Tag Archive for accountability

Rafting down the Rivers of Life

Rodney Agan / December 3, 2012 / No comments

If you go into the hills of North Georgia you will see many rivers where people go inner-tubing or rafting.  The two are much different.  Inner-tubing is usually floating down a lazy river with no cares in the world.  Rafting on the other hand is more like a sport.  You get on the fast-paced part of the larger rivers with fast-paced rapids and navigate down them.  Usually you have a professional guide to take your group of 6-8 people down the course.  It can be quite challenging.

I have taking many groups rafting through the years.  Below are a few lessons I have learned.  I believe they could also be considered life-lessons.

1-    Not all RIVERS are the same.  In Georgia, what one person calls a creek another may call a river.  One is a slow-moving stream of water with various points becoming more treacherous than others.  Some rivers are filled with boulders and fast-moving water headed toward a water-fall.  All of our lives are different and the phases of our lives are different. See your life as unique.

2-    Not all RAPIDS are the same. I have been down a few different rivers on rafting trips.  Most rapids in North Georgia are classified in the 3-5 category. They all have names like “Devil’s elbow”, “Jigsaw corner”, and “Mother-in-laws kiss” (OK, I made that last one up, but you get the picture).  In life you need to be aware how to navigate through your particular rapids.  Don’t let the circumstances scare you but at the same time, take them seriously.   

3-    Not all GUIDES are the same.

  • Some want to take you where they have never been.  Once, I took a group and we had college-age girl, who weighed about 80 lbs, trying to guide our boat.  During a particular rapid, she screamed and jumped down into the boat, leaving us to fend for ourselves.  You need a guide in life that will help you through the hard
  • Some can’t take you where you need to go.  If you plan to navigate a Class 5 rapid you need someone who has “been there, done that”.  Surround yourself with someone with the confidence and ability to be there for you, but also with the experience to guide you through it.
  • Some want to take you where you are not ready to go.  Just because the guide has been there, it doesn’t mean you need to go there.  The older I get, the less adventurous I become. You may need someone to help you admit that the path you are one is not designed for you.

Life Coaching is similar to an experienced guide taking you down the river.  It will help you navigate your course with efficiency and courage.  If you would like more information about connecting to a Personal Life Coach, contact me at rodneyagan@get2thenextlevel.com

Category: Change, Fun, Leadership, Life Coaching, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Come On, Give Yourself Some Credit

Rodney Agan / November 20, 2012 / No comments

We are inundated with self-help and leadership material that it is confusing.  It seems that each one suggests a different method. They all want to have a corner on the market.  By the time you sit through the entire seminar, read the book, or listen to all the podcasts, you feel less in control than when you started.  It is definitely true that we can all make improvements, but give yourself some credit.  You must have something already inside, or you would not have the thirst for more.  Give yourself credit; you have more potential than you think.

Give yourself some credit:

1-    At least you SEE you have a problem; many others CAN’T. Usually the people who need the most help are the ones that already “know everything”.  If you don’t believe it, just ask them.  They are glad to point out your shortcomings but for the life of them, can’t see their own.

2-    You have learned your limitations; many others DON’T.  Many people are doing things in which they are unqualified to do.  If you don’t believe me, look at politics.  It is commendable that you realize where your limitations lie so you know where to start working.  If not, you will spend unnecessary time and money working on things you already know. 

3-    You are willing to make the necessary changes; many others WON’T.  Change is hard, especially the older you get.  Changing careers or ministries after you have been there a long time are most difficult.  You get in your comfort zone and change will surely throw you out of it. 

Just know this, in the society we live in today, most careers have a shelf-life. You are wise to recognize it before the inevitable happens.  You will be one step ahead.

Category: Communication, Personal Development, Relationships, Responsibility / Tags: , , , , , ,

The Ladder of Success

Rodney Agan / November 15, 2012 / No comments

Everyone wants to be successful.  We all want to believe that we have reached a pinnacle that shows we deserve admiration and respect.  There is nothing wrong with that if it is for the right reason and done within the right parameters.  Many people who strive for success do so by breaking the rules.

Some want to be successful but are going about it in unethical or immoral ways.  The problem is they are becoming successful in something that does not matter or is not good for them. It is fine to be on a ladder leading toward success, as long as it the right one.

Consider these thoughts about climbing the ladder of success:

1-    You can only climb as high as the ladder.  While that sounds simplistic, just think about your success ladder.  Can it really take you where you need to go?  It would be a shame to sell yourself short from what real success could be for you because you are on the wrong journey.

2-    Different ladders are designed for different things.  Some ladders are made for specific tasks.  If you bring a step-ladder to paint a second story wall, you will fall short.  If you know where you are going you will then know which “ladder” to climb.

3-    Some ladders are only designed for one person.  I believe real success requires others to be on the journey with you.  If you are trying to do this “solo” you will probably wind up at the top, but lonely.

