John F. Kennedy inspired a nation and the leaders of a space program to put a man on the moon in less than ten years. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” NASA moved forward with confidence.

Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a civil rights movement with a steadfast character and a speech that is still remembered fifty years later. “I have a dream…” Several of King’s quotes remain on the pages of social media and annually captured in many news articles around the country. Many men and women have been able to advance with a strong confidence due to Mr. king’s inspiration and sacrifice.

Jack Welch was a leader who knew how to inspire others to dream big and accomplish big. Jack Welch led General Electric for two decades in which GE became a global powerhouse in many areas of business. General Electric is filled with stories of man and women who moved forward with strong confidence during Jack Welch’s leadership. And they continue today.

The list goes on and on. As we read of history or history in the making, great and successful leaders were and are the leaders who inspire others to reach for the best inside themselves for the good of the organization or nation. Think back on leaders you have witnessed in your lifetime. What is it about the leaders in your own life that cause you to consider them great or better than good leaders?

I believe one contributing factor you will find in all successful leaders is the ability to inspire others to reach inside him/herself and to strive with confidence to do his/her best with their God-given abilities for the organization while increasing in his/her own capabilities.

Those who utilize this leadership practice will see others rise and increase in skill and competence. Rising beyond even what the individual thought possible. The bittersweet portion of this is the leader often says goodbye to these excelling employees as they move on to greater positions with other organizations. Yet, the successful leader knows this is part of the leadership cycle and is indeed successful leadership.

An effective leader never wants to hold someone back from reaching his/her potential just to keep that person in a current position. That would be stealing confidence, not instilling it. While losing good, quality people is tough, it is very rewarding to see and hear of future accomplishments. Learning of former employees reaching far beyond they ever could have at your organization will bring a delight to any leader if you’ve had a hand in encouraging and inspiring that person in his/her skillset and competences.

What will you do this week to inspire others in your organization (church or family) to dig deeper, to grow confident in fulfilling their greatest potential? What will you do to improve your leadership of inspiration?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

In 1969, Oakland A’s owner Charles Finley introduced to major league baseball, “ball girls” – young girls who would sit in foul territory to retrieve baseballs grounded foul by batters -. Debbi, was one of the first girls hired. Debbi saved the money she earned to buy ingredients to bake cookies. She introduced a milk & cookies break for umpires in Major League games. At the age of twenty this same Debbi started her own business, a cookie business. You know them as Mrs. Fields Cookies.

I recently read an article by Mrs. Fields written several years ago. In the article she gives what she deems a “Recipe for Success” which included four ingredients. (Do you see a theme here?) I’ll give Debbi’s four ingredients, Mixed with some personal comments.

Ingredient #1: Good is never enough. Why would anyone settle for a good cookie when you can have a delicious one that sends your taste-buds into orbit? Debbie is always looking for the very best cookie to be eaten. Good is the enemy of great. When we settle for good, we’ll never strive for the greatness for which we were created by God. Whatever you do, never settle for what seems good. It will only withhold you from the greatness you could achieve. Even yesterday’s best is likely only mediocre today.

Ingredient #2: Don’t just make a customer. Mrs. Fields employees get to know their customers. Not names only. They build relationships, find out their likes and dislikes. Each store’s employees determine which seven of the fourteen cookies get baked each day, based on the likes of their customers. Whatever your business, nurturing relationships is the sustaining factor on keeping people coming back.

Ingredient #3: Don’t be afraid to fail. You can imagine, not all cookie recipes made the cut. When you strive for the best, you will go through recipes (trials, campaigns, products or processes) that just aren’t illustrious enough for your brand. Push through the trials, setbacks, and almost good enough”. Like Mrs. Fields keep looking for that better recipe.

Ingredient #4: Enjoy the Journey. You don’t have all the answers. Stop beating yourself up when trials come your way. Build a support team around you – family, close friends, church family. Mrs. Fields says the two things that kept her going and motivated was, a supportive family and a passion. Follow your passion. If its not baking cookies, you might want to get out of the kitchen. The joy in your life’s journey is based in your God-given passion. Unearth your passion for your greatest enjoyment.

