“Artists are people with a genius for finding a new answer, a new connection, or a new way of getting things done.” – Seth Godin I am currently reading Seth’s fantastic book Linchpin. He makes the argument that our society is built to reduce everyone but a few to a level of mediocrity. We are […]
Tag Archives | Opinion
Leaders Cannot Give Others What They Do Not Have
Brian Dodd on October 6, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership, Family, Relationships, Sports Leadership
This past Sunday evening, NBC’s Rodney Harrison questioned how the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles formed their team. During the off-season the Eagles spent millions of dollars on skilled position players. However, their offensive and defensive lines are incredibly weak. Harrison said, “You build a team from the inside out, not the outside in.” Let’s contrast the […]
Is Your Church Killing Your Ability To Innovate And Reach The Next Generation?
Brian Dodd on September 28, 2011 in Church Leadership
I read two articles in the last 24 hours that have blown me away! Interestingly, though written separately their messages are basically tied together. George Barna just released Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church. I want to focus on the first reason he listed. To read the full list, click here. Barna’s top reason for […]
The Junk In A Leader’s Life
Brian Dodd on September 23, 2011 in Church Leadership, Family, Relationships
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, which was launched into earth’s orbit in 1991, is now “dead” and will soon re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and crash to the ground. While no one is expected to get hurt or property damaged, there are still no guarantees. What I found interesting listening to the reports is that there is actually in excess […]
22 Statements That Help Define A Generous Person
Brian Dodd on September 18, 2011 in Church Leadership, Generosity
Today at Fellowship Bible Church, my pastor Crawford Loritts gave perhaps the greatest message on generosity I’ve ever heard. Often we embelish or are prone to hyperbole, but that statement is not an exaggeration. As a leader it challenged and spoke to me deeply. I want to pass along his statements to you. Hoarders have a disease. They can’t […]
Why Every Church Is Made Up Of 3 People – Producers, Consumers, And Decomposers
Brian Dodd on September 14, 2011 in Church Leadership
 Lizzy Goodman’s recent article in Fast Company about New York City’s Ace Hotel fascinated me.  Goodman noted, “As I pass the expansive windows of the John Dory – the mod oyster bar that’s part of Ace’s ecosystem – I notice Norah Jones at a window table having lunch. This is the place.” What caught my attention […]
Leaders Are Vulnerable
Brian Dodd on September 11, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership
Many leaders I know think they are either Alpha Males or Alpha Females. They think they are indestructible and larger than life.  Their distinctive personality trait is arrogance. Position and leveraging their personal platform are primary motivations.   These leaders are mistaken and misguided. They are not bullet-proof. The truth is that leaders are vulnerable. We are all hanging by […]
I Was Wrong About Saving Seats At Church
Brian Dodd on August 16, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership
One of the worst arguments my wife and I have ever had took place on a Christmas Eve early in our marriage. We were coming back from the Singing Christmas Tree (I’m showing my age) and arguing over whether you should save seats for people or not. You see the place was packed and we were saving five seats for people who always […]
23 Traits Of Good Leadership
Brian Dodd on August 13, 2011 in Church Leadership, Sports Leadership
 Recently, Rachel Farrell of www.CareerBuilder.com asked five business leaders what were the qualities that made up a good leader. Here are the answers. I’m interested in your thoughts and what you would add to this list. Rachael Fisher-Layne, VP of Media Relations for JCPR Honesty – This allows employees to always know where they […]
A Better Way To Talk About Hell? You Decide.
Brian Dodd on August 10, 2011 in Character, Church Leadership
I was fascinated today by an article entitled Simple Genius: A Cigarette Box So Ugly It Could Save Lives written by Suzanne Labarre of Co.Design for www.FastCompany.com. It is about two Loughborough University (U.K.) students, Jennifer Noon and Sarah Shaw, who wish to reduce the amount of smoking. Their concept is simple – scaring people has […]
When Pastors And Church Leaders Don’t Listen To Their People
Brian Dodd on August 9, 2011 in Church Leadership, Great Teams
Several months ago I noticed an obvious issue with how a certain aspect of ministry was being delivered at a local church. When I brought my thoughts to the appropriate people, I was brushed aside and marginalized. This created a sense of apathy in me. I thought, “What’s the use. These people will never get it.”  This […]
10 Leadership Quotes and Principles From Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Brian Dodd on August 6, 2011 in Church Leadership, Great Teams
On June 15th here in the Atlanta area, a 2-year-old monkey escaped from the Yerkes National Primate Research Center Field Station which is associated with Emory University.  Should I be concerned?  After watching Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, perhaps I should. Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes is a completely implausible but fun movie that I enjoyed […]