Mike Henderson

One of Life's Most Uncomfortable Questions

Every week I have the opportunity to play basketball with guys much younger than me.  Because I have played sports since I was a kid there has always been some competiveness inside of me.

As I get older I often tell Carol that I when I can no longer keep up on the court I will hang up my basketball shoes.  Now that will be a tough day. Right now my goal is to be able to play until I'm sixty. Keep in mind most of the guys I play with are in their late twenties or thirties.

Fortunately for me I was blessed with some speed all my life.  Actually it was speed not skill that often kept me on a team.  

But the reality is as I age I will slow down.  And when the day comes that I can no longer keep up I will stop playing. 

Now think how uncomfortable that is.  How often does someone in the workplace approach their boss and admit that they are not keeping up?  How hard is it to approach someone and tell them they are no longer keeping up?  I still recall the days in steel erection where some guys just could not keep up and we had to let them go.

One day you and I will leave our jobs.  One day I will have to quit playing basketball.  One day you and I will have to stop driving our cars.

Those will be tough days.  But they are coming.  And yes, it will continue to be one of life's most difficult questions.

Am I still able to keep up? 

Is Firing One of the Keys to Success?

This week Facebook goes public with their IPO.  As a result there has been no shortage of articles about Mark Zuckerberg.

No one has a perfect track record when it comes to hiring.  So what must you be good at when people do not fit in or no longer fit in?

Mark Zuckerburg, the twenty-something founder and CEO of Facebook has built quite the empire over the last several years.

Some attribute part of his success to his ability to let the wrong people go at the right time.  Some were good hires initially, but over time their talents could not keep up so Zuckerberg let them go.  

Apparently he has a talent for knowing exactly who to let go and when to let them go. The key may be in the timing.  Not being able to fire well may keep you from experiencing success.

Don't Just Be Busy, Be Productive

I'm sure you have heard of people running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.  I have no picture of that, but I have killed chickens, and it is hilarious to watch them run around after their head is cut off. Eventually, they flop over. That's how many of us live our lives on a daily basis.  We run around all day, and then flop over exhausted in the evening.  

Think about it. Out of the eighty three things I did yesterday only five are absolutely necessary. Yes, it is true too often. We are busy, but often busy doing things that don't matter.  And it leaves us exhausted at day's end.

Jesus was never busy, never in a hurrry.  Right.  You and I are not Jesus.  But I bet each of know and can identify the things that really matter.

Here are my big five.  Number 21 or 37 on my list of things probably doesn't matter.  These five do.

1. Prayer.  I cannot expect to survive and thrive apart from prayer.  We kid ourselves if we think we can do life apart from God and His divine help.  Also under prayer I would include any of the spiritual disciplines like fasting, giving, Bible reading, solitude, etc.

2. Preparation. For me this is the time I spend preparing messages.  This includes reading, listening to other speakers, and searching the Bible for timeless principles to share.

3. Preaching.  The actual delivery of the message is huge.  I learned a long time ago that a great delivery void of good content is well received, and a bad delivery with good content is not well received. I try to have good content, but I know I cannot overlook the delivery.

4. People.  Ministry is about people, so I carve time out for people.  I may meet two days one week and six days the following week with people.  The point is people are important.

5. Personal.  This is somewhat of a catch all.  This category includes things like time with Carol.  If my marriage is suffering then my life and ministry are going to suffer as well.  There is no way I can afford to overlook this. Also, I connect with my kids regularly.  I may text Heather, talk with Rachel, text and talk with Savannah, have a long discussion with Adam, and play golf with Gabe.  And I must get regular exercise. For me this includes playing full court basketball with younger guys, push mowing part of the lawn, hiking with Carol, and lifting weights.

Go ahead, identify and list your five or six things.  Get those done and when you lay your head down tonight you will be more satisfied and feel more productive.

 

The Comeback of Starbucks (Part 2)

The story of how Starbucks almost went away, in fact it's stock price was well below $10 a share, and how it recovered to where it is profitable and how it's current stock price is at $60, is in one word, fascinating.

This is a great read for any individual or organizational leader to read.  The quotes that I have included will just give you a taste of what's in the book.  Also, another word that describes the book is hope.  The light had almost gone out at Starbucks.

While my copy is highlighted and dog-eared all over, I have chosen just a few quotes to give you an idea of what's in the book. In the following quotes I have italicized some key words.

9. "Every time a barista had to tell a customer, 'Sorry, we're out of vanilla syrup' or 'We didn't receive our banana shipment so I can't make your Vivanno,' the fragile trust between Starbucks and our partners and between Starbucks and our customers fractured."  

