Online Devotionals & Study Guides

Through the Lens of "Planning":

1. Secret Passageways: We reflected on the 5-Star service that makes people feel respected, understood, protected, and valued. (Galatians 5:13, Exodus 17:12)
2. Future Me has One Problem: We highlighted present bias influence and emphasized strategic investment rather than short-term indulgence. (Romans 7:15, Romans 8:2)
3. Anytime You Wish: We brainstormed about what makes criminals feel invincible and why it’s better to do “good time” over “bad time”. (Hebrews 13:3, Isaiah 61:1)
4. World Wide Web Flashback: We focused on confirming a new solution is scalable and supports the pace and desire of an existing target market. (Isaiah 42:16, Proverbs 22:29)
5. Not as Planned: We learned that how an Olympian faced adversity and kept fighting, had gratitude, and teamed up. (Proverbs 24:10, Psalms 50:15)
6. Scheduling Conflict: We examined how weighing and prioritizing, maintaining our integrity, and being selective helps with calendaring. (Matthew 7:11, Psalms 84:11)
7. Unseen Forces: We discovered how invisible influences, confusing decisions, and poor communication can be costly. (Proverbs 15:1, 1 Timothy 1:19)
8. Don’t Get Trapped: We talked about how reconsidering our limiting beliefs impacts our pursuit of success, money, and happiness. (Colossians 2:8)
9. I Quit!: We discussed the importance of confidence in and between team members, dedicated employees, and purposeful and impactful work. (2 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 5:2)
10. Moving Mountains: We explored why we can’t give up and what requires us to seek a pardon. (Isaiah 12:3, Proverbs 17:9)
11. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Toughness":

1. ​Tires Don't Stay Buried​: We brainstormed breaking issues and tasks into smaller parts and doing the hard work, so they don’t fester or steal our peace of mind. (Proverbs 10:12, Ecclesiastes 10:18)
2. Superhero Moxie​: We highlighted the value of the superhero’s capacity and initiative to withstand fear while applying expertise to problems with a moral code. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14)
3. Lost in a Crowd​: We examined getting back to best practices, looking for unexpected paths, and having a specific target. (Isaiah 49:10, Luke 15:21-24)
4. It Remains Day 1​: We reviewed how innovation, curiosity, wandering, and the constant desire to improve led to the world’s largest brand valuation. (Hebrews 3:3, 4, Romans 1:17)
5. Second Chances​: We talked about how insisting on fundamentals and letting others lead is truly a form of hope, love, and strength. (Lamentations 3:21-23, Judges 16:28)
6. Playing Your Hand​: We learned a leader’s deceptive manipulation impacts trust by exploring the four suits, the ace, the “suicide king” of hearts, and the joker. (Proverbs 11:20,Hebrews 13:17)
7. Intrapreneurship​: We focused on seeking sponsorship, leveraging competition, being patient, and translating opportunity to serve the innovator. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 1 Corinthians 1:10)
8. Barriers to Change​: We had a great conversation about the 5 stages of long-term change: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17, John 6:63-65)
9. Best Job EVER​: We discussed how compensation, culture and values, leadership, and work-life balance impact employee satisfaction. (Hebrews 6:10, 11)
10. Death Zone Leadership​: We reflected on transforming DUD (dangerous, unproductive, and dysfunctional) behavior into kindness and truth. (Zechariah 8:16, Luke 8:17)
11. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Strategy":

