Abundance Mentality > Scarcity Mentality

The ghost of the late Stephen Covey continues to haunt another generation. Consider the following:

An Abundance Mentality maintains that there is "more than enough", and adopts the Win-Win mindset where "we can all achieve more together", and "there's plenty to go around and everyone can enjoy the plenty that we've been given."

People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit - even with those who help in the production. They also have a very hard time being genuinely happy for the successes of other people - even, and sometimes especially, members of their own family or close friends and associates. It's almost as if something is being taken from them when someone else receives special recognition or windfall gain or has remarkable success or achievement.

Now, tell me that ain't insecurrrr - Kanye

Although they may verbally express happiness for others' success, inwardly they are eating their hearts out. Their sense of worth comes from being compared, and someone else's success, to some degree, means their failure. Only so many people can be "A" students; only one person can be "number one". To "win" simply means to "beat."

It's difficult for people with a scarcity mentality to be members of a complimentary team. They look on differences as signs of insubordination and disloyalty.

The Abundance Mentality, on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives and creativity.

Reference: Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, pp. 219-230.

As my friend would say, I call to the witness stand: Jesus

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3-5

Jesus was so SECURE. He knew everything he had was given to him by his Father. He knew where he came from. He knew where he was going. John gives us this additional commentary as a backdrop to the foot washing episode. When we are secure in our identity, position, calling, mantle - whatever, it's the secret sauce that enables us to live with an abundance mentality.

As the old adage goes, "a candle never loses light by lighting another candle."

- Ralph

Keep Little

"If I appear great in their eyes, the Lord is most graciously helping me to see how absolutely nothing I am without Him, and helping me to keep little in my own eyes. He does use me. But I am so concerned that He uses me and that it is not of me the work is done. The axe cannot boast of the trees it has cut down. It could do nothing but for the woodsman. He made it, he sharpened it and he used it. The moment he throws it aside; it becomes only old iron. O that I may never lose sight of this."

- Samuel Brengle (diary entry)

Evolution of Assignment

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Let's trace the evolution of Peter's assignment together.

1. Peter’s revelation comes from God. When we “get it” – it’s because the Holy Spirit turns on the light bulb, figuratively speaking. I’m all for reading, learning and studying but knowledge by itself is only half the battle. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in the right way – and that takes revelation from the Holy Spirit! According to Jesus, Peter answered correctly ONLY because his Father in heaven revealed it to him!

2. Peter’s revelation led to an assignment. To whom much is given much is required. I’ve discovered that God doesn’t allow us to see things, learn things or know things without a responsibility and purpose. Peter goes from revelation to assignment: on this rock (Peter), I’m going to build my church. What an honor it is when God gives us an assignment in his kingdom work.


3. Peter’s assignment comes with authority. God is not going to reveal Himself, His purpose without giving us the keys - which denotes authority to fulfill our assignments. If I say you can borrow my car, I must leave you the keys – giving you the access and authority to drive the vehicle. Jesus was giving Peter the keys, empowering him (and us) to build His church. Jesus will give us what we need to get the job done. Be encouraged!

4. Peter’s God given authority resulted in spirit empowered deliverables. When God reveals Himself, His purpose and grants us the keys – something on earth should look different. Peter's post pentecost sermon, Cornelius house visit, church letters and the like influenced his known world. Earth was impacted by his efforts to build the church and expand the kingdom. We can all ask ourselves, what on earth looks different because of our influence and leadership?


Prayer Points:

+ God, reveal yourself to us in a greater way so that everything we say and do will flow from a revelation of who you are.

+ God, reveal your specific assignment to us like you did for Peter. Lord, make it clear!

+ God, since much will be required of us, give us the courage and faith to steward both assignment and authority, properly.

+ God, help us to produce Spirit empowered deliverables, on earth as it is in heaven.


Life On Purpose,

Ralph

Rules of Engagement

As part of my summer reading, I picked up Colin Powell's memoir entitled: It Worked For Me | In Life and Leadership

The opening chapter begins with his "13 Rules" for Life and Leadership.

