Robin Worley's blog

WWII Family Culture

I'm continually amazed and disappointed to hear so much "build in" excuses for human shortcomings. In speaking with my dad the last years of his life--he didn't buy into any of it. When teenage thugs were called "troubled youth" he would say they weren't troubled at all, but that they knew exactly what they were doing, and in fact, enjoyed creating trouble and danger for others. Instead of buying into the idea that mass murderers were assumed to be "insane", he put forth the plain fact that evil exists in the world. No doubt much of his perpective was formed during his time in war fighting for American's freedom and witnessing the face of evil first hand. He also would say that evil was indiscreminate. It came in many forms regardless of your background.

He believed  the family culture and long time traditions gave a much more positive influence than new government solutions--if fact, he didn't like the government being too much in his business at all. He didn't like us being in NATO and supporting other countries that didn't support, or even like us. (No names...let's just say he never liked the word "French" fries.)

He held to the old fashion idea of sexual absentance, and never believed sex education would work. And he sure didn't go along with National disarmament. Probably because he saw both Britian and America neglect their military forces between the two World Wars, while Germany and Japan were arming to the teeth. Many British and American soldiers paid with their lives for their counties' initially inadequate military equipment in World War II.

Smart man.

 

 

Sometimes you don't get a second chance

Last week we read where the last two of the four young men who murdered Bobby Tillman were sentenced to spend the rest of their days in prison. This "gang" of boys beat and kicked Tillman to death at a party. They were only 18 years old when they committed  this murder.

These young boys have now lost any hope of living the American dream. Any chance to finish their education, to seek meaningful employment, to have a loving family and children to care for them when they become old is gone. They now will live many years behind bars facing a much different future than they might have dreamed of as children. There is no second chance for them.

The question we should be asking is...why did this occur? What terrible influences were these boys exposed to growing up that shaped their character in such a horrible way? More importantly, what positive influences, if any were available to them? Who was even trying to reach out to them? Public education should be more than simply teaching English and Math.

The truth is, many of our children grow up without the opportunity to be a part of a character building program. Perhaps they didn't join the Boy Scouts or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Most likely they weren't in the band or on the debate team. They might have gone to school but were they part of the "left out" crowd? In situations like this, what happens all too often is young people join any group that will accept them and make them feel included. And when they do, the gang's rules become their rules because the gang is now their family. While their concept of right and wrong may seem distorted to the outside world, it normal for them because that's the family's code of conduct.

We have to ask ourselves, are we doing enough to find these children early in life and  giving our best to influence them on good character and leadership. Unfortunately, by the time they reach high school, it often is too late.

Well, are we?

Stupidity is Costly

OK, with all heads bowed and eyes closed...raise your hand if you've ever done anything really, really stupid. Now ask yourself, what was the penalty? And finally, what could you have done differently to avoid it?

Truth is, we've all done a ton of stupid things, although granted some people seem to do it more than others. I'll confess two of mine done in 2012:

*I scheduled a fishing vacation out of the country. Naturally, I was excited about the upcoming trip and talked about it for months, however I waited until one week before leaving to begin preparation. No problem right? Except when you enter another country you need your divers license and one other thing--something called a passport. No problem, I have a passport. Except there is a small technicality requiring your passport to not be expired. Passports usually require two weeks for processing, not three days. Of course, it can be done on short notice, provided you pay $500.

* Last week I bought some new steak knifes for the home. I also bought a box of Wheat Thins from the grocery store. To open the box of crackers, instead of doing it manually, I thought it would be "neater" to open the box with my steak knife. That's right...7 stitches, one  3 hour emergency visit, two pain pills later I got to enjoy my crackers.

So what's the point of this blog? It's not so funny and it costs you money, when you're a dummy.

Here's to a smarter 2013!

The Hope of Christmas

During this holiday season, many of us take the time to care about and serve others a little bit more. As believers, we're encouraged to expand beyond our faith to help others, thereby showing the "fruits of our beliefs".

In the light and shadow of the cross, planted in today's world of national and global turmoil, our concept of "ministry" has to expand. If ministry remains solely within the church walls, at some point, do we not end up simply talking to ourselves? Indeed, what is ministry? The Biblical truth is that anything done in the name of God's Love becomes ministry. Anything!