Many people have written their “Recipe for Success” and published books about how. I’m not saying this one is the best cookie on the shelf. But Mrs. Fields has a few good great points to consider. What will you do this week to unearth your passion and stop settling for good?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

4 ingredients adapted from “Recipe for Success”, pg 19, Get Motivated 2010

The great Greek philosopher, Socrates is credited with introducing the Triple Filter test. One version of the story is, a man, possibly a disciple of Socrates, came to the philosopher and said, “Let me tell you what I heard about one of your friends.”

Socrates said, “Hold on a minute. Before you tell me, it might be good to run it through the triple filter test. First, have you made absolutely sure what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” came the reply. “I just heard it, I do not know, I have not checked to insure if it is true.”

“Okay,” replied Socrates, “Let’s try the second filter. Is what you are about to say something good about my friend?”

“No, quite the opposite…”

Socrates interrupted the man, not wanting him to share the news yet. “Okay, you do not know if it is true. It is not good. But you might still pass the test with the third filter. Is what you are about to tell me useful?”

“No, not really.”

“Well,” said Socrates, “If what you want to tell me is not true, good or useful, why do you want to tell me at all?”

Can you visualize a culture where this triple filter test was practiced in the workplace, churches, and in homes, even in our private casual conversations with friends and family? A culture with no gossip, backbiting, or insinuations about others. Sounds like a utopia, doesn’t it?

It all starts with one person, you. Will you this week commit to put into practice the triple filter test before you speak and before you allow anyone to share information about others? With whom will you share this concept, perhaps even make a triple filter test pact with?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

The small group sat around the room discussing options for the future of their church. Seven men and women representing the 35-37 remaining members of Ho-Hum Ecumenical Church (or HEC). Though the church had run well over 300 in attendance each Sunday twenty years ago, the facilities now look like an outdated, well-worn overcoat with the current congregation. Today’s discussion, like many others over the past few years centers on trying to resurrect old events and programs that were used in the church’s heyday. An hour and a half later the meeting is dismissed with no decisions made. The only plans for the future are to keep meeting on Sunday morning as always.

A scenario very similar to this plays out each week in churches across North America. In time many of these churches close their doors, leaving no Christian presence in the community, no legacy that a church ever existed – except for the empty buildings. Churches and other establishments get so caught up in past exploits and observances they do not realize the self-inflicted Organizational Strangulation.

Three elements are needed for any organization to remain healthy and avoid Organizational strangulation. Faith (inspiration), Fellowship (communication), Service (action).

Faith – complete trust or confidence in someone or something most often grounded in spiritual apprehension, not proof. In the business world inspiration takes the role of faith. Faith or inspiration gives individuals the desire to invest in moving forward without full evidence of what the future holds.

Fellowship – the friendly association of people with similar interests joining together in community. In the church and business world the strength of fellowship is determined by the depth of communication. The more people of like interests communicate with one another the closer the bond of friendly association.

Service – the act of helping or assisting others. To act or to take action is to engage in some behavioral deed. Service is one person engaging in some behavioral deed on another’s behalf.

The New Testament church of Jesus Christ cannot exist without faith. Faith is a preeminence of existence for the church. No one alive today was alive when Christ walked the earth. Therefore, we rely (by faith) on what has been handed down to us in written and oral form.

It is our common interest of faith in Christ that draws us into fellowship with one another. The more time we spend relating with each other, the closer we draw to one another. The more time we spend together relating to God’s Word and His directives for our lives, the closer we draw to God as individuals and as a community of believers.

True faith and fellowship in Christ cannot exist without acts of service for Christ, on His behalf to others around us. Many churches live today on a pseudo faith; a self-styled faith. It is a faith derived by our own measure, not the true Word of God.

This pseudo faith is then connected to friendship instead of realistic fellowship. Today’s fellowship is based on our own level of need and desire – if and when it suits me.

When pseudo faith and me-friendship co-exist true biblical service is seldom present. In these churches when true service does exist, it is usually by accident when it is thrust upon us, not us seeking service.

