful, uninhibited excitement for what they’ve accomplished.  It’s all upside at that age.  No one really expects it from you.

But in another 10 years, those wins will be expected.  The fight for the top seed will be a lot tougher.

He’ll be playing to meet people’s expectations rather than playing for the sheer enjoyment of competition.

That pressure gets in your head and it can be one of the toughest demons to fight.

Whether you’re playing golf or leading a dynamic team you constantly have to fight success from getting in your head.  A good day will be followed by a bad day.  A good season will be followed by a drought.  And rather than pressing forward because that’s what you’re called to do you’ll find yourself fighting to stay in the good graces of the voices of those who are judging you.

As leaders, we can’t let success or failure get in our head.  Success one day or failure the next are not what defines us.  It’s the consistent, patient pursuit of your calling.

Has it gotten in your head?  If so, go back and recount the memories of your early successes… those moments when you knew you were doing what you were called to do.  Remember the freedom you felt?  Remember how everything seemed possible?

Go recapture the moment before it all got in your head.  God’s dreams for you are bigger than the pressures you’re facing today!

 

 

 

 

A few of my favorite things this week…

• Lots of celebrations this week… Not only did we celebrate our 13th anniversary, but my sweet little buddy Mick turned 13 as well.  Look at that face!  That’s the face of years of humiliation… and he still loves me

• The two steps forward, one step back rhythm of tough projects.  Like it or not, you can always learn from the frustrating steps backward.

• The kind words and celebration that I’ve gotten for this opportunity.  If you are a church leader, you should subscribe here.  Help me show them some love in return.

• Dinner with my Golden Girls – a night of laughter that is fuel for at least until our schedules align again.

• Totally got sucked into Nicholas Sparks’ book The Last Song.  Devoured the book in a matter of days and plan to watch the movie tonight.  I’m such a sucker for sappy sweet stories.  Please don’t judge!

• Got to read all the responses to my reader survey.  Such great information – thank you!  We’ll be announcing the winners this weekend.

• A couple of my favorite posts this week: Why It’s Hard for Women to Speak Up in Meetings, 4 Ways to Become a Leader People Want to Follow, We All Get Scared

What’s your favorite thing this week?

I’m repeatedly struck by how much hope is an essential part of leadership.

Andy Andrews says it this way in his book The Final Summit

“Hope is the first task of a leader.”

“Hope is the captain of courage and the author of success.  For the person whose hope remains unshaken has within them the power to do miracles.  Hope sees what’s invisible, feels what is intangible, and achieves what most consider impossible.”

We often talk about the importance of vision casting as leaders, but perhaps we need to reframe it as “hope casting”.

Where could your team use some hope today?

 

Systems

You probably fall in one of two camps – you either love them or hate them.

Your personality type usually dictates your gut reaction to systems (A-types love them, free spirits hate them) but your experience speaks even louder about perception of systems.  I’ve encountered A-types who hate them because of a bad experience and free spirits who love them because of a good one.

As the leader of your organization, department or ministry area it’s up to you to help everyone (including yourself) see the value of good systems.

Here are a few critical things that I believe you as a leader need to understand in regard to systems:

1) Systems must be scalable.

Don’t you just love the quaintness of small towns?  Life moves smoothly.  Everyone makes way for another.  You’re lucky if the roads have stop signs or painted lines… somehow it just doesn’t seem that necessary.  But picture yourself in the crazy streets of New York City with no traffic signs or crosswalk lines.  Lack of systems would be a disaster in that setting.

The systems needed in a large organization are rarely needed in a small one.  That’s why young, small organizations pride themselves in not being bureaucratic.  You don’t have bureaucracy because you haven’t needed it yet.  You haven’t needed a bunch of systems to manage work flow because you simply yell over the cubicle wall or across the Starbucks table.

Systems have to be scalable.  What works now with 2 employees won’t work later with 20 or 200.  It might be fine that you’re averse to systems now, but don’t hurt your organization by being resistant to them when they are necessary later.

2) Systems Need to be Strategic

Systems should streamline and organize the normal, mundane, routine work of your organization.  Systems create a structure for the “necessary evils” of the job.

Without good systems for routine, your team works in circles.  You feel perpetually behind.  Small things are inadvertently missed.

That’s why systems need to be strategic.  Systems should solve the constant, recurring issues.  You don’t need a system for everything.  You need a system for the right things.

Systems for the right things:

• Clarify expectations
• Create accountability

3) Systems Enable Creativity

Because systems address the normal routine, they free up your team for focusing on the new and creative ideas that need to be developed.

If you feel like you never have time for creativity, perhaps there are some systems you need to create to manage the busy work.

One Word of Caution:

The greatest danger of systems is that they can squash relational interaction.  Too many systems can hinder good communication.  If you have a system for everything, you inadvertently keep your team from talking and working through problems.  Not everything needs a system (point #2).  As the leader, you must discern where you want to leave some un-systematized tension so that you force your team to work together to solve an issue.

Systems have the potential to create enormous value in your organization.  I believe they are necessary and it’s a huge part of a leader’s responsibility, but the grey leadership tension that you must manage is: enough vs too much.

How has a system helped your team succeed?  Where has lack of systems hindered you?

13 years ago today…

I still remember the very first time I saw him… I was a new Freshman.  He was a very cool and confident Senior (who I happened to think was a punk with a really weird name.)  I never dreamed then that he would be the man I would spend my life with.

I love that I have that first memory.  I love that we’ve made so many more…

… and have so many more to come!

What’s the best marriage advice you’ve received?

A week ago I was journeying back from India longing for all the comforts of home.  I have soaked in all the simple joys of my world this week so I thought I would share my ordinary favorite things… you know those things that we so easily take for granted because we have them every day.

• People who love me.  My husband, my sister, my friends, my family.  Being a 1/2 a world away makes you realize how much the simple things like a hug or hearing their voice matter to you every day.

• My comfy bed.  Oh my heavens I am spoiled by the comfort of my bed!

• Sleep.  It’s taken me most of the week to recover good sleep.  It’s amazing how the lack of it affects everything you do.

• Choices. I have options in so many areas of my life… the first one that comes to mind is food.  I can choose not to eat curry for a very long time.

• Organized roadways.  Driving is so much more relaxing here.  So thankful for rules, structure and systems.

• Freedom.  Growing up in the United States can mask us from the lack of freedoms others face around the world.  While it’s not all perfect, we are blessed with extraordinary freedoms that we can too easily take for granted.

What simple things are your favorite things?

Be thankful for the ordinary today!