By Randy Hain

I have been leading people since I was a 16 year old in high school working at a restaurant in the town where I grew up.  Leadership has always been a passion for me and after years of study, reading dozens of leadership books, listening to mentors and accumulating great experience on the way to a successful career I have come to understand one thing: I can still learn something new about leadership.  In my case, the best source of ongoing leadership lessons is my 11 year old son Alex, who has high functioning autism.

With roughly 1 in 166 children diagnosed with autism, it is likely you have parents in your extended circle of family and friends who are raising a child on the autistic spectrum.  For clarification and perhaps education purposes, you should be aware that people suffering from autistic spectrum disorder will always present differently. These wonderful people are all unique and their symptoms can range from very low-functioning and non-verbal to very bright and verbal.  A disorder that includes such a broad and varied  range of symptoms is often called a spectrum disorder; hence the term “autism spectrum disorder.”  The most significant and commonly shared symptom is in the area of social communication, which includes challenges with direct eye contact, normal conversation, communicating ideas, empathy and reading facial expressions or social cues.

I have not written specifically about Alex in the past and do so reluctantly now.   My wife and I love Alex and his younger brother Ryan more than words can say and have always tried to protect them as best we can.  We have both discussed Alex’s condition and challenges openly with friends since his diagnosis 9 years ago, but I feel compelled to share with others how he has inspired me to be a better person, a better father and certainly a better leader.

It dawned on me the other day after playing his favorite game of Trivial Pursuit and listening to an endless series of questions about my favorite baseball players, favorite songs and favorite Sponge Bob episodes that the way I interact with and “lead” Alex has strong parallels to leadership in the business world.  The skills I have developed and the lessons I have learned in working and communicating with Alex have been spilling over into my professional life for years.  So, I would like to share with my peers, friends and clients 7 vital leadership lessons I have learned from my gifted son.

1. Be Patient
   Children with autism are just like any other children and they can try your patience!  Peers, friends and co-workers can try your patience as well.  Does losing our cool every really accomplish anything?  Gaining an understanding of the motives or causes of the behavior that is causing your impatience will help you remain calm and achieve a faster resolution of the problem.
2. Be a Clear Communicator
   Being unclear and ambiguous in communicating with kids like Alex is incredibly frustrating for them.  It is a sure bet that our team members feel the same way.  Be clear in sharing your thoughts, don’t send an email that can be misinterpreted, have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish in your communication and always, always, always avoid ambiguity and vagueness.  Having a trusted proof reader around can be helpful!
3. Be Fair
   Kids on the autistic spectrum require a lot of attention.  Driving to therapists, providing structured and predictable days, facilitating appropriate conversations with others, dealing with a limited diet…the list is endless.  Making sure our other son gets “equal time” and attention is a constant source of concern in our home.  This has made me very sensitive to fairness in the workplace.  Don’t play favorites, listen to all sides of an issue, give equal time, etc.  An even-handed approach in your business and personal relationships will earn you trust and credibility over the long term.
4. Honor Commitments
   If you say you will do something you can bet kids with autism will remember…and hold you to it.  We have to be very careful about announcing everything from future family events to what we are having for dinner.  This has taught me to be very careful about honoring my commitments in the workplace.  It is difficult, but colleagues and the people on our teams deserve this courtesy.  Alex relies on my commitments, why shouldn’t everybody else?
5. Celebrate Diversity
   Alex is different and we have learned to celebrate his differences and recognize the special gifts he has to offer the world.  Look around your organization.  There are people with special skills, who come from different generations, who have different ethnic backgrounds and celebrate different religions.   I am describing something bigger than traditional race and gender diversity.  Our organizations are filled with unique and special people who have great value to offer, just like Alex, and we must celebrate their differences and harness their potential.  My hope is that one day the world will advance enough in its thinking to welcome, celebrate and find the great value in Alex and other children with autism, too.
6. Speak Up and Get Involved
   Having a child with special needs will fundamentally alter your outlook on life-ask anyone who is raising one of these gifts from God and I believe you will hear a similar view. Alex has helped me recognize that he can’t defend or speak up for himself without my help.  Therefore, for the last few years I have been outspoken about autism and educating anyone who will listen.  I also speak up and have gotten involved in a number of causes and issues that affect me, my Catholic faith, my family and our community.  How about you?  What catalyst exists in your life to motivate you to speak up, get involved and make a difference?
7. Practice Selfless Love
   I love Alex unreservedly as a father should love his child-this type of love was called storge by the ancient Greeks and is the love that exists in families, often between parent and child.  But, another kind of love exists between us which is called agape, or selfless and charitable love.  Alex needs my unconditional and selfless love with no strings attached.  I have learned to apply this type of love in the workplace as well.  As a leader, I am here to serve my team, my company and my clients selflessly, thoughtfully and with a servant’s heart.  Try putting all of your actions through the filter of selfless love and it will positively change you, your team and your organization for the better.

