Lead Goose

    April 2010 Issue 2

                                

 

In a recent sermon series my pastor, Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray, spoke about the 'wild goose'.

She referenced ancient Gaelic custom that symbolized the movement of the Holy Spirit in the form of the wild goose. Anyone living in the South is familiar with the migration of wild Canadian geese. As Pastor Susan pointed out, the goose is not tame or domestic. However, it does have very traditional characteristics from which we may draw life lessons. Dr. Angela Cooper completed her LifePlan in 2008. She shared these thoughts about wild geese with me and by permission with you as well.

 

"When geese fly south for the winter or north for the summer it is not a race, a chance to improve their personal best flight time or a chance for each goose to test his/her self alone against nature's forces. These flights are all about the survival of the species. Success is defined by how many not by how fast. Flying in front is determined by 2 factors. Over the course of the flight many individual geese will take one or more turns flying in front. First, the goose in front needs to know the way, have traveled the route one or more times. Secondly, the goose in front needs to be the one that is strongest and in the best condition to bear more load, at the point in time when He/She assumes the lead role. A goose alone cannot fly the distance. To reach their destination the must fly in groups. Flying together the y share lift and reduce the wind resistance of ever individual goose. Being together also provides encouragement and morale support. While the lead goose benefits some from the geese behind, the lead goose is the leading edge that starts the wind separation process that benefits all of the geese behind. This position is several times more difficult and tiring than any other position in the flight. It appears that all of the more able geese that know the way and are not busy nursing specific groups of young or unhealthy geese along will lead at some point. Observations indicate that the strongest geese not otherwise occupied follow a simple front to back rotation. When a tired leader falls off the next one in line becomes the leader and the former falls to the back of the geese in rotation for the lead position. The time a goose spends in the lead position is determined exclusively by condition and circumstances. There are no ego centric geese out to prove their superiority. They form into a V naturally because they instinctively seek to minimize the drag and maximize the shared lift. Flying together is so critical that often when young or unhealthy geese fall back to rest one or more stronger geese will stay back to fly with them when it's time to proceed."

 

So what do wild geese and LifePlanning have to do with each other? In a LifePlan we discuss the significant positive value mentors have in our lives. I believe mentors are similar to the lead goose. They have gone before us and accumulated life experiences helping smooth our way. Clearly this can be God at work in our lives, in the form of another. Also, we must be attentive to when we should and can be the 'lead goose' for others.

 

Interested in discussing more about the high value of mentors? Let's talk…

                                    Tommy

 

Clear View Issue 2

March 2010 Issue 2







Can a group operate without perspective? I offer the answer of yes. Perspective can only be achieved when we are seeking the complete truth of a situation. Last time I shared that we define perspective as the clear, undeterred truth of where we are today and how we arrived here. One of you responded by asking if I believe absolute truth can be achieved. I referred to a book, recommended years early by the same person, Great Ideas by Adler. Adler takes 102 “objects of thought “as he calls them and researched what the great thinkers of the world have to say about each subject. For ‘Truth’ he quotes Aristotle who says “If there were no absolute truth there would be no reason to walk around a well “. I love it. Do I believe absolute truth exist? Yes. Do I believe that it is 100% achievable by a group of people seeking perspective? Possibly not completely, but I have observed too many times to deny that a higher understanding is gained from the collective wisdom of a group.



The first day of a strategic operating plan is set aside for perspective. It is not unusual for us to discover there is missing or incomplete information. We don’t stop the plan to go get it, but it becomes a critical first step. It’s a like a warning blaring “PAY ATTENTION!” Tom Paterson, Founder of the Paterson Strategic Operating Plan © offers this guidance; “A plan built on the truth is destined to succeed, a plan built on fiction is destined to fail, do you know the truth? “

Another point of wisdom on this same subject he offers is “Always try and find the truth first, it is much more painful when it finds you.” If you need help gaining perspective, let’s talk.



Tommy

Clear View for Lifeplanners - Receiving the Gift

February 10, 2010 Issue 1 for LifePlanner


In the course of our time together in the LifePlan, we spent no small amount time gaining a new understanding of surrender. In order to live the life our Lord desires for us to live, we must come to terms with our demand on our lives. It’s the promise of John 10:6-10 :

6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ( The Message)

If we see Jesus’ words as the offering of a gift, a gift we could have never dreamed of, are we open to a His gift? Are we accepting without expectation, and willing to yield to the thoughtfulness of the giver?



What feelings come to mind when we are surprised by the genuine unselfish act of one close to us?



One of my daughters has a boyfriend who spontaneously brings her bouquets of roses. She has never been a ‘girlie girl’ and has not displayed a propensity to flowers or other similar gifts. However, when he surprises her with a large display of roses you can see her whole aura light! Who doesn’t love a great surprise gift?



Linda Brewer is one of our LifePlan peers. Linda had an experience that resonated with me at a very deep level. After personally accepting her gift of insight and blessing and with Linda’s permission, I share it with each of you. Linda seeks earnestly to live the life our Lord desires for her to live. She shares an authentic experience that will yield fruit for us all. Please go to the link shown to hear Linda’s wonderful message. Listen and revel in the gift!



http://tinyurl.com/ycvcoeg



Are you living with the gift Christ has for you? If you are not sure, let’s talk.



Tommy

 

Published!

http://www.washingtonlife.com/2010/01/15/get-out-give-back-how-to-make-a-charitable-resolution/



Hi Tommy,



You are officially quoted in the Washington Life Magazine - the online version. If you go to the homepage, www.washingtonlife.com, and click on "Lifestyles", you'll see that they added a Get Out and Give Back link. I just found that out yesterday via an email from the editor!



Cheers,



Jane



Jane Hess Collins

Founder, Get Out and Give Back

Connect. Contribute. Create a legacy.



Inspiring people to contribute

through coaching/speaking/writing



Share your volunteer stories at

http://www.getoutandgiveback.com

Clear View - Perspective

Jan 2010






Welcome to the First Edition of Clear View. Clear View will be a regular commentary from me about all things Strategic that I see from my practice of Strategic Operating Plans and LifePlans

Let’s get grounded with a few definitions. As a founder trained and certified Paterson Associate, we learn strategy is ‘managing tomorrow, today’ and operating is ‘managing today, today’. A successful strategy requires both a clear sense of where we are going and the actions necessary to get us there. The more I practice the Tom Paterson Strategic Plan Process™, the more it is reinforced there are no neutral decisions. Every decision everyone is making in the organization moves us closer to or further away from our envisioned destiny.

It all begins with perspective. Another definition: ‘Perspective is the clear, undeterred truth of where we are today and how we arrived here.’ There is no plan without perspective. I know that is a strong statement but it is a statement grounded in truth. We gain perspective by completely understanding our present reality. Often I will have prospective clients tell me where they want to take their organization. I’ll ask them “How do you know? What process did you use to eliminate distraction, personal bias, and other possibilities that may distort our truth?”

An example from a Paterson associate; As each hour of a Strategic Operating Plan went on, my friend could see the owner becoming less inviting of others points of view. Slowly he could feel them shutting down to the point it was basically a dialogue between he and the owner. This continued into the second day. The morning of the third and final day, my friend met the owner for an early breakfast. He shared his observations to which the owner quickly confessed. He struggled with the changes of the company, direction, and the needs of employees for freedom and trust. Wisely, my friend suggested that the owner share his thoughts and fears with the rest of the team. He did and the plan came together beautifully.

As we enter the New Year, where do you need organizational clarity? Need assistance?…Let’s talk. Tommy