Don Shula was a master at coaching. Shula was the head coach for the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995. Shula’s Dolphins, in 1972 had a perfect season, 17 wins, no losses, the only coach, the only team, to ever have such a season. Shula was named Sportsman of the year in 1993 after becoming the winningest coach in NFL history. There are several attributes that made Don Shula one of the great coaches, leaders in his field.

Shula believed whether you were a sports coach, a business leader, teacher, parent, or any person who held a position of influence or leadership, your task was to bring out the best in others. I’d say that is a pretty good objective for each one of us, regardless of our position in life. Shula would say, “Your job is to instruct, discipline, and inspire them to do things better than they thought they could do them on their own.”

A worthy leader is always looking to improve his/her ability to get the best performance out of those we influence and lead. One of the distinctives Don Shula lived by was the old sports adage, “You play at the level of your practice.” Therefore, his coaching staff was expected to live up to this as well. “Our staff works hard with our players to instill practice performance.” And it showed, week in, week out on the field.

Each of the Dolphin’s 11 players on the field knew exactly where he was supposed to be and what his exact assignment was on each play. So much so that this became second nature, superior performance. This is what Shula refers to as Overlearning. Practice and learn it until it becomes second nature – Overlearn it.

Some leaders treat their people in ways that lead to superior performance. Unfortunately, many leaders do the opposite, unintentional as it may be, treating people in ways that actually lead to lower levels of performance than their capability. The way you and I treat people is strongly influenced by what we expect of people.

You may say, “But I expect great things of my people.” Do you expect great things of, or great results from your people? For many leaders/managers it is the latter. It has been stated that one key reason organizations are not receiving superior performance begins with the mindset of the leaders. This actually is true of leaders, managers, sports coaches, parents, teachers and others in such positions. For some reason in our culture, in our minds, we believe people are sub-par performers, lazy and irresponsible.

The unfortunate circumstance is this mindset plays out in the way we treat people. And this contributes to sub-par performance from those people. Great coaches and Great Leaders have recognized and trained themselves to help their players and people to reach for their best. It’s not only telling them, but helping them reach. Helping someone to realize that he/she can perform at such superior levels will lead him/her to reach to that level. This week work on helping others to be what they can be, not what they currently are! Be a better leader.

Don Shula quotes from Everyone’s a Coach, Harper Business

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

A study of the teachings and life of Jesus Christ will show that He understood people learn better when they discover answers for themselves. Each of His teaching/learning techniques was focused on the person or persons sitting in front of Him. Be it one person or several thousand, Jesus’ focus was always the same; How are you going to leave here changed- different from when you arrived?” Whether Jesus was asking questions, using illustrations (stories), object lessons, teachable moments, or practice, His aim was always to lead those in front of Him to discover the truth, the real answers. And He was a master at leading people in discovery learning!

Likewise, coaching leadership is leading people to discovery. It is not often that a person will realize his/her potential without the help and encouragement of others. A coach helps individuals and teams to realize their potential and to discover ways of being efficient and effective in reaching that God-given potential. Most often when we think of a coach we think of sports teams. There is at least one similarity between these two types of coaches.

There has never been a sports coach who gave one ounce of skill to an athlete. A sports coach cannot endow or give an athlete any skill or ability to be a better ball player or athlete. You cannot give skill. What the great sports coaches have learned to do is assist the player in discovering and developing the skill and ability that lies inside the athlete. Thus, challenging the athlete to rise to his/her full potential as a ball player, runner, or swimmer.

Similarly, a coaching leader assists the coachee in discovering and developing the life skills and abilities he/she has inside, allowing him/her to rise to his/her full potential in business, in life, in ministry.

There are, what I consider, two major quality characteristics of coaching. Without continually striving to increase your understanding and use of these two characteristics, one will never be a coach of great value. I began to understand the value of these two characteristics as a very young adult. At that time, I had no idea where my journey would lead me. I began studying them simply to better myself as a salesman. Wow! What a journey it has been. To God be the glory.

Do you want to be a more effective leader? Learn and model the leadership techniques of Jesus. And as you use them, be certain you’re leading people to discover the truth and needed answers to move them forward. Jesus did and it still works today.

To learn more about coaching as a leadership style, contact George Yates and purchase your copy of Coaching: A Way of Leadership, A Way of Life.

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

It is said that a crocodile’s jaw strength can be up to 3,700 psi (pounds per square inch). However, it appears to be nowhere near as strong as a mother who needs to save her child. In this story the daughter in this situation was 25-years old. This story demonstrates that a mother’s love and need to protect her young does not pass as children age.

Rohima was just your average mom living in a village in Indonesia. She had decided to go out for a run when she heard a sound no mother wants to hear -the terrifying screams of her 25-year-old daughter, Trisna. The type of scream all moms know instantly in their gut, that something is very wrong.

