Comments on: On Leading Change and Cleaning House

By: Beav

Beav — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:29:42 +0000

margaret, thanks for adding that perspective for how some of the cultural foundations might influence how we approach some of these situations. It's an example where many of us Western leaders can really learn from different culture's and their different value systems.

By: Margaret Yu

Margaret Yu — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:13:29 +0000

Brian, I really like what you said. I also have seen this in leadership and am sure I have done this myself when I was younger. The thing that I feel that has helped me is that Asian American culture teaches me to respect those who have gone before me. This is based on respecting elders and ancestors, and thus, pass leaders. So, that is where my culture has been a good help for some of us. But it can still be a temptation.
Thanks for the good thought!

By: Beav

Beav — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:49:23 +0000

Jim,

I like how you describe your philosophy of leading change. Transition tends to be so emotionally volatile even in the best of circumstances so leaders can either fan flame of anxiety or choose a more emotionally healthy approach that fills the community with confidence and hope for the right reasons.

Sometimes I've seen people sweep things under the run that shouldn't be swept under the rug, but in most situations I think we can be pretty intentional about change without creating a culture of blame and egocentrism in leadership. I like the quiet, but intentional approach. I'd like to get better at it. That's great that you were able to show such respect to those who went before you throughout your career.

By: Beav

Beav — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:36:06 +0000

nice kevin, way to take us back into history for some great inspiration!

By: Beav

Beav — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:34:32 +0000

so good to hear from you TJ! been praying for you. would like to talk to you and jason soon – I'll drop a line to set up a time

By: Jim O'Connor

Jim O'Connor — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:19:30 +0000

Hi Brian,

In our political arena, trashing your predecessor seems to be the way of the world. Obama trashed George W who dumped on Clinton who denigrated George H.W., Reagan trashed Carter, etc. In our national life it is profoundly unhealthy and I seem to recall reading somewhere about the fate of a house divided against itself.

In my corporate life, back when I had one, my approach was always to be gracious to the guy I replaced, build on the good things he (or she) left me and gradually and quietly change the things that needed to be changed. I believe in assuming the best about people, especially I never walked in their shoes, never had to play the hand they were dealt. It was thru that lens that I viewed my predecessors.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:01:03 +0000

interesting post for the day of the State of the Union

A great example of affirming the past but setting a tone for change is Kennedy's inauguration.

"We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world."

See you in Texas

By: TJP

TJP — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:57:11 +0000

Brian, this is a great post! This is not something I've consciously thought about in the past, but now that you bring it up, I definitely can think of both negative and positive examples in my head. Thanks for sharing this!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:52:29 +0000

good words.

bummed that there's no bullet points though.

By: Brian Owen

Brian Owen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:02:26 +0000

Great post beav. This really resonates with me since I took the adult discipleship pastor position at my church, replacing a loved but flawed leader. People have been looking to me for change but I've be wary of how to best introduce change. The best advice I've gotten so far comes from the pastor of one of our church's daughter churches. He told me that "if you fail to appreciate and respect a people's past, they won't let you lead them into the future." His words of advice have significantly shaped how I approach my leadership role, how I build upon the past, and how I introduce change.

By: Beav

Beav — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:53:16 +0000

Brian – so good to hear from you. That is great input and advice. As you mention your new role it makes me think of the class I'm taking now which is pretty much focused on adult discipleship and discipleship on a macro level in ministry and church settings. Are you liking it?

btw…coming to texas (Dallas that is) in a couple weeks for Epic's National Staff Conference. Hopefully I get some good bbq. If for some reason you end up in Dallas around then let me know

By: Beav

Beav — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:50:21 +0000

Here you go:
- Don't treat previous leaders like Satan unless they really were Satan
- Don't set yourself up as a Messianic leader in your own mind or in your communication
- Stay classy

3 pt. outline just like that…can't imagine why I had so many problems in those preaching classes