All of us could stand to learn important lessons from our children.  Alex is a child with special needs, but first and foremost, he is a special child.  The heroism he exhibits each day by simply interacting with a world that is often alien and unfriendly is a source of ongoing inspiration for me and the others who have gotten to know him.  I am grateful that I have gained the humility to recognize that over the years I have been Alex’s father and supposedly the teacher in our relationship, he has been teaching me the entire time.

About the Author

Randy Hain is Managing Partner and Shareholder of Bell Oaks (www.belloaks.com), a nationally-recognized executive search firm. He has played the lead role in hiring, training and developing one of the most successful search consultant teams in the industry, and has earned a reputation as a values-based leader who invests heavily in his colleagues, candidates and clients.  Randy is on the boards of the Atlanta Union Mission, TROVE Inc., the Atlanta St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ethikos.  He is a co-founder of the Atlanta Catholic Business Conference and is a very active parishioner of St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, GA.  He can be reached at rhain@belloaks.com.

FASTING
Increase Spiritual Alertness

Why Fasting Increases Spiritual Alertness:

If we eat, an increased amount of blood is needed for our digestive processes; if we exercise, a greater amount of blood is used in building up our muscles; but if we neither eat nor exercise, a greater amount of blood is available for mental and spiritual concentration.

In the course of study and prayer, key verses stand out and should be put in your journal and committed to memory.

During this time of fasting you will sometimes become weary. You will discover that your mind is clearer after a short nap so that your time with the Lord is even more meaningful.

Basic Purposes for Fasting:

Definition: Fasting, “Nesteuo”

To fast: to abstain from eating; is used of voluntary fasting. Fasting was an established practice in Christ’s day (Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2: 18-20; Luke 5:33-35) and was practiced in the early church. It is important to remember that it is to be voluntary activity and not a forced activity.

In an extended fast of over three days, one quickly experiences a great decrease in sensual desires and is more alert to spiritual things. In addition to this, the following are further purposes of fasting listed in Scripture.

Fasting to gain spiritual alertness to overcome temptation:

Jesus Christ was led to fast for forty days. – Matthew 4:2

Fasting to seek God’s will in a specific matter:

The Israelites fasted to determine direction in battle. – Judges 20:26
Paul and Barnabus prayed with fasting before choosing elders. – Acts 14:23

Fasting in repentance for sin:

The Israelites fasted and repented and put away false gods. – I Samuel 7:6
David fasted and repented of his sin. – II Samuel 12:16 21:23
Ahab fasted and repented after causing Naboth’s death. – I Kings 21: 27
Hearing God’s Word, Israel fasted, confessing their sins. – Nehemiah 9:1-3
Daniel fasted and repented for himself and the people for not having walked in the laws of the Lord. – God’s chastisement was to come. – Daniel 9:3
Joel called for a fast because of the Lord’s chastening. – Joel 1:14; 2:12,15
The people of Ninevah repented in fasting. – Jonah 3:5

Fasting for concern for the work of God:

Nehemiah fasted over the condition of Jerusalem. – Nehemiah 1:4

Note from Chris White:
Over the last thirty years, every time I have had to make a major life and career move, I have fasted. One time I fasted for 6 days. The Lord has always provided more clarity to me in my decision process as a result. I encourage you to practice this spiritual discipline. “When you fast…” ~ Matthew 6:16

Regi Campbell heads Seedsower Investments, a private fund which invests in start up service businesses. Over the past 23 years, Regi Campbell has been involved in founding 15 companies, 14 of which still operate today. He has served as CEO four times, in companies from start up to $100m in sales. He has led 8 successful acquisitions and been involved in the successful sale of 5 companies.