The "Powell Principles" actually inspired Willow Creek's, Bill Hybels to pen his own book of leadership proverbs called: Ax-i-om - another great read for anyone serving in a leadership capacity.

Leaders identify, articulate and frequently share phrases, sayings, quotes, proverbs which help them to communicate their leadership philosophy and to guide them through various decision making processes.

I found Powell's "13 Rules" to be both encouraging and challenging reminders on my own leadership journey...

I hope you find them to be equally helpful to you.

1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

"This rules reflects an attitude and not a prediction. A good night's rest and the passage of 8 hours will usually reduce the infection." Give it a little time.

2. Get mad, then get over it.

Get mad...then get over it! =)

3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

"Loyalty is disagreeing strongly, and loyalty is executing faithfully."

4. It can be done!

"Don't surround yourself with instant skeptics. At the same time, don't shut out skeptics and colleagues who give you solid counter views."

5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

"Don't rush into things...you will have to live with your choices"

6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

"Superior leadership is often a matter of superb instinct. When faced with a tough decision, use the time available to gather information that will inform your instinct"

7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.

"We are taught in the military to take full responsibility for everything your unit does or fails to do, and what you do or fail to do. Since ultimate responsibility is yours, make sure the choice is yours and you are not responding to the pressure and desire of others."

8. Check small things.

Check small thinks a.k.a Sweat the small stuff a.k.a the devil is in the details a.k.a the little foxes spoil the vines.

9. Share credit.

"Share the credit and take the blame. Whenever you place the cause of one of your actions outside yourself, it's an excuse and not a reason."

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

Be angry - sin not!

11. Have a vision. Be demanding.

Set vision and set up to fulfill vision.

12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

"How many cynics built empires, great cities, or powerful corporations?"

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

"Perpetual optimism, believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence is a force multiplier. If you believe and have prepared your followers, the followers will be believe."

Consider adding this book to your summer reading and consider coming up with your own lists to share with others.

I still have stripes to earn and dues to pay so my advice is borrowed, stolen and plagiarized. Here are a few of "my" leadership axioms...

+ character is king

+ measure twice, cut once

+ real recognize real

+ are you smoking what you selling?

+ people buy YOU before they buy WHAT you're selling

+ facts are your friends

+ sometimes a teacher, always a student

+ what you 'do' is not who you 'be'

+ life...on purpose!


I'll keep working my list...what is your list look like.


Ralph

Healthy Leader Begets Healthy Teams

Ultimately, a leader who cannot relish strong and differentiated team members loses the benefit of having them around in the first place, and instead develops a team that is merely an extension of himself and subject to all the diseases and foibles that exist in his own head. - Dr. Henry Cloud | One Life Solution  

On Your Mark, Get Set - STOP!

I have a ton of 'to do' lists...

I never had a 'stop doing' list until I read, What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

The basic thesis of the book is simple: the things we do to succeed on one level can end up becoming a detriment to future success on another level if left unchecked.

After reading this book AGAIN and realizing how much I stink on so many levels, I thought I'd share the list with everyone since misery loves company.

I won't ask you to consider which ones personally apply because as soon as you read each one, you'll feel a dagger in your gut!

21 things to STOP doing...

1. Winning too much - The need to win at all costs and in all situations - when it matters, when it doesn't and when it's totally beside the point.

2. Adding too much value - the overwhelming desire to add our two cents to every discussion.

3. Passing Judgement - the need to rate others and impose our standards on them.

4. Making destructive comments - the needless sarcasms and cutting remarks that we think make us sound sharp and witty.

5. Starting with "no," "but," or "however" - the overuse of these negative qualifiers which secretly say to everyone "I'm right. You're wrong."

6. Telling the world how smart we are - the need to show people we're smarter than they think we are.

7. Speaking when angry - using emotional volatility as a management tool.

8. Negativity, or "let me explain why that won't work" - the need to share our negative thoughts even when we weren't asked.