The members of any organization must work together to strengthen the faith which in turn leads to inspiration for accomplishing God-sized results. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, living together with one another’s best interest at heart. Acts of service comes from a heart to help others. Determine this week to change the culture of faith, fellowship, and service in your organization. Otherwise you might find yourself in one HEC of a church.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

The story is told of a man on horseback riding up to a group of men digging a trench with one man, the apparent leader, barking orders and threatening punishment as the battle wearied soldiers were digging. The man on the horse asked, “Why aren’t you helping them?”

The man retorted, “I’m in charge. These men do as I tell them.” Then he added, “Help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it.” The man climbed down from his horse and worked alongside the men until the job was finished.

Afterward the stranger congratulated the men for a job well done. Then turning to the “leader” the horseman stated, “You should notify top command the next time your rank prevents you from assisting your men and I will come up with a more permanent solution.” It was at that moment that the leader recognized the stranger as none other than General George Washington.

One key in quality leadership is helping others to perform at his/her best and assist in improving their skills. Threatening, criticizing, or treating others as less than you is not leadership. You can play leader, ridicule and criticize people or you can get in the trenches with them and demonstrate true leadership. Respect is earned and the very best way to earn respect as a leader is to get in the trenches (so to speak) and work alongside of your employees/volunteers.

Respect is earned through positive interactions with employees/volunteers. A good rule of thumb is to treat others as though they could surpass you in workmanship and leadership ability. Don’t treat your employees/volunteers as lower than you. Treat them with respect and watch how they flourish on the job and in private conversations. You can be guaranteed after that night in the trenches, those men would gladly do whatever George Washington would ask. Why? Respect.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

“My Pleasure!” Certainly, if you’ve eaten at any Chick-fil-a restaurant, you’ve heard those words – multiple times during each visit. And, in my opinion, each employee is sincere as he/she speaks those words. How do they do it? Well, Chick-fil-a raises their own employees in an incubator. No, of course not. Part of it is training. But there is much more to the sincere spoken words than training alone.

Chick-fil-a has created a culture of appreciation and affirmation, from the corporate offices to each and every store. If those doing the hiring, training, leading, and managing do not exemplify the appreciation and affirmation attributes necessary, the employees will not either. The same is true in your environment be it at the office, on the factory line, running cable, in your church or other organization. If you desire an effective, productive environment, you must create and exemplify a culture that demonstrates these and other qualities.

The more a person is affirmed, the more he will feel appreciated. The more one feels appreciated, the more productive he will be. Each time you express appreciation for one of your employees, volunteers, you are affirming him/her. Appreciation and affirmation lead to productivity and happier employees (volunteers).

While working in retail management, I could tell the type managers/leaders in every store simply by observing and interacting with the employees. I did not have to ask any questions about their “boss.” Employees actions, voice tone and inflection are tells of the type manager/leader to whom they report.

As I read, research, and speak with leaders of productive organizations I find one of the common denominators is an attitude of gratitude from the leaders to the employees/volunteers. It seems the more leaders affirm and show appreciation to the workers, the more productive the workers are. Not only productivity, this attitude seems to rub off. The employees/volunteers also demonstrate an attitude of gratitude and appreciation toward their leaders and clients/customers.

Creating a culture of appreciation and affirmation doesn’t take a degree or years of classroom study. It simply requires practice and a genuine spirit. One leader told me, “We say thank you a lot.” Appreciation does not always mean spending money on promotions, steak dinners, and doughnuts (although those are nice). This organization, like others, found that simply saying a genuine “Thank you!” carries more weight than a box of doughnuts.

I agree and attempt to do the same thing. I say thank you a lot – and I speak genuinely when I do. When you see someone doing something right – even if it is her job, say “Thank you.” When you see one person helping another, say, “Thank you.” When you see someone pick up a piece of trash, even a small gum wrapper, say, “Thank You!” Creating a culture of appreciation and affirmation takes more than a thank you. But it is a great place to start. Affirm those you lead each day.

What will you do this week to improve and demonstrate your attitude of gratitude? Don’t stop after one week. Creating a different culture in your organization begins with you and requires an ongoing lifestyle from you.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

He was not a doctor, lawyer, or what some might call a white collar professional. Standing just over six feet tall, rugged looking with a well-tanned, leather-like skin and calloused hands, Irven worked for the railroad cleaning up train wrecks and repairing damaged track. Though many people never knew the physically draining work to which he was accustomed, he was more than known and loved by many. Long after he retired, at the age of ninety-three, Irven passed from this life to his eternal reward.