1. WIIFM of Kindness: We discovered the return on investment in kindness, in addition to financial, is physical, mental, and mutual. (2 Corinthians 9:7, Luke 6:38)
2. The Next 100 Days: We highlighted the value of pursuing input, stakeholders, and expectations in order to be victorious in our Waterloo. (Ephesians 1:11, Isaiah 40:29)
3. Situational Brainstorming: We focused on various brainstorming scenarios, like problem-solving, coaching, and planning. (Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 4:23)
4. From Stranger to Raving Fan: We reviewed 8 stops on the Customer Value Journey, client destinations from awareness to excitement to promotion. (Hebrews 13:5, 6)
5. Big Ben, Small Changes : We learned that small changes in internal environment and external influences can be managed early with tiny adjustments. (Ephesians 5:15, 16)
6. Case of the $15,000 Pizza: We examined the importance of a good example, first impressions, email etiquette, and the big picture. (Matthew 7:1-4)
7. Getting to Inbox Zero: We reviewed how to manage our email rather than being managed by leveraging the 6 Ds and other techniques. (James 1:19, Proverbs 29:11)
8. Perception is Everything: We talked about how a team’s risk attitude (risk-adverse, -tolerant, -seeking) is developed and how to respond. (Proverbs 27:11, 12, Ephesians 4:2)
9. Extinguishing Burnout: We discussed three insights from grilling and related them to igniting, flaring up, and controlling burnout. (Exodus 34:21, Mark 2:27)
10. Peaches & Coconuts: We considered how to get to the inner circle through the thick exterior of the Coconut and solid pit of the Peach. (Matthew 27:24, Numbers 20:8-12)
11. TAG! You're It: We explored seeking knowledge, acknowledging fallibility, and modeling curiosity for learning, innovation, and growth. (Psalms 32:7, Nahum 1:7)
12. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Progress":

1. Healthy Competition: We had a great conversation about Michael Porter’s Five Forces of competition and how they affect pricing. (Galatians 5:26, 2 Timothy 4:7)
2. Chestnut Do Over: We explored expectations, visualization, and anticipation and repurposing with creativity, ingenuity, and positivity. (Jeremiah 10:23, Isaiah 40:8)
3. Runaway Truck Ramp: We highlighted the implications of truckers navigating hot brakes, great difficulty, and hairpin curves. (Psalms 17:6, 7)
4. Get Ready to Soar: We talked about eagles and making minor adjustments, magnifying the effortless, and leveraging the proven. (Isaiah 40:31, Job 37:14)
5. 7-Minute Workout: We reviewed the role focus, thoughtfulness, and patience play in relationships, appreciation, and confidence. (Proverbs 1:5, Ephesians 2:8)
6. Waiting to Bloom: We examined the importance of protecting, recognizing, and measuring the fruits of our labor. (Romans 8:29, 2 Samuel 5:4)
7. Take a Chance Card: We learned what the game of Monopoly intended to teach and to take risk, manage fear, and reveal personal edge. (Mark 6:31, Deuteronomy 8:16, 17)
8. Scoring to Lose: We focused on how leaders must fight instincts to manage the clock in an effort not to score, but win. (1 Corinthians 9:25, Matthew 5:21, 22)
9. Learning Styles Myth: We discussed entertaining and engaging learners while appealing to a set of learning styles through fun, balance, and story. (Romans 15:7, Jeremiah 1:5)
10. City of Gold: We reflected on the importance of evaluating sunk, indirect and opportunity costs in our business. (Luke 14:28-33)
11. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Identity":

1. Landscape of Office Politics: We discussed informal/formal and individual/organizational layout and the four terrains of office politics: The Weeds, The Rocks, The High Ground, and The Woods. (1 Peter 2:17, Titus 3:1-2)
2. Livin' for the Weekend: We reviewed taking breaks for time off, mental relaxation, and self-care results in more productivity. (Psalm 73:26)
3. Who Has Time for Patience?: We highlighted three things: the challenges of not knowing, enjoying the now, and working hard. (Galatians 5:22, 23, Psalms 27:13-14)
4. Red Flag Alert: We brainstormed about how prickly leaders focused on short-term advantages, single-factor decisions, and self-preservation cause eroding support. (Proverbs 18:10, Exodus 17:15)
5. What's a Memory Dart?: We delved into how to create a Memory Dart by distilling truth statements and five elements into a few memorable words. (Mark 16:15, Esther 4:14)
6. Pronoia is REAL!: We had a great conversation suggesting pronoid people are likable, capable and confident because they leverage multipliers, expectations, and persistence. (Psalm 90:17, 1 Corinthians 13:7)
7. Identity Crisis: We explored how performance spurs excellence, titles drive contribution, and the past inspires today’s focus. (1 Corinthians 12:27,2 Corinthians 5:17)
8. Virtual Networking: We focused on how intentionality about relationships, quirks, and service helps us leverage the limitless geographical boundaries and access to people. (Galatians 6:10, Psalms 139:16)
9. What More Do You Need?: We reflected on how heroes can be successful through significant challenge with what they already have in conjunction with a clarifying goal. (Psalms 20:4, Psalms 20:3-5)
10. Change Fee: We talked about the cost of changing and not changing as it relates to business expense and what we might be avoiding. Improvement comes at quite a price-- a change fee. (John 14:27, John 5:8, 9)
11. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Change":

