Natalie's Jan "Relational Intelligence" Review

Hmm, well I guess the biggest thing that hit me in the first chapter of "RI" is that to have smarter, better relationships, leading to being a better leader, I first have to view relationships differently. I really liked the line "...we must shift from a positional authority mind-set to the crucial leadership mind-set of relational authority." I think being a leader sometimes in certain settings we can kind of think to ourselves "I gotta be the leader - come one guys, listen to what I have to say and let's get this over with." But I think Saccone is absolutely right that if we don't have real relationships with those we are trying to lead, what is the point? Who is going to want to be a part of that group?!
Another line that was really challenging to me was "As leaders, we can sometimes see relationships as simply a means to an end, and this inevitably short-circuits the process needed to apply and implement RI in our everyday lives and leadership." This creates a struggle within me. As a leader you want to influence people and make their lives and walks better, but to me, this starts to feel a little overwhelming. I start to think about all the people that are in my sphere of influence and that's a lot of people! Not that I don't care about every person in a different way (some are closer than others) but how do you give fully of yourself to so many people? I'm not saying that I think of people as commodities, but where do you draw the line to how much you can give? Maybe it's because at this stage of my life we have small children who require a lot of attention and depend on us for everything.
I definitely want to value people for who they are, but it is easy at times to get more focused on getting the job done, rather than cultivating the relationships along the way. I am praying that these thoughts will challenge me when I'm in the midst of a situation to remember what's really important and to focus more on the relationships than the end product.

Allison's January Book Reveiw Relational Intellegence: Chapter one

The author gave different stories of relational intelligence, from how he chased off his wife because of sharing feeling to soon, to having a boss he couldn't relate with, to a friend who received and grew in Christ through relationship. Honestly the stories were entertaining and interesting but seemingly pretty basic relationship mishaps and victories, he did catch my attention when he started talking about expanding influence through smarter more purposeful relationships. To be able to effect the right people to be motivated to get involved and contribute.

He stated that Jesus boils life down to just one thing: "A new command I give you: Love one another." We are to demonstrate love through serving, sacrificing when necessary, all for the sake of others. I like how he compares love to a rushing waterfall that pours down with such force that it has the power to generate enormous amounts of electricity. Basically he says that godly love is the guidelines for Relational Intelligence. The first chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book to unfold how to take the power of love and effectively grow relationships to become the most they can for kingdom work.

Annette's Personal Growth Choice

I am going to focus on PREACHING for my personal growth topic.  I love to teach and it comes pretty easy for me.  But there is more of an "art" to preaching - relaying a spiritual message through words.  I am definitely weak in that area.  So I'm going to start with "Made To Stick".  It talks about the art of storytelling when you communicate.  Some of my favorite preachers are my favorite because of their ability to use a story to make an idea stick with me.  I'm also going to look for another book that is specifically about preaching.  I'll post that when I find it. 

Randy's Personal Growth Book

I chose "How to Speak and Write Correctly by Joseph Devlin.  My reason for choosing this book is I specifically want my writing to improve.

Randy's January Book Review: Relational Intellegence - Chapter 1

I chuckled as the author told of a dating story and his deep desire to connect with her, but didn’t know how.  He said the wrong thing at the wrong time and blew it.  The relationship ended.  I suspect we all can relate and tell our own stories, at least I could. 
     The author spent the 1^st chapter advertising the need to have Relational Intelligence.  He posed this question:  “What if cultivating smarter relationships became a more integral part of how we approach leading others?”   “Relationships have a direct correlation to the quality of our lives,” a statement from the author.
     Although I didn’t completely agree with the author in an illustration he gave, I do see the need to be smarter with relationships.  Here’s his illustration:  When he got out of college he searched for a job that he could established a relational connection with his boss.  He gave up his first opportunity for a different position, in which he did relationally connect with his boss.  I suppose that is idealistic but I’m not sure it’s realistic.  I looked back on my life and there were bosses I couldn’t connect to but I felt God wanted me in that place for my spiritual development. 
     Relationships are the virus of influence.  I like how the author used the word virus in a good spread of influence.  I have the potential to infect people, either in a positive or negative way.  I was challenged to have good spiritual health because viruses spread out. 
     I appreciated the last part of this chapter.  The author introduced a tool to measure relational quotient or as he refers to it: RQ   
Web site to measure RQ:  http://relationalintelligence.info/
My Score:RQ Score: 76
Your Normalized RQ Score represents your relational intelligence measured on a scale from 1 to 100. This number is an absolute rating and has no correlation to the general population.
What does my score mean?

•  0 to 60 - Below Average
• 60 to 75 - Average
• 75 to 100 - Above Average

My greatest area was self awareness

After going through this book I will take this again and find out if and how much I’ve improved.