4-    Ladders have a weight limit.  Some jobs require specific tools and supplies; they need a ladder equipped to handle it.  When you start your “career” climb, you will begin to acquire “tools” along with “experience and other baggage”.  Be sure you are designed to handle all of it.

5-    The foundation on which a ladder stands is important.  If your goals and dreams are not on the proper foundation, they will one day crash to the ground.  You cannot build on things that are unscriptural, immoral, or unethical, and expect the “ladder” to survive the climb.  You will fall.

6-    It would be tragic to climb to the top of the ladder only to find out it was leaning against the wrong wall.  I have counseled and coached people who were what we would call successful, but they were unhappy. They had “arrived” but did not like their destination.

It is great to be climbing a ladder toward success, just be sure it is the right ladder and is leaning on the right wall.

Category: Change, Leadership, Personal Development, Responsibility / Tags: , , , , , ,

Giving Children Someone to Look Up To

Rodney Agan / September 28, 2012 / No comments

Children are always looking for a role model.  If they see a fireman, police officer, or doctor, that is what they would like to become. By tomorrow, they may have something else on their mind.  The point is, they are very impressionable and in need of the right kind of examples to follow.  We are examples whether we want to be or not.  We are examples whether it is a good one or not.

Here are some ways we can give them a good example:

1-    Always be honest with them.

Don’t try to hide or avoid the truth when necessary.  Obviously there are times they may not need all the information, but when we do give it to them, give them the truth.  If you lie to them, they will find out, and later never trust you again.

2-    Learn to say, “I was wrong.” 

Children are used to adults teaching them to admit wrong, but they are not used to adults admitting wrong.  If you do this to children they will trust you more.

3-    Don’t try to live your life through them. 

Remember, God made them individually, and for a purpose.  Often parents want to live vicariously through their children.  The things they could never do, they force on their children.

4-    Value their opinion.

Children are honest.  They have no pretense or ulterior motive.  Learn to listen to them.  Things that are serious to them are just as big to them as things that are serious to you.

5-    Model consistency. 

Be the same with them day in and day out.  They need to see maturity in us, or they will never know what they are to become.  Children need stability and they learn that from us.

What are some other ways we can be a good example?

 

Category: Leadership, Parenting, Personal Development, Relationships / Tags: , , , , , , ,

When You Get Your Signals Crossed

Rodney Agan / September 26, 2012 / No comments

This year there is a lock-out of the Referees for the National Football League because of labor disputes.  Because of this, the NFL has hired replacement officials.  They have never officiated for a professional football game before (and it shows).  There are protests over almost every game they have called.

Recently, they made a game ending call that has stirred reaction from the fans in the stands all the way to the President of the United States.  The game ended with a play that was called “incomplete” by one referee and a “touchdown” by another.

Sometimes these kinds of things happen with our decision-making in life.  If you have your signals crossed about a major decision in life, you might want to consider the following thoughts.

1-    You may be out of your element.

2-    You may not have all the facts.

3-    Circumstances may be out of your control.

4-    You might want to get another opinion.

5-    Be confident about the decision before you make a definite call.

6-    Admit when you are wrong.

7-    Learn from your mistakes.

Category: Communication, Personal Development, Stress / Tags: , , , , , , ,

15 Minutes of Fame … Every Day

Rodney Agan / September 25, 2012 / No comments

We have all seen the news when a big event happens.  The news camera usually focusses on someone who doesn’t have a clue, and the reporter asks them questions.  This is their time to shine in the sun.  They were not expecting it nor were they prepared for it.  They say things on live television that will make them kick themselves later.  This was their 15 minutes of fame.

Think about it, 15 minutes is not much.  Having an “occasional win” just is not enough.  I want more in life and I believe you do to.  Why can’t we experience a “win” every day? It may be because we are not planning for it and certainly not ready for it.  Let me give you 7 things to do that will make you experience your “15 minutes of fame”, every day.

1-    Start the day with a priority and keep it.  If this were your last day on earth, what priority would you have? I know every day is not that drastic, so what about looking at all the things needing to be accomplished today, and start with the most important.

2-    Identify what energizes you most and do it.  “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” (Confucius.)  When you live and work in your strengths and not your stresses you will experience successes.

3-    Be consistent.  Noah didn’t build the ark in a day.  You may not change the world before sundown, but you can make a difference.  Consistent accomplishment is what brings completion and success.  Stay at it and don’t quit.

4-    Don’t allow less important things to distract you.  There will always be “rabbits” to chase.  When you start chasing them you will soon be lost and forget where you going originally.  Stay focused.

5-    Build off of yesterday.  Take what you have done and try to do it better.  Look at the things that you CAN do, and LIKE to do, and refine them.  Become the best at it you can be.

