Leadership energy

There is classic mexican proverb that says ‘Whats down in the well, comes up in the bucket’

Many of us, especially at this time of year, could do with a whole heap load more of energy. Our own ‘energy wells’ are depleted leaving us little to draw from. Rather than make new years resolutions that fade away into oblivion, why not rather focus on keeping our energy wells full during 2010? Energy can be broken down into 4 key areas - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. 2009 has dished out what has been an emotionally & mentally draining year for many. Given these wells are all connected some might find that it has impacted on their physical and spiritual lives as well. So break it down. Which areas need attention? What do you need to do differently in 2010? Each well can be filled with activities that range from 2 minutes to a weekend, but the key is to focus on them daily! Nutrition, sleep, exercise fill the physical. Healthy relationships, positive thoughts fill the emotional well. Learning about something you love fills the mental well. Prayer, walks on the beach, quite time fill the spiritual well. Or find an activity that works across the board, like surfing does for me!

The point is, if you do not fill the well there is nothing to draw from. Unfortunately it is human nature to wait for a crisis before we make a change, but so often it is to late. Energy is not a luxury, it is a necessity. May you be strong enough to put yourself first so that you may contribute not just time, but energy to your families, businesses and ultimately to the world.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

2010 Questions

It seems everyone’s heads are in 2011 already. That end of year feeling! I have picked up on various conversations about next year and the expectations that people have for it. Part of setting up a great 2011 is about finishing 2010 well. Do we simply kiss it goodbye and relax now until the next years starts?

I am a firm believer in the power of the right questions.  Many of us look for answers, but few sit down and think about the right questions to ask. Questions have the uncanny knack to open up possibilities, to get us thinking out the box and perhaps break down the limitations we put on ourselves.

Perhaps a great way to end this year would be to ask yourselves some good questions. At least commit some time to jot down some thoughts about 2010 which could really support a strong transition into 2011.

Use these as a guide:

What energised me the most during 2010?
Which relationships have been my most effective this year? Why?
Which relationships put my under the most pressure? Why?
What strengths did I see in myself during 2010?
Under which conditions in my professional capacity did I see myself thrive?
What were some of my barriers to success this year?
What did I avoid doing that I know I most needed to do?
What did I do that surprised me?
What ideas or concepts that I thought about really resonated with me?
Who inspired me this past year?
What can I do to finish off this year well?

All the best with finishing this year well!
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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Whose page is it anyway?

Whilst engaged in some team building a team leader approached me with this question:

“Do you think that I will ever be able to get everyone on the same page?”

I was intrigued by his question so asked him what he meant by the same page. He described a scenario whereby ideally he wanted all of those in his team to ‘get what he gets!’. As he continued to speak I realised the error in this leader’s way of thinking. Ultimately what he desires is for everyone to do what he wants them to do. The page he is speaking about is in fact, HIS page. He is asking why is everyone not on MY page.

Now there needs to be a page, that’s for sure. But it certainly can’t be yours alone. The page represents a place whereby whatever it is you do together is working to its optimum potential. The optimum potential of a team is equal to the sum of all of the potential of the individuals in the team. Leaders then need to move away from ‘telling’ their teams about a page but rather involve them in becoming part of the page.

As we spoke I encouraged him to get used to the fact that diversity creates tension. Tension can go two ways. Toward conflict or toward innovation. He gets to choose which path he wants to take and then act accordingly.

The answer to the first question then is yes. Yes, you will be able to get everyone on the same page. It all depends on your method.

Step 1: Let go of what you think the page should look like

Step 2: Involve others in creating the page sharing your perspective and inviting the perspectives of others.

Step 3: Allow moments of tension and choose to see the potential amidst the tension

Step 4: Act

Step 5: Continuously dialogue as you go.

Then step back and enjoy a page that doesn’t just look and feel like you, but is a result of what is around you. Perhaps this new page will be even more awesome than the page you so eagerly fought for on your own?

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Automatically Stupid vs Very Clever

In moments of pressure we often become automatically stupid. We say what we didn’t mean to say. We do what we didn’t mean to do. We freeze. It seems that outside of the pressure zone we’re very clever. We have clarity of thought, can find the right words, feel calm & seem to be able to see the bigger picture. Much like preparing for a speech versus giving a speech. Perhaps one could look at rugby as a bunch of very clever people shouting the odds at the automatically stupid referee!

I have huge amounts of respect for people who are able to remain very clever in moments of pressure. Their minds seem to be in a state of ‘rest’ or ‘relaxed alertness’ seemingly being able to read the situation, make the right call and be successful.

What if we could get ourselves to a place of doing what we most need to do (very clever) whilst under pressure?

Sportsmen understand the importance of remaining very clever under pressure. There are consequences for ‘dropping the ball’. It may mean their position or their pay cheque. Hence the ratio of time they spend training versus performing.

So what about us? We have positions. We perform as spouses, friends, colleagues, citizens, employees, leaders, managers, individuals...

What is the consequence of our lack of performance under pressure?

How much time do you commit to training versus performing?

The following Acronym is aptly named REST. It breaks building toward the state of relaxed alertness into 4 training methods.

R - References

This is the acquiring of knowledge & principles which we can call on under pressure. Imagine you have a book shelf in your head. As you engage in learning you fill that shelf with books. You store sentences, paragraphs & insights which you can call on in moments of pressure in any given context. Commit time to learning.

E - Energised

Remaining energised is essential to avoiding being automatically stupid. Engage in spiritual, mental, emotional and physical activities that you know work to keep you energised.

S - Self Talk

Negative self talk is a powerful way of putting pressure on yourself. Often we take our own ‘limiting beliefs’ into situations. “I can’t do this!” or “I am going to fail!” These limiting beliefs rob you of the positive foundation that you need to be very clever under pressure. Speak positively over yourself.

T - Triggers

Triggers are those things around you which always put pressure on you and cause you to be automatically stupid? Triggers could be words people say, or particular individuals, situations or simply the taxi drivers. Being aware of them allows you to consciously approach them differently slowly breaking the power they have over you.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Two hands

I believe our main task as leaders is to make a difference in the lives of those people around us – in every aspect of life!

I also believe that it is as a result of great leaders that we can effect change, and maybe even change the world.