Campbell’s experience has been leveraged in the non-profit arena as well, having assisted in the launch of of Camp Highland, Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb, High Tech Ministries and Bravehearts, a ministry aimed at helping college students avoid and/or break out of sexual addiction. Regi has also released a book that describes how he has found meaning and purpose by integrating his faith into his work: About My Father’s Business: Taking Your Faith to Work.

Regi is an elder at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA, and has been married to his wife for 38 years.  They have two married children and three grandchildren.

“THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING”—PROVERBS 9:10

Decision, n.  1) A making up of one’s mind; Resolution.  2) A settling of a question; A giving of judgment.  3) Verdict.  4) Firmness and determination.

Good, adj.    1) Having high quality, superior.  2) As it ought to be; Right; Proper. 3) Desirable.  4) Honorable; Worthy.  5) Beneficial.

WHAT KINDS OF DECISIONS DO WE FACE?

• Decisions of Defined Morality
  • Assertion:  These decisions generally involve clear right and wrong choices as defined by God.  The issue is whether God’s directive will be followed.
• Decisions of Implied Morality
  • Assertion:  These decisions generally involve an area not specifically spoken to God, but related in principle, such as questions of ethics.  They usually require discernment in the end.
• Decisions of Simple Direction
  • Assertion:  Sometimes God doesn’t really care one way or the other.  The process is His concern.  God will honor our seeking the right thing regardless of the choice.

RESOURCES FOR DECISION MAKING

• Seek The Wisdom of God
  • Proverbs 9:10A
  • Deuteronomy 4:5-6
  • Proverbs 3:13
  • Proverbs 4:7
  • Proverbs 16:16
  • 1 Kings 3:1-15
• Acquire The Knowledge of God
  • 1 Samuel 2:3
  • Proverbs 9:10B
  • Deuteronomy 8:1-3
  • Psalm 119:11
  • Psalm 119:105
  • Hebrews 4:12
• Seek The Wise Counsel of Others
  • Proverbs 11:14
  • Proverbs 15:22
  • Proverbs 12:5
• Hear The Holy Spirit
  • John 16:13
  • 1 Cor. 2:10-16

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO GOOD DECISION MAKING?

OBSERVATIONS

• Decisions defined by the word “good” inherently require the acknowledgment of the authority behind the word “good”.  If left to ourselves, we will, at best, be inconsistent in the quest for good decision-making.
• God, as the authority, has spoken.  The knowledge of what he has spoken must be pursed and acquired.
• The perspective of other believers can play a great role in the decision process.
• The Holy Spirit can define where wisdom, knowledge, and people fall short.

“IF ANY OF YOU LACKS WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, WHO GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM.”  JAMES 1:15

Greg Stipe is a new friend of the past 2-3 years. He is an entrepreneur who sold his sales training business several years ago. Since then Greg has led businessmen’s roundtables (Trac 3) and done consulting. I love the heart he and his wife Deborah have for Christ. Enjoy this teaching he researched from C.S. Lewis on questions to ask about money.

In Christ,

Boyd

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Questions About Money:

1. What are the risks of making a windfall of money?

2. What has been your experience with people who have come into a lot of money?

3. Are there any verses in the Bible that apply to this situation?

C.S. Lewis made a decision to give away all of the proceeds of his books before he sold the first one. Why? Because he was deathly afraid of what money could/would do to him. Are we afraid of money like him? How would you describe our attitude toward money?

Hebrews 11:6…without faith it is impossible to please God. Where are we tempted to “trust” if we have a great deal of money? How can we fight this?
——————————————————
“What is your attitude toward giving your money to the work of God and to the needs of others? Like many of us, C.S. Lewis experienced some struggles in this area: “I’m a panic-y person about money myself (which is a most shameful confession and a thing dead against our Lord’s words) and poverty frightens me more than anything else, except large spiders and the tops of cliffs…”

1. Yet Lewis also realized that his fears were a hindrance to faith. “For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money; but in our fear—fear of insecurity. This must often be recognized as a temptation.”

