Influences and Habits

My friend Dan Orama who planted a church almost one year ago in Lonnnggg Island sent me an e-mail yesterday that posed two questions to me. I figured they were blog-worthy as I'd love to hear some other responses on them:

1. What 3-5 books have made the greatest impact on your leadership?

• "Spiritual Leadership" by Oswald Sanders.  I read this classic as I took over the reigns of Calvary House (a residential discipleship ministry for men with substance abuse problems) while on staff at Calvary Fort Lauderdale. I knew I needed help, and this book made a huge impact on me
• "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels. I started this book as I began as the Pastor of Administration at Calvary Fellowship (Miami Lakes). Bill is a voice you HAVE to listen to if you care about leadership in general, but especially in matters that pertain to the church
• "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell. Another classic. However, I do take one BIG exception with this book. Maxwell attributes Carter's downfall to the "Law of Timing" and I say it's clearly due to the 22nd Law of Leadership (not in the book) called the "Law of Incompetence!"
• The Bible. OK, I cheated since I just listed 66 books. But seriously, I can't even lead my own life without this book, nevermind anything else. The Bible constantly challenges me, and reshapes my thinking on EVERYTHING!

#2 What daily learning or self-improvement habits do you have?

The only 2 I can claim daily are prayer and reading the Bible. Here are a few I do weekly.

• Read a book (I'm not Bob Franquiz, I don't finish a book each week, but I am always in the process of reading one)
• Read blogs - Experience is the best teacher, but it shouldn't always be your own!
• Listen to Podcasts
• Read "trade" journals such as REV or Leadership Journal
• Go to church with my wife (since we are kind of too busy DOING church on Sunday mornings). We listen to a DVD of Andy Stanley or another favorite communicator and personal change
• Listen to other teachers -This is more from the technical standpoint to improve my own communication skills

Anyone else want to take a stab at it?

Comments

[Nicholas]

Hey Bill

Love the blog. In the learning department, what with a long commute along that Motorcross circuit they call I-84, listening to the CDs that you 'equip' me with is a great way to learn. Then, having spent the journey there listening, I can spend the journey back thinking - and of course avoiding that crazy person in the left hand lane who suddenly decides to exit. Don't you use indicators in this country?? Still, I should take heed of last week's Calvary Hartford message - love everyone else, even if they make you swerve to avoid em!

[Doug Rasku]

Hey Bill,
Glad to see I have one more blog to look at! Seriously, I'll look forward to the insight. We just got settled in here in Atlanta as we continue to pray about God's direction for us. Talk to you soon.
Doug

[Bill LaMorey]

Doug,
Prayers are with you as you discover what's next.
Nicholas,
Here in the colonies we believe turn signals are optional (which really drives me crazy!!!)