Jodie's book to read.

Journey to your promised land.  What if life on Monday was as powerful as church on Sunday?

Jodie's 1st Post (Jan.)

Jodie's 1st post

Why did I agree to be part of Signet Leadership at this time?  Well,  What am I waiting for!!  No time better than the present - I can't put it off any longer.  Christ return will be soon and I want to be found ready and those around me to know.  I am up to the challenge. 
I see an urgency out in the world right now, I want to do better at  what I do -do.  I can continue to keep adding 'jobs' or 'labels' to my life but if I don't do good to what I commit to - I am a clanging cymbal.

What am I passionate about?  I want to be effective in children's/ teens lives.  If these kids of this generation don't make a commitment to stand for Christ now - the chances that they will as adults is very slim to none.  It's a tough world out there and we need to equip them with All they will need.
I also love to scrapbook - preserve those memories.  Let my kids know how loved they are.

Growing as a Leader -   I think we should never stop learning.  But,  I can learn and be educated about things and changes I should make - but, if I don't apply them, what good was it.  I need to work through the application process.  Just as we all are a work in progress through Christ - we can read the Bible but if you don't apply it to your life, they are just worlds on a page(make HIM real).  So Work It Out - is my new goal also.

What 5 things that could Hinder me?   As I put off things, like this blog - procrastination is a down fall and being on time.  I also hate to ask people for help,  I want to just get it done myself.  Is it self control, perfectionism,  or just not wanting to bother someone???  I've got alot to learn.  I want to be trustworthy, but if I get to much on my plate I feel I have failed at times-many times. 
I have to laugh at my self, we all should - right!?  I use to think I was a "nice person"!  Wow - where did I go?  Is it that I could handle more earlier in my life - less stress, or I just don't let it 'roll off my back' like before.  I really try to not let people bother me - but it's harder now (am I just older and crabbier?)  I might be  your greatest 'piece of work' in this group! ha!

Writing and speaking are not my strengths, so I will need to put forth more of an effort in these areas.

What gifts can I bring to the leadership of this church?  I feel that I am an approachable person,  I hope I can comfort and share the joy of Christ to others.  Encouragement is a natural gift - and I enjoy purposefully spreading it.  I've got my Dad's big smile (hate the wrinkles that come with it though) and I just now have learned since his death, of what a gift it is. He was remembered that way - always had a smile to greet everyone.

I am looking forward to a bond of growth with this group, a kick in the butt,  helping me to do better and be better for the Kingdom of Christ.  I hope not to let any of you down- let alone my Jesus.

Love you all,

Jodie

Natalie: Why I am doing Signet

Ok so I sort of figured out how to get here and what to do.
So I think that I wanted to be a part of Signet to put myself to a challenge. Since not being in college for several years now I feel like I have gotten behind in learning new things. I also feel that it's important for me to become a better leader because I want people within my influence to be inspired to do great things for God too.

I think growing means not staying in the same place. Growing in our relationship with Christ means we should always be moving forward and not being satisfied with the level we are at or we are comfortable with how much we know of God. I want to have fresh revelation of Him not just what I've known for years.

Alison's First Blog Post

1. Why did you agree to be apart of Signet at this time?

I agreed to be apart of Signet at this time because I enjoy reading and know that it is essential for personal growth and focus. Having a group to read and interact with will be great help to keep me on track.

2. What do you think it means to grow as a leader?

In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine... 2 Timothy 4:1-3
What it means to me to grow as a leader is to be prepared at all times to effectively tell others about Jesus.

Goal Setting Schedule

By January 31 - post 30 day goal to be completed February 28
By March 7 - post 60 day goal to be completed April 30
By May 2 - post 30 day goal to be completed May 30
By June 3 - post 90 day goal to be completed Sept 30 (worked on July-Sept)
By July 29 - post UPDATE on your 90 day goal
By August 26 - post UPDATE on your 90 day goal
By September 26 - post UPDATE on completion of your 90 day goal
By October 7 - post 60 day goal (2012 planning) to be completed Nov 30

Please refer to instructions for example and format.

RELATIONAL INTELLIGENCE Reading Schedule

About Leadership Network, Foreword, Chapter 1 - January 31
Chapter 2 - February 28
Chapter 3-4 - March 31
Chapter 5-6 - April 30
Chapter 7 - June 30
Chapter 8-9 - August 2

Mike's First Blog

1. Why did you agree to be a part of Signet at this time?

There are times in life when I feel things have become somewhat stale. During those times, a person usually gets by day by day, but looses focus of the big picture. Shortly after going through a time like this, Annette mentioned Signet and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. I accepted the opportunity.