6-    Don’t miss an opportunity.  They say, “To make money you must have money.”  I might say, “To get opportunities you have to take advantage of opportunities”.  Success often moves by very quickly and you have to be aware or you might miss it.

7-    Learn to re-group.  Every day will not be a “win”.  Every day may not seem like a “headline day”.  Have no fear, learn from it, and re-group.  If God gives you another day, take it and use it to the best of your ability.  You will find that a new day brings new opportunities.  If you dwell on failures and missed opportunities you will miss some right in front of you today.

What is a “win” like for you?

Category: Communication, Leadership, Personal Development / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Leaders Can Be Choosers

Rodney Agan / September 20, 2012 / No comments

As a leader we often feel the obligation or compulsion to make everyone around us a leader.  I acknowledge that there may be leadership qualities in everyone but I am not talking about low-level leadership here. I am talking about developing people who have potential and desire to be a leader.

As a leader to leaders, I believe that we must be honest with people (and ourselves).  We cannot, nor should not, feel it is our calling from God to transform people into something that they are not wired to be.  So with that out-of-the-way, I believe as a leader, we should be more “choosy” about who we spend our resources and time to develop.

1-    Some people DON’T HAVE what it takes to be a real leader.  You can spend all of your life trying to develop someone who will never go beyond the norm.  They are not hard-wired to become who you are trying to make them.

2-    Some people WON’T DO what it takes to be a real leader.  You can spend all of your mental resources trying to train someone who is lazy and will never reach their potential, because they do not want to reach it.

3-    Some people DON’T KNOW they have what it takes to be a real leader.  They have been suppressed or never developed.  They do not see the potential.  They have never been exposed to success.

So what should a leader do?

1-    When they DON’T HAVE what it takes, find out where their strengths lie, and strengthen them.  Give them a goal to reach for.  Show them their worth and what “success” can actually look like for them.  Just because they are not a leader, does not mean they cannot be successful.

2-    If someone WON’T DO what it takes to be a real leader, make an attempt to show them the consequences of the life they are facing.  Help them see what they are missing and all that they could enjoy.  If they still do not want to do what it takes, move on.  There are others waiting for you to pour into their lives.

3-    When you find someone who DOESN’T KNOW they have what it takes to be a real leader, you have found the right person.  Their mind is not already polluted with pre-conceived ideas or baggage.  Use the clean slate to help them learn themselves and begin the incredible road to leadership.

Do you know people who fall into these categories? What have you done? What are other ideas we could use?

Category: Communication, Leadership, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , ,

Patriotism Pt 2 – My Responsibility as a CITIZEN

Rodney Agan / September 12, 2012 / 2 comments

This is the second of three posts on the subject of Patriotism.  In the first post I discussed our responsibility as a “Christian”.  I would like to look here at our responsibility as a “Citizen”.

Christians are not exempt from being good citizens.  The Bible commands us to obey those who God has placed in authority over us. We are not to play God, but are to act godly.  As a citizen you and I have been entrusted with protecting the freedom that we enjoy in America.

Here are my thoughts:

1- VOTE RESPONSIBLY

I might even drill that down even more and say, VOTE!  If you do not vote, do not complain.  If you do not vote, I believe you are violating a God-given mandate.  It is our responsibility. Take it seriously and study the candidates and their platform … then vote!

2- EVALUATE HONESTLY

In this election I hear people stating that since they cannot fully support a candidate, they will simply not vote.  NEWS FLASH: There has never been a candidate that you or I could fully support.  We are all different and see things differently theologically, philosophically, and ideologically. Not voting IS a vote… for the worst candidate!

3- EXPECT ACCOUNTABILITY

There is nothing wrong with holding our lawmakers accountable.  We are spending our way into poverty. We are legislating immorality. We are allowing an attack on religion.  These, along with many others, are important issues.  We should look for candidates who best align with our beliefs and vote for them. But, don’t stop there.  Hold them accountable.  Write an email, call their office, or better yet, pay a visit there.  I have been to Washington and visited the offices of our Senators and Congressmen.  I found them to have an open ear and eager to listen.  If that does not work, vote them out!

4- RESPECT AUTHORITY

I am grieved at the names and hatred people spew out of their mouths and hearts when it comes to politics.  Whether or not I agree with the President, does not negate my responsibility to pray for him and respect the office.  We are teaching our children a lesson about authority and many times it is not good.  We should do our due diligence to know a politician’s stance before we vote.  If someone is elected with whom we cannot fully agree, go above their heard…pray for them.  In the Old Testament God turned the heart of wicked kings.  If God decides to leave them in office, that is HIS business.  There may come a time when it is the “lesser of two evils”, pray about it and vote the best you can, but VOTE!

We have a responsibility as a citizen!