2. The temptation to which Lewis refers is that of trusting in ourselves and our material resources for security in life, instead of trusting God. This is a perennial temptation for our human nature. The problem, of course, is not what we have, but what has us. And, our attitude toward giving is a very good barometer of what has us—where our trust really lies. Thus, for the sake of our souls we need to give. Not only for the advancement of God’s work and the good of needy people, but also for our own spiritual health.

This is exactly how C.S. Lewis dealt with the matter in his life. Though few people know it, Lewis lived a very modest life and spent very little on himself. He gave away the royalties from his books to a foundation set up for this purpose. Again and again, needy students at Oxford would find anonymous gifts of money slipped under their doors.

How much should we give? Lewis suggested it is better to consider the manner in which we should give: “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them. I am speaking now of ‘charities’ in the common way.”

3. Giving can be a great joy and an exciting adventure if we will follow the teaching of Jesus and the example of C.S. Lewis. And, it will help us grow deeper in a living faith in God.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 NIV

Larry Green is a friend with a passion to connect life purpose through the lens of the Lord’s purpose. Transitioning from the business world he has developed Cloud Walk as a platform for coaching leaders in spiritual disciplines. You will love his “Life Compass” we have laid out below along with a description of how to implement.

In Christ,
Boyd

It has been said that to know God you must know who God has made you to be… to know who you are… to understand whose you are.

We discover that in coming to know our innermost self we come to know God. (Psalm 51:6)

The journey of discovery we will take together can be summed up with two simple questions or prayers…

Who am I?
Who is God?

In seeking the answers to these questions something very powerful occurs… we discover over time that God will reveal the highest purpose for our lives. In seeking truth, God gives us the clarity and the vision to understand the unique call placed deep within our hearts and our souls.

It is from this place of knowing that we can begin to truly live out God’s purpose and our passion for this life.

If you want to know the status of your automobile you will look to the dashboard indicators. These instruments and gauges will reveal a great deal about the inner workings of your car.

If you want to know God’s purpose for your life where do you look?

The idea of an instrument, a tool, a process that would help us understand who we are and give us insight into what our true purpose looks like became our goal. We asked if we were able to put this process on a single piece of paper, what would it look like? What would this “tool” look like that will assist us in intentionally opening up a space in our lives through which God can begin to reveal who we are and who God is?

The answer became this…

Can you imagine what your life would be like if you had greater clarity on the answers to these questions? God can… and God wants you to know.

During the Life Compass program, we meet as a group for 7 two hour sessions over a 6 month period. In each session we cover one or more of the 9 Life Compass “Life Indicators” (see below) through a series of exercises, discussions, and prayer.

Life Indicators
1. God’s purpose for my life
2. My Passions
3. My most authentic Christ-like self
4. My Belief
5. My Gifts
6. My Fears
7. My Weaknesses
8. My Core Values
9. My Key Relationships

We trust there will be much to celebrate and give thanks for as we experience as deeper sense of connection and a truer sense of who we are. To learn more about Cloud Walk, visit cloudwalk.org.

My son-in-law Todd Coons and four of his friends meet monthly for accountability. Below is a good outline to follow as you are developing your own accountability group. I joined an accountability group 8 years ago and it has been a great value in keeping my life encouraged and accountable. Enjoy! Boyd

Men’s Breakfast – Accountability Group
2008 Outline
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
Proverbs 27:17

Purpose of Group:

To productively build relationships and community, and to participate in prayer, encouragement, and accountability with other men in the small group Bible study.

Frequency / Setting of Group:

Meet for breakfast once a month at same agreed upon location and time, unless another time and place has been designated. Each man will be responsible for his own breakfast payment.

Structure of Group Time:

I) Begin with relational time, general hang out, and breakfast order

II) Open in prayer, person leading/facilitating time opens or appoints another to lead

III) Discuss the following three questions, each on a major aspect of a man’s life. Take time for each guy to answer briefly:

1) Relationship with God: What is God most teaching you these days?