Ben Harper reminded me of this recently while listening to one of his songs called “Own Two Hands”. Harper sings:

“I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
Oh- with my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
And I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
I'm gonna make it a brighter place
I'm gonna make it a safer place
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own two hands

Now I can hold you
With my own two hands
And I can comfort you
With my own two hands…
But you got to use
Use your own two hands”

It is a powerful idea! We can change the world with our own two hands… BUT we have got to USE them! As leaders we have been given incredible talents, but these are not only for our benefit.

Have you ever noticed how some leaders live only for themselves? They have the title, the car, the cash, the status, but yet they are lonely, bitter and twisted people. There may be many reasons for this but I believe it is because they have used their talents to serve themselves only, no matter what effect it had on anyone else. They have been living for the big “ME!” and as a result they isolate themselves.

I believe as humans we were never created to live in isolation. Community is God’s plan and design – we see it in the Trinity, in marriage, in the church and in life. Synergy is God’s plan to change the world, and synergy means you and me using our talents to make a difference in the lives of those we lead and influence – a positive difference.

Jesus, who used His two hands to change the world, explained to a follower of his that if he loved Him, he should feed His sheep. In essence, Jesus is saying we show our love for Him and extend His kingdom by meeting the needs of those around us. He also taught us through what is called the parable of the talents that we need to use what we have been given to make an exponential effect on others. When we use our talents this way, we move from living for the big “ME” and start living for the big “US”.

What talents do your hands carry? And are you going to use them to change your world or The World?
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Leave your mark

I heard a great leader, Bill Hybels, once say that he is amazed at how God orchestrates the crossing of paths. I have found that God has sent certain people across my path who have turned out to be mentors in my life. I was recently having a few conversations around leadership with such a mentor and had a few epiphanies that are now forming the content for this article. (Dean Davey, thanks for your inspiration!)

Have you ever noticed how many leadership articles/books/programs/seminars focus their content on leadership attributes? While attributes and principals are good, they are only half of the ingredients required to be an effective leader – and is the easy part. As a result, we so often chase after the next book or seminar and end up as fat, lazy and self indulgent leaders. To be effective leaders, we need to take the attributes we have learned and actually work them out in accordance to our purpose – we need to add intention, focus and a no excuse approach to using the attributes to leading others – making a difference. We need to apply what we know to our own story!

I’ve discovered that there is a great starting point to application of attributes: purpose and passion. The discovery of what you are passionate about and what you feel your purpose is results in us living with passion and purpose. It often causes the attributes we know to shine in what we do. Do you know your purpose? Do you know what you are passionate about? If you don’t have this clarity, you will run from book to seminar to try find it. Get with God, spend time reflecting and make sure you can clarify what it is.

Once we know our purpose and passion in life, we need to spend time constantly refining and assessing it. We must take the attributes we learn and mould them to our unique style, to cause us to be effective in how we lead. Too often we try copy someone else with a totally different purpose or personality. Unless we constantly refine and assess our purpose and passion, and the attributes we learn, we will never effectively act and lead in a way that is authentic.

It is essential that we also reflect and energise around our purpose. Sometimes we get caught up in the business of leadership and all the new theories, that we lose sight of where we actually want and need to be! When you constantly reflect on your purpose and passion, you find your energy tank gets a healthy top up! If we want to be effective, we need to be energised!

I have also learned that I need to ensure that each week my list of daily priorities reflect my purpose and passions. If not, I end up being extremely busy but not very fruitful.

How are you doing with the attributes you have learned? Are you constantly chasing more? Or are you applying and moulding them to maximise on your purpose and passion – Ultimately causing you to make a difference with your life. Let’s make our lives leave a mark!
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Assumptions must die

I have all of a sudden realised the severity of hearing someone say “I assume...” Honestly, does that not really mean “I don’t know, so I am just going to make up a fact and call it the truth...” To assume means you have weighed some options in your head, thought about how legitimate they could be and then made a call.

I hear it a lot. How often do you say it?

Lately my work has been working with assumptions which are, in fact, incorrect. The deal is we will act on what we believe. What we assume we believe. What I see is years of actions based on assumption upon assumption that has done a great deal to create scenario’s which simply did not need to happen. This can be damaging. Damaging to relationships where either parties assume. Damaging to organisations where colleagues assume. Damaging to you.

So why do we do it?

In my humble opinion it seems to be that we need information to work with. That makes sense as you can’t work with nothing. But information gathering is, at times, hard work. It may involve research. It may involve asking questions. It may involve having a conversation, all of which take time and energy.

What stops us?

Time in a fast paced environment.
Fear when you feel threatened.
Resentment when you have been hurt.
Low energy when you have been going hard.
Disengagement when you are not enjoying your work.

So what do we do?

Kill assumptions. No matter what, commit to end the game of assuming. Confront whatever it is you need to confront and hunt for information that is correct. Avoid spending time in your head with fictitious stories. If you are feeling something, verify it. Have the conversations. Commit the time. Do what you know you most need to do.

I don’t know about you but I have had many moments of relief when I have found out what is really going on. I have also felt embarrassed when I acted on an assumption and was totally off the mark.

• Right now - what are you assuming?
• Right now - who do you need to speak to or what do you need to do to find out the facts?
• What was the difference between the two?
• What will you choose to do now?

Goodbye assumptions!

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Obstacles to living intentionally

I recently wrote an article entitled “Intentional about Being Intentional.” When we live and lead intentionally, we do so with purpose, clarity and passion. It helps us steward our leadership gift faithfully, using it to truly make a difference in the lives of those we lead.

As I’ve thought more about the subject of being intentional I’ve become aware, in my own life, of things that are potential obstacles to being intentional. These things can so often rob us from being truly intentional in our leadership.

An article by Mark Driscoll helped raise my awareness of potential obstacles to being intentional. The following are some of the more common obstacles I, and I’m sure many others, face:

• People – This may sound strange because it is people that we have a heart to impact. But as leaders it is often people that cause us to move into a reactionary space rather than an intentional one. Have you ever experienced someone who is pushy, needy, demanding, high-drama, inconsiderate or unrealistic? If you are a leader, I’m sure your answer is YES! These types of people often scream very loudly for us to meet their demands and expectations, and if we are not careful can often steal our life, joy, health, and time. We may see it as ministry, but often time is just people pleasing. We need to be intentional about how to effectively lead people and manage ourselves, instead of just responding to the loudest voice.

