A few years ago, I was going through a really difficult challenge in our ministry. A new friend of mine, Dan Reiland (a.k.a. The Pastor’s Coach), sent me a really curious book called The Radical Leap: A Personal Lesson in Extreme Leadership by Steve Farber. In essence, this little business book tells a story which reminded me of why I do what I do and became a real source of encouragement:
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“A leader’s obligation is to make possible an environment where people can aspire to change the world.”
“We have been conditioned to believe that fear is bad. And, yeah, fear can save your life or keep you from doing something stupid, but avoiding it can also keep you from doing something great, from learning something new, and from growing as a human being. Fear is a natural part of growth, and since growth, change, and evolution are all on the Extreme Leader’s agenda, fear comes with the territory. The Extreme leader pursues the OS!M – the Oh (Snap)! Moment.
If the only reason you’re avoiding taking on a challenge is because the idea scares you, then that’s the reason to take it on.”
“Management has to stop pretending to be the Great Protector, but the rest of us have to stop asking and expecting them to be. We got to get over the whole idea of ‘them’, as a matter of fact. We need to hold ourselves accountable and stop looking to blame ‘them’ when things go wrong.”
“I’m not trying to change your hearts and minds- it’s been challenging enough to change my own. All I can tell you is that I love this place, and I love what we can become, and I am completely, unabashedly, and unapologetically in love with the kind of future we can create together.”
To receive the full notes and to sign up for my monthly email newsletter, send an email to me at eric@mosaic.org with “Radical Leap” in the subject heading.
What Oh Snap! Moments are you facing right now?
Dan suggested the same book to me about a year ago. Great truths told in such a compelling way. Thank you for the reminder, will have to pull it off the shelf for a fresh look.
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WHAT DOES leap STAND FOR
LEAP stands for Love generates Energy, inspires Audacity, and requires Proof.