2) Relationship with wife/ family: What are you learning from your family?

3) Relationship with work: What is your number one issue at work?

IV) Discuss topic of the month – Either decided in advance, or a pertinent topic that is brought up by members of the group during question answer/discussion time.

V) Close time in prayer, again person leading/facilitating time closes or appoints another to lead

Group General Guidelines:

1) Everything discussed in the group is to remain confidential, unless otherwise specified.
2) Each participant does not have to answer questions or participate in topics in which they do not feel comfortable.
3) Group members will take turns facilitating the prayer and discussion time.
4) Group members will be asked to make maintaining consistent attendance, though not binding, a priority in their lives. Commitment will be made on a semester by semester basis to follow church calendar.

Future ideas for group:

Blueprint for Life – Life planning and coaching system

Man in the Mirror – Patrick Morley

Love and Respect – Emerson Eggerichs

Conformed to His Image – Ken Boa

Every Man’s Battle – Arterburn / Stoeker

Captivated – John and Stasi Eldridge

Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby

Perfect Leader – Ken Boa

Visioneering – Andy Stanley

Dan Glaze knows how to love on and invest in people. This is his job at National Christian Foundation where he’s a National Relationship Manager. Rita and I love him and his wife Donna. Below are three questions I asked him regarding relational investments…

1. What does it mean to invest in others relationally?

Investing in others relationally is sharing life upon life. Today’s culture is driving us toward isolation. We are spending more time looking at a computer screen than being face-to-face with people. I am confident that life cannot exist outside the context of relationships. We have limited time and energy and thus the most important use of our time is in the lives of others. Investing in others relationally means laying aside our desires for self and giving our life to someone else. (BTW – this is what Jesus did)

2. Why do you invest in others relationally?

There is a saying that only two things will last eternally – God’s Word and People. What then is worthy of our investment? Transformation (life change) takes place in relationships, not in isolation. I desire to be God’s touch into people’s lives. There is nothing more important than sharing life together. Someone said; “Shared joy is a double joy and shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” People are lonely today because they are building walls instead of bridges. But the main reason I invest in others is because this was God’s strategy for bringing life to a dead world. Emmanuel (God with us) selected purposeful proximity as His strategy. He could have come as an idea or a light, but He came as one of us and walked with us. The word relationship comes from the Latin relationem meaning “a bringing back, restoring.” So many, including ourselves, have the tendency to get off track to who God desires us to be. Relationships bring us back and restore us to who God created us to be. Having an intimate relationship with HIM.

3. How do you invest in others relationally?

I pour my life into the lives of others. I care for them. I invest in others by being more concerned with their needs than my own needs. I take a keen interest in their lives, their relationship with Christ, their families, their businesses, and their hobbies. There is one couple Donna and I met back in 1994. That year Donna and I intentionally decided to invest in this couple’s lives. What an amazing journey over the last 13 years. Each year, we spend 4 days together at their lake house laughing, eating, praying, crying, fishing and loving on each other. Chuck and Joanne have become almost as close as family. As I seek to serve and give to others, I end up receiving far more than I give. God’s economy is upside down from today’s culture. As I invest in the lives of others, God gives my life a huge return. There is no greater ministry than investing in others. Anthony D’Angelo states – “Treasure your relationships, not your possessions”. Relationships will give a greater return. “You have given us a new commandment to love one another even as You have loved us; so we must love one another. By this all men will know that we are Your disciples, if we have love for one another.” (John 13:34)

I have known John and Debbie Woodall since he came on staff at North Point Community Church as the Married Adult Director in 2001. I deeply admire both he and Deb’s walk with Christ and their commitment to their children. The questions they have crafted are an excellent tool for an ‘annual life audit’. Rita and I go through a similar discipline each January in anticipation of the upcoming year. Use some or all of these questions to integrate your life more fully with Christ’s and His plan for you. Enjoy!

Reflection and Preparation

by John & Debbie Woodall

The habit or practice of reflection has increased and become very important to me over time. I have noticed people are running so fast and not taking the time to sit, think, review, remember and readjust their lifestyles and schedules. With some regular times of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reflection, it can lead to peace, stability and very purposeful living.