When she met up with her daughter, she was horrified, her daughter’s leg was clenched in the mouth of an 18-foot-croc. Rohima immediately went into fight mode and started kicking the creature. When that did not work, she wrenched open the jaws of the crocodile with her bare hands. Trisna got her leg free. She did have to receive 50 stitches, but she was alive thanks to her mother.

We read stories of people like Rohima performing feats of super-human strength, but even greater than super-human strength is supernatural power that exceeds human and super-human strength.

In the 14^th verse of Judges chapter 6 we read, “The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?” How much extra strength was God going to give Gideon to destroy the Midianites? ________________

The answer is none. God said, “Go in the strength you have.” Likewise, God has given you and your church what you need to be obedient to Him. There is not one thing God has called you to do that He has not also equipped and resourced you for. We only need to trust and act in obedience. The nation Israel had acted in disobedience and had suffered seven (7) years as consequence for their disobedience.

Could much of what we see in our churches and thus in our culture be due to our (Christians) disobedience to God Almighty?

In Scrappy Church, Thom Rainer writes, “You can’t have a victim mentality with the mind of Christ. You can’t conclude you have a shortage of resources…” As with Gideon, we need to trust God. We are to go in the strength He has given us. After all, if we believe God lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then we cannot deny having every resource possibly available.

In 2019, let us Go in the strength He, God, has given us! May His will be accomplished by the power of The Holy Spirit, as we fulfill His purpose in our lives. That’s why He has left us here. Go in God’s Power through 2019!

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

On December 23^rd, 1823 an anonymous poem appeared in the Troy Sentinel (New York). The poem’s title was “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. That Poem has become widely known over the years since as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The author was later identified as, Clement Clark Moore, a professor at the Episcopal General Seminary in New York City. Mr. Moore had written the poem as a gift to his children for Christmas 1822. Let me share a different version with you this Christmas morn.

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house,

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on a shelf without care,

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

Their children were dressing to climb into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap,

Was watching the late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

(Author Unknown)

While angels did announce His first coming, scripture tells us Jesus’ second coming will be without announcement, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. There will be no warning, no time to prepare. The time to prepare is now. And today we rejoice because God has sent a Savior which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

Merry Christmas to all! May you enter 2019 prepared.

When he closed his prayer, Joe immediately spoke up, “What we want them (church congregation) to do, we must first lead by example. They must see, hear, and know that each one of us is already actively involved in building relationships with unchurched people. Training and equipping them is one thing, but practical demonstration is a whole new dimension.”

Leading by example is not a new concept. It has been around for centuries. It was certainly a major concept of Jesus’ ministry and His leadership. Before he asked His Disciples to conduct any type of ministry, Jesus, Himself had demonstrated it in front of His Disciples, usually more than once. Before He set them free to lead the New Testament Church, He spent 3 ½ years demonstrating before their very eyes, the leadership needed. His daily walk was an equipping exercise in leadership for His Disciples. Jesus is our Supreme model for leading by example.

In the church and in the corporate business world however, we oftentimes fall short. We may lead by example in certain areas of responsibility. But those portions that we are uncomfortable with or that we feel we do not have time for, are often dropped. And in most of those areas we do not realize that we are not leading as we should. We are in fact, leading in those areas. Though we are not leading appropriately. We are not leading as we should. The example we are demonstrating is certainly not what it should be.

What gets emphasized gets recognized, and what gets recognized gets emphasized. You can talk about what people should be doing until you are blue in the face (as the old saying goes), but if it is not recognizable in your life, others will not apply it in their lives. On the other hand, if some particular trait is evidenced in the way you live, it will be recognized because your actions continually emphasize what is important to you.

Leader, people must recognize in you what you expect of them. Pastor, if you want people to build relationships outside the church, with unchurched people, that trait needs to recognized in your life, as an ongoing trait lived out by you regularly. Bottom line, if we want others to do or act a particular way, we must be willing to get right down in the trenches (as muddy as they may be) with our team, our congregation, not pushing, but leading them by our own example, leading the change.

The first paragraph of this article was taken from chapter 12 of Turnaround Journey.

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

In chapter ten of Turnaround Journey, the leadership team at 4C’s church is discussing their “Driving Gauges,” what measurements they will use to gauge and track progress of objectives and goals for the remainder of the year. Here is what Greg, their coach has to say as they begin.

“Greg attempts to clarify his quest. “I agree with Pastor Tim that we all need accountability. I call it friendly accountability, and you all are the leaders, the ones to hold each other accountable. You are not going to beat each other up but encourage one another and work together. To do this I believe it is best for you to come up with two to three questions that you will each be willing to answer at any time along the journey. And as Pastor Tim suggested, answering them weekly is a good start.”