• Technology – I’ve discovered that a huge part of being intentional is using my time wisely, and one of the hugest time wasters in my life is technology. That said, I know that technology does energise and fascinate me, so I do need to be intentional about devoting some time to it. But it too often controls me. I know I can’t be an effective leader if I’m are always surfing the net, reading and updating Twitter and facebook, playing around on my cell phone or iPad, reading emails, smsing, chatting on instant messenger and watching TV. Even though I have and enjoy technology, I’m learning I need to manage it effectively (ie: turn it off at times).

• Lack of planning – Without proper planning and prioritizing, we will very quickly slip from the intentional space into the reactionary realm, often giving our attention and efforts to the most urgent perceived need, rather than the most important one. Leaders never grow to a point where they don’t need to prioritise.

• Trading busyness for fruitfulness – Again I found Driscoll very helpful here. He states that some people say they are too busy to worship, pray, Sabbath, journal, and so forth, but they have tragically traded being busy for being Godly, obedient, and wise fruitful stewards. He goes on to ask if our busyness is truly fruitful or would some plans to organise our world, home, diet, budget, schedule, and life be helpful? I know my answer to that question is often yes.

I have found the more aware I am of these obstacles, the more effective I’m becoming in avoiding them.
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Intentional about being intentional

[Ok I’m going to be honest upfront: This article is mainly for me! Understanding my weaknesses and challenges in leadership has caused me to study, think and apply what is written below. I hope it may help you!]

My biggest realization of late is that as leaders, we really need to be intentional. If we don’t lead intentionally, we end up playing catch up, or just succumbing to the most urgent request or the loudest voice. Living intentionally helps us be true to our call, gifting and God’s purposes.

But living intentionally often comes with its challenges. Often we want to change from living in reaction mode to living intentionally, but struggle to make this change. I read an article by Mark Driscoll once which really helped me with this change.

Driscoll argues there are 4 Ways to change your life:

1. Heart change – conviction that you want to change. This is often a deep realization that there is a better way (and probably inspired by the Holy Spirit).

2. Study – research and fact-finding for how to change your life, which includes reading the Bible and other books, watching and listening to talks, downloading podcasts, speaking with people you know and respect who have wisdom in that particular area, finding and working with a mentor etc. A great tool to help with this is a journal. Always keep a journal like this nearby to jot notes, thoughts, and convictions in.

3. Plan – ongoing, detailed, and prayerful life organization. Take the ideas in your journal and prayerfully and carefully add to and consider them.

4. Action – working your plan and making changes as life requires. Make sure you take the ideas and action points from your plan and put them on the calendar. Without being officially planned, nothing ever gets done to completion.

I find I’m often good at only one or two of these steps. I may have a heart change and do my homework but fail to make a plan and take action to change my life. I’ve seen friends who have plans and action but are religiously just doing duties because they have not experienced heart change. Others may move from heart change to action without research and a plan, they mean well but make their life (e.g., health, finances, relationships) worse.

My major realization was that I have to be intentional about all four. I know I need to take some time and be honest with myself, listing each of these steps in order from the one I’m strongest at to the one I’m weakest at. This awareness helps me maximize on my strengths while minimizing my weaknesses.

How about you? Are you living intentionally? Where is your life getting stuck and what can you do to grow where you are weak? Who do you need to talk to and learn from?
I’ve found that after understanding the above I’ve become intentional about being intentional. Try it, it works.

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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

How to escape escapism

[Disclaimer: the following blog post does not mean that you should not leave your current context. Please just consider it before you do!]

Jerry Seinfeld recently tweeted ‘where do forest workers go to escape from it all!?’ One of the definitions of escape is - ‘to get free of’ or ‘break away from’ something. We’ve all, at some point, felt that need to escape and just be away from it all - businesses, jobs, relationships, marriages etc. Not so?

Perhaps, however, the only thing we should escape from is escapism itself.

This may just be me, but I find my desire to escape is most heightened when I am bored, un-stimulated, imagining alternate scenario’s I think will be more fulfilling or I am literally just sick and tired. I have found that considering the following questions have helped me escape escapism:

• How energised am I?

When we are low on energy our perspective shifts into negative gear. Escapism becomes tempting. You are responsible for your own energy management - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I am amazed at how a simple bit of exercise allows me to look at my situation differently and thus approach it in new ways.

• Am I living intentionally??

What we most need to do is also what we are least likely to do. Often when we live in a reactionary way finding ourselves at the mercy of what the environment dishes out to us. With the feeling of lack of time and space, the obvious solution is escape. Wrong. The way out is to be intentional about what we most need to do daily despite whatever habitual patterns or negative cycles it might mean you have to break.

3. Am I connected to the ‘why’

If we are unsure about why we are doing what we are doing we will experience doubt. Why did you start what you did in the first place? What was your vision? In a world where it is so easy to focus on ourselves, being connected to the why helps us focus on others and how we can contribute.

In a nutshell, sometimes the only way around is through. Your context may feel like a trial. That trial could be an opportunity to develop your character as you persevere and try new ways of engaging with whatever is causing your need to escape. It may be preparing you for the next level which requires greater capacity.

All the best escaping escapism.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Can you hear Him?

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

God is speaking ...

As leaders we need to hear God, we are at the end of the day, wanting to serve Him in the way we lead, and use our leadership gift to serve others. And He wants to lead and guide us, he wants to speak to us.

But so often we struggle to hear.

Maybe we are hoping that we will hear God’s booming voice loud and clear, telling us what to do.

However it never seems to be like that with God. But the promise is that God is speaking, so maybe we need to try things differently. Maybe God’s voice is drowned out by all the noise around us.

This scripture tells a similar story:

1 Kings 19:11-13 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

We have winds of work and stress, earthquakes of hurry, fires that burn with the desire for instant answers and solutions. But God so often comes as a gentle whisper, and these things drown out His voice. We can so easily miss it if we don’t take a step back, remove the noise and listen for the whisper...

Have you ever taken time out in silence and solitude?

