Visual processors

Visual processors

I’ve been writing a series on my blog about how different people process their thoughts differently. So far I’ve covered audio processors– who process through talking and listening– and what I call artistic/experiential processers– who...
From ideas to action – different ways people process

From ideas to action – different ways people process

Every person you coach is different. One important difference is how they process ideas. Some are audio processors. They think best out loud, and talking is the way they process their ideas. As they talk, they gain greater clarity and insight, which then results in...
Organizing for results

Organizing for results

I had a great coaching conversation recently with a ministry leader in which we strategically organized his time and energy to get the specific results he was looking for. Q: What do you want to see happen? A: I want to start a movement– something that is...
How organic change leads to organizational change

How organic change leads to organizational change

So we know from yesterday’s blog entry that trying to institute coaching from the top down most often doesn’t work. Implementation is spotty. You have some key people who won’t participate. Leaders don’t model the behavior. Quality suffers. People start...
Opening the door to organic change

Opening the door to organic change

For groups that want to build in coaching throughout their ministry, the initial thinking usually organizational. Who needs to approve it? How will we structure it? Whose permission do we need? How will we run the trainings? That can work well if you’re able to...
Practical help for church planters

Practical help for church planters

I love coaching church planters. I’ve been doing it for many years now, and I’ve never ceased to be amazed at the endless creativity of planters adapting to their ministry contexts and the changing cultural landscapes. I’ve also noticed– even in the midst of so...
The role of Barnabas in church planting

The role of Barnabas in church planting

I think Barnabas is one of the most important people in the Bible, yet he gets almost no recognition. Barnabas probably wouldn’t even make most people’s biblical top ten list. But consider the significance of the role he played. Barnabas came alongside Paul, and got...
Developing loyalty in your staff

Developing loyalty in your staff

I was coaching a senior organizational leader recently who was working through the challenges of developing quality staff. I asked this question: “To what degree could a more pastoral approach impact your staff development?” Sometimes leaders believe they need to...