While many of us do not like the idea of being held accountable, God created within each of us this need for accountability. One reason we shy away from or despise accountability is the negative connotation it carries in today’s society. Being held accountable goes against our desire to be independent. However, building friendly accountability into our personal life and ministry (or any leadership team) can bring a whole new level of trust and accomplishment. Friendly accountability can also build healthy self-esteem and certainly encourages personal growth.

Friendly accountability is that which does not hold a threat over another person, but helps that person with encouragement to move forward, making progress toward his/her goals and responsibilities. Friendly accountability motivates a person toward the accomplishment of his/her objectives in a very positive and caring manner.

The team at 4C’s settles on two questions they will answer each week to the others on the team. Each of the questions have to do with their observation and execution of personal responsibilities the previous week which helped move the organization forward toward fulfilling its overarching objectives. Each person agrees these are to be used to encourage individuals and strengthen the team as a whole.

What are two questions you could implement in your routine, that someone could ask you anytime of the week to insure you are moving toward your personal or team objectives? Who are the friendly accountability partners in your life? What is your starting point for teaching and building in friendly accountability in your life, ministry, and business?

Click this link for a copy of Turnaround Journey

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

In chapter 8 of the book Turnaround Journey, the leadership team from 4C’s church is working to identify Destination Indicators for the next 7 months of their journey as a church. Let’s look in on their meeting.

As soon as Susan uncaps the marker, Andy begins, “We believe one of our destination indicators could be the excitement of people as they engage in ministry both serving and learning. Going back to the analogy of taking a trip, if along the way there is a really interesting landmark that you want to see, you are probably going to not only stop, but perhaps take some photos. Afterwards you will probably share with others what a great experience it was. On our journey as a church one of our indicators could be of how many people are excited about an event or ministry activity after the activity. What are they saying? If after VBS the only thing they’re talking about is how good the kool-aid was, then we are probably on the wrong road. However, if they are excited and talking about the Bible stories, the new families we reached, the new friends they met, the faces on the children, and the baptisms to come, then we know we are on the right road and heading in the right direction.”

Everyone’s gaze follows Greg’s as he turns to see what Susan has written on the board. ‘Excited Engagement Exclamation.’ Susan looks at the tablet giving everyone a few seconds to read it, then says, “How excited are they about what they did, and how are they talking about it; Excited Engagement Exclamation.” She recites the phrase as if to say, what else could it be?

To some the idea of using excited engagement exclamation as a destination indicator may seem odd and perhaps not a good measure. Let me suggest it may seem difficult to measure because we have not used measurements like this in the past. We are used to our traditional measuring sticks as attendance, and income. People talk about one of two things: that which they are excited about or that which they dislike.

While gauging people’s conversations may not be a destination indicator for every church, the team from 4Cs realizes great potential for accomplishing their Overarching Goal (OG).  When people are talking positively about results from an event or other happenings in the church body, it is a good indicator the team chose the right path for their journey. On the other hand, if there is negative talk, the team has decided to listen and be flexible in making necessary course changes.

It’s time we as church leaders began thinking outside the measurement box and leading our people to do the same.  As churches we need to look at what really matters in changing lives. Are we making a difference and what difference are we making? How is that difference transforming lives and reaching more people? Do not be afraid to think outside the box. Then ask yourself certain guided questions. Those questions should lead you to understand you are not settling for good when you can achieve greatness through the Holy Spirit.

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

With the New Year around the corner many churches, leaders, and organizations are considering how to be more effective. Planning for 2019 has already begun. There is a vast difference between planning and strategic planning that leads to implementation for effective ministry. Today, we plan a big event and consider it successful if no one was injured.

Strategic planning for effective implementation requires deliberate and calculated preparation, development, and scheduling. Most organizations have difficulty thinking outside their own experience, or what they heard worked for someone else. The second one, it worked for someone else so let’s try it, is dangerous and should be avoided.

One of my repetitive phrases is “Do not copy models, capture principles.” If you like what someone else did and their results, don’t copy their model. Find out the principle that made it a success. Then apply those principles to the unique giftings of your organization.

As for the first difficulty listed above; our personal experience is all that we have assurance of. If we have not experienced something, it is difficult to think in relative terms. This is why every organization, churches included, should consider bringing in an outsider, a coach. Someone trained and experienced in assisting organizations in discovering and developing its God-ordained path and giftings. Don’t fall for someone wanting only to sell their program or resources or without true life changing experience with like organizations.