Our harsh reality is that times have changed rapidly and drastically in America. We now live in a world of post moderism. An age of utter skepticism; an age of hostility to absolute claims from any source. Truth is becoming wrongly defined as a matter of one's preference or perspective, and some question if truth exists at all.

To a large degree, it's us baby boomers fault. Remember what is was like growing up 50 yers ago? We watched TV programs like Lassie, Disney's Wide World of Color and Andy Griffith. Programs that held redeeming moral values. Now if your child wants to learn foul language, they simply can turn on cartoons at night on prime time TV.

We've taken God out of our schools and courtrooms. Praying has become a hidden practice. You can't spank a child--that's physical abuse. You can't hug--that's sexual harassment. And of course, we've left the next generation with a national debt that will take years if not decades to clean up.

The fact is the public, especially the media and  many "intellectual leaders" no longer see  Christianity as a dominate social force. Instead 6 out of 10 Americans now believe the church is irrelevant. 170 million unbelievers live in our country. If we're looking for a mission field, it's right here.

And so, as Christians what should we all be doing?

Building Bridges

The very life of Christian ministries is intertwined with recognition of the times. Otherwise, we cease being an influence on society. We believe by hearing the Word, but much of this younger generation wants more; they're looking for Proof!  The "eye" becomes equally important. Where are the actions that show the Love of God we speak about? Just screaming louder from the pulpit isn't enough, because the world doesn't want to hear the truth.

This Christmas season let's realize that...they're NOT going to come to us--we've got to go to them! We should stop long enough to remind ourselves of our Lord's dual instructions of keeping the Ten Commandments as well as fulfilling the Great Commission. Indeed, we are our brother's keeper.

Merry Christmas and Love to All!

 

 

Feathers & The Necessity of Vision

"I BELIEVE that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."

President John F. Kennedy, May 25th, 1961

With those words, President Kennedy cast the vision for perhaps the most spectacular feat ever undertaken by the United States of America. His ambitious vision captivated the imagination of Americans, and it motivated the nation's brightest scientists and astronauts to  pursue a seemingly impossible mission.

No one, even a generation earlier, could have fathomed a man walking around on the moon. Consider that only fifty years before Kennedy's speech, most Americans were traveling by horse and buggy! In those days, sending a man to the moon would have seemed just as ridiculous as traveling backward in time.

Everything starts with a vision. And just like a map, everyone needs a vision in order to know where they intend to go. Too many people go through life as if they are Forest Gump feathers...just floating around wherever the wind carries them, waiting for their shrimp boat to arrive. For the most part, destiny is achieved by clarity of purpose and determined actions to take you where you want to go. The question becomes--where is it you want to go?

I've spoken with several students who have not discovered their vision. It is understandable that it takes time to formulate your ambitions. However, it becomes concerning when you hear students have no vision---and they are about to graduate from college! Rather than "Be all you can be", choose to "Be all you WANT to be!"

As an authentic leader, by developing a picture of what could be and inspiring others to accept their vision, you help them set their agenda for the future. Through vision, a leader initiates progress and motivates others to achieve what they never imagined possible.

Places Feathers could never go

Self Awareness leads to Higher Production

There is no substitution for natural God given talent. Even so, talent without substance will only take you so far. Take for example the trait of Self-Awareness in the arena of sports--in this illustration, defensive football. Experience and study often puts a player in better position to make a play, before the play begins. As a result, the player gets to the ball carrier sooner, in essence taking the place of a faster, more athletic player.

The same holds true in the business world. Self-Awareness is just one of many character traits that determines who you are as a leader and performer, but it is an important one. Some people might call this just being smart, but that's not entirely true. Most people can improve their Self-Awareness through study and applied application (Training, Practice, and Experience). The result becomes increased efficiency and higher production. As a bonus, your coaches or bosses begin to view you as "smart".

Calling for Authentic Leadership

Everyone likes to call themselves a "leader" these days. It seems that the requirement of this title is nothing more than calling yourself one. We have team leaders, project leaders, political leaders, cheerleaders, etc. We lead our families, and we lead our lives. Or do we?

The truth is we have diluted the meaning of leadership to such a profound degree that it's become just another en vogue buzz label. Authentic leadership is not that easy, so we often con ourselves into believing that the word is the same as the action. Authentic leadership always has substance and is rarely fashionable or even popular.

