Although there are many online tools available to help with communication and collaboration, nothing replaces face to face communication. In this video, a leader of a virtual on-line company makes his case to employees at UPS that face to face contact can not be replaced.
I agree, there are things that can only be accomplished via face to face contact that not even Skype video chat can do. Recently, I went to a team meeting where we got to meet everyone face to face and have meetings that helped us move forward in vision and purpose. Not only did the direct communication between team members was valuable, we spent quality team building time doing fun activities that we can't do virtually (you can't arm wrestle over Google Chat).
This is a great case for conferences and off-site meetings and it can do wonders for a virtual team and communication with potential partners. And even though virtual tools can be used the majority of the time for communication within a team, face to face communication can not be replaced and be one of the team's channel of communication.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
We Need You to Lead
... but people don't follow titles, they follow courage... And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I.
William Wallace
After watching Braveheart the other day, I am reminded of Seth Godin's book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, which I am currently reading. Tribes are groups of people connected to an idea with other people who follow a leader. A group is a tribe in waiting for a leader.
The Scots had a tribe leader, William Wallace, because he took the stand to lead a common cause - freedom. What is your tribe? What is your cause? And are you going to step up to lead? Because Godin argues that the best person to lead a tribe is you, because no one else will.
I agree - if there is a need for a tribe, a stand for a worthwhile cause, because there is no current tribe for it, it might be because you need to lead it for it to exist.
I think this is very applicable to many situations including campus ministry. For a new staff, a group is an MDA and to turn it into a tribe, it needs a leader. That leader may be you, or it may be a leader you will raise to lead that group so that it becomes a tribe.
After watching Braveheart the other day, I am reminded of Seth Godin's book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, which I am currently reading. Tribes are groups of people connected to an idea with other people who follow a leader. A group is a tribe in waiting for a leader.
The Scots had a tribe leader, William Wallace, because he took the stand to lead a common cause - freedom. What is your tribe? What is your cause? And are you going to step up to lead? Because Godin argues that the best person to lead a tribe is you, because no one else will.
I agree - if there is a need for a tribe, a stand for a worthwhile cause, because there is no current tribe for it, it might be because you need to lead it for it to exist.
I think this is very applicable to many situations including campus ministry. For a new staff, a group is an MDA and to turn it into a tribe, it needs a leader. That leader may be you, or it may be a leader you will raise to lead that group so that it becomes a tribe.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Guilt and Justice
I was reading an article in Leadership Journal titled "Why We Do Justice" (It's not because we feel guilty) and I couldn't help wonder if people even feel guilty anymore? Are people motivated by guilt?
I should know something about guilt - it is a common tactic used by Asian families to get their kids to do something. Something about saving face. But the reality is that guilt creates a false sense of obedience to authority or command that usually results in rebellion. This is especially true of this current young generation where authority, loyalty and obedience takes on a whole different face (a lot can be said about this, but that is another post somewhere else).
However, the reality is that most people don't even feel guilty when injustice is thrust into their face. "We see unfairness and injustice, and we know what we don't do. So we feel guilty." the author writes. I don't think society reacts by guilt anymore.
I am in a case in point. I used to feel guilty when I pass by the homeless on the streets and they ask for money and I said no, fearing that they would use the money to help feed an addiction or worse and then chastising myself thinking such judgemental thoughts. But guilt soon led to callousness as I just said no to their request or not even respond when approached.
This callousness I soon saw in most of the people who face injustice and poverty every day. I saw this in India. I see it here in Canada. How are we to respond? If not guilt, what is the proper way so that I don't just feel something but act and do something?
More as I process this...
I should know something about guilt - it is a common tactic used by Asian families to get their kids to do something. Something about saving face. But the reality is that guilt creates a false sense of obedience to authority or command that usually results in rebellion. This is especially true of this current young generation where authority, loyalty and obedience takes on a whole different face (a lot can be said about this, but that is another post somewhere else).
However, the reality is that most people don't even feel guilty when injustice is thrust into their face. "We see unfairness and injustice, and we know what we don't do. So we feel guilty." the author writes. I don't think society reacts by guilt anymore.