A well trained, experienced coach will bring to the table what no program can. Read part of what one pastor, David Denton, discovered about bringing in the right type of coach. Yes, he is speaking of me. But what I want you to glean is, whether you ever call me or not, capture the underlying principle, the right path requires bringing in the right person.

“Every pastor has to work hard to be an effective leader.  Perhaps the most difficult aspect of leadership is charting a course for the future with confidence.  An effective vision is clear, concise, communicated frequently, and shared by those who are part of the leadership team.  It is the pastor’s responsibility to guide the staff to discover and implement that vision.

I was exposed to George’s ministry while preparing to be a coach for local churches and was impressed with his knowledge of effective communication.  In the Fall of 2016 I read George’s book Reaching the Summit and decided to invite George to meet with our staff for a weekend to help us plan for the new year.  He graciously agreed and I have not regretted the decision.  George did not give us a road map but equipped us to lead by asking all the right questions.  I particularly appreciated the fact that the whole process was bathed in prayer. 

The time we spent during those few days praying, talking, and thinking about the future were invaluable.  We developed a theme for the year “Take the Next Step” to challenge one another, our church, to be faithful Christ followers in every area of life.  It has been wonderful to hear the testimonies of our church members who are following Christ by faith. 

If you are in need of some coaching or some help in the area of leadership development I would strongly encourage you to give George a call.  You and your congregation will be glad you did. 

David Denton, Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, LA

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click this link for a copy of Turnaround Journey

Several years ago, I wrote that I believe multiplication is God’s preferred math formula. Every living thing that God created, He created to grow and to reproduce (multiply). None of God’s living creations will grow indefinitely. But all are designed to reproduce themselves. These are natural growth tendencies of all things living. One more of the biotic – natural growth principles is Multiplication.

Multiplication: Interestingly, every definition I looked up of the word multiplication, used the word multiply in its definition. Now, I was always taught in school to never use a word in its own definition. So, let’s take another angle. Addition is adding to what is existing. Multiplication is reproducing at higher rates than simply adding. Every living organism that God created He created to reproduce (multiply).

Healthy organisms do not grow endlessly, but reproduce themselves. The church is a living organism therefore it should be considered a living, growing, reproducing creation of God Almighty. Classes reproduce classes, churches reproduce more churches, and a Christian reproduces more Christians. Successful leaders reproduce more leaders.

In everything you do, a basic question to ask each day is, “What am I doing today to reproduce – multiply – what I have and know, in other people?” If you are a teacher, are you reproducing or simply teaching facts? If you are a pastor, how are you reproducing multiple ministers? As a leader, how are you gifting others to produce successful leaders?

Whatever God has given you, He has given to you, not to hold and hoard, but to share to and build others. We are to pour into others what we have gained in knowledge and experience. Then we are to go further and assist others in becoming even greater than ourselves. This was even a practice of Jesus Christ. He said, The Father will do even greater things than these through you (George Yates translation).

Don’t teach to show how much you know. Teach to show how much more someone can grow. Teach them how to go out and find even more than you can give.

And while you’re at it, don’t just choose one person to pour into. That’s addition. God prefers multiplication. Resolve today to multiply yourself. Then go out and get started!

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

Often in the church and in business various groups may be working side by side, yet not working cooperatively. Working cooperatively can produce mutual benefits between the various groups. What is needed in the church (and business) world is symbiosis. Symbiosis is another of the biotic principles working in nature providing continual growth and reproduction in all things living.

Symbiosis is defined as the interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

Two recent college graduates sharing an apartment as they enter the permanent workforce is a model of symbiosis. They are sharing the expenses of living on your own with mutual benefits of affordability.

Many churches have differing ministries expending energy in similar directions. When these ministries join forces sharing resources and energy, greater benefits will be realized by not only the different ministries involved, but also the entire church or organization.

One area where symbiosis is identifiable in churches is the Sunday morning Bible study hour. A church that offers Bible study classes for all age groups at the same time is practicing symbiosis. It becomes mutually beneficial for families who participate as parents have a place to take their children without hiring outside help. Workers are already there as all members of their family are actively involved throughout the campus. Classroom, parking, and other needed space is all at the same location mutually benefiting the organization, families, and individuals.

Unfortunately, aside from Sunday mornings, symbiosis in the church is often strange and foreign. When ministry groups work without symbiosis to other ministry groups, silos are formed. Each one planning and doing its own thing without consideration of how they might share resources and energy from/with other groups within the church or organization. Silos in any organization eat up finances, time, people’s energy, and other resources with less effectiveness than groups working in symbiotic relationships.

Different ministries can cultivate cooperative relationships, so the mutual benefit is greater than operating separately. Symbiotic relationships between individuals, and ministry organizations will always produce greater, more effective Great Commission results.

How will you equip and encourage symbiosis throughout your church or organization?

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