Leadership vs. Authentic Leadership

Leadership can be easily defined as influence. Authentic Leadership as defined, requires much more. Can one have influence without character? Of course! Hitler, no doubt processed tremendous influence. Authentic Leaders require "Character" which is composed of several admirable qualities we will define going forward (I.e. Integrity, Honorable Intent, Courage, Humility, etc.). Authentic Leadership is constructive influence motivated by sincere intent to achieve a common goal or objective.

Authentic Leadership begins with the concept of understanding leadership as your Identity. Authentic leaders view leadership as who they are rather than something they do.

"I am a leader who happens to be a basketball coach, not a basketball coach who happens to be a leader." Coach Mike Krzyzewski

Suggested Reading: "The Radical Leap" Steve Farber

Leaders Understand the Law of Timing

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against." Malcolm X

Surprised? Actually, Malcolm X said some very positive and truthful messages. The reason he is not revered as was Martin Luther King was his lack of understanding the Law of Timing. There are four combinations:

RA at RT (Right Action at the Right Time) = Success. The best example is MLK, who gave the right message at the right time. People responded. Another example is Jimmy Carter becoming President. The timing was perfect as America desperately wanted a "honest man" regardless of his other shortcomings.

RA at WT (Right Action at the Wrong Time) = Resistance. A good example is the United States joining the Allies in WWII. Before Pearl Harbor there would have been little national support. After December 7th, the timing was perfect for our Greatest Generation to fight back.

WA at RT (Wrong Action at the Right Time) = Mistake. Americans responded much stronger to MLK message of peace than Malcolm's message for change.

WA at WT (Wrong Action at the Wrong Time) = Disaster. Thre are numberous examples, but in essence, it's costly to be stupid.

When you have the right action combined with the right timing, the winner usually becomes whoever acts first! Example: Who invented the light bulb? Who invented it second?

Leadership seldom plays leapfrog

There is a recent television commercial highlighting the great Michael Jordan's basketball career and his former Coach Phil Jackson stating that "Leadership comes from within". It's true. We all begin with a small circle of influence and then have the opportunity for our leadership to spiral outward.

Way back in 1973, I had the privelege of playing football at Auburn University under the leadership of Head Coach "Shug" Jordan. Unfortunately, he was near the end of his reign, and the next season we had a new head coach. Things were definitely not the same, and it wasn't long before the players knew the problem.

The incoming head coach did not command the respect from his staff of assistant coaches. As a result, the "head coach" did not have much motivating effect on the players as well. Soon each of the coaches set up their own "islands of authority" and as players, we weren't sure who to look to for leadership. If you ask many of the players during this period, most would say we should have done better.

It's almost impossible to skip a link in the chain of leadership and expect the strength of the chain to hold. Great leaders understand that authentic leadership is a continual, connected process. No skipping, selecting, or playing favorites. They are aware that one group affects the next as their sphere of leadership expands. Soon, everyone wants to be on their team.

Everyone wants to "be like Mike".

 

 

 

The Next Greatest Generation

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their world, are immune to your consultations, they're quite aware of what they're going through." David Bowie

As my baby boomer generation continues to move into the retired, more obsolete generation, I've become more concerned with what valuable lessons we are teaching our children with what time we have left. Certainly, those influential questions we'll hear will turn more from wanting to know our business viewpoints and lifestyle choices to softer, less critical inquires, such as how to change a diaper, or when can we keep the grandchildren.

My point is that it's time for all of us 50 to 60 year olds to recognize our time is shorter to make a difference. Take a heat-check test for what you're doing that's beneficial for others. I know each of us has beneficial wisdom to pass along, yet many of us miss this window by focusing on ourselves and our daily challenges.

I believe this next generation has what it takes to be great, but they face tremendous challenges in a global world of turmoil. With social media, they have access to more immediate knowledge than the world has ever know, yet relationships have become less personal. Why talk when you can text? Why visit when you can face book? Whether they know it or not, they need to hear from us.

Become involved with a community organization, whether it's Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, coaching recreational leagues, or teaching Sunday School. Most of all, make sure you're giving positive influence to your immediate family. Turn off the TV and take them to the Zoo or the Aquarium. Tell them what lessons you've learned, both good and bad.

Embrace them and you'll find David Bowie was wrong, they won't be immune to your consultations and you might learn what they're going through after all.