The following questions are to get us thinking about this past year and prepare us for “The Best Year Ever.” How am I doing in the major areas of my LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, WORK and CHURCH?

1. LIFE

A. Spirit

1) Do I love God, my Father with all my heart, soul, mind and strength?
2) Am I growing in my intimate relationship with Jesus Christ?
3) Am I living and walking by the Holy Spirit?
4) How is my time in the Scriptures? Am I delighting in and meditating on God’s Word day and night?
5) Do I find myself praying more or less about all things?
6) What 3 spiritual practices generated the greatest benefit?

B. Soul (Mind, Will and Emotions)

1) What am I doing to daily renew my mind?
2) Are my thoughts pure, lovely, noble, truthful and full of praise?
3) What are the best three books I read last year?
4) What kind of choices did I make last year?
5) Did I choose the way of life versus death? Did I choose the way of the Spirit versus the way of the flesh? Did I choose to walk by faith versus walk by sight?
6) Was I full of love, joy, peace, patience and self-control?
7) Was there any anger, guilt, greed or jealousy that needs to be resolved?

C. Body (Did I live in B.A.L.A.N.C.E?)

1) BREATHING – Am I getting enough oxygen in my blood?
2) AWARENESS – Am I paying attention to what is going on in my body?
3) LIQUIDS – Am I drinking enough water?
4) ANTIOXIDANTS – Am I taking the right of Multi, C and E?
5) CONDITIONING – Am I exercising 3-5 times a week?
6) EFFECTIVE REST – Am I getting 7-8 hours of sleep?
7) What three ways will I take better care of myself this next year?

2. MARRIAGE

A. Intimacy

1) Does my wife know she is the #1 priority relationship on the planet?
2) Am I loving my wife as Christ loves the church?
3) Are we praying together on a regular basis?
4) Are we regularly sharing what we are learning from our own relationship with Jesus Christ?
5) Am I washing and cleansing her with the Word of God?
6) Am I carefully listening to her thoughts, feelings and desires?
7) Are we enjoying many sexual and non-sexual touches?
Are we enjoying romance and physical intimacy on a regular basis?
9) Did we have an awesome anniversary celebration?
10) Have we enjoyed quarterly getaways?
11) Did we have our monthly MSM, Marriage Staff Meetings?
12) How was our “Weekly Focus” time?
13) Did I provide her the structure or spontaneity she needs and desires?
14) Did I give her the full and focused attention she deserves?
15) On a scale of 1-10, how would my wife rate our marriage?
16) What needs to be done to get it to a 10?

B. Finances

1) Did we honor the Lord with the first fruit of all our increase?
2) Did we give generously and cheerfully?
3) Did we save appropriately?
4) Did we invest for the future proportionately?
5) Did we spend moderately?
6) What financial adjustments must we make for this next year?

3. FAMILY

A. Father

B. Son

1) How am I doing as a son?
2) How did I honor my Father and Mother this past year?

C. Brother

1) How am I doing as a brother?
2) How did I love and care for my brothers and sisters?

4. WORK

A. Did I see my work as a gift from God?
B. Did I do my work as unto the Lord?
C. Am I living as a man under authority showing respect, gratefulness, a servant and quiet spirit?
D. Am I showing excellence and diligence in my work?
E. Am I taking the low place and trusting God for His invitations, appointments and exaltation in His time?
F. Am I “choosing to cheat”?
G. What three work relationships need more time?

5. CHURCH/MINISTRY

A. Am I living in community with other believers?
B. Am I investing, influencing and inviting other outsiders?
C. Where did I strategically serve in my local church?

Some additional questions:

6. In reviewing last year, what areas reveal the most progress? The least progress?

➢ Most –

➢ Least –

7. What is the wildest, most unconventional thing I could do this next year to live with more passion? What out of the box thinking could we do?

8. Who will hold me accountable to be my best self this next year?

9. The most significant way I will influence others is…

10. List 3-5 of your best achievements this past year.

11. Strengths and Successes – Identify what has worked well this past year.

12. Struggles and Stresses – What has not been working so well?

13. Habits – What are the most purposeful daily habits you could develop/upgrade over the next 12 months? Develop 1 habit at a time, not 2, not 5.

