Ultimate Leadership Newsletter

Next Ultimate Leadership
workshop:
January 25 -30, 2009 - This workshop will include an Alumni group. Call soon - limited spots available!

For details on these one-of-a-kind workshops,
visit our    Web site

I was talking recently with a friend who is the CEO of a large real estate firm. Considering the state of his industry at the time of this writing, I was concerned and asked him how things were going at work. He said, "It is really, really, really tough out there." I felt for him and asked if he had ever thought about getting out of the game. He thought for a moment before answering, "Sure, I've thought a lot about it. But the problem is I love what I do. Even as tough as things are, I get up every morning thinking that I can't wait to get out there." (I have another real estate friend who calls it 'kicking dirt around'.) I was amazed at my friend's attitude in the face of all that he dealt with. And I realized the only word to describe his attitude was passion - a passion for his activity and work that transcended tough times. As a leader, you also need this capacity, for the work that you do.
What is passion? The simplest description is that it is focused desire. Passion is emotional in nature; it comes from the heart. And it is focused, meaning that it has a specific target in mind. You may have passion for your spouse; in fact, you are supposed to! You may have passion for your favorite sports team. And you need to have passion for what you do in leadership. When you experience this focused desire, it keeps you in the game. David, who led Israel back to God's ways, experienced this feeling for the house of God: "Passion for your house has consumed me" (Psalms 69:9, NLT). The word conveys intense emotion, even jealousy. Every leader needs passion in order to stay focused on what is important; to go through hard times well; and to encourage others to join you in your efforts. Passion is infectious.
Where does it come from? Passion is not something we generate. I always hate it when a speaker tells me to "be passionate" about something; I don't know how to manufacture emotions. Rather, it is something from inside us---a curiosity, an interest, a value for an activity. That is the internal aspect. Then there is an external aspect - the activity itself. For the leader, it may be seeing profits, or holding to the bottom line, or keeping costs down, or meeting a goal, or seeing lives changed and transformed. Passion forms when that internal interest intersects with the activity. The inside meets the outside. Think for a second about what you do in your leadership that most excites you; then trace it back to where it began. You will likely remember trying something out that connected with your interests and values - and that was it for you. You experienced passion, and followed through on it.
How do you develop passion? We need to, and we can. It can be an ally to your leadership. Here are some steps:
1. Get out of the conceptual world and into life experience.
Leaders often feel pressure to focus on e-mail, high level meetings and strategy sessions. Spend regular time talking to those on your front lines. Operate the machinery. Input the data. Talk to the customer. Guest-teach the kids' Sunday school class. (Good luck with that one; it's harder than you think.) Ultimately, passion is about what your organization does to help people; and you need to see their responses, their gratitude, or simply that your organization improved their lives. I was watching CNN's annual "Heroes" awards show in an airport last night. I was moved to tears to see the stories of leaders who, because they work with their people on ground-level activities, are changing thousands of lives for the better. Ditch the office every now and then.
2. Make a list of what you enjoy and do well that has meaning.
Write down the pleasurable thing: financial solutions, organization, putting people together in a team, starting and completing a project. If you do it well, then write down the meaning of that activity in a column just to the right of it: the financial solutions help people solve problems and get freed up to be productive; the organization brings order to chaos; the team building helps bring skills and personalities together for a greater goal; project management creates something out of nothing. Keep the list around to remind you that what you enjoy and do well also provides organizational success and a better product or service for the consumer.
3. Be able to tolerate loss.
You must master this ability. You can't have passion for absolutely everything. I know people like this; they are passionate about sales, then marketing, then finances, then administration - but they are master of nothing. By definition, passion is focus. Be willing to let go of the good for the sake of the great. Don't sit on the "I'd like to do it all" fence. Say goodbye to a few things in order to unleash your life and energy on the thing that fits you best.
God bless your passion!
-John

	Words of Encouragement

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:5-8
(Psalm 16:5-8)

	Ultimate Leadership Workshop

A one-week
intensive workshop for leaders
with Dr. Henry Cloud
and Dr. John Townsend

Upcoming Ultimate Leadership workshop
in San Juan Capistrano, California -
January 25 - 30, 2009 -
Call soon to register!
Here's what people are saying about Ultimate Leadership ...
The idea of taking the plunge to attend UL seemed daunting to Peter and I both financially and geographically (we live in Newfoundland, Canada), but we heard from several people who attended earlier workshops that the experience was well worth the investment, so we did it! It was an amazing event - perfectly designed by God for us! For me, it was a paradigm shift in my entire way of thinking and it has already opened new doors to conversation and interaction with family, friends and members of our church congregation.
It has helped me to see the roots of my behavior and to begin to mend broken areas of my life so that I am able to function from a more confident "inside" position instead of bringing the "outside in" and becoming exhausted. Now I have space to grow and I feel more alive and connected to the world and to God.
Elaine Young
Atlantic Regional Director, Alpha Ministries
CANADA
For more reviews...

	Correction to Ultimate Leadership 2009 Brochure

There was an error in the printing of our brochures for the 2009 Ultimate Leadership workshops - our number was incorrectly given an "800" area code. The correct phone number is:
888-792-GROW(4769)
Please make a note of this; we apologize for any inconvenience!

	An Opportunity for Giving

While planning your year-end giving, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Ultimate Leadership Scholarship Fund.
This fund, managed by the Foundation for Christian Stewardship, has helped many deserving leaders attend our life-changing workshop and become more effective in their ministries.
Thanks to our donors, missionaries from overseas, military personnel, and pastors and staff of smaller churches have been able to participate in Ultimate Leadership. What a great opportunity to support those who are making a real difference in our world!
For more information, click here, or call our office for details: 888/792-4769.
May God richly bless you for your generosity!

	Solutions Leaders Wanted!

Are you interested in becoming a Solutions leader?
sign up here...

	Ultimate Living Tour

The Ultimate Living Tour is coming to a city near you! Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Dr. John Townsend or Dr. Henry Cloud-live and in person!
When life works well it's not an accident. There are proven principles to making life happen successfully.
Living the Ultimate Life means success in four specific areas:
Freedom from hurts and pain that hold you back
Improving the quality of your significant relationships
Defining and reaching your goals and dreams
Connecting with God and deepening your spiritual life
In other words, the Ultimate life is full of good things and you are thriving in all these areas.
Now, in one event, you will learn secrets that will transform your life. You will discover how you can make Ultimate Living a reality!
Is the Ultimate Living Tour coming to your town? Click here...

	Let Dr. Cloud or Dr. Townsend address your group!

Interested in bringing Dr. Cloud or
Dr. Townsend to your organization?
Please call (800) 676-HOPE (4673)
for information about creating an exciting event for your church or group!
The doctors' event schedule...