2. What do you think it means to GROW as a leader?

Once we reach a certain level in our various areas in life things may become like a status quo. When that happens, we should see what can be done to help improve things. Just like our walk with the Lord, it is not a destination but a journey. We need to be open to change that will stretch us. But I also believe that with change there needs to be balance. If some thing is working - stick with it. You need to lead by example. It can be hard to lead someone where you haven't been yourself. Any insights or lessons learned during the growing process can then be passed on to others.

Randy's 1st Post

1. Why did you agree to be a part of Signet at this time?   I became a part of Signet because I want to be challenged and belong to a group that is like minded.
2. What do you think it means to GROW as a leader?   The expansion of knowledge concerning leadership and then taking that knowledge and applying it.

Signet Goal Setting

Setting goals is not a process that most leaders enjoy.  But good leaders have bit the bullet and learned how to discipline themselves to do it.  We are going to learn this art together!  We will be setting 30-day, 60-day and 90-day goals.  Here are some tips to help you start thinking about your first goal. 

MEASURABLE:  Your goals should be measurable - not too abstract or broad. To say you need to improve your communication is pretty generic.  But to say you need to improve the way you facilitate a meeting or Bible study is more on target.  In order to complete a goal, you will need to identify action steps to take. 

PRACTICAL:  Set a goal that addresses a current need in your leadership life.  If you have an event coming in a few months, you should be setting goals that will help you prepare for that!

ACHIEVABLE:  Each of our goals will have a specific time frame.  Make sure your goal is possible in that amount of time.  For example, you can't efficiently plan a banquet for 500 people in 30 days.  That would be unreasonable.  Or if it's a 60 day goal and you know you have surgery scheduled during that time, don't bite off something that can't be interrupted during your recovery.  One of the major barriers to goal setting is that we don't think ahead - and it's one of the fruits of goal setting - to LEARN to think ahead!



Format Example (one of mine from last year):
Goal for Jan-Mar:  Plan out my own leadership development process for 2010.  What am I going to do to spur on my own growth?

Action Steps:

1. Facilitate a Signet group with AYM sponsors.
2. Request transcripts from Trinity.
3. Apply to take correspondence courses to pursue my state ministerial credentials.
4. Select 6-8 books to read this year and order them.
5. Talk to Pastor about accountability in my own leadership development (give him my book list).
6. Prepare information for the board about continuing education expenses.

Goal Examples (just to get the juices flowing):

• Time management with specific projects or events
• Developing an annual schedule for a specific area of ministry you’re leading
• Injecting creativity in how you lead your team or group
• Taking someone else under your wing in ministry
• Improve communication with those you work with
• Find a new way to serve the leader you’re working with (I love this one – haha) to add some variety and help them out
• Identify a task or duty that has been inefficient in your leadership life and find a way to improve it

Personal Growth Book

Assignment: Identify an area of personal growth that you'd like to address.  Select a book (preferably Christian author) that addresses this area. 

• It can be related to your leadership life, but something more specific than what we will cover.  We are addressing overall leadership issues, but you could narrow it down more.  For example, if you struggle with communicating, you could select a book about that specifically.
• It can also relate to an area of your personal life, i.e. marriage, finances, emotional health, parenting. 
• You will be responsible to purchase the personal growth book.  http://www.christianbook.com/ is a great resource and offers very reasonable prices.
• You need to have the book in your hands by March 1st. 
• You will need to complete the book by November 30th. 
• Only two blog posts are required for the personal growth book.  1) What book you've selected and why.  2) Final book review  But you can opt to post multiple times as you read through the book if you like.  That gives us a glimpse of how it's going through the year.

2011 Signet Blogging Instructions

Here are some basic blogging instructions for new users - and we also want to be sure everyone uses the same format.

1. You will start at your dashboard.  Mine looks like this. 
2. Then you will click on "NEW POST".
3. For future reference, if you want to edit a post, there's a link there to do that.

1. Then a new post box will open.  It looks like this. 
2. Always add a Title that includes your name, the time frame, and what kind of post it is (i.e. Book Review, Goals).  So a good title for me would be "Annette's January Book Review".
3. Then the box for text is used to type in.  As you can see, it's very similar to Word.  You can bold, italicize and underline.  You can change the color, add a picture, etc.  Pretty simple!
4. It automatically saves your posts as you work - in case you'd lose your connection or get distracted.
5. At the bottom right, you'll see "Labels".  This is also very important for you to use.  If you click on "Show all", it will open what labels are available.  Please don't create any new labels because it gets cluttered.  Just use the label that is applicable.  Your name should ALWAYS be one of the labels.  That helps us when we're looking back at just your posts.  And, again, use the label that describes your post.
6. When you've finished your post, you click "Publish Post".
7. That's it!

8. Anytime you're in the blog itself and you want to get back to your dashboard, just go up to the right hand corner and click on the blogger button (see icon right).