Frontview Mirror - "I Ain't Got Nuthin' But A Cheeseburger"

"I ain't got nuthin' but a cheeseburger." That is the quote from one of the alleged victims of the armed robbery attempt by 3 University of Tennessee football players. My heavens! I am no longer amazed that a person's talent cannot take them farther than their character can sustain them. However, I am constantly amazed at how little character some talented people have. That and the following ten items are things I am thinking about at the end of a very busy but productive week.

1. Georgia Teach Head Coach Paul Johnson made a $14 million decision last weekend. Going for it on fourth down and potentially putting GT in the BCS was an unbelievable, gutsy move. When asked what would happen if it would have failed, Johnson said "Many coaches find safety in losing in a conventional manner." When you lose conventionally, you can blame it on the kicker, referees, weather, or something else. Johnson basically was showing that with the game on the line, he wanted the ball and outcome of the game in his hands. I hope all leaders find a home in non-conventional leadership.
2. This weekend we get the latest installment of Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady. I see the Patriots winning 35-31 in a shootout between these two all-time greats. Pats' defense is just the better of the two units.
3. Stanford will beat USC this weekend 21-17. Folks, this is not an upset.
4. Auburn Tigers will beat the Georgia Bulldogs 38-35 in a crushing defeat in Athens. The Dogs' defense makes opposing QBs look like Heisman candidates. Stephen Garcia looked like Danny Wuerfful. Ryan Mallet has his coming out party. Jonathan Crompton looked like Peyton Manning. Tim Tebow looked like, well, Tim Tebow. And Chris Todd will look like Jason Campbell before he went to the Redskins.
5. There is no scientific evidence that Global Warming even exists. However, if it does and we experienced in Georgia this week, I am huge fan of Global Warming! If we get sunny days in the 60s in November, then sign me up for a gas guzzling SUV and a big carbon footprint!
6. I traveled to Baltimore for a few days this week. Two thoughts - first, I think downtown Baltimore by the harbor is the prettiest big city I have ever been to. Second, have you ever noticed no one ever smiles in an airport. People just spend their lives going places they don't want to go or worse, they have nothing positive to come home to.
7. I wrote about this in my twitter account earlier this week, but if you're a church that needs help with messaging and communications, there is no one better than Details Communications. They are great friends and do a great job helping churches better communicate the Gospel's life changing message.
8. You can't have creativity without creation. I am concerned that there is a lack of effective creativity in many churches. What we often default to is repackaging the same message in different language. While this "language land rush" can many times turn a phrase in such a way that it engages the unconnected, other times it's a feeble and lazy attempt of putting a new paint job on an old car.
9. I love my church, Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA! I had lunch this week with my Associate Pastor Shane Freeman. Great guy. Crawford Loritts, Shane, Matt Farlow, and Tim Beard are just awesome and four of the finest men you will ever meet. Because of their leadership, I am a better husband, father, and man than I would have been without their input into my life. Thanks guys and I'm always praying for you!
10. Every year I set a personal goal for myself. In 2010, I hope to launch a new concept and product line in the ministry area of small groups. I have the mock-ups and am really excited about how it could connect people by creating avenues where people can share their lives with others. Let's see what God does with it.

It was an extremely busy but great and productive week. I am getting ready to enjoy a great weekend with my family and enjoy Global Warming in the South.

Allen Iverson: The Most Overrated Superstar In NBA History

This is a tough blog to write but the implications for church and business leaders is significant. Allen Iverson is a Hall of Famer with an incredible resume. 1st pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Rookie of the Year. 10-time NBA All-Star. 2-time All-Star game MVP. 4 time scoring champ. 2000-01 League MVP. 2004 bronze medalist in the Olympics. Over 24,000 career points which is 17th all-time. And I could go on but I will not...because unfortunately the most electrifying player in the NBA for a 5-year period is also the most overrated superstar in NBA history. The following are the reasons why:

• The success of the 76er teams in the early part of this decade were a result of Larry Brown's coaching. The Larry Brown coached Sixers averaged 45 wins per year. The AI teams not coached by Brown averaged 34 wins per year. Application: If you are deciding which church to serve in or work for, always pick the one with the "best" Pastor. If you are deciding between career options, pick the company with the best leaders. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Don't make decisions based upon financial or geographical considerations. The results will be short-lived and quality leadership will win out over an extended timeframe.
• Each team AI left dramatically improved. The Sixers made the play-offs both years after Iverson left. Andre Igoudala has emerged as a potential superstar since his departure. The Denver Nuggets made the Western Conference Finals after trading AI for Chauncy Billups. Conversely, the Detroit Pistons went from 59 wins to 39 with AI running the offense. Application: There is a difference between activity and accomplishment. You may have people on your team that are flashy and talk a good game. The people you want, though, are the ones whose departments and teams deliver consistent results. Is their area of ministry bearing fruit and growing? Are lives being changed? Are ministries being fully funded? Is your mission statement being realized as it is written? If not, you may have an AI on your hands.
• Making Others Better. It is interesting to note that not one of Iverson's 76er teammates made the All-Star game the same year he did. Not one other dominant point guard had that issue. A rising tide lifts all ships. Maybe Iverson never had talent around him but he never lifted another player's skill to a level that was significant. Check out the last 10 seconds in the clip below for his thoughts on making others better. Application: Pastor and business leader, your Executive Leadership Team should always be producing additional all-stars. It is their responsibility to embody and subsequently multiply your vision and leadership by equipping others to do the work of the ministry or organization. Key question - how many attenders have taken the risk of a new leadership position in your church in the last year? Think about the answer to that question and its implications.
• Foundational Elements. Iverson for all his skill constantly neglected the basics of his position. With a 42.5% career shooting percentage, his frenetic pace while constantly entertaining often put his team is non-enviable situations. He also had an assist-to-turnover ratio of less than 2. His disdain for practice is legendary as you will see in the clip below. In regard to his character, there were numerous off the court issues. Application: If you have a team member who constantly neglects the fundamentals in his life, the issue is when, not if, that person will put your organization in trouble. In ministry, watch how they manage money, do they arrive and leave on time, how do they interact with their spouse, how they deal with lust and the opposite sex, and most important, what does their daily quiet time looks like? Nothing can erode trust and momentum like a character issue from a key player in your organization.

Final thoughts. I loved watching Allen Iverson during his prime. He had unbelievable passion and was physically the toughest player in the NBA. However, without the strong leadership of Larry Brown, he never achieved his potential nor did the people around him. A key component to maximizing capacity is that your star players equip others for success and makes sure everyone crosses the finish line together. Pastor or business leader, the lesson we learn from the career of AI is that leadership with substance is much more sustainable than a charismatic performer or personality without a strong foundation and commitment to the success of others.

Frontview Mirror - Things I Am Thinking

As I wind down a very productive week, the following are several things I am thinking and focused on as we approach the weekend.

• Congratulations to the New York Yankees, the gold standard of American team sports. I found it interesting that everyone kept focusing on their pitchers starting with limited rest. What everyone neglected was that during the final month of the regular season, Sabathia, Pettitte, and Burnett had extra rest for 15 of their 22 combined starts. This was a strategic move to setup the post-season. Quality leadership makes decisions today that affect tomorrow's success.
• I was shocked by New Mexico's Elizabeth Lambert and her actions during a recent soccer game. As a father of young girl and trying to picture her as the victim here, I think not only should Lambert be permanently suspended and her scholarship revoked, I honestly think she should serve jail time for assault. Some physical actions should not be protected just because they take place between the white lines. I'm sure she's a talented player. However, I am reminded that your talent can never outrun your character. Check the link below and see if you agree.
• On the other end of the spectrum, Mike Linch, Lead Pastor of the great NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA, may be the most genuinely nice guy I have ever met. Check out his twitter and blog links on this site. If you live in North Atlanta, go check them out this Sunday.
• I love Mark Richt as the Georgia Bulldog coach. I could not think of a better leader for young men preparing them for life. Sports is measurable which makes it such a good study of leadership. However, with Mark, you also should measure wins and losses off the field. In that arena, he may be the best coach in America.
• Is there anything better than serving the under-resourced in your community?
• Jon Gruden is fantastic on MNF.
• Alabama will be too big and physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for LSU. Mark Ingram takes the Heisman lead with a big day. Alabama rolls to a 24-14 win.
• For sheer entertainment value, I am loving the pillow fights between the SEC coaches!
• The Houston Texans will not win, but they will give the Indianapolis Colts all they can handle. Bob Sanders is out for the season which hurts the Colts deeply. Andre Johnson with a huge day but the Colts hold on 35-31.
• The game I am looking forward to most this weekend is the entertaining Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Once again, DeSean Jackson puts on a show for a national audience. Eagles 35-21.
• Percy Harvin is the most explosive offensive weapon in the game because of speed and versatility. You can line him up anywhere on the field. Unbelievable how he lasted to the mid-first round. With limited financial resources, every successful ministry or business has versatile, multi-skilled team members.
• Finally, the NCAA continued their disappointing decision-making with a full-season suspension of Dez Bryant. Early prediction, like Harvin because of his size and return capability, if selected by anyone other than the Raiders or Redskins, he will be next season's Rookie of the Year.