You can go back to Part 1- My Responsibility as a CHRISTIAN
or you can go to Part 3- My Responsibility to my CHILDREN

Category: Patriotism, Personal Development, Relationships / Tags: , , , , ,

Longevity of Leadership

Rodney Agan / July 31, 2012 / No comments

In a day where commitment is hard to find, it is great to see a person who will stick it out not matter what.  Most people are committed until it gets hard, and then they feel a desire to go on to other responsibilities.  Years ago, people would join a company at the ground level, work their way up through the ranks, and one day retire.  Today is much different.  Most people will work for a dozen different organizations or ministries in their lifetime. 

There are rewards and opportunities with longevity that you will not find by moving.  There are also, setbacks and detriments to consider.

1-    Shows Stability – When people are looking to join or do business with an organization one of the first things they look at is the leadership.  If the leadership is in constant turnover, it says something is not right in the organization.  People are looking to be part of something stable because so much of their lives are already unstable.

2-    Gives Credibility – Longevity says this organization is a place I can trust.  Credibility is essential.  You lose it, you lose everything else.  People feel comfortable that the leadership has a vision and knows how to carry it out. When the leader has a few “wins” under his/her belt, others will join in.  No one wants to be on a losing team, and no team can consistently win without credible leadership.

3-    Creates Durability – When the leader has proven himself, it deflects those who say the negative.  The leadership has been tried and true.  They have weathered the storms and are still afloat.  It says to those on the outside, “These people are for real.”  Most followers will never understand the complete vision of the organization.  They will follow and work to complete a vision when they believe the leader understands it and is willing to do the hard things to carry out it.

4-    Demands Accountability – One of the detriments of a leader with longevity is that he can become dictatorial and on an island to himself.  Everyone needs accountability.  It is the checks and balance system on which our government is founded.  It helps a leader know when he is drifting off focus and vision.  With longevity comes stagnation.  A leader will tend to do things today like he did it yesterday.  That no longer works.  A wise leader with longevity will surround himself with other leaders with creativity and accountability.

5-    Can become a Liability – This builds from the last point.  If as a leader all you are doing is “buying time”, you need to step down.  If you don’t have the passion and vision to stay ahead of those following, you have lost control.  One of the characteristics of leadership is the ability to stay ahead of the curve.  An organization needs more than a purpose and destination; it needs someone knowledgeable and able to take it there.

 What do you think?

Category: Leadership, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , ,

Tug and Not War – Positive Tension on a Team – Part 3

Rodney Agan / July 19, 2012 / No comments

This is part 3 in the “Tug and Not War – Tension on a Team” series. See Part 1 and Part 2.

In Part 1, we looked at four words associated with tension. They are: conflict, stress, strain, or pressure.  In Part 2 we discussed the word tension and how it can be defined as, “the act of stretching or straining.”  Both are action words and both create a pull in different directions; therefore, we get “tension”.  Note there is a positive side, “stretching”, and a negative side, “straining”.

Negative tension is a strain on a team, but positive tension will stretch a team.  The object is to rid a team of negative tension and foster an environment for positive tension.  How is that done?  The leader must immediately deal with the negative and never allow it to grow.  I call this process the Barney Fife model, “Nip it in the bud.”

Let me share 5 ways to develop positive tension on your team:

1-      Plan proper balance – I believe it is critical to have a diverse team as I have mentioned in Post 2.  Through Personality Assessment tools and personal coaching you can assemble a team that complements each other.  They do their part well, but are cross-trained to help their fellow team member when needed. The balance keeps the boat from turning over.

2-      Promote creativity – Each team member should be qualified and passionate about their area or they shouldn’t be on the team.  If that is the case, allow them to share their passions and goals.  When positive tension is taking place, the entire team will take their ideas and grow them together.

3-      Demand accountability – Once the team is in place and the road toward success has been defined, get ready, negative tension will surface.  It’s not a question of “if”, but of “when” and “how”.  The leader of the team MUST set up a plan of accountability.  A checks and balance system keeps things from going down a wrong road too far.  Don’t be shy as the leader to deal with something quickly and severely.  It may hurt for a moment, but will feel much better in the long run.  It will also set the boundaries for the team.

4-      Allow for personal growth – Every organization should have systems in place that allows everyone to know the rules, objectives, and what a win looks like.  When they are in place the leader begins to lead his leaders.  In turn each leader begins to train a third layer of leadership.  Give each team member opportunity to grow as an individual and the team will grow.

5-      Focus on a goal – When people get their eyes off of a common goal they will soon define their own individual goal and go in separate directions.  Work hard to achieve a team goal then celebrate when it is achieved.  When a goal is defined everyone will walk in the same direction. That way when the destination is reached, the entire team will be there.  You do not want to leave people behind.

Negative tension will kill you, but positive tension will energize you.

Do you have comments about positive tension?

Category: Leadership, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , ,
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