Leadership is not predictable. Some of the people who work with me do not see the selves as leaders, and do not really want to be leaders because they think leadership is boring. They have been told that leadership is a set of skills that will give them the tools to they need to deal with the situations they might face as a leader. They can learn and practice these skills so they will be prepared for anything they might be... Read more
Whenever I begin working with someone, we sit down for a talk. I explain how I understand spiritual direction or coaching, we share parts of our stories, and I give them opportunities to ask me any questions they have. Quite a few people ask me Are you a real monk? Some people want to know more about what a spiritual director or a coach does. Last week I was talking with someone for the first time who asked me a question... Read more
We look for the Holy in special places. We look for the sacred in places and and practices where we have found the sacred before, or where other people have found the sacred. We visit places of spiritual depth. We try to relive the things that brought us a sense of closeness to the Holy in the past. We are not trying to earn enough points to experience the sacred. We are not trying to align enough of our lives... Read more
Independence is in the eye of the beholder. I can remember when I saw independence as an iconic American virtue. The independence declared by the original colonies is reflected in many of the heroes of the American story; settlers carving homes from the frontier, men and women exploring earth and space, law enforcement officials working to do justice. The American story celebrates not only the independence of our country, but the independence we share as people. Our movies tell... Read more
I hear a lot about the differences between leadership and management. Some people perceive management as being overly focused on details and objectives, while leadership is more inspirational and motivating. Some people seem to think that managers push pencils, while leaders talk about values and vision. I have heard people say that someone needs to “get beyond managing to step up as a leader.” I have a difficult time understanding the difference. The greatest leaders I have ever met are... Read more
The first six months of this year end tonight. We are halfway to next year. What have the first six months of the year been like for you? What experiences have you shared since January? What has surprised you, pleasantly and otherwise? What have you gained, and what have you left along the way? How are things different for you than they were six months ago? I remember people and conversations most clearly from the year so far. Taking the... Read more
It is summer, and my 2012 Craft Brewery Pilgrimage is rolling into its halfway point. Each month I bring people together to build community around a table. We pay tribute to the long connection between monks and brewing, and the rapidly growing craft brewing community in Southern California. I get to meet the people I know online who I have not met in real life. I also give at least one organization the opportunity to share their story. We began back in February at the San Pedro Brewing Company.... Read more
My favorite prayer in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer is part of the final service of the day before going to sleep. The prayer is: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. I appreciate... Read more
Leadership is about recognizing that you are a leader. I work with people who have deep passion to be leaders. They value leadership and helping people work together well. Some of them are desperately seeking leadership; many of them want to become better leaders. The people with the deepest desire for leadership in their lives often tell me that they are not leaders themselves. “I do not really see myself as a leader.” “I am too young, or too old,... Read more
You might be a little surprised to learn there is a Mrs. Strategic Monk, since monks are not usually in the habit of getting married (pun intended). Greg and I first met years ago, and were married before he became an Oblate at New Camaldoli or the Strategic Monk. I was eager to write this guest post for Greg while he is spending the weekend in California’s Gold Country, giving a presentation on brewing during the Gold Rush. I wanted... Read more
Strategic Monk
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