In his book ‘Leading On Empty,’ Wayne Cordeiro says that there are only four ways to live your life:

1. Reaction – passively dominated by urgencies and pushy people.

2. Conformity – succumbing to the fear of man and just being and doing what everyone else wants, which is not necessarily following God’s will for you personally.

3. Independence – nonconforming rebellion in the name of freedom, marked by doing only what you want and ignoring godly authority over you.

4. Intentionality – reverse-engineering your life and living it prayerfully and purposefully, journaling your thoughts throughout the day, and using silence and solitude to hear from God and organize your life.

How are you living your life now? Where would you like to be?

Why not try things differently from now on? Instead of wanting God to shout above the noise, why not try turning off the noise and listening for the whisper?
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Perspective is an Interesting Thing

Over the past two days I have worked with a great group of people where the topic of perspective was spoken about at length. A bit of context: The company I am partnering has 4 values, one of which is 'PASSION'. We know that a value such as passion can't be taught. In fact we hardly speak about passion. We talk about perspective: Because (positive) perspective determines passion.

Perspective is liberating. Our thoughts and our actions (which end up as reality) are determined by our perspective. It is so easy to slip into a negative perspective. A colleague once said 'Nothing in life has meaning except the meaning that you give it'. What this means is that there is so much which wells beneath the surface when it comes to our perspectives. The more I work with it the more I see the following 3 areas in our lives either breaking perspective down or building it up.

1. Our own self talk
What we tell ourselves determined how we feel about it and what we do about it. Simple! We need to check our own 'internal language' and make sure that we are having positive conversations with ourselves.
• Right now what are you saying to yourself?
• If you had to access your internal conversations with yourself how would you describe your language?

2. Our limiting beliefs
What you have experienced in life has a huge bearing on what your perspective is at any given moment. As we experience life we develop our own lists of 'I can' and 'I can't'. So often the I cant's are simply a perceived reality which is not necessarily true. Anything that begins with an attitude of 'I can't' has already being marked with failure.
• What do you fear most? how real are those fears in reality?
• What can you do today that you would normally shy away from because of perceived beliefs? (do it and watch what happens!)

3. Lack of knowledge
I haven't saved the least for last here. This is one of the easiest to work with. Build knowledge. Lack of knowledge leads to assumption. Assumption and Perspective are enemies!
• What can you read that is relevant to your context in order to build knowledge?
• Who do you need to speak to (what questions do you need to ask) to minimize perceived assumptions that exist?

We all want to feel passionate at the end of the day. Rather than wait on the environment to make you feel that way, why not use your own influence over your own perspective and see what happens.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Feel ‘it’. It is here.

Right now where’s your headspace? Past, present or future?

Reading the most common quotes leaves you with an overwhelming sense of encouragement to live in the present. In the now! In leadership, I have come to realise that this balance of engaging with all three of those arenas is a delicate one. I have also come to realise that residing in just one is both impossible and ineffective. So where should our headspace be? When do we give time to history? When do we look ahead to where we are going? When do we engage with the present?

The complexity of this dynamic can be tricky. The beauty, however, is that it gives us the best opportunity to truly lead. Because it’s actually all about context, isn’t it? When we spend time in anyone of these three zones and at the same time completely ignore the other two we enter a danger zone. For example, if your vision yields the history irrelevant, I think you missed it.

You have a vision for what you lead. What you lead has history. What you lead has factors influencing it right now. Plus there’s vision. Enter the tension. Some of it rubs you up the wrong way. Some of it you love. BUT the fact is ‘it’ is bigger than ‘you’. Leading authentically is about engaging with ‘it’ first, then influencing that context with who ‘you’ are. ‘It’ needs you. ‘You’ serve it.

So where does this leave us? Most writings about the present refer to the natural tendency for leaders to worry about the future or dwell in past failures. That does not serve us or our teams. What we need is a different set of questions.

About the past...
• What has added value up until now that we would like to continually develop and leverage off?
• What has been ineffective or potentially damaging that we would like to shift away from?

(Basically what do we need more of and what do we need less of?!)

Let’s jump to the future...
• What could the future look like if what has been working well continues to grow?
• How does who I am & what I bring influence (serve) and enhance (add) to this?

(Basically if this thing grows and my strengths / dreams influence it as well where will we end up?!)

Then, back to the present...
• What do I need to be intentional about today?
• What distractions do I need to avoid?

(Basically how can I best make a difference with the time I have today?!)

‘You’ need to avoid becoming ‘it’ and ‘it’ cannot become ‘you’. If you lead, it means you are not alone. Communicate and ask these questions together. Listen. Learn. Feel it more than you think it. Because if you feel it, you are where you most need to be...

Present.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Leading with Light

Matthew 5:13-16… You know this passage; it is the one where Jesus talks about us being salt and light. I love this scripture because it echoes a truth about God: He uses the unlikely to display His glory.

In this passage Jesus is speaking life to his disciples. We must understand who these men were because they were far from a qualified bunch. Jesus often got frustrated with them for their lack of understanding as they were ordinary men, with nothing major to show for themselves. In fact, in Acts 4:13, we read that Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men. So it is these average men that Jesus is saying are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to these guys. Sometimes as a leader I feel very unqualified, very ordinary. I often think if Jesus wanted to use someone to change the world it would not be me!

BUT do you want to know the story of why we are here? Do you want to know why God has given you your leadership gifting?

Here is: We are on a mission from God! Others like the ordinary disciples came before us, others will come after us... But this is our time. Either we are on this mission of continuing his life light through us, through our leadership, or you have no plan and purpose at all! We are ordinary people empowered to change our world...

You and only you may be the only chance that those who you have influence over will have to see the Light that gives life.

Jesus said we are the salt of the earth. Salt brings flavour, it enriches the eating experience! So God is wanting to use us to add flavour to the lives of those we have influence over, to enrich their life experience. We can love unconditionally and serve without agenda. God has placed certain people around you by no accident, and by loving unconditionally and serving without agenda, we can add flavour to their lives.

Jesus also said we are light. He has lit the light in you, and He has placed you on a certain stand (that stand is your family, work, friends…) and HE wants that light in you to shine all around you! Where things are looking dark, you can bring God’s light into others situation through serving, loving and just being present for them. You see, the light is from God, and he is wanting to use us as vessels to shine His light, so that God may be glorified! We can show people a new way of living.

