2017 E.source Focus

2017 E.source Focus

The last two blogs I’ve shared questions to help you reflect on your accomplishments this year (2016) to prepare for the year ahead (2017), by envisioning where you believe God is encouraging you to grow.  These questions are also intended for you to use with those you coach.  It is always energizing to put the final touches on one year and anticipate the possibilities to come.

As I reflect on the year ahead I am reminded of the words of the the prophet in Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I encourage you to rest in that knowledge.

Moving into next year, I am excited about the many ways God wants to use you and your unique gifts to catalyze disciplemaking movements.  InFocus is committed to your success and E.source is a vehicle focused on that vision.  Here is what you can expect every month as we move into the New Year.

  • Week #1: A Coaching Tip
  • Week #2: A Question of the Week
  • Week #3: A Leader Development Tip
  • Week #4 & #5: A Resource &/or Book Review

May the Lord richly bless you, may He surround you with a team of people that will make your vision a reality and provide the resources to fulfill what he has called you to accomplish.

 

 

Out with the Old – In with the New (Part II)

Out with the Old – In with the New (Part II)

December is a very important month to help leaders reflect on the past and set goals for the upcoming year.  A friend and colleague of mine, Brian Howard, gave me a list of questions that he uses.  Last week I shared questions to reflect on 2016.

Here are a few samples from that list to help leader reflect on the year ahead:

  • What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2017?
  • What advice would you like to give yourself in 2017?
  • What would you be most happy about completing in 2017?

What questions do you use to help leaders reflect on the year ahead?  Take a moment to identify some of the questions you have used.  Please share a question to help leaders project into the new year to formulate goals they want to pursue.

Out with the Old – In with the New

Out with the Old – In with the New

December is a very important month to help leaders reflect on the past and set goals for the upcoming year.  A friend and colleague of mine, Brian Howard, gave me a list of questions that he uses to help leaders he coaches reflect on the past.  Here are a few samples from that list:

  • What was your biggest triumph in 2016?
  • What was the smartest decision you made in 2016?
  • What one word best sums up and describes your 2016 experience?

It would be easy to move into a goal-setting exercise for the year to come.  However, asking leaders to pause, reflect and celebrate is a life-giving exercise – giving gratitude and thanks to the Lord.  This establishes a healthy foundation to craft goals for the upcoming year.

What questions do you use to help leaders reflect on their year, progress made and challenges encountered?  Take a moment to identify some of the questions you could use this month.  Next week I will share some of the questions I use to help leaders project into the new year to formulate goals they want to pursue.

Coaching Credibility

Coaching Credibility

I have a long history of following the Arsenal Football Club.  One of the most successful coaches in the football (soccer) world is Arsene Wenger (see photo above) who has served the club since 1996.  His resume includes three league titles, six cup titles and an amazing run in the Champion’s League since 2005.  He is one of the most sought after coaches in the world but has remained true to Arsenal.  Arsene Wenger has coaching credibility.

I’ve had several conversations with leaders who aspire to grow their coaching ministries.  These include pastors, church planters and network leaders who want to become more adept at coaching and some who are considering the possibility of branding their coaching practice with a website, blog, etc.  The conversation inevitably lands on the question, “how do you engage people in a coaching relationship?”

Coaching credibility matters.  It is the most fruitful way to attract disciples and leaders.  It is the best way to grow a coaching ministry.

Here are a few ideas to spot people who you might want to coach in 2017:

  1. Start with people you currently know.
  2. Be aware of where people are on their discipleship journey.
  3. Ask the Lord to bring people across your path who you should invest your time.
  4. Be open to people who approach you and are interested in their leadership development.
  5. Approach 1-2 people that you believe have the desire and capacity to raise their discipleship or leadership game.

What are some other ways you engage people in coaching relationships?  Thank you for sharing your thoughts below.