9. Withholding information - the refusal to share information in order to maintain an advantage over others.

10. Failing to give proper recognition - The inability to praise and reward.

11. Claiming credit that we don't deserve - the most annoying way to overestimate our contribution to any success.

12. Making excuses - The need to reposition our annoying behavior as a permanent fixture so people excuse us for it.

13. Clinging to the past - the need to deflect blame away from ourselves and unto events and people from our past; a subset of blaming everyone else.

14. Playing favorites - failing to see that we are treating someone fairly.

15. Refusing to express regret - the inability to take responsibility for our actions, admit we're wrong, or recognize our actions affect others.

16. Not listening - The most passive-aggressive form of disrespect for colleagues.

17. Failing to express gratitude - the most basic form of bad manners.

18. Punishing the messenger - the misguided need to attach the innocent who are usually only trying to help us.

19. Passing the buck - the need to blame everyone but ourselves.

20. An excessive need to be "me" - exalting our faults as virtues simply because they're who we are.

21. Goal Obsession - this one has a whole chapter.

How did you do? I don't fare very well when I lay this list over my leadership grid. I know, retirement is looking real good for you too!

The second half of the book lays out very practical and helpful suggestions on how to make the necessary adjustments.

All jokes aside, the knowing is half the battle (the list is helpful), but the other half is believing God's call also comes with HIS divine equipping. There is power to start and STOP!

Life On Purpose,

Ralph

We're Back! The third annual NINES conference happens next Tuesday, September 27. The NINES is a way for pastors and church leaders from across the world to meet together and learn from each other. The conference is totally online (no need for travel!) and will feature 99 church leaders from all over the country.

Actually... the list of speaker is pretty impressive... people like Craig Groeschel, Mark Driscoll, Rick Warren, Jon Acuff, Dino Rizzo, Ed Stetzer, Scott Williams, Dave Gibbons, Greg Surratt, Rick McKinley, Jud Wilhite, Sam Chand, Perry Noble...and ME! =)

I'll be unpacking some thoughts in a video piece appropriately entitled: Life On Purpose!

Trust me, you'll want all 99 leaders on a steady IV drip. Tuesday, September 27th

I hope you’ll join me and the rest of the team at The NINES. Registration is free... but you have to let them know you’re coming! http://thenines.cc/register-now/


I hope to see YOU at the NINES!

Ralph

Favor IS Fair!

If you've spent any length of time in ministry circles, I'm sure you've said and/or heard the following statements:

Favor ain’t fair!

Favor ain’t fair, but it looks good on you!

fa·vor/ˈfāvər/ - Noun: An attitude of approval or liking

It is powerful when God shows up in a very particular way for a person, at a place or for some thing one might be doing on God’s behalf. In my circles, we refer to this as ‘the favor of God.’

As I watch the ‘favor game’ play out, I’ve wondered, who would NOT want a sign or indication that their life has God’s approval or liking? Can favor be measured, quantified and proven? Who determines the benchmarks? Are we guilty of judging things prematurely before the appointed time? Wouldn’t the mere facts regarding election, salvation and redemption sufficiently demonstrate the favor of God in our lives? I recall the disciples rejoicing over their apparent success on the road and Jesus having to redirect their rejoicing - your names are in heaven! Luke 10:20

I know some of this favor stuff is right up our meritocratic alley. We love the idea of earning stuff based on a system of merit and reward.

I read Proverbs 28:23 this morning…

“He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.”

This is how the verse actually unpacked in my mind as I read it this morning…

He who rebukes (honestly confronts) a man will in the end (long term benefit) GAIN MORE FAVOR (I want more favor) than (a comparison is coming) he who has a flattering (lavish insincere praise and compliments upon, especially to further one's own interests) tongue.

So the proverb pitches a culture of honesty versus a lifestyle of flattery. DING! DING! DING!

Here’s are some of my ever evolving, wet cement musings on the issue...

I’ve gained more favor (not always at the moment) by being genuine and authentic with people – even saying the hard things at times.

