Articles

BY PHILIP A. CLEMENS

“The type of lifestyle you choose to live says much more about who you are than what you are…I believe each individual chooses a lifestyle of whether they will live content or not, and in reality, income has very little to do with it.” This article includes the personal story of Philip A. Clemens, former Chairman and CEO of the Clemens Family Corporation, as he shares how he specifically chose contentment in his lifestyle and gives five steps to help you choose a lifestyle of contentment as well.

BY JAY DESKO, PH.D.

Even though a flashlight and a laser both use light, they differ in concentration and intensity. Highly focused light beams are powerful, but a flashlight doesn’t have the same strength. Leaders who want to make the greatest impact will strive towards being a laser rather than a flashlight. This article will help you consider how to be a laser leader by focusing yourself and finishing what is most important.

BY WAYNE K. LYNCH, M.A.

How do we help people in our ministry experience the blessings of giving? What does Scripture have to say? How do we educate people about their responsibility to give? What role do leaders play? How does God normally work in this process of fundraising since the resources are all His anyway? We will try to answer these questions and identify the major problems and solutions in raising money and improving giving in ministry.  This booklet can help ministries of any size. 

BY DAVE MARKS, D.MIN.

Unresolved conflict in the workplace is expensive on many fronts. The decrease of productivity, having low morale, the forming of unhealthy alliances, the resulting turnover rate, and the ever-increasing danger of violence have spawned numerous workplace policies, procedures, and training seminars. The concept of a disgruntled employee, volunteer, or customer “going postal” is on the mind of leaders everywhere. Conflict can be a critically important component in the formation of high-functioning teams. The key is knowing how to allow the right amount and the right kind of conflict into the system without letting it escalate into a damaging dispute.

BY THE CENTER STAFF

Many leaders love the idea of adding a new team member but dread the thought of what it takes to find, interview, and ultimately hire that person. After all, it does take a lot of work to lead the process and then there is the risk of making a bad hire which can easily cost $100,000-$250,000. This article will provide you with some practical and proven steps of how to do Home Run Hiring.

BY JAY DESKO, PH.D.

In our many years of consulting experience, we have come to realize that healthy leaders are not super-human, but they are different. And leaders who manifest bad behaviors are not all bad, but they can cause harm to themselves, others, and the health of their organization. Leaders are human with inherent talents and gifts as well as limitations and weaknesses. We have identified and explained the top fourteen bad behaviors that harm a leader’s effectiveness and influence. As you continue reading, look for one or two with which you may personally identify.

BY JAY DESKO, PH.D.

Regardless of whether you have one person at the top or you have a team of people who share leadership, today’s complexity necessitates plurality. If you want to succeed, you will need a team of skilled people who are working together. One talented leader is no longer sufficient.

BY PHILIP A. CLEMENS

Each of us has an opportunity to pass something on to the next generation. But what do we leave? Wealth or wisdom? The more wisdom you give, the more you have. But if you give wealth away, you always end up with less. Phil Clemens, former Chairman and CEO of Clemens Family Corporation, shares on the importance of passing wisdom and gives a few suggestions for how to do it.