10. "Starbucks' store managers were keys to the company's transformation.  All the cost cuts and innovation meant nothing unless our baristas understood their personal responsibility to connect with customers..." p. 193

11. "...reinforced how much a barista's job matters given that he or she quite possibly might serve up the only human connection in a customer's day." p. 198

12. "I've never embraced traditional advertising for Starbucks...our success had been won with millions of daily interactions." p. 211

13. "In September 2008, Starbucks had parted ways, somewhat painfully, with our primary advertising agency of four years..."  p. 211

14. "...the more critical the times, the more important it is...to work together in a non-political, non-emotional, fact-focused way." p. 221

15. "Although I never stopped believing that Starbucks would emerge from the darkness, I was nonetheless experiencing an emotional roller coaster daily." p. 222

16. "And while I would not want to constantly battle against the odds, the raw feeling of accomplishing something that others did not think possible, or leading people beyond where they thought they could go, is extremely gratifying." 302

17. "Never expect a silver bullet...Stick to your values...Find truth in trials and lessons in mistakes...Believe." p. 309

As you read the book you realize that Howard Schultz put himself through a lot.  In other words, he had enough money.  He did not have to go back to Starbucks.  So why did he do it?

"Quite simply, I love this company and the responsibility that goes with it.  Onward..."  p. 311

Onward is a candid and compelling story of a remarkable comeback.  This book is required reading.  

The Comeback of Starbucks

Onward was one of my favorite books from 2011. I purchased it as soon as it came out and devoured it within the week.  It's the story of how Starbucks almost went away with a worsening economy and internal troubles. 

However, the former CEO, Howard Schultz, came back as CEO and began to once again oversee the day to day operations.  

Today Starbucks' stock price has increased six-fold from it's low. It has once again returned to profitability. 

The book is a great read as it covers the decision making, the store closings, and also the elimination of some of its people.  On the one hand I'm sure many felt that Schultz went about it the wrong way.  For some it could appear that he was unnecessarily ruthless at times. But Starbucks had lost its way, and someone had to right the ship.  Howard Schultz was the man to do it.

I have included twenty quotes that sort of summarize the decisions, the emotional turmoil, and the process that brought Starbucks back. Rather than include all twenty in one post, I will break it into two posts with several highlights in each post.  These are all the words of Howard Schultz. 

1. "There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust." p. 7

2. "What upset me, what felt like a blow to the gut, was the leak.  I could not imagine who would do such a thing.  It was nothing less than betrayal.  In my life I place enormous value on loyalty and trust." p. 27

3. "Saying good-bye to people when they leave Starbucks never gets easier, even when I think it is the right choice for the company, and especially when I truly respect the individual." p. 60

4. "Did we have the right people with the right skills in place for everything that needed attention." p.77

5. "Our coffee and marketing departments went out and conducted their own taste tests to gain a definitive understanding of what many consumers really wanted in lieu of a bold brew--not what we assumed they wanted, which was a weak, inferior coffee.  What we heard, what many people told us, was that they wanted Starbucks to sell a more consistent, balanced brewed coffee." p. 85

6. "Closing so many stores felt like a defeat, even if it was the right thing to ensure the company's health." p. 152

7. "Success is not sustainable if it's defined by how big you become.  Large numbers that once motivated me--40,000 stores!--are not what matter.  The only number that matters is 'one.'  One cup.  One customer.  One partner.  One experience at a time." p. 156

8. "I know people are angry and grieving and I know people are mad.  But I had to make the difficult choice (and consider) the long-term sustainability of the company." p. 172

Obviously being at the top can be emotionally draining and incredibly challenging.

 

Things Go Better 'Without' God

Actually that's not true, but we act like it is true.  When I was a kid I used to always take the onions off of a McDonald's cheeseburger.  In my mind, it was better without the onions.  

Even today, when Carol makes an incredible fresh salad, she loves to put lots of fresh onion slices on top. Lots. I have nothing against onions today, but I do have a problem with lots at one time.  Actually I prefer to reduce the amount so that I can avoid the strong taste of onions.

Sometimes that's the way we treat God.  We either take Him totally out of the picture or reduce Him so much that He can't make a difference.

Let me list two ways we do this.

1. We fail to search the Scriptures and see what God has to say.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

2. We seek the wisdom of others and neglect going to the Lord in prayer when our life spins out of control.  King Asa did this very thing.  2 Chronicles 16:12 (NASV), "In the thirty-nineth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet.  His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians."  Amazing.  There is nothing wrong with going to the doctor, but why ignore God during a time of incredible pain, any kind of personal, physical, or emotional pain?

In both instances, reducing or ignoring God clearly does not lead to a better outcome. As for lots of fresh onions on a salad, Carol thinks the onions make it.  On the spiritual side, the Bible is clear, things go better when God is not reduced or completely left out.     

Go through life with God.  You'll be glad you did.  

Criticism Helps...After It Hurts

Let's face it.  Very few of us are asking for "negative" feedback or what is better known as criticism.

