Over the years, I’ve done a lot of writing, mainly for the sake of refining my thinking and developing as a leader. I take a topic that I struggle with or see others struggle with, think through it, and write about it. And, while I think that’s a great thing, it’s also helpful to ask what people want to read. So, that’s what I’m doing today.
What do you want to read about? I’m asking what you want to read from my writing and what articles you like to read from this great reading listed in this newsletter. If you would, please take a second and leave a comment with answers to these two questions:
Question 1: What do you want to read from me?
Writing about leadership.
Writing about entrepreneurship.
Writing about nonprofits.
Writing about what it’s like to have a large family.
Other - please specify.
Question 2: What kind of articles do you want me to find and share in this newsletter?
Articles about leadership.
Articles about entrepreneurship.
Articles about nonprofits.
Articles that are off the wall and interesting.
Other - please specify.
Great leadership reading from this week.
Make Your Meetings a Safe Space for Honest Conversation - This article introduces the idea of a “no secrets” meeting and suggests that leaders ask open-ended questions like, “what do you think I need to know?” I love this!
What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Whole Identity - I’ve been here more than once, where my career as a pastor and then as a business owner was my identity, and then it went away. It was tough.
This week I’m thinking about how I spend my time.
Time is precious and fleeting. And often, we don’t use it as effectively as we could. I’m thinking about what life and work would look like if my time was used 100% effectively. What would it look like when used 80% effectively? And, how can I be more effective today, this week, this month, this year, and next year?
Other great reading from the week
Why You Should Learn To Budget Your Attention Like Money - This article asks a fantastic question. If you sit down to coffee for a friend for one hour and give them your full attention, how much would a company pay you for that hour of attention? If a company would pay you for it (and they will), shouldn’t we value it more and budget our attention accordingly?
“I Don’t Know—Google It.” The newest boundary to implement in your professional life - Do yourself a favor, memorize this phrase, and practice saying it with kindness. It will change your life! If you are the go-to answer person (like I often am), this will force others to own their knowledge and depend less on you.
Revisiting “The 4-Hour Workweek” How Tim Ferriss’s 2007 manifesto anticipated our current moment of professional upheaval. - This was a fascinating read and pretty accurate. Tim was ahead of his time.
Great podcast episodes from this week
Status roles - Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin - This was an excellent overview of status and how it affects interactions.
Why Do So Many Traffic Stops Go Wrong? - The Daily - This was a really interesting analysis. Police are taught that traffic stops are the most dangerous things they will do, but the statistics show that isn’t exactly true.
3 tips for leaders to get the future of work right - TED Talks Daily
My Podcasts to check out
Tech Talk Y'all - My tech/comedy news podcast.
TogetherLetters - My podcast about the app that I’m helping build to keep people better connected.
Real Pink - I host the national podcast for Susan G. Komen. If you want some inspiration or information about breast cancer, give it a listen.
TechBridge Talks - A podcast about using technology to end generational poverty.
That’s a wrap!
Did you find anything helpful here? Pay me back by sharing it with someone. Thanks for reading!
I think the articles you've shared (especially the career identity and "IDK Google it") in this newsletter were particularly good! I really enjoy reading about leadership/work and off-the-wall stuff. Reading about having a large family and balancing it all is cool to me as well. Growing up an only child, hearing about larger families expands my perspective a bit and helps me now that we have 2 kids instead of 1.
Leadership and owning a business!