While he worked for the railroad from a teenager to his retirement forty some years later, the railroad was not his calling. It was his occupation. His calling was to show love and compassion to others, teenage boys in particular. At his viewing and since, several of us stood around telling stories of him picking us up on Saturday morning and driving us to church ball games, parks, or just to get a soda.

We talked of camping trips, picnics, spelunking, and so many other outings with Mr. Schanie. Not only the fun times, we recanted how Mr. Irven Schanie had influenced our lives even fifty to sixty years later. You see, Mr. Schanie had found his calling in life and he strove daily to fulfill that calling, whether it was teaching on Sunday morning, working in someone’s yard weeknights, riding us around in his little Volks-Wagen wagon, coaching baseball on Saturday or any of the many other things he did for us. It was always about helping, teaching, and guiding others.

There is a little more to the equation in the title. Victory in life is understanding your God-given calling, daily striving to attain your greatest potential, while helping others reach for theirs along the way.

There are many young men, hundreds, who were touched by this one man. And it is all because he knew and lived by the above equation. Each person has a God-given calling, something they were purposed for. We each must uncover our calling and grow to understand what it means. Yet, more than that, we are to strive daily to reach our full potential to leave a positive impact. And all the while – all our life-long journey, we are to help others discover their calling as well.

Where do you find yourself in that equation? Do you know and understand your calling? Are you striving to be your best every day? Whose life are you impacting – leading them in discovery and implementation of their calling? What will you improve today?

Perhaps to his co-workers and neighbors he was Irven, but to several hundred men of various ages he was and will always be Mr. Schanie, teacher of life’s victory equation. 

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

I recently had the opportunity to share with a church leadership team the difference between leading and springboarding. Too often springboarding is used in place of leadership in churches and other organizations. If you have ever watched competitive pool diving, you know there are two diving apparatuses used.

One, the springboard has elasticity. It moves up and down as if toggled on a spring, giving the diver greater advantage for elevation off the dive. The diver walks to the pool end of the springboard and begins shifting his weight up and down engaging the springboard in a similar motion. Once the board is moving at the desired rate and height the diver pushes off with both feet leaping, as the board springs him into the air, he twists, turns and flips before landing in the water completing his dive. As spectators we do not know what is coming until the diver leaves the board, springing into action.

It is intriguing and just short of amazing to watch these experienced athletes and their springboard dives. It is not amazing or intriguing to watch as pastors and other leaders use a springboard approach in the guise of leadership.

To lead is to guide or to bring people along with you on the journey. Throughout history, be it organizational, military, or government, great leaders have achieved success and productivity bringing their people along, training them up, encouraging, equipping them for what is to come.

Can you imagine a military general recruiting people for a journey, but never equipping them for battle? How long would an army like this last? Not long enough to make it out of the first battle. Yet, this is what many leaders, pastors included, attempt, then wonder what went wrong.

If leadership is guiding, bringing people along with you, why do so many spring ideas and plans on people without warning or preparation? Example: In many churches attendees do not know where the church is going, what is next, until the pastor announces on Sunday morning that a major change is happening and it is taking place this coming week.

People are in attendance each week in anticipation of seeing the church grow. They are (in most cases) desirous of seeing the church thrive, but they need to be led not thrown off the diving board unexpectedly. When we spring ideas on them and expect them to automatically, immediately adapt and accept, we are not leading. We might be forcing our own expectations, but not leading.

As leaders we must be careful to bring our people along. Like a military organization, we must train and equip our people until they are ready for battle (change). Because we have thought it through or discussed it with our inner circle does not mean our congregation is ready. As an athlete prepares for years to compete at rising levels, we must put in our time bringing along those who are inexperienced in the nuances of moving our organization forward.