The people in my life that have earned my respect are those who have been brutally honest with me about stuff. i.e. character flaws, weaknesses and the like. The honesty has been the ‘gifts’ money can’t buy! While I’ve not always loved correction in the moment, a wise man heeds correction and adds to his learning. Proverbs 1:5 & Hebrews 12:11

People in the long run will appreciate you for being a person who says what they mean and means what they say. For example, it might be better to say to someone, ‘hey man, preaching might not be your deal instead of ‘Yo, you killed it son’! I don’t want anyone to be the Bishop, Founder and CEO of the Handkerchief Ministry – you know, for the stuff that accumulates on the nose!

I recently heard someone publicly honor his pastor at a conference and than privately make fun of him in the green room. It made me sick to stomach! I prayed for him to have a 2 Kings 2:23-24 encounter!

How is it possible? I think we’ve created a culture that fosters and celebrates ‘public displays’ of honoring (GOOD) without actually taking an equal amount of time to ensure our words and hearts are in actual alignment (NOT GOOD). Jesus once said, the people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. Matthew 15:8

I’ve thrown my hat in the ‘honor ring’ and have made a more concerted effort these days to be about the business of giving honor where it’s due. If you honor the prophet, you get the prophets reward! Matthew 10:41 Com’ On Somebody! Hello! That’ll Preach! As my friend, Adam would say, you can't honor God without honoring the stuff he honors!

BUT I also dread the black hole of honoring for the wrong reasons - I've seen this more than I really care to admit! What is the use of public honor and private dishonor? I’d rather honor more in my heart and say it less than honor more with my mouth and my heart be honorless. (new word)

So, do you want more FAVOR? Consider using the powerful tools of tongue and words to engage in honest dialogue with those around you. If you prefer to use flattery as way of garnering “fake favor”, beware the trap you’re setting for yourself!

A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps. Proverbs 29:5

Anyone can GAIN MORE FAVOR (Proverbs 28:23) - and that’s what makes it fair…

Favor IS Fair and it would look so good on YOU!

Rafael ‘Ralph’ Castillo

HE not me...

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, THEN your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. HE led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. HE brought you water out of hard rock. HE gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today." Deuteronomy 8:10-17

Where would I be, you only know
I'm glad to you see through eyes of love
A hopeless case, an empty place
If not for grace...

- Clint Brown

A Happy Birthday Indeed

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present...

Today, I'm celebrating 35 years of precious life, but now 35 rounds off to 40! Premature midlife crisis?

So imagine my joy when I saw my name listed among 30 YOUNG influencers in this months issue of Outreach Magazine! While most will take pride in being listed among other "influencers" - not me, I'm still YOUNG baby! LOL

A Happy Birthday Indeed!

My gratitude to Tim Willard and Linda Lowry for introducing me and the rest of the world to 29 other fantastic leaders.

Tim Willard just authored a book with Jason Locy called Veneer! A must read! Twitter: @EndVeener

Linda Lowry is an Outreach Magazine editor! Twitter: @LindaLowry

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and kind words!

Ralph

No Place Like Home

back to the scene of the crime...

First THIS

Then THIS

So on July, 25th 2011 on the one year anniversary of my infamous accident, I went back to the scene of the crime to face my fears and this time, I wasn't going alone...



I'm flanked by two LEGENDS: Brad Lomenick a.k.a @TheCatalystLeader & New York Yankees Chaplain Willie Alfonso - and yes, I'm wearing Ralph Lauren seek sucker pants! Can you say SWAG-A-LICIOUS?



You can't roll in NYC without yo "game face" on!



And what's a Yankee game without these STUDS!

I'm glad to report that no injuries occurred, accept for the increase in the size of my love handles from the hot dogs, peanuts and cracker jacks.

Ralph

Open Letter to Mayor Cory Booker

Dear Mayor Cory Booker,

Before I get cold feet and reason this action away...

I want to thank you for your talk at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit! I'll spare you the details until we get the chance to meet in person!

On the heels of my 35th birthday, I've been asking God for clues as to what the next leg of my journey might look like!

I'm also writing (in my dreams) a book entitled STAND UP! It's based partly on my journey and a not so famous passage in the bible. I preach this one message everywhere I travel! I strive to live it! If I had one message to preach and then die - it would be this one! So, imagine my astonishment when you introduced your title talk and began to unpack your story!

