presence when it matters January 27, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.Tags: people, presence, relationships, time
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So often we take our pithy comments or our attending of events lightly. They matter more than we would believe……it matters more to people when the chips are down and are likely never to be forgotten.
A young person, with whom I had a special privilege of working with, brought this truth to home in my own life. He was a ‘star’ youth group member when his closest friend was killed in a road traffic accident, it was a tough time that hit us all hard. This youngster in particular removed himself from people and his grief took a heavy toll. A long time later he went missing and I was asked to help find him. In a moment of inspiration, I went straight to where he was, said nothing, and sat near him until he was ready to leave the gravestone by which he sat. We said very little and as I left him at his front door, he said, “Thank you, I knew you would understand.”
Sometimes, our presence matters above all else. Where do we find ourselves when it really matters?
content or context? January 26, 2012
Posted by thehutch in thoughts.Tags: content, context, control, leadership, style
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A great deal of time can be spent by leaders in an attempt to control the content of peoples daily work. Perhaps time would be better spent by shaping the context for our workers and allowing their creativity to determine the content. If, as leaders, we do a good job shaping the appropriate context and provide good boundaries, we may be surprised by what ensues.
leadership styles January 25, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.comments closed
Much has been written on leadership and the different styles. Truth is…..there are only 2 styles of leadership……Good or Bad!
most valuable January 24, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.Tags: london, metro, paper, tube, value
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Finding yourself on a rush hour tube journey, especially on the Northern Line, can provide the most interesting experiences of human behaviour. It is not difficult to discover the value that many morning commuters place on “The Metro” (Free daily newspaper in London) as opposed to the other occupants of the carriage. People are happy to move and be a little squashed up to the point where they are still able to read their paper but woe to the uninitiated who attempt to prevent the reading of the daily gossip columns. The unread paper is more valuable than the other fellow commuters.
That is until the pictures have been viewed, the news items skimmed because then the paper is tossed away, its value gone, and then it becomes an issue for someone else.
missing the point! January 23, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.Tags: interpretation, meaning, truth, words
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“It was a good day“
A statement like this can be seen in many different ways. When typed in isolation and read as a matter of fact there is little doubt as to the suitability of the day yet, with intonation or a hint of sarcasm in its tone, the words would be understood most different. You could also delve deeper and ask what the interpretation of the word “good” signifies to the writer, or what the length of a “day” really means.
Sometimes we need to be more matter of fact, accept the words given and move on. Dissecting every last detail wastes time, is often unnecessary and regularly misses the original point. Have a good day!
promises, promises January 21, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.Tags: commitment, effort, promises
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Are you the kind of person who always fulfils your promises? Do you regularly forget what you have said and use that as an excuse to forego on the promise?
I don’t know about you, but my preference is for the type of person who makes the effort to commit to what they say, even if it is costly. The type of person who may have promised too much, who may fail in their plans yet, still, they make the effort.
That’s the type of person that I like to hang around with, the type of person that I want to be too!
treat people well January 20, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings.Tags: disagreements, friendships, relationships, treat people well
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The pathway of life is littered with casualties of broken or soured relationships. I believe that the “end well” motto is difficult to fulfil but it is possible to ensure that as you leave people, it can be harmonious when you next meet with them.
People have a remarkable ability to forget things, they forget less their feelings after you have made them feel comfortable, wanted and loved. When you treat people well, even the strongest of disagreements can be placed to one side.
job titles and our responses January 19, 2012
Posted by thehutch in personal, ponderings, thoughts.Tags: control, names, power, title
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Have you ever thought about the job title you possess and how others interact with it? Does the title we possess matter more to us than our own integrity, the way we live or how we behave? In conversation this week, I have heard various comments regarding titles and how the title conveys power or control to others and how we can use title, or ‘people of title’ to our benefit.
In youth ministry appointments, people may spend longer debating whether the job title should be ‘youth pastor’, ‘youth minister’, ‘youth worker’ or some other derivative. The conclusions usually relate to how people view the title rather than the role that needs to be fulfilled. When looking for speakers at events, we look for the ‘high powered’ or the ‘celebrity’ as they can provide an extra endorsement, in business we love the titles to demonstrate our impressive abilities – President, Vice-President of Operations, CEO, CFO, Director, Principal and so forth and so on.
Titles can be necessary and important but, in my opinion, we need to be careful that we do not hold these things in awe, rather in humility. The badge that we wear can easily be removed, the person that we truly are can never be taken from us. Are we people of integrity, working for truth, humility and justice? Or are we those that are seeking the best seat in the house, with the ‘best’ company? How do we view our own title? Certainly some questions that leave room to ponder.
Chasing the Dream January 17, 2012
Posted by thehutch in Uncategorized.Tags: pondering, thoughts
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It is possible to have dreams, get excited about dreams and hope for a better future. However, the dream is fairly meaningless unless action is taken. You may as well stay asleep.
The point of dreaming is that it provokes you to action, changes the norm and makes things different.
Dream dreams but do not remain asleep – move forward and take action.
It’s Not My Age! January 8, 2012
Posted by thehutch in Uncategorized.Tags: humility, ponderings, thoughts
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One of the most difficult things for older leaders is the ability to allow younger leaders space to grow and develop. I think that this has as much to do with pride as anything.
Hoping that my pride yields to humility more quickly than I have experienced
