I literally just left a discussion about what "Edgy" means. So these thoughts are fresh and unfiltered. Should be fun. AND, to be honest, I'm really interested in hearing what others have to say about it.
What is Edgy? Like love, poetry, and sleet, we tend to recognize it when we see it but have a hard time describing it well. Which makes me wonder - doesn't that mean Edge is all about WHO is doing the perceiving rather than WHAT is being perceived? Initially, this sounds like terrible news to rock stars, skinny jean wearing worship leaders, and 45% high school students across America (not counting the 45% who are copying the real Edgies) who have carefully tried to market themselves as more Edgy than the rest. But as I think about it now, this is actually better for everyone.
If those paying attention to you (those whom you have influence with) are the ones determining where you fall on the Edge scale, all you need to do to maintain that perception is to figure out how to stay 2-3 steps ahead of what is otherwise considered normal. What I'm saying is, if you're a 35 year old leader who is responsible for a primarily 40 year old audience, you probably don't need a tattoo on your neck. But if that same 35 year old is a teacher or a youth pastor, you probably need to pierce an eyelid or drive a motorcycle to achieve ful edginess (because motorcycles never stop being cool and Edgy).
Most people want Edge. The good news (I think) is that you no longer have to figure out what that means. Before you cut your hair like that or decorate your home office with modern art, learn from your audience where the line is between Edge and Punk. It won't take nearly as long as you think to figure it out. Ask them what the last song they downloaded was (if they respond by telling you what CD they just bought, you might respond by telling them how glad you were that Ross and Rachel wound up together). Ask where they bought the shirt they are wearing. These simple types of questions will let you know how much Edge they are ready for. Never forget, most people will follow what they perceive to be an Edgy leader because they can see that you aren't content to just accept what the majority hassettled into. But if you go too far they won't see you as Edgy. They'll see you as unstable.
How do you define Edge? And how does it work for or against you?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Think like me
Good leaders have vision and an idea of how that vision should play out. Despite that wonderful combination, people don't always choose to follow. There are TONS of reasons for this but one specifically has been impressed on me in numerous conversations lately. Because good leaders are thinkers who take action, they tend to not only think their way of getting from Point A to Point B is the best way, it's the only way. And often they are exactly right. So why is this a problem?
The problem is that we are not the only ones trying to move to Point B. There are teams, staff, volunteers, family members, etc who we are asking to go with us, and chances are most of them don't think the same way you do, thus they won't act in quite the same way as you. If we expect those around us to go with us, we have to try to understand their perspective and the way that they tend to think. Chances are, they won't have any trouble trusting you when you say Point B is a better place to be than Point A. But the reason they think that and their responses to it will vary greatly. In order to save yourself from headaches, turnover, and/or lonlieness at Point B, you have to put in the effort to get where people are coming from.
This isn't the fastest way. It takes time learn people and to figure out how to lead them well. But cut chances are, they didn't put you in the position you're in so that you would drag them anywhere. They want to want to follow you. The question is, are you willing to do what it takes to let them choose?
What have you done to learn how those around you think?
The problem is that we are not the only ones trying to move to Point B. There are teams, staff, volunteers, family members, etc who we are asking to go with us, and chances are most of them don't think the same way you do, thus they won't act in quite the same way as you. If we expect those around us to go with us, we have to try to understand their perspective and the way that they tend to think. Chances are, they won't have any trouble trusting you when you say Point B is a better place to be than Point A. But the reason they think that and their responses to it will vary greatly. In order to save yourself from headaches, turnover, and/or lonlieness at Point B, you have to put in the effort to get where people are coming from.
This isn't the fastest way. It takes time learn people and to figure out how to lead them well. But cut chances are, they didn't put you in the position you're in so that you would drag them anywhere. They want to want to follow you. The question is, are you willing to do what it takes to let them choose?
What have you done to learn how those around you think?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
We're back...on with the DudeFest Open!
The blog is back, with an ode to an aaual tradition. Please join the conversation. Share your thoughts after the video.
What do you need to name so that it doesn't get crowded out and brings more focus?
What do you need to name so that it doesn't get crowded out and brings more focus?
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