Posts Tagged ‘Alec Hill’
Using Power Poorly By Alec Hill
By Underutilizing Their Power, Passive Leaders Cause Serious Harm Much ink has been spilled on leaders who abuse their positional power. Subordinates are bullied, shady dealings abound, and egos run rampant. But there is another misuse of power that can be just as lethal. Though less notorious, passive leaders also cause real damage. When acting…
Read MorePraise for the Incrementalist By Alec Hill
An Incementalist Resists the Temptation of Quick Fixes Labeling a leader an “incrementalist” is generally not a compliment. It connotes a lack of vision, tentativeness, and ineffectiveness in common parlance. Instead, American culture lauds those who advocate “big bang solutions” and “transformational change.” Who doesn’t want to be seen as a world-changing buccaneer who breaks…
Read MoreMy Bout with Anxiety by Alec Hill
Empathy for Those with Anxiety and Mental Health Issues It started with a low potassium count, and anxiety followed. The imbalance showed up on a blood test during my annual physical exam. The solution seemed simple enough – take supplements. But, for whatever reason, that didn’t work. What ensued – waking up abruptly in the…
Read MoreFinding Gold in Manure By Alec Hill
Sometimes You Have to Dig Deep to Find Gold! People lose gold wedding rings in various locations – garbage disposals, bathroom sinks, and, yes, toilets. Suffice it to say. It is not a pleasant experience digging through refuse to find the gold. But we do so because the ring is of such great value. Similarly,…
Read MoreWhen Going Backwards is a Good Idea By Alec Hill
In Praise of Strategic Retreats Shortly after the American Revolutionary War began, General George Washington faced a dilemma of epic proportions. He had to decide whether his 10,000 troops should stand and fight 32,000 British soldiers in New York City. If he left the battlefield, he might be viewed as a weak leader. The Continental…
Read MoreThe Accidental Mentor By Alec Hill
Five Lessons Learned by Becoming a Mentor The path to becoming a mentor can be accidental. In 2016, I faced a challenging situation. Following a bone marrow transplant, my long-term disability benefits were running out. Given my illness, I still needed six more months of living in quasi-isolation and could not return to the job…
Read MoreIs Strategic Planning Bad? By Alec Hill
Strategic Planning: The Pros and Cons I recently had the privilege of interviewing an old friend, Roger Parrott, on a Wheaton College podcast, specifically on the topic of strategic planning. The focus? Why ministries ought not to engage in traditional strategic planning. In his new book – Opportunity Leadership: Stop Planning and Start Getting Results,…
Read MoreDifferent Perspectives on Time By Alec Hill
Each Generation Views Time Differently Most young adults see the future and time as having a long trajectory. Looking ahead to a seemingly endless time horizon, they prize having novel experiences, meeting new people, and learning new things. Priorities include exploration and achievement. By contrast, those of us who are older tend to live more…
Read MoreUnderstanding Post-Traumatic Growth By Alec Hill
The Beautiful Truth About Post-Traumatic Growth There is a beautiful truth about post-traumatic growth that might be easy for many to miss. A decade after the Vietnam War, a Yale University research team interviewed American pilots who had been prisoners of war. Despite horrific conditions, 61% reported that they had actually benefited from their…
Read MoreWonder By Alec Hill
We all need wonder in our lives. Wonder makes us gasp, causing us to say, “oh my.” It may be experienced while walking on a shoreline, watching a newborn enter the world, or listening to incredible music. As ministry leaders, we sense wonder when our mission is fleshed out before our eyes. This may…
Read More