Today, YOU were a bonafide clue sent courtesy of The Willow Creek Leadership Summit - and GOD!

Allow for "little me" bragadocius

Here's me with Mayor Guiliani


Here's me (and my Senior Pastor) with Mayor Bloomberg


Here's me with Corey Booker


Back to the "big me", I'd love some face time and the opportunity to meet you!

In closing, If I'm speaking at The Leadership Summit in 15 years, I can tell this sexy story about how Mayor Corey Booker took some time to meet with a future....

$5.00 for the Mayor who accepts

From the top of the roof,

Ralph

Happy New Year

Today's the 1st of August - the start of a brand new month!

I use the 1st of every month as an excuse to press the reset button...clear the cache...

It sort of feels like a "monthly" New Year's Day!

This 'Jedi mind trick' gives me the chance to set attainable resolutions and goals more frequently!

Don't wait until January 1, 2012 to be intentional about your living, leading, loving, serving...

Life on Purpose

Ralph

Storyteller...

Ralph Castillo and Operation Backpack from 20/20 Vision For Schools on Vimeo.

Monkey See. Monkey Do.

My colleague Ariel referenced this experiment in a talk he gave yesterday morning...worth sharing!

The experiment involved 5 monkeys, a cage, a banana, a ladder and, crucially, a water hose.

The 5 monkeys would be locked in a cage, after which a banana was hung from the ceiling with, fortunately for the monkeys (or so it seemed…), a ladder placed right underneath it.

Of course, immediately, one of the monkeys would race towards the ladder, intending to climb it and grab the banana. However, as soon as he would start to climb, the sadist (euphemistically called “scientist”) would spray the monkey with ice-cold water. In addition, however, he would also spray the other four monkeys…

When a second monkey was about to climb the ladder, the sadist would, again, spray the monkey with ice-cold water, and apply the same treatment to its four fellow inmates; likewise for the third climber and, if they were particularly persistent (or dumb), the fourth one. Then they would have learned their lesson: they were not going to climb the ladder again – banana or no banana.

In order to gain further pleasure or, I guess, prolong the experiment, the sadist outside the cage would then replace one of the monkeys with a new one. As can be expected, the new guy would spot the banana, think “why don’t these idiots go get it?!” and start climbing the ladder. Then, however, it got interesting: the other four monkeys, familiar with the cold-water treatment, would run towards the new guy – and beat him up. The new guy, blissfully unaware of the cold-water history, would get the message: no climbing up the ladder in this cage – banana or no banana.

When the beast outside the cage would replace a second monkey with a new one, the events would repeat themselves – monkey runs towards the ladder; other monkeys beat him up; new monkey does not attempt to climb again – with one notable detail: the first new monkey, who had never received the cold-water treatment himself (and didn’t even know anything about it), would, with equal vigour and enthusiasm, join in the beating of the new guy on the block.

When the researcher replaced a third monkey, the same thing happened; likewise for the fourth until, eventually, all the monkeys had been replaced and none of the ones in the cage had any experience or knowledge of the cold-water treatment.

Then, a new monkey was introduced into the cage. It ran toward the ladder only to get beaten up by the others. Yet, this monkey turned around and asked “why do you beat me up when I try to get the banana?” The other four monkeys stopped, looked at each other slightly puzzled and, finally, shrugged their shoulders: “Don’t know. But that’s the way we do things around here”

The philosopher in me revels in any question beginning with WHY? Why do I/WE (fill in the blank)? Often times the answer is: I don't know, that's just what I/WE do - like the monkeys in the experiment!

It's been said, 'the unexamined life in not worth living'! Take a moment and consider a brief life audit. Are you aimlessly grinding through life without rhyme or reason? Is their method to your madness? Can you answer the WHY's for your life? It might be worth the exercise!

While monkey see/monkey do made for a great game as a child, it makes for a terrible strategy for living, leading and loving! Do Life Today...On Purpose!

