JonathanBenz.com

Gifts Every Day!

A Christmas Meditation from my friend Rabbi Jenny...I love this one!

 

Hi All,

Thought for the day… 

 

“A good conscience is a continual Christmas.”-Benjamin Franklin

 

When you act with care,

You receive care.

When you act with consideration,

You receive consideration.

When you act with love,

You receive love.

 

Care, consideration, love.

Gifts we give.

Gifts we receive.

Every day.

 

I adore you.

 

Keep Shining!

 

Rabbi Jenny

 

 

Light shines brighter when we let it

A friend shared this video on Facebook today and I had to share it here.

It reminds me of all the donors across America who are anonymously paying people's layaway bills at KMart and WalMart so that they can give holiday gifts to their loved ones.

This video reminds me that on the first night of Hanukkah as well as during this Christmas season that light still shines brightly in the world but only when we let it out.

  

Effective Communication for Leaders

A few months ago I came across the following quote from author and blogger Seth Godin:

“Managers work to get their employees to do what they did yesterday, but a little faster and a little cheaper. Leaders, on the other hand, know where they'd like to go, but understand that they can't get there without their tribe, without giving those they lead the tools to make something happen...Managers want authority. Leaders take responsibility.”

I believe part of leading well is knowing how to communicate effectively to your tribe. You realize you could probably accomplish the goal more quickly on your own but that you’d arrive to the finish line in just that way: alone. It’s better to take your whole team with you as that will increase morale, their sense of personal buy-in, and loyalty to not just the project but also the other members of the team.

As part of some professional training recently, I developed a list of effective communication behaviors that I am endeavoring to employ both personally and professionally.

Effective communication is best when:

1. It is truthful. You mean what you say and say what you mean.
2. It is clear. Repeating back to another person what you heard said often ensures clarity.
3. It is factual. You stay in the realm of reality.
4. It is first-hand and verified. You never base anything on assumptions.
5. It is delivered in a way that is personalized yet not taken personally. You are sensitive to the needs and insecurities of your team.
6. It includes the rationale behind the message. You don’t give orders blindly but thoughtfully bring everyone on board.
7. Ancillary details are dropped in favor of the most critical information. You are concise and don’t waste others’ time.
8. It is communicated in different ways. You understand not everyone hears information in the same way.

How are you leading? How are you communicating?  Effective leadership and communication go hand-in-hand. You know you are leading well when people are willingly following.

Grace is Stronger than Rick Perry's "Strong"

There's been a lot of on-line chatter and offline discussion this week about Rick Perry's "Strong" ad. I've had some good laughs on the parodies and spoofs that people have made.

However, I believe the central message of "Strong" anything but funny. It is destructive and divisive and serves to separate people from the very love of God that Jesus of Nazareth embodied.

Most Christians I've dialogued with-as well as non-Christians-find Perry's use of the person of Jesus as a political tool to get elected completely incongruous with the central tenants of his message of love, forgiveness, and grace.

I came across this YouTube response by two sisters Monday and it really impacted me for I believe their position creates a place of grace where we can all come together. When I first saw it, it had about 3000 views. Today it has over 116,000.

I believe their response is what most people are looking for in America at this time. Most I dialogue with are looking for a middle ground and a place of peaceful discourse such as these ladies propose:

"We're waiting for a president who doesn't use religion merely to influence a political constituency, but instead embraces it as a powerful way to bridge the gap of vast differences among our fellow Americans. 

"Grace is what makes us strong, and will make us strong again because not our country, nor Rick Perry, nor either of us deserve it."

In my opinion, these sisters nailed it spot on.

 

Holiday Update 2011

I have been very neglectful of this blog for a couple weeks as I've been super busy!

I am happy to announce that I successfully completed my licensure last week with the Florida Certification Board to be a Certified Addictions Professional. I also am awaiting test results some time after the New Year on a related licensure that will allow me reciprocity in other states and countries for the Florida licensure.

Book sells are going great! Live a Legacy has been on the Top10 bestsellers list with my publisher since it came out five weeks ago. I was told by someone who in publishing that most books only sell 250 copies. Live a Legacy has already exceeded that and I am grateful.

I have completed two book signings, the first at Covenant Centre International, and the second at The Hanley Center today.

The book is being well received by people from across a wide spectrum of beliefs. In fact, one halfway house bought a copy for each of their residents to use in their spiritual studies in recovery. Thanks to all of you who have bought copies or downloaded for your tablet devices!

As always, I am available for spiritual advising and private coaching, should that interest you.

Wherever you find yourself this Holiday Season, may your heart be filled with hope, joy, and peace and may the Lights of Hanukkah and Christmas always remind you that the night is ever so dark that the Everlasting Light doesn't shine that much brighter!

Christmas Rush (just for fun)

A good reminder of what Christmas is and isn't about. (And don't miss the snazzy sweaters!)