14. Clutter – Identify 3 messes or clutter projects you’d like to clean up in the next 12 months? Clutter can be anything that is taking up room in my mind…for example we have 1000 AU’s (Attention Units) and anything from a sick relative, to wayward child, to troublesome marriage, to bitterness can all take up mental and emotional capacity. We must un-clutter our minds so that we can reach full potential.

15. Character – Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Identify 3 qualities you’d like to see associated with your name as well as how you’d define each quality. I wrote the following for me.

1. Loving – That I fully received the love of God into my life and loved Him and people in return

Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

2. Humility – Taking the low place before God and others

Luke 14:7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

3. Servant – That I was more interested in the needs of others than myself.

Mark 10:43-44 – Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [44] and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Lee and I met in a prayer meeting 14 years ago. Six of us prayed over Lee’s health in Dr. Stanley’s prayer closet. God healed him the next day through an uneventful and successful heart surgery. We became fast friends, as Lee served on our Atlanta Crown City Team and currently serves on our Ministry Ventures Board of Directors. He and his wife Kay were childhood friends who grew up in the Midwest. They have an adult son John. Lee’s business was the second largest correspondence school in America. He and his brother-in-law sold to a group of venture capitalists three years ago.

With permission we have listed below Lee’s very thoughtful response to three business related questions…

1. What advice would you give a young business leader looking to start a business?
Research the business type, understanding the need for the product or service. Do you buy something already started which provides cash flow or start from scratch? How long will it take to get a positive cash flow? What is the competition doing? Is there a need for more similar businesses or will you provide a different approach or product? What finances will be required to start and sustain the early development of the business? Can you start this by yourself or will you need help? If you need help, identify the expertise needed, identify when you can bring them on, part-time or full time, salaries/benefits needed, and then hire only the best. Identify whether family members can do some of the services until you can hire it out or until it outgrows their ability. Prepare to work eighty hours or more per week. If you start with a partnership, be sure you are equally yoked in your ethics and standards. One person needs to be in charge of daily decisions or at least divide up responsibilities and then review what was done regularly. Whoever is in charge of the cash flow must be trustworthy and be held accountable for every transaction. Get help from legal and accounting in setting up the company. Be sure to put aside money for taxes as you go. Have a fall back plan. Seek a mentor who can advise you along the way, possibly a group of like business leaders. Pray, pray, pray.

2. How did you keep integrity a priority in your business? Examples?
Pray together. Find accountability partners. Pay all invoices or debts on time. Keep a close eye on the books…income and expenses, and adjust as needed. In the beginning do it weekly, then less often as you grow. Let employees know the ethical standards you expect from each of them. That includes the way they speak to each other on the job and especially to the customers. When a customer has a problem, always solve it to their satisfaction, knowing that it is easier to keep a customer than to find a new one. Don’t allow your employees to see you violate one of your standards, because they will follow the leader. Your customers should always see the benefits of your product or service or they won’t be repeat customers. Treat your employees with respect. Be firm but consistent with your standards. Continue to work hard and motivate your employees. Pray, pray, pray.

3. The sale of your business was unique? What was your strategy?
We had grown our business for about sixteen years and for a number of reasons thought it was time for us to sell. We had become very successful by most measures but knew we could not continue to run the business forever. We knew what we’d receive the first time of sale for eighty-five percent of the company might be all we would ever receive, so the first sale amount had to be enough for us to retire on. We knew we did not know what a more sophisticated organization might be able to do with our organization, but hoped the fifteen percent might develop into something more. It took a lot of effort working with a business broker, lawyers and accountants to find a buyer and come to an agreement which kept us out of any financial responsibility if the company failed, but would gain if the company later sold for more. We did think one of us might have to sign a work contract to agree to run the company for one to two years before a willing buyer would buy us. Many advisors told us to sell for stock, but we wanted a guaranteed minimum amount of cash. We knew several business sellers where the stock deal did not work out. But we were blessed by what happened next. Neither of us had to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, but one of us was on the board so that we would know what was happening with the company. Two years later, the company was sold for six times what we had been paid originally, so we were then out of the enterprise all together with money in the bank.