People will follow a leader into battles unknown. Unfortunately, many leaders leave their constituents in the dark. What changes need to take place in your life to become more of a leader and less springboarder?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

Without warning the large stone broke free and rolled down the short hill and onto the road, blocking all traffic. This was a stopping stone for anyone traveling that particular road until crews could come and remove the large stone. Heavy equipment was brought in to remove the stone. One company that assisted in the move was a stone landscaping company.

Once the stone was moved from the roadway the company agreed to break it down into smaller pieces and move it from the side of the road. Two months later the large stone was now in pieces about 12 to 20 inches across and 2 inches thick. 185 of those pieces were donated and used to line out pathway in a local park from parking lot to shelter. The large stone, once an obstacle, became steppingstones for a better trek for all to use.

In life and in leadership we have a choice. We can be a stopping stone or a steppingstone. The first one hinders people from becoming what they could, from achieving their purpose. The second, assists people and provides a walkable path to their full potential.

The way you treat people verbally, mentally, physically, and spiritually affects their emotional being and their perception of the road ahead. Always speaking to and addressing people negatively is similar to rolling large stones into their path. Whether it be harsh cruel language, repetitively telling someone they are not good enough, or excluding them due to education, size, ethnicity, or looks, these are all negative input into the minds of those you lead or interact with. When we do not give what is needed to succeed, we become stopping stones.

Not only what you do, but what you do not do will also make these negative deposits. When we neglect to encourage a loved one or someone we lead, we are planting negative thoughts in her head. Therefore, we are rolling large stopping stones in front of her. Instead of stopping stones, we need to be laying steppingstones for those around us – those we lead and those we love.

People need words of encouragement, acts of reassurance, and touches of inspiration. Ask yourself, “What brings me the greater satisfaction to keep moving forward?” Your thoughts will likely include being recognized for your accomplishments. While normally we do not strive for recognition, God has built within us the innate desire to receive acknowledgment.

What will you do this week to lay steppingstones for those you lead and love? What will you say, what actions will you take to assist others? Not only words of encouragement, what steppingstones can you lay to help others on their path to fulfilling their God-given purpose? Don’t be a Stopping stone, be a setter of Stepping stones!

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.

One area of interest and study in the last couple decades for me is how the brain works. In fact, I consider some of it fascinating. Studying how the brain works can assist you in understanding people and how they think and act. You begin to understand the why of people’s behavior.

In some respects, your brain works like a garden. If I want to harvest beans, I plant beans. If I want tomatoes, I plant tomato seeds. I do not expect to get tomatoes from my beans planted. A garden produces what is planted in the garden.

The brain works likewise. You’ve likely heard throughout your life “Garbage in, garbage out” that is if you put only garbage in your brain, you’ll get garbage out. Your attitude, actions, and speech will be the same as what you take in. This not only applies to what a person puts into his/her brain, but what he/she is exposed to from other people around her – including the leaders in her life.

If, as a leader or influencer you are constantly spewing negativity, then negativity is being planted in the brain of every person you interact with. If you are always pouring out praise and positive statements, you are planting positive seeds in each person’s brain. What happens next is also like a garden.

The second garden likeness of the brain is what happens to the planted seed. When I plant a bean, I do not expect to harvest one bean, but many. When I plant a single tomato seed, I expect to harvest multiple tomatoes from the plant that seed produces. I plant about 20 tomato seeds or seedlings each spring. From these 20 seeds my wife and I enjoy several weeks of good, garden fresh, ripe tomatoes. In addition, we can enough tomatoes to last until the next year’s harvest. Not only tomatoes, we also can, tomato juice, pasta and pizza sauce, and salsa. From those 20 seeds we reap a harvest multiplied by a hundred-fold or more.

For every negative seed planted in the brain a similar crop is multiplied. God causes the growth in a garden. The imagination causes the growth in the brain. For every negative thought planted by a leader or influencer, the imagination multiplies that into a garden of negativity. The only harvest from a tomato plant is tomatoes. The only harvest from negativity planted is negativity.

Likewise, leaders who invest positively, plant positive seeds in the brain which will produce positive results. If you desire positive and efficient productivity from those you lead and influence, do all you can to plant positive seeds.

It does not take long to be around someone to realize what they are planting and what is being planted in their own brain. What will you strive to improve in your planting in the minds of those around you this week?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.