I am in a case in point. I used to feel guilty when I pass by the homeless on the streets and they ask for money and I said no, fearing that they would use the money to help feed an addiction or worse and then chastising myself thinking such judgemental thoughts. But guilt soon led to callousness as I just said no to their request or not even respond when approached.
This callousness I soon saw in most of the people who face injustice and poverty every day. I saw this in India. I see it here in Canada. How are we to respond? If not guilt, what is the proper way so that I don't just feel something but act and do something?
More as I process this...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
About two things...
As I return from 2 and a half months of work related travel, I have decided to focus writing on two things related to work: ministering to the poor and Operations focused on increasing capacity for sharing Christ.
Although this blog does not reflect the opinions of any organizations I am affiliated with, I will write about what I am personally learning or struggling through. I came back from one of the more enjoyable and thought provoking conferences in a long time and I have a lot to ponder about. Forefront in my mind: Gospel Proclamation and Gospel Demonstration.
Although this blog does not reflect the opinions of any organizations I am affiliated with, I will write about what I am personally learning or struggling through. I came back from one of the more enjoyable and thought provoking conferences in a long time and I have a lot to ponder about. Forefront in my mind: Gospel Proclamation and Gospel Demonstration.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Poor
For the past have year, I have been pondering the direction of what I should write on in this blog. On one hand, I don't want to write meaningless dribble for the sake of putting something up on a blog. On the other hand, I do want to continue learning how to write and make my thoughts clear and concise by sharing the faith adventure God has put me in. I think I will continue to blog as God teaches me more about life and what it means to be a Christ-follower.
A theme that has been coming up in my life over the past year is figuring out how I can help the poor as a person and as a follower of Jesus Christ. In addition to getting into a church that has a core value to help the poor in the city, God has opened doors to help the poor overseas through a partnership at work.
As this new chapter unfolds in my life, I'm expecting to be challenged with things that will make me uncomfortable and will force me to be more emotional. I will probably be convicted to change habits and how I spend my resources. Looking forward to it...
A theme that has been coming up in my life over the past year is figuring out how I can help the poor as a person and as a follower of Jesus Christ. In addition to getting into a church that has a core value to help the poor in the city, God has opened doors to help the poor overseas through a partnership at work.
As this new chapter unfolds in my life, I'm expecting to be challenged with things that will make me uncomfortable and will force me to be more emotional. I will probably be convicted to change habits and how I spend my resources. Looking forward to it...
Bible study tools
Check out these tools and also a chance to win!Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to help with your Bible study!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Relationships
Relationships are a big thing because we are a relational type of people. Just take a quick look at your Facebook news feed - there is a fascination when someone proclaims that they are in a relationship or when their status changes to "single". Comments pour in of congratulations or sympathy...
But what is beyond establishing a relationship? How does one get to know another person?
I came across a nugget today while reading. When describing his relationship with a person that is suppose to be a close friend, he compared it to another one saying,
"Your father got along just fine didn't he? He did what was right and treated people fairly, and things went well with him. He stuck up for the down and out and things went well... Isn't this what it means to know me?"
Could this be the missing link to many failed relationships? They say opposites attract - that can be true. But to further a relationship and to go deeper is the key to understand the other person's character by living it out?
Our friends who share the love of food, amongst other things =D
But what is beyond establishing a relationship? How does one get to know another person?
I came across a nugget today while reading. When describing his relationship with a person that is suppose to be a close friend, he compared it to another one saying,
"Your father got along just fine didn't he? He did what was right and treated people fairly, and things went well with him. He stuck up for the down and out and things went well... Isn't this what it means to know me?"
Could this be the missing link to many failed relationships? They say opposites attract - that can be true. But to further a relationship and to go deeper is the key to understand the other person's character by living it out?
Our friends who share the love of food, amongst other things =DSunday, January 25, 2009
Relaunch
I have been thinking of using this space for more than just to write my musings on any topic that comes to mind (although it is still available for that). I want to focus in on specific issues - perhaps being more intentional with my thoughts.
In the days to come, I think I will be writing more. Stay tuned...
In the days to come, I think I will be writing more. Stay tuned...
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