I encourage you, especially as a leader, to be open to him using you. Don’t not cover up His light, or only shine some of the time - God is wanting to use us all the time. Let’s be open to his leading us. Let’s ask him to use us always!
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

The Slob and the Nag

I recently worked with a group of leaders within the retail industry in Johannesburg. I was again reminded of the story of the Slob and the Nag as I worked with them. As always, the model seems to challenge those who hear it.

There was once a psychologist who had a woman come to see him.

“My husband is a slob.” she exclaimed. “He gets home, sits on his lazy boy, drinks his beer and plays with his remote” she continued, visibly frustrated and hurt at the absence of a loving husband.

The psychologist approaches the husband.

“What!” he shouts, “that woman is a nag! she nag’s all the time...” he explains.

The vicious cycle is apparent. The more he slobs the more she nags. The more she nags, the more he slobs. So who must change?

The males usually say the nag and the females say the slob! They eventually settle on the answer that it is in fact both who must change.

My next questions is - ‘who must change first?’

To which we continue our debate on the role of husbands and wives in marriage...

The answer is the nag must change first.

Why?

Because she went to the psychologist in the first place. The nag is the one who is being affected most by the slob nag dynamic between her and her husband. The consequences are therefore greater for her if she does not change. She is affected by the problem.

That is sometimes the upside down nature of leadership. Often there is an issue you face which may be ‘someone else’s fault’. Your logic and your actions are that that person must change. You become the nag and they become the slob. So who must change?

How difficult is it to be the initiator of change in situations where you feel wronged? In those moments you naturally ask yourself why you should change. It simply is not fair.

You change first because you value yourself. You change first because you are affected by the problem and that has consequences for you. You change because no matter what the context you are a leader.

The nag has few choices. Take away the TV. Take away the lazy boy. Have a honest conversation... all of which may yield no results. The trick is to be creative and never stop after one go!

Be creative as you attempt to shift the cycle. But remain positive and keep your eyes on the possibilities. For yourself and for those you impact.

The Art of Connecting

There is an old saying: To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.
What this saying is articulating is the art of connecting, and it is an extremely powerful leadership principal.

John C Maxwell, one of the most respected leadership gurus around today, has recently written a book entitled “Everyone Communicates, Few Connect”. In the book he argues that the most effective leaders have learned to move from mere communication to truly connecting with those they lead.

In order to understand this concept better, it is essential to identify the difference between communicating and connecting. In a recent workshop I was involved with, we were discussing this idea, and we came up with the following comparison:

Communicating:
• Disconnected from the other person’s emotions
• Is a daily activity
• The objective is to get my point of view across, and thus has a win/lose intent
• Involves passing on information, often by just telling the other party
• Often a set way of doing it and is clinical
• Is verbal (what you say)

Connecting:
• Seek to understand others point of view and emotions
• Relate to others where they are at
• Seeks a win/win outcome
• Seeks to build and facilitate trust
• Engage emotionally
• Involve others through care and help
• Is often non verbal (how you say it and your intent)
• Is a conscious choice, shows intent
• Is often dynamic, not a set way of doing it, and thus involves understanding the other party

A major difference between communicating and connecting is that in connecting you are aware of the other person’s point of view and self esteem. Effective leaders know that they first have to touch people’s hearts before they can ask for their trust and commitment. You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion; the heart comes before the head!

In essence, it is all about the people. In my experience working in a corporate, the most effective leaders were those who really showed a genuine interest in who I was, my dreams and goals, and whose real intent was for me to truly succeed in the organisation. They were leaders that I had a connection with. As a result, I found myself going the extra mile, being positive about my work and the organisation, had a level of trust and felt appreciated. When leaders connect with those they lead, everyone succeeds.

This also reminded me of the way Jesus led. Jesus communicated some of the most powerful words in history, but he was also the master of connecting. He spent time teaching and investing into his twelve disciples. He dedicated His life for others and he displayed unconditional love even to the point of death so that others may live. His selfless devotion and love causes a connection that produces a response.

I’m convinced that those who connect take their relationships, their work and their lives to another level. I encourage you seek to connect and make a difference!
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Seen vs Unseen

Imagine you were buying a car. I tend to look at the exterior, the shiny body, the seats and the feel I get when I sit inside. All that I see. But what really counts? Isn’t it more the nuts and bolts that exist deep within the engine, state of the clutch or condition of the cam-belt?

The unseen becomes seen. That’s the point! The state of those unseen elements eventually become seen. When that clutch stops working or that cam-belt snaps all that exterior stuff is useless.

You could come over to my place and see my nice neat home and have dinner with my wife and I. We could have a laugh and enjoy great conversation and possibly the picture you leave with is one of a healthy successful marriage. But what really counts? The condition of my heart toward her and hers toward me. That stuff that exists deep down in our lives will become seen, it will present itself!

Given this, does it not make sense to work rather with the unseen? It’s almost obvious, but in many ways we tend to avoid it. Why?

I’ve always been fascinated by the story of the Israelites who were rescued from slavery in Egypt and called to the ‘promised land’. A heap of them end up dying after 40 years of wandering in the desert, never actually getting there. They got used to their routine in the desert. They were provided for each day and protected from the elements. It was safe. The promised land was unseen and they almost seemed to think that getting there was impossible. After the 12 spies returned their fears were reinforced - how would they get there with such giants of men and strong cities to overcome? It was illogical. It involved risk. It was unknown.

To deal with the matters of my heart at times feels incredibly risky and the unknown keeps me covering up and pretending that everything is ok. I try and make sure that everything is seen to be ok... and the unseen continues to fester.

The Israelites eventually changed direction under Joshua’s leadership. Interesting that he was one of the twelve spies who came back and said this is possible! Why - because he knew that nothing he saw was greater than his God! Which makes me think - could my fear of the unseen be because of my lack of trust in God to work into those areas?

We have a God who loves us unconditionally. He sends his Son to die for our sins and make us righteous. Because of his death we have direct access to our God much like a son or daughter has to their father no matter who he is. God restored us to him. That’s what He is about. Restoration. Which means then, that if it means that we have to deal with the unseen in order to restore that God is in fact in it.

