What is happening in American politics related to the debt ceiling is frustrating and embarrassing. I’m not the only one that feels that way. Notice the comments compiled in the  July 27th edition of USA Today. When leadership fails, here is how your people are feeling and what they are focused on: Results – “Just get […]
Tag Archives | Opinion
Is It OK To Thank God For Your “Smokin’ Hot Wife”
Brian Dodd on July 27, 2011 in Church Leadership, Family
Is it OK to thank God for your smokin’ hot wife? Is He offended by that? Should we be more cultured or reverent during our time before the throne? Or does God value genuineness and authenticity? Is God pleased that we still find our wives attractive? Here’s my answer – I thank God every day for […]
What The American Church Needs To Know About The Growing Hispanic Community
Brian Dodd on July 26, 2011 in Church Leadership, Relationships
  The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Hispanics made up 15.5% of the population in 2010 totaling 47.8 million people. These numbers are expected to grow to 17.8 % and 59.7 million people by 2020. How should this effect churches and how we do ministry in this country over the next decade? Fellowship Bible Church […]
What Leadership Is Truly All About
Brian Dodd on July 24, 2011 in Church Leadership, Performance, Sports Leadership
Leadership is about mobilization. It’s about advancement, problem-solving, resourcing, team building, accomplishment, and the achievement of goals. You can also say it’s about character, communication, creativity, perseverance, and planning. But for new leaders just starting out, can we center the target and identify simply one thing that leadership is about? As leaders we can often focus on […]
What To Do Next When You No Longer Feel Challenged: Leadership Lessons From Michael Phelps
Brian Dodd on July 23, 2011 in Performance, Sports Leadership
Do you no longer feel challenged by your current job or assignment? Are you bored? What do you do next when it appears you have accomplished all your goals? There has to be more to this life than this, isn’t there? In yesterday’s USA Today, legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is profiled in a front-page article […]
3 Reasons Why All Pastors Should Blog And Use Social Media
Brian Dodd on July 22, 2011 in Church Leadership
Should pastors and church leaders regularly use Twitter, blogs, and Facebook? Without a doubt!!! Though not a pastor, let’s look at the presidential campaign of President Obama for some key leadership lessons. Ranjit Mathoda said in a linked NY Times article: “Thomas Jefferson used newspapers to win the presidency, F.D.R. used radio to change the way he governed, J.F.K. was the […]
Top 10 Most Popular Posts Of June 2011
Brian Dodd on June 30, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership, Family, Generosity, Great Teams, Most Read, Movies, NBA, Relationships, Sports Leadership
This is my favorite post I send out each month. The Top 10 list is simply a great time to reflect on all that happened the previous month and the wonderful times I had interacting with the readers. But this month is even more special than usual. June 2011 was the most successful month in the history of […]
What Pastors and Church Leaders Can Learn About Leadership From Transformers 3
Brian Dodd on June 30, 2011 in Church Leadership, Movies
Transformers: Dark of the Moon is opening this Friday to lukewarm reviews. Critics are claiming that while the special effects are phenomenal, the storyline and character development is weak.  Director Michael Bay is unphased by their thoughts. Bay told the USA Today, “There are 300 critics in the world. There’s tens and tens and tens of millions […]
Why These People Are The Best At What They Do
Brian Dodd on June 29, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership, Family, Generosity, Great Teams, Increasing Capacity, NBA, Performance, Sports Leadership
I love Apex Leaders, those who are the best at what they do. The following are 2011 championship performers in various areas of the sports world. Their insights are applicable to anyone wanting to lead a great organization: June 27th Sports Illustrated People Skills – Nick Faldo says of U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, “(He […]
The One Skill Critical To Great Leadership That Is Rarely Discussed
Brian Dodd on June 28, 2011 in Church Leadership
Recently I heard two statements that have caused me to address the one quality all great leaders have but we rarely discuss – Listening Skills. “The biggest thing in planting a church is to listen…listen more than you talk.†– Chris Tomlin “Talking is what I do but listening is my job.â€Â – Ryan Seacrest Listening is more than an absence of […]
Are Pastors Overpaid?
Brian Dodd on June 18, 2011 in Church Leadership, Generosity
Are pastors overpaid? The question is self-explanatory isn’t it. So let’s jump right into it. Though I have been on two church staffs, I am not a pastor. When I attend church, I serve merely as a volunteer and Board member. Therefore, I have no personal agenda. I simply have observations that I feel very […]
13 Benefits Of Fathers Who Choose Stay With Their Families
Brian Dodd on June 18, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership, Family, Relationships
My favorite day of the year is Father’s Day! At the Dodd house, we make it a true celebration of all things testosterone! I can’t wait for this weekend! While we may be having a great time this Sunday, I realize there is much dysfunction in our world. For many households, Father’s Day brings heartache stemming from abandonment […]