- Pastor Ralph

Orange Conference 2011 Day #2

Andy Stanley did a FANTASTIC job last night launching us off last night...

Thesis:
We are the stewards of the message of eternal AND of a better life. Can you imagine a world or life without Christianity and the church? What we take for granted as 'normal' is actually the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The alternative leads to sin and chaos. Text: Galatians 5:16-24

Main Session #2
Jeff Manion
The Land In Between

+ jr higher trying on different identities - welcome to the land in between
+ after years of fertility followed by a miscarriage - welcome to the land in between
+ bad week marriage turns into a bad years marriage - welcome to the land in between

What is God doing? What is God trying to produce?

+ Between Egypt & The Land Of Promise...Sinai Desert
+ Exodus 3:7 - you're seen, heard, I'm concerned! - God
+ Exodus 3:8 - out of...into! No mention of the "land in between".
+ God has deep affection for you and will not keep you from the desert.

Crisis:

1. Water (Exodus 15)
+ 15:24 - bitter water. desert.
+ God makes the bitter sweet.

2. Food
+ They complain. Prefer Egypt. God provide Manna

3. Water Part II

+ We're sick of tired of the land in between. I'm sick of...I'm sick of...
+ fertile soil for transformation growth OR faith goes to die. It's your move!
+ Will you trust ME? -God
+ How can you represent God in Canaan the God you don't know or trust? THe land in between is faith school.
+ I wrote checks at baby dedication and God cashed them at 18 years old!
+ We are not raising children...we are raising adults...child raisers...
+ Will you honor & respect when you receive no honor or respect
+ Time heals all wounds - it doesn't.
+ choices of the heart are made in the land in between! grace or bitterness?
+ Invite trust when complaints tries to move in. They are incompatible roommates. One will push the other out. Good movement pushes out bad movement.
+ the soil we detest produces the fruit we so desperately want.
+ Identify your land in between!
+ Emerge as a person of grace.

Prayer for You/Us:

Lord, thank you for all the 'land in between' moments, which created opportunities for the transformational growth we've experienced. Thank you for the wisdom, revelation and faith to see beyond the temporal. You are the potter and we are the clay. Please continue to form and shape us into the vessels of honor - instruments fit for the Master's use. We are your people made for your glory! Be glorified in and through us - and all that is connected and entrusted to us...

May the land in between make us better and not bitter...all things work together for the good of them who are called according to your purpose. Romans 8:28

In Jesus Name...

Ralph

Orange Conference 2011

Meet The Bloggers...



Enjoy!

MISFIT THE CONFERENCE

Misfit the conference from Red Army Press on Vimeo.

Ego Leak

In the past few months, I've had a few cherished encounters (an hour long phone conversation and an airport rendezvous meeting) with a new friend (at least that's what I tell myself) Brad Lomenick.

His latest blog entry was a great follow up piece to my last post!

Do You Have Ego Leak?

As leaders, one of our biggest struggles many times is our Ego. Those of us who are Type A Leaders really struggle with Ego. Being boastful about our own accomplishments. Arrogant. Untouchable. Always talking about ourselves and making sure everything revolves around us.

No one sets out to be arrogant or to have a larger than life ego, but it just usually happens slowly over time, without us being aware.

And once everyone notices, many times its too late because we have so many things in place allowing our ego to flourish uncontrollably. The more influence you have, the more you are pulled away from reality and having those around you who will keep you humble.

Here is a simple solution: LET YOUR EGO LEAK.

EGO LEAK is a GOOD THING, when it’s focused in the right direction.

Squelch your own ego by focusing ALL of your bragging, arrogance, pride and boasting on and around OTHERS. Talk constantly about your team, about your children, about your spouse, about your family, about your friends, and about your staff.
Brag on God, on Jesus, on the Church. On His goodness and grace.

Let your Ego leak freely on behalf of building others up.

If you are like most of us who consider ourselves to be leaders, your ego will leak out regardless, so you might as well put it to good use, bragging on those around you.

I encourage you to follow Brad on twitter at twitter.com/bradlomenick and twitter.com/catalystleader