We are not alone.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Powerfully Unique

I was doing a workshop last week, and met a lady who through the exercise we were doing discovered that she had a very strong gift of helping others reach their potential.

What a great gift to have! Many leaders strive to be effective in this area, and would be thrilled to learn they have this skill.

Interestingly, she did not feel this way! She sat back in her chair, crossed her arms and shook her head. She did not believe it. In her mind there is no way she could have this skill. When I challenged her on this she told me she knew someone who was extremely gifted in this area, and she was nothing like them!

How often do we do this as leaders? God has placed unique gifting and talents inside of us to make a difference in peoples' lives, but so often we doubt and discard them because we compare with others.

This reminded me of the story of David. The Bible tells us that David was a man after God's own heart.

He was a shepherd boy.

But, he was also a giant killer!

We know the story. David hears about Goliath and wants to kill him for coming against the army of the Living God. We read in 1 Samuel 17 v 33-40:

33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
"I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

David knew who God was and who God had made him to be... Powerfully unique! There was the temptation for David to conform to how other warriors had fought powerful enemies, to try copy their tactics and use their weapons. But he responded differently, he was true to himself and used what God had put in his hand.

What has God put in your hands as a leader that is powerfully unique? Are you trusting in who God has made you to be, or are you comparing to others?

Are you disqualifying yourself because of a comparison you are making with another persons giftings?

The word tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are powerfully unique. Imagine if we had to believe in and celebrate that uniqueness and lead others out of who God has made us to be?

May you gain great excitement and courage as you look at what you have in your hands and know that you can accomplish great things.

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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Social Media: React or Engage?

I think the social media revolution is intriguing, and to be honest I find myself getting pretty addicted! But what I find so interesting is that we can follow the trends and thought patterns of so many interesting people.

However, the other day I read a thought on Twitter that kind of knocked me …

I was shocked ...

Offended ...

This pretty well known South African personality had written a tweet that to me as a Christ follower was offensive!

My initial reaction was to take a stand!

Write some strong words back to him!

Or even hit him with a more powerful blow… “UNFOLLOW” him on Twitter!

Religious anger was rising up within me.

But …

I felt challenged. Is this how we as Christ followers should react to such situations? Should I get offended and counter react with harsh words, or should I engage and learn.
You see, as Christ followers and leaders we often hold truths and tools to help others follow a better way. But all too often we see others following a way that we know is destructive, or is offensive to our way, and instead of engaging we attack or withdraw.

In thinking about this I was reminded of a story, of someone who always showed a better way…

“Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?” Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.” Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!”” (Luke 19:1-10)

Here was an offensive man, and you know what is fascinating, he was DESPERATE to see Jesus!

I wonder how many of those we find offensive are actually desperate for truth, to be shown a better way.

Jesus is inspiring here. He is truth, and he engages with Zaccaeus. He makes His truth and love personal. He does not judge or rebuke, he engages in an extremely warm and loving act.

When we get offended by those we are called to love and lead, how are we going to act?

Are we going to get indignant and grumpy?

Or are we going to engage?

I’m going to read my Bible in my one hand and my Twitter account in the other, because they need to meet!

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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Consider Yourself Rebellious?

I am currently preparing a teaching on the book of Hebrews. The author of this book is unknown, but what we do know is that is was a letter written to a group of Jewish converts to Christianity. These new Christians were fully aware of the persecution that was imminent due to their decision. Leaving Judaism meant leaving traditions which their entire society was built around, laws, synagogue commitments, prayer commitments, dietary requirements etc... They hadn’t just left a belief system, they had changed their way of life. They were persecuted.

They were rebels...

Hebrews tells us that they would endure anything from public humiliation, public beatings, jail time and confiscation of all their possessions. The temptation was to return to their old ways, to their religion (Judaism) to avoid being persecuted.

The author encourages them to continue to be confident and hold unswervingly onto their hope. He takes 13 chapters to do that in what was a committed attempt underpinned by a deep desire to keep these readers from doing a 180 degree turn. One of his points, in particular, interested me.

The author makes mention (Hebrews 3) of the time that the Israelites spent in the desert. If you remember they were enslaved by the Egyptians. Moses was the hero who went in and did the extraction! Having left Egypt their destination was a land of milk and honey promised to them by God, aptly named the promised land. To get there they had to cross the desert, know as the Sinai today and into modern day Israel. 40 years later, Moses and his entire generation who left Egypt died in the desert, having simply wandered around in circles never to enter into the promised land. Their desert life was routine. God provided food and water daily, as well as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day to protect them. They had food, water and shelter. They were comfortable and protected. At one point Moses sends 12 spies to find out what getting into the promised land actually meant. 10 came back saying impossible! The tribes they would have to overcome were made up of monstrous men.

The desert - safe, comfortable, routine and predictable.

Journey to promised land - unknown, risky, adventurous, challenging.

They chose the former. The author of Hebrews refers to a passage of scripture found in psalm 95 where he states the Lord who refers to this time in the desert as the time of the rebellion!

They were rebels...

Two different perspectives! Society labeled the converted Jews as rebellious for leaving the traditions and comforts of Judaism and living a life of risk and potential persecution.

God frustratingly labeled the Israelites who stuck to comfort, tradition and religious mindsets rebellious. Maybe that’s why it is aptly called the Christian faith?

Consider yourself rebellious?

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Is Leadership Lonely?

Have you heard it said that leadership is lonely? I read this week a quote by ML Anderson that said “leaders are called to stand in a lonely place…”

Leadership can be lonely, but as a Christ follower, living out your call as a leader means you never lead alone. We stand with Christ by our side, having access to his love, guidance and LEADING.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

God is speaking…

Are we listening?

He wants to lead and guide us, he wants to speak to us. But so often we struggle to hear. Sometimes we are hoping that we would hear God’s booming voice loud and clear, telling us what to do.

But maybe we need to try things differently. Maybe God is speaking, but His voice is drowned out by all the noise around us.

1 Kings 19:11-13: "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

We have winds of work and stress, earthquakes of hurry, fires that burn with the desire for instant answers and solutions. But God so often comes as a gentle whisper, and these things drown out His voice. We can so easily miss it if we don’t take a step back, remove the noise and listen for the whisper...

