Today, disco legend Donna Summer has passed away at age 63. Donna’s real name was LaDonna Gaines. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends – specifically her husband, children, and grandchildren.  She was my favorite female singer growing up and she will be missed. Even more than her music, what I appreciated most about Donna was her […]
Latest Posts
10 Characteristics Of Effective Innovation
Brian Dodd on May 16, 2012 in Performance
As a person who works with church leaders, I am often engaged in conversations about the subject of innovation. When most people discuss innovation, here is what they are usually referring to: Something New Something Visual Something Digital Something Cool – there is a subjective term Something That Young People Require Something Young People Need […]
13 Rights Successful Leaders Must Give Up
Brian Dodd on May 16, 2012 in Performance
“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.” – Elmore Leonard on why his crime novels are so successful. Much like the acclaimed Leonard’s approach to writing, successful leadership often results from things leaders choose not to do. Things they choose to skip. Things they choose to simply give up and leave out of their […]
13 Practices Of Highly Successful Innovators
Brian Dodd on May 14, 2012 in Sports Leadership
I am currently reading The Games That Changed The Game by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski. In his book, Jaworski analyzes seven NFL games that helped influence what the league currently looks like. One of individuals Jaworski profiles is former San Diego Charger head coach Don Coryell. Coryell is my favorite NFL coach of all-time. Known as “Air Coryell”, he is […]
10 Things I Want To Say To A Departing Friend And Leader
Brian Dodd on May 13, 2012 in Character, Church Leadership, Family
On February 6th of this year, we had the funeral service for my dad. I was really blessed to have many friends who are church leaders in attendance. One of the two people representing the staff of Fellowship Bible Church was Associate Pastor Matt Farlow. Matt has been a dear friend for several years and has […]
8 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Johnny Deep And Tim Burton Of Dark Shadows
Brian Dodd on May 12, 2012 in Movies
With Dark Shadows opening this weekend to average crowds but very good reviews, Johnny Depp and Director Tim Burton have formed arguably the most successful partnership in Hollywood history. In a May 11th USA Today profile, Hollywood historian Leonard Martin says that their eight films over 22 years together are the most for a director-actor relationship ever. […]
The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of May 7th
Brian Dodd on May 11, 2012 in Character, Church Leadership, Family, Relationships, Sports Leadership
The last week has been extraordinarily significant in terms of the impact of leadership decisions. From the heartbreaking death of Junior Seau to President Obama’s support of gay marriage, we are in a time in which leaders are dealing with high-stakes issues that have generational and eternal impact. As you are developing your decision grid and worldview as […]
6 Qualities Of Leaders Who Have Peak Performance
Brian Dodd on May 10, 2012 in Sports Leadership
On Tuesday evening, Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in the Texas Rangers 10-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. It was the best night of Hamilton’s career and one of the best performances in baseball history. As part of the four home runs, he had 8 RBIs and a record 18 total bases. So how did he […]
10 Practices Of Effective Stewardship Pastors
Brian Dodd on May 9, 2012 in Church Leadership, Generosity
“I used to love money and use people. Now I love people and use money.” – Kevin Cross There was once a time as described in Acts 2:45 when people in local churches literally sold their goods and possessions to anyone with needs. That level of generosity seems so extravagant that it has to now be impractical and […]
What Causes And People I Financially Support And Why
Brian Dodd on May 8, 2012 in Generosity
I have always been told that “April showers bring May flowers.” As I have gotten older, I have discovered that it still rains in the month of May. It is a literal downpour of people requesting financial support. The month of May is when we get graduation announcements and numerous requests to help people pay for summer camps, mission trips, and […]
Are Pastors Peaking Too Early: Shawn Lovejoy Discusses The Measure Of Our Success
Brian Dodd on May 7, 2012 in Character, Church Leadership
“Many pastors are peaking too early.” Brandon Cox of www.Pastors.com recently interviewed Shawn Lovejoy, Senior Pastor of Mountain Lake Church and founder of www.ChurchPlanters.com.  His new book, The Measure of Our Success, is one of the most important reads for pastors in recent times. Shawn candidly and transparently shares from his own mistakes and issues a challenge to […]
How God Comforted A Worried Leader And Can Comfort You As Well
Brian Dodd on May 6, 2012 in Character
Several years ago I reported to an individual who led by fear. I was constantly demeaned, marginalized, and told I lacked quality thinking skills. Though I did a great job and made him a very wealthy individual, one of his favorite phrases was, “Brian, there is no doubt you are part of our past. The […]