After all, it hurts.  But it helps.  It is also difficult to get at times.  And way too much criticism is worthless.

Everyone has an opinion about everything, but most opinions are based on preferences, politics, or people.

As an example, when it comes to people, Charles Barkley recently leveled some public criticism against Michael Jordan, the king of basketball.

Sure, Barkley always has an opinion, but he was spot on with his recent rant.

Barkley simply stated that those closest to Michael would not speak up and be honest. After all, Michael is paying all their bills and picking up the tab regularly.

In other words, because Jordan is held in such high esteem no one around him wants to offer any criticism, or helpful feedback.  That's sad.

Over the last few weeks those closet to me, Carol, Savannah, and Adam, have all offered some criticism about my public speaking.  

And I'm so thankful, because it was so helpful.  Did it hurt?  Sure.  But I knew they were right and wanted me to get better.  Don't we all want to get better?  I hope so.

Peyton Manning: How to Leave an Organization with Grace

Wow!  The day many thought would never come, came to pass today.  Peyton Manning, one of the greatest quarterbacks ever in the NFL, is leaving the Colts.

Manning changed the football culture in the state of Indiana and particularly in Indianapolis.  His influence goes way beyond the football team itself.

Here are some thoughts from the press conference.  They are exemplary for anyone who is leaving an organization.

1. Loyalty-Peyton said he will always be a Colt.

2. Gratitude-he said Thank you several times.

3. Smiled-no sign of any anger.  Sad, but many times anger accompanies a departure.

4. Friendship-this event will not change the friendships that Peyton has developed.  Why is it, that firings, separations, and departures  are almost always taken personally?  Just a thought.

5. Respect-it goes both ways.  Both Peyton and the owner deeply respect each other.

6. Memories-neither are going to forget all the good times.

7. Appreciation-beyond a thank you, Peyton was incredibly grateful for the opportunity given to him by the Colts.

8. Humility-"you don't always get what you want." Peyton

9. Unselfishness-The fact is Manning was great.  He could have been selfish and many would have backed him up.  What a class act.

10. Passion-his passion is so great that he can't imagine retiring.  He wants to still be a quarterback.

11. Grace-without a doubt Peyton Manning is leaving the Colts with grace.  There is not even a hint of malice, anger, backbiting, or regret.

12. Legend-Peyton's actions, attitude, words, and time in a Colt uniform will leave forever positive memories for all Colt fans. 

As you can see, there is a right way to leave an organization.  With GRACE.

 

Encouragement: Antidote to a Quitter Culture

One of the inevitabilities of life and the ministry is that people will abandon you.  Not everyone will go the distance with you.

The fact is, we live in a quitter culture.  People walk away from their jobs, their spouses, their new year's resolutions, and their churches.

Near the end of the apostle Paul's ministry some of his coworkers abandoned him.  That absolutely amazes me.  Just the thought of being able to serve alongside Paul fires me up.  But people left him.  My guess is, based on typical human reasoning, they had "good reasons" for leaving Paul high and dry.  After all, they had "justifiable concerns" of Paul. 

Over the years I have followed some pastors with incredible ministries.  Men like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley, and Perry Noble.  Their stories are similar.  They have all had good friends and coworkers abandon them, and of course, all left for "good reasons."  In every case it was the pastor's fault.

So I'm sure it was the same for the apostle Paul.  

Perhaps those who abandoned Paul were concerned that his prison sentence showed that God was not in his minstry.

Whatever their reasoning they left.  But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul in 2 Timothy 1:16 is asking God to greatly reward Onesiphorus who stood with him and encouraged him while he was lanquishing in prison.  "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains..."

My guess is you will cross paths with someone this week who has been abandoned by someone.  They are feeling incredible loneliness.

Stay alert and take the time to step in and encourage.  You will be glad you did.  And God may just happen to shine on you, and even your family. 

 

Promoting From Within

One of the most common pitfalls in a church or any organization is elevating someone too soon.  As soon as a gap opens, we in leadership tend to grab the closest body.

However, Paul advised Timothy to "test people first"; that is, to give promising people a less-prominent task to start with.  Allow people to produce and demonstrate a great attitude and solid work ethic.

Naturally, some will balk at "washing feet"; that is, those who will not do well in leadership prefer to take the elevator straight to the top.  Taking the stairs is lonely.  Go to any multistory building, take the stairs, and you will likely not see anyone.  The crowds tend to take the elevator.

Oswald Sanders in his book "Spiritual Leadership" says, "The story of the church and its mission is filled with examples of failed leaders who were elevated too soon."

While many despise starting at a lower rung on the ladder, often that is the very thing that propels someone to the top.

Two final thoughts:

1. To the leader, help avoid the derailment of a young leader by not promoting too soon.

2. To the employee, relish the first step on the ladder.  Be thankful for the opportunity that has been given.