1. ​Paradigm Shift​: We discussed how the Stockdale Paradox emphasizes perseverance through and acceptance of brutal facts. (James 1:6-8, Psalm 107:28-30)
2. Agile Leadership​: We highlighted Bill Joiner’s Change Model and our Agile Leadership arena, level, and type. (1 Timothy 4:8-10)
3. Recovering from Mistakes​: We brainstormed about the consequences, rehearsal, patience, and grace of mistakes when trying to appear confident and competent. (Ephesians 5:8, Romans 12:19)
4. Taking Out the Trash​: We discovered how change forces us to consider the components in our environment that need to be tossed out, refined, or created. (Mark 2:21, Mark 2:22)
5. Leaders Need Spacesuits​: We had a great conversation about why leaders, like astronauts, need protection, navigation, and power to prevent damage, achieve goals, and focus energy. (Romans 12:18, Ephesians 6:10, 11)
6. Leading Teams Under Pressure​: We explored how challenging situations tempt teams toward changing processes, leaning on ‘favorites’, and focusing on good news instead of preparation, experts, and reality. (Proverbs 21:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:6)
7. The Longest Day, Ever!​: We focused on how sharing the workplace experience challenges us to continue our influence on education planning, self-discovery, and bully prevention. (Proverbs 13:20, John 14:26)
8. Pick Your Triangle​: We reflected on how the David Emerald’s Empowerment Triangle draws us into our best roles as Creator, Challenger, and Coach. (Romans 14:12, 13)
9. Taskage™: Addressing the Difficult​: We learned what leaders should reassess, renegotiate, and reestablish to bring difficult efforts to a close. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Psalm 128:2)
10. Using a Different “Yes”​: We talked about the power of using “yes, and…”, inviting solutions, acknowledging change, and staying positive. (2 Timothy 1:7)
11. A REVIEW

Through the Lens of "Authenticity":

1. Rideshare Outburst: She turned down the radio and burst into song! What tips do stage performers have for leaders in boardrooms, elevators, and restaurants?
2. Pass It On: What if you were given $200,000 and told "Pass it on!" That is essentially what happened to medical students attending NYU School of Medicine. Why?
3. A Dream, Not a Plan: King's vision and belief demonstrates the impact of a dream. Sinek's Golden Circle champions "Why." Understand the winning power of a dream and a why!
4. Managing Sideways: Want increased collaboration, communication, and cooperation between your peers and your teams? What does managing up tell us about manage sideways?
5. Strategic Workforce Planning: How'd we get from a plane, a baby boom, and an outbreak to socialization, compensation, and leadership? What's that got to do with workforce planning?
6. A Dog's Purpose: How do you know if you are supposed to fix something or save someone at work? It's tricky, because leaders are equipped with “That’s a Problem Radar”.
7. Dirt to Rock: People, like clay, can be molded and quickened into vibrant leaders-- as long as they aren't overfired, underfired, dependent, or rushed.
8. 24 Hours: Each year, we collect an extra 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds and blow it all at once on February 29th. Imagine the possibilities, if you dare…
9. Head in the Sand: Admittedly, very few of us arrive at work running straight for the most challenging task, here's why bury our heads in the sand proves ineffective…
10. Trust, But Verify: I was petting her soft gray coat, then I realized she was a pit bull! How does "trust, but verify" inform our expectations and treatment of others?
11. Sprouting Leaders: What's the secret to developing leaders and what does a sprouting grain tell us about activating potential and spending energy on proactive endeavors?
12. A REVIEW