Have you ever taken time out in silence and solitude?

In his book Leading On Empty, Wayne Cordeiro says that there are only four ways to live your life:

1. Reaction – passively dominated by urgencies and pushy people
2. Conformity – succumbing to the fear of man and just being and doing what everyone else wants, which is not necessarily following God’s will for you personally
3. Independence – nonconforming rebellion in the name of freedom, marked by doing only what you want and ignoring godly authority over you
4. Intentionality – reverse-engineering your life and living it prayerfully and purposefully, journaling your thoughts throughout the day, and using silence and solitude to hear from God and organize your life

How are you living your life now? Where would you like to be?

Why not try do things differently from now on. Instead of wanting God to shout above the noise, why not try spend some time and turn off the noise and listen for the whisper...
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

It’s a beautiful game... for who?

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions. It started at 13h30 when I donned my Bafana shirt and headed onto the streets with vuvuzela (South Africa’s new national bird!) in hand to watch my first live game in durban - Spain vs Switzerland. Certain that the Spanish would dominate I joined in on some of the spanish chants prior to the game. ‘Moytjo Spanyo (sp?) (repeat x 2) HAY! HAY!’ (repeat all x300) The atmosphere was electric. I was awed. The camera’s, people, stadium, pitch and that all of this was tacking place literally in my back yard!

Then it happened. The Swiss won! A huge upset which sent thousands of Spanish home in agony. The crowd all seemingly headed in one direction. Straight to the beach promenade and down toward the fan park to support Bafana. Again the atmosphere was electric. I have never heard so many vuvuzela’s in one place, never been in a crowd so diverse!

Then it happened. Bafana lost. Badly. The crowds went silent after that first goal and it just seemed to slip away from there. Like the Spanish we left bitterly disappointed at the result and wondering where this leaves our team.

All the commentators could say was, “That’s why they call it a beautiful game”

For who?? The winners or the losers?

There’s a start and there’s a finish in every game of football.

At the start everyone has an expectation running through their mind, a picture of what is to be. At the end some of those expectations are met, some are even better than expected and some are completely blown to a dithering pulp. In between are a bunch of factors which influence that result. Bad decisions, a fluke of a shot, mistakes, brilliant play and a stadium which is humming as though the worlds entire bee population migrated south for the winter. They seem to say ‘its beautiful’ cause it is simply so full of flux - anything can happen! My logic is that players and spectators who recognise it to be beautiful despite its unpredictability are the ones who make the most out of every moment. It’s the difference between those who leave 10 mins early and those who hear the final whistle. If it’s beautiful we can never lose hope, can we?

There is a start and a finish to every season in life.

Those who recognise life to be beautiful despite it’s unpredictability are the ones who make the most out of every moment - who livelifeNOW!

For who?? Not winners or losers. But anyone who chooses to see it that way. Thats your choice.

My expectations have shifted. I no longer see Bafana holding up the cup (I imagined a white president / victorious black Bafana captain reversing INVICTUS at one point!) I see other wins; for our country, my city and our people. Yes, they are expectations and might not be a reality but that perspective determines how I will live right now and I choose ...

‘It’s a beautiful game’

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

A New Start

There seems to be something within us that longs for a new start. Maybe this is why each year we make New Year’s resolutions. Often as leaders we hope for the opportunity to start over, try again, to do things differently.

I think we have this desire in us because it is a desire of God …

Revelation 21:5 says "And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!""

It speaks of the newness of what God does in our lives. Each day is new and fresh.
Another scripture which speaks about the idea that God is in the business of ‘new’ is Isaiah 43:18-19:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

As leaders the idea of God’s newness is so important, and there are some very clear points that come out of this scripture.

Firstly, God is saying we should forget the former things and that we should not dwell on the past. Often the past haunts us, there is stuff that happened in the past that hinders us moving forward. Or maybe we experienced great things in the past and thus constantly look back at those times, instead of forward to the newness He has.

Is your past holding you back? What are these things is your life?

The promise is that the past is forgotten. God has forgotten it, now we need to as well.

Secondly, we see again the idea that God is wanting to start something NEW! He is wanting to speak to us about the newness He has for us. How often do we create space for God to talk to us about the newness He has for us? As leaders let’s make time to listen.

We also need to understand that with newness comes a new way of doing things. There is a saying that if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

Jesus used an awesome analogy to explain this to his disciples, when they asked Him why he was doing things differently. His reply in Mark 2:22 says:
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”

When newness comes you have to do things differently. Let’s not try put the new wine God wants to pour out into our lives into the old wineskins of how we did things before, or how we expect things to be.

To remember this, why don't you start doing something differently? Drive a new way home, start a new book, try a new hairstyle, try a different Chocolate bar. Whatever it may be, try do something differently.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working in corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Leadership Advice: What’s in your hand?

I dove back into the archives this week and ended up watching a TED clip by Rick Warren on purpose. Go to to view. You will remember him for authoring Purpose Driven Life. I have heard it before but again was riveted by what he was saying. One of John Maxwell’s leadership laws is the ‘law of process’. This law states that developing leadership happens through a continuous reinforcing of what has been learnt. It is small actions over time that deliver results rather than cataclysmic events! Watching this clip reminded me of commitments and insights that I had when I first saw him speak in 2006 and again how critical the ‘why’ and ‘what’ are continuously reinforced in our own lives.

Last week we reminded ourselves of a ‘deeper purpose’. This week we add a layer and look at the ‘what’. Once the ‘Why’ is clear it makes sense that we focus on ‘what’ we have to work with. Rick Warren uses the metaphor of Moses’s staff in the Bible which represented 3 core areas in his life - his Identity, his Income and his Influence. In other words the staff defined the job that he had, how he earned his money and the influence he had in that position. Rick uses the metaphor in talking about his work with NBA basketball players. The Ball represents their Identity, Income and Influence. That’s what’s in their hands.

What’s in your hand? What talents, skills, passions so you have that can impact on others?

Connecting to this ‘what’ off the foundation of a solid ‘why’ yields defining changes in your daily actions. You have been given gifts. You were not born with nothing to offer, but rather a great deal of uniqueness which the world needs to see. You being all of who you are is what makes the difference to the rest of us. Spending time on these questions helps you shift your focus away from self and onto others. Impacting on others fuels meaning and fulfillment, something all of us desire to strongly.

Take some time to answer these questions:

• What, when you do it, makes you feel powerful? Time seems to fly by, you feel energised and alive?
• What positive feedback have you been given consistently - a skill, talent, character trait etc?
• If it was not about money or time what would you most like to do with your time?
• What do you dream about doing to make a difference in the world?

Own it. Own what you have in your hands. Own it and use it!

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Finding that ‘deeper’ purpose

Yesterday, a friend of mine recounted a dream he had last night where I sat him down and challenged him on finding his ‘deeper purpose’. I was fascinated by his ‘nocturnal’ encounter with these words. In his dream he was unsure about what it was which meant he was not able to respond to my continual quest for clarity from him. I told him he needs to discover his deeper ‘inner vibe!’ and be connected with why he was doing what he was doing. Eventually I sent him up a hill with a journal and pen to journal what he thought this ‘deeper purpose’ could be. After a period of reflection he came up with some answers.

The person who I am referring to, in my opinion, is pretty connected to why he does what he does. In fact, I would say he has an array of questions and statements which he reminds himself off constantly. Words like purpose, vision and values form a part of his weekly speak. Yet the question in the dream challenged him. As we spent time discussing the dream I realised it challenged me too! The reason was that one word: deeper.

What is that deeper purpose for you? What is that ‘why’ that runs through your veins, is ingrained in your DNA and that connects you powerfully with how you live your life? What is it that you feel so powerfully about which runs as deep as the oceans within your soul?

The timing of this discussion was impeccable. My challenge lately is to continuously remind myself of the ‘why’ rather than to become too focused on the ‘what’ and the ‘how.’ When this ‘why’ is not clear I look back over a week and wonder how much of what I have done has been effective. The disciplines which are important to me such as times of quiet and solitude go out the window. When I focus on my ‘why’ I can clearly see which of my actions have substance and color. Those actions feel rewarding and energising rather than empty and fruitless.

The point is we both realised we would like to be able to articulate that ‘deeper purpose’ off the cuff. If we have to journal on the hillside to find it out it probably means we are not going to be able to call on it in the moment. That’s where it counts!

How many of your actions have purpose behind them?


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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Un-Limit your Limiting Beliefs

Between the ages of 0 - 7 we receive over 24 000 hours of programming. We all know the little ones we share homes with suck in information like a sponge. Young kids seem to soak in each and every bit of information or influence that comes their way. As they consciously engage with their surroundings, each little individual begins to shape a set of beliefs which will inform the way in which they live. Experiences both positive and negative will sit in the sub conscious storage department.

As we grow older our conscious choices are influenced by those sub conscious beliefs. Most faith based messages or self help advice roots down to working with what you think, a renewing of the mind.

I gave blood when I was young. They only needed a vile, yet the factors surrounding the ‘blood removal’ freaked me out and sent me into a black out right their in the doctors room. That was it - a limiting belief. I can’t give blood. The blood bank would roll into school with its worthy message of the need to donate. But each time I stood up to do my part, my sub conscious reminded me of that fateful day. I sat back down.

Paul Potts, winner of Britain’s got talent a few years back, speaks about how it took him an hour to click on ‘submit’ after filling in his online application form to enter the show. He notes that confidence has always been an issue for him. His belief was that he did not have a great deal to offer those around him because of how he looked and who he thought he was. The temptation was to just continue selling cell phones rather than reveal his talent to the world.

Which begs the question - what beliefs limit you? As I work with people I uncover limiting beliefs such as ‘I can’t speak my truth, hand over responsibility, love unconditionally, get my drivers license, take time off, start that sport, take that risk.’ It seems as we mature we simply develop more reasons why we should remain in our comfort zones.

Comfort Zone? That place where our fears sleep unchallenged. Paul selling cell phones. Beneath those fears is a deep ocean of potential. What would happen if you had to dive in? I broke my blood fear by giving blood. Paul broke his limiting belief by getting on the stage. Look fear straight in the eye and take it on. Paul now touches millions of lives every day with his music and his story.

Un-limiting your beliefs is not just about you but about the impact your potential can make on the world around you. The world wants the best of you.

Start Un-Limiting!

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

What if I don’t have the time to lead?

“Ok, so we get we need to lead but we actually don’t have the time!” was the opening statement made at this week’s leadership forum. Once again, rather than focusing on the answer we need ask the right questions. Too often we make decisions off the base of assumption rather than awareness.

Question 1: What robs you of the time that you need to lead?

“Issues!” is the response. I immediately draw a line across the centre of a flip chart page when I hear that word. On the top of the line I put a whole lot of x’s. Each x represents an issue - absenteeism, lack of productivity, demotivated staff, negativity etc. These are ‘above the line’ issues.

Question 2: How do you deal with these issues?

“We give warnings. We discipline. The latecomer is told not to be late and the demotivated is told to jack themselves up.” Problem solved - but for how long?

Question 3: How often do you found these same issues reoccurring despite your actions?

“Yes...” is always the answer. The crux here is that what we do to resolve these issues only offer short term solutions. The issues simply repeat themselves, managers ‘fight fires’ continuously which robs them of their time.

Question 4: What causes these issues?

Our answers are usually assumptions. Words that stem from the mouths of weary and worn out managers, returning home from the battlefield each day where it is a fight to get people just to fulfill their basic functions. Those tired minds, often resentful, toward their people begin to assume why these issues arise. Most often they are very off the mark.

Question 5: What difference would it make If you committed time and energy uncovering and dealing with the cause?

In the flip chart I place a large X below the line drawn across the middle. From that X I draw several lines pointing back toward the little x’s on the top of the line. Most often 1 ‘below the line’ cause stimulates several ‘above the line’ issues. Now it’s time to be frank about the illogical logic. Our time is swallowed up by all the issues, yet if we were to take the time to deal with below the line cause, many of the issues would be removed - sustainably. Which in turn then - would grant us more time.

We would have less issues. We